[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6242949,"mediaKeyId","3243789-3b1eff39b9eaeb4516719d15bbfcfb82","parentId",3243789,"title","Northampton public speakers, union and school committee spar over staff reductions after mayor’s budget proposal","audioSeconds",6451,"startMs",749000,"endMs",7200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3243789-3b1eff39b9eaeb4516719d15bbfcfb82&start=749&end=7200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3243789-3b1eff39b9eaeb4516719d15bbfcfb82/thumbnail_749000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6242949/Massachusetts/Northampton-public-speakers-union-and-school-committee-spar-over-staff-reductions-after-mayors-budget-proposal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242949-d56d4ffe52040f4208580307d51f1e01/orig.mp4?Expires=1770586343&Signature=C-VuP4Uk-E6vhFQrIFJOCEB2oXvdgxmiOpKZU0mg7bqxBGOyjxCq~jc7eqAEf2td8OOqycvf~pHKQi5PqvmyH3BxHP7LdLncnZaM1cBL9ksVfY3H5JcgIOcmB9HoOVdRGp~iIgvM6a3CsIEsz1wl3dCETE~TiXMHHqmtmMaHdhD4ZegsrHDoRdd5scizqdPkB1a4CMPIapWDqokWu6pDMAQMyC9nsIJDGtTYeYzNaybj5F5CsVMsB7RBTGYNuOlDctllM5SBGU-WHvDzyeE-LGJ6MbeADeyI69BuHvFL-Kb9ipPzaz-u5OXWMrLuQfah5kNHuet-mT2pCMpMoFwLIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-05-09T03:07:38Z","article","Northampton — The Northampton School Committee heard more than an hour of public comment May 8 from teachers, parents and union leaders alarmed by proposed budget reductions that school administrators say will eliminate 4.25 full-time equivalent positions and reduce services across the district.

The most repeated concern centered on the elimination of the Northampton High School technology integration specialist. \"This news was shocking,\" Michelle Eastman told the committee, identifying herself as the long‑time tech integration specialist who was involuntarily transferred after the district revised next year’s staffing plan. \"Next year will be a challenging year for the Northampton High School community without a tech integration specialist,\" she said.

Those remarks were echoed by colleagues and union leaders who warned of immediate effects on classroom technology support, assistive technology services tied to students’ IEPs, and teacher capacity. Kate Zach, the district’s digital literacy and computer science director, said the position blends direct student instruction with teacher support and restorative‑practice work; \"Michelle is an incredible asset to our school community who has worked for Northampton for 15 years,\" she said.

The Northampton Association of School Employees (NACE) reported a separate action: union leaders told the committee members that bargaining unit members voted by an overwhelming majority to begin a work‑to‑rule action starting May 12, citing what the union called inadequate compensation under the mayor’s proposed appropriation.

Administrators and school committee members gave a budget update during the meeting. Superintendent Bonner and the business manager said the district’s \"strong budget\" request totals $46,610,090 (a 12.43% increase) while the mayor’s proposed appropriation is $44,330,022 (a 5.88% increase), a difference administrators described as $655,722 short of level‑service needs. The superintendent identified two immediate staffing needs: restoring a special‑education teacher at Ryan Road (returning that school to six special‑education teachers) and adding one special‑education teacher at the high school. The administration said it would try to absorb positions through salary savings, state aid, or a request to the district’s special‑education stabilization fund if necessary.

Public commenters pressed for different remedies. Teachers described a drain on classroom morale and said some experienced staff are leaving because they can’t support themselves. Parent and community speakers asked the committee to press the city council for more funding and to reconsider cuts affecting tutors, reading/math intervention, and clerical support for schools.

The committee debated whether to send a formal recommendation to the City Council urging it to \"opt in\" under Chapter 3, 29 of the Acts of 1987 — a procedural step that would allow the council to consider a different appropriation for the schools. Mayor Jean Louis Sherra moved that recommendation; the vote resulted in a tie and the recommendation failed by an even margin (5–5). Several committee members who opposed sending the recommendation said they feared the step could force painful tradeoffs across city departments or lock the city into multi‑year budget dynamics.

Committee members and staff described midyear hiring tied to the additional funds the committee had previously approved: some posts created in the middle of the year are filled, but several special‑education and clerical vacancies remain. The business manager reported that Ryan Road had hired both a special‑education teacher and a tiered support para; Leeds and Jackson Street had filled several tutor and teaching posts, but JFK and Bridge Street still listed key vacancies, including a high‑school special‑education teacher and school psychologist.

What’s next: Superintendent Bonner will present the district’s appropriation request to the mayor and City Council in coming weeks. Committee members said they plan further meetings of the budget and property subcommittee to consider one‑time funding options and to track hires and vacancies over the summer. NACE leaders said the union’s work‑to‑rule action would begin May 12 unless contract talks change course.

Because several speakers raised special‑education implementation and alleged legal concerns, the committee’s counsel advised that some follow‑up should proceed privately with counsel; the committee later discussed that advice in executive session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northampton School Committee | May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Northampton — The Northampton School Committee heard more than an hour of public comment May 8 from teachers, parents and union leaders alarmed by proposed budget reductions that would eliminate or reduce several district positions, including the high school’s technology integration specialist.","taxTitle","Northampton City, Hampshire County, Massachusetts","taxId",68541,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6242939,"School committee accepts $7,500 donation for gaga pit and trees at Jackson Street School in memory of student",231,3019000,3250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3243789-3b1eff39b9eaeb4516719d15bbfcfb82&start=3019&end=3250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3243789-3b1eff39b9eaeb4516719d15bbfcfb82/thumbnail_3019000.jpg","/articles/6242939/Massachusetts/School-committee-accepts-7500-donation-for-gaga-pit-and-trees-at-Jackson-Street-School-in-memory-of-student","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242939-3ad6b26052988b8dd1468f7e6550e222/orig.mp4?Expires=1770586343&Signature=Or2K6LAWoGu-BW~s4Tkpe5xZ3FDw2Yw9orsHgx9w5A8GEf0zGlJY7oRI-IThtY~0ExAosOCpgI6VenRE9TsA2qB3zqVahlu7IicRoy99owgDPCgayp1KMET-SkvlAsOfVloJ5bURJ0jW-rYNsv9mlWLWzaXmhboKLfB6xjp69ocrVsP5o1pw-f2rSf9mpw2~Hoh-v2bx60GacHNjj1ZcVPUsbvntdQbGGU3Z00Ba9GIWORMyn3ic3dNUhVKDiZ2SE3WTDaZ51l00~Fh9X1BicVv9Zq1gzn34Xy6e-QeAlUwfEV6dEZmiEGS9qxxJknHm2bku-5ZZWZRi~a~oKljQjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Northampton — The Northampton School Committee voted May 8 to accept a $7,500 donation to install a gaga pit and plant trees at Jackson Street School in memory of former student Daniel Esrick.

Addie (last name not provided), who organized the fundraising with friends and family, described the donors’ ties to the school and to Esrick. \"This proposed donation is to build a gaga pit and to plant trees at Jackson Street School in memory of our friend, Dan Wesrich,\" Addie said. She said friends who grew up with Esrick and his parents raised funds to pay for the pit, two trees and — if funds remain — an additional gift to the school.

Committee members and former Jackson Street staff recalled Esrick playing on the school playground and said the gift would provide a permanent, child‑centered amenity. Member Agna made the motion to accept the donation; Member Miller seconded. The committee approved the gift by unanimous roll call.

The school will coordinate installation and tree planting with facilities staff and provide a short report to the committee after work is completed. Donors said family members, some of whom live near the school and bring grandchildren to the playground, intended the gift to give future students the same play opportunities.","Friends and family of the late student Daniel Esrick raised $7,500 to fund a gaga pit and shade trees at Jackson Street School; the committee approved the gift May 8 and trustees plan installation and a report back to the committee.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6242944,"Parents, educators press school committee for bell‑to‑bell phone ban; Reconnect Western Mass lays out evidence",3336,3310000,6646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3243789-3b1eff39b9eaeb4516719d15bbfcfb82&start=3310&end=6646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3243789-3b1eff39b9eaeb4516719d15bbfcfb82/thumbnail_3310000.jpg","/articles/6242944/Massachusetts/Parents-educators-press-school-committee-for-belltobell-phone-ban-Reconnect-Western-Mass-lays-out-evidence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242944-c63fec63a99bce5510cbed1c5a43c327/orig.mp4?Expires=1770586343&Signature=TuEf7veL3f8QTWmgUXvWhLpNSWekH58g6Ngzjc1DRlVrMuo-spNsmP3svSvWIrerIJgrrTojqtv326O91OsevO--fWnFLsYhwtG5yK98UrtsnNDlibsKVJuB~IgW98ahx9ll0XZMGkBPF5Vc4mlQO8biV0XhjgllmbQS8-JARCiysOT6UVenbYXNiNSVYxaJmZm4Fon574b4OaYe4wv7pprCmKciPL1IbJYhoX-SagNlABr6Nomi3~BrqgOqiP4njrEjQjZ7ZMtZp1eD1RD3~yYQxZxHqHNulsVVy5ggoO2K7QB1LlYaY2XvOFnZ~0~9Dvgvn516dLQUeANpFPTBdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Northampton — Reconnect Western Mass, a parent and teacher coalition, presented a proposal May 8 asking the Northampton School Committee to adopt an all‑day, districtwide ban on students’ personal electronic devices and to prohibit school‑initiated social‑media communication with students.

\"Schools did not create this problem and parents did not create this problem,\" speaker Kat Allen said during the presentation, describing the coalition’s work with regional partners and school leaders who have implemented similar policies. The group asked the committee to approve a policy that would bar personal devices during the entire school day — \"bell‑to‑bell\" — including lunch and passing periods, with limited exceptions for medical needs and IEP accommodations.

Presenters cited research and reports from other districts showing improved student focus, reductions in bullying and fewer classroom disruptions after policies went into effect. They described several implementation options discussed elsewhere: lockable pouches (often marketed as Yondr pouches), lower‑cost envelope or crate storage methods, or supervised phone storage in a designated area. Presenters also suggested a process for adoption: a short school‑committee policy vote followed by superintendent‑led development of implementation guidelines with robust student, family and staff input.

The presentation addressed common concerns: emergency contact, equity, and enforcement. Presenters said schools typically set up supervised procedures for urgent family contact and that evidence shows marginalized students are often most harmed by social‑media exposure rather than protected by constant access. They recommended partnering with students to design exceptions and supports.

Student speakers at the meeting gave mixed responses: some said a policy could help classrooms and lessen teacher burden, while others — especially older high‑school students — urged caution. An NHS student said it can be essential to reach a parent when bus schedules change or when after‑school plans shift; another student warned that enforcement costs and vandalism of storage pouches are real‑world problems administrators must consider.

Committee members asked for more student and caregiver input and for a clearer implementation plan and cost estimate. Member Gacy said the issue had already been referred to the rules and policy subcommittee and that the subcommittee had spoken with other districts; several members said the subcommittee should continue collecting local feedback, student voice and cost options before returning with draft language.

What’s next: The committee’s rules and policy subcommittee will continue to review sample policies, gather stakeholder input and may draft a policy for the full committee to consider. Presenters offered resources and peer district contacts to support implementation and said several local districts have rolled out policies that took effect at different points during the school year.","A parent‑led group presented a multi‑part case for a districtwide \"bell‑to‑bell\" phone ban at the May 8 meeting, asking the committee to adopt a policy banning personal devices during supervised school hours and to stop using social media for school‑to‑student communication.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Northampton public speakers, union and school committee spar over staff reductions after mayor’s budget proposal

School committee accepts $7,500 donation for gaga pit and trees at Jackson Street School in memory of student

Parents, educators press school committee for bell‑to‑bell phone ban; Reconnect Western Mass lays out evidence