APEA Defending Need for Greater Funding from Towns for School Budget

On Monday, April 1, the Amherst Town Council is set to consider a regional school budget that, if adopted and funded, would prevent devastating cuts in services and the reduction of a dozen educator positions.

On March 26, the Regional School Committee voted to recommend that the Council consider a $35.75 million budget, which is $940,000 greater than the original $34.81 million proposal from the Amherst Pelham Regional School District.

If adopted, the new budget figure would prevent any reduction of educators and support staff, including World Language and Dance instruction at the middle school and the restorative justice programs at the middle and high schools. 

Without additional funding from the towns of Amherst, Leverett, Shutesbury and Pelham, the already-strained resources of the secondary schools will face compounded damage. Previous recent budget cuts have already resulted in larger Middle School math, social studies, English and science class sizes. Maintaining full counselor staffing is essential in meeting the social and emotional needs of the community’s adolescents. The sought-after funds would prevent even larger class sizes and ensure students have enriching class options. 

On Monday, the Council will refer a budget to the Amherst Finance Committee, which will take a final vote on April 25.

The Council is scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Amherst Town Hall. APEA members and community supporters plan to be there in force to let the Council know about the negative impact of cuts unless the towns fund a budget that fully meets student needs.