Resources - SOS Amherst

Resources

School funding facts 10.16.25

Process for Next Year's School Budget

Amherst Budget at a glance

Simplified Surplus

Amherst FY24 Free Cash Allocation chart 2.22.25

Whats wrong state funding 1

Whats wrong state funding 2

Public Comments

Are you nervous about making public comment? Check out our explainer for all the info you need!

Check out SOS Amherst’s Youtube Channel for short informative clips!

SOS Amherst

Cathy Schoen on the harmful impacts of the charter school funding formula on Amherst's schools

Ellisha Walker on why it is crucial that we fund our schools

Deb Leonard pushing back on characterization of the schools - Note George Ryan wont look at her

Look at all the steps our schools have already taken to reduce costs

Great explainer from Allegra Clark on how Amherst's budget practices lack transparency and equity

School Committee Member Bridget Hynes on the real impacts of underfunding our schools (10.23.25)

School Committee member Deb Leonard pushes back on Town Council during the budget discussions in June 2025

Deb Leonard correcting the record 6 16 25

Here is a little story about how the Town of Amherst divides up its money. Infinite appreciation to @artifacts.of.chuck817 for making this idea come to life!

A little story about how Amherst divides up its money

Listen to Superintendent Dr. Xi explain to Amherst Finance Committee why it doesn't work to treat the schools the same as other town departments. Our schools are obligated to meet the needs of the students who walk through the doors, however inconvenient this might be for the Town budget.

Dr Xi on why equal percentages doesn't work FinCom 5 8 25

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Click on the headings below to be taken to the links.

Amherst

Amherst Town Budgets

Town of Amherst FY26 Budget

Amherst Town Council Meeting Schedule

Amherst Town Council Website

Amherst School Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes

Amherst School Committee discusses the budget for the elementary schools.
The Regional School Committee discusses the Regional Schools (middle and high school).
All of the members of the Amherst School Committee also sit on the Regional School Committee and are joined there with representatives from Leverett, Pelham and Shutesbury.

Amherst political directory (April 2025)

Amherst Town Agreement with Amherst College

Amherst Town Agreement with UMass

Find your district here.

Find your town councilors here.

4.13.25 Community Conversation presentation

Amherst FY24 Free Cash allocation

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

How the state school funding system operates: The Amherst-Pelham Regional edition

Presented by Tracy Novick, Director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees to the Amherst Regional School Committee

August 27th, 2024

Link to pdf of presentation

Link to video

Efforts from Other Communities

SOS Northampton Fund Our Schools

Northampton City Council resolution

Mass Promise to Invest

The Charter School Funding Formula is Broken

Contacts

Important Contact information:

Amherst School Committee: AmherstSchoolCommittee@arps.org
Amherst Pelham Regional School Committee: RegionalSchoolCommittee@arps.org
Pelham School Committee: PelhamSchoolCommittee@arps.org
Amherst Town Council: towncouncil@amherstma.gov
Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman: bockelmanp@amherstma.gov
Senator Jo Comerford: Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov
Representative Mindy Domb: mindy.domb@mahouse.gov