On 3/31/26, the Amherst (Elementary) School Committee passed a budget that looks much like the one originally presented by the district administration but with the following changes:
- It retains the 4.5 Specials Teaching positions that were initially proposed to be cut
- It retains the 2 Math Coach and 0.5 Interventionist positions that were initially proposed to be cut
- It eliminates 1% in spending in the Central Office budget
This budget is a 5.87% increase over the FY26 Budget, but per the Town of Amherst’s calculations will be a 6.89 increase (due to the way they are calculating the addition of the free cash from last year). This budget adds $572,310 above what the Town of Amherst is currently indicating it is willing/able to pay for FY27.
Per the Town Charter, the School Budget is due to the Town Manager on April 1st. He then has until May 1st to deliver a balanced budget to the Town Council. Ultimately, the Town Manager will decide what amount to include for the Elementary Schools in his budget and there likely will not be a final decision for some time. The Town Council’s budget guidelines indicated that if there was sufficient revenue, the Manager should include last year’s free cash for the Elementary Schools ($269,704) in the base for making this year’s calculation, which has already been done – that has already resulted in $280,088 more for the Elementary Schools than the Town had initially said it would provide. Other than that, the guidelines indicate that the Town, Library and Schools should all get the same percentage increase (currently, 3.85%).
The recording of last night’s meeting is available here. It starts at around the 18 minute mark. We will share more info as it becomes available.