School officials address concerns over student safety and staffing at Bridge Street School

Concerns over student safety and staffing shortages took center stage at the Northampton City Council meeting on March 6, 2025, as council members voiced their frustrations regarding the needs of local schools. A particularly alarming incident involving a medically fragile second grader from Bridge Street School, who was found unattended for 30 minutes near a busy street, highlighted the urgent need for additional resources and support.

During the meeting, a council member criticized the school administration for not adequately addressing the staffing needs of Bridge Street School, especially in light of the recent request for a fence rather than additional teaching staff. The council member emphasized the disparity in requests between Bridge Street and Jackson Street Schools, questioning the leadership's priorities and decision-making processes. "Wouldn't it be you... to say, 'I asked my alt team what they needed'?" they asked, urging the administration to take a more proactive approach in addressing the schools' challenges.

In response, Dr. Bonner, the school administrator, defended the decisions made, explaining that the principal at Bridge Street did not request an additional second-grade teacher due to a decrease in student enrollment. He acknowledged the need for safety measures but insisted that the school was managing its resources as best as possible given the circumstances. "We have children with special needs... and we're dealing with those needs very appropriately," he stated, while also addressing the transient nature of the student population.

The discussion underscored a growing concern among council members and parents about the adequacy of support for students, particularly those with special needs. As the meeting concluded, the council expressed a desire for further dialogue on how to better allocate resources to ensure the safety and well-being of all students in the district. The implications of these discussions are significant, as they may influence future funding decisions and policy changes aimed at improving educational outcomes in Northampton.