Panel Approves Fee Hikes After Weighing Sports Cost Gaps

School Committee · Meeting of June 23, 2026

AMHERST — The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee heard nearly two hours of public comment demanding action on LGBTQ+ safety at Amherst Regional Middle School. Speakers described a harassment prevention order a staff member sought against volunteer Ali Wick Slim that a judge dismissed for failing to meet the burden of proof, plus unresolved complaints involving a guidance counselor, a bus driver and a chaotic sixth-grade "step-up day." Parent Amy Cronin DiCaprio, speaking for the LGBTQIA Caucus of Amherst, called on the superintendent to issue "a public report on how these policies are functioning in practice." The committee separately voted 8-1 to raise athletic fees 2 percent for 2026-2027 after data showed sports like alpine skiing and ice hockey carry high fees relative to cost, approved the professional development calendar 8-0-1, and unanimously transferred about $552,074 in transportation reimbursement into a revolving fund. The committee also accepted $1,500 in memorial donations for the music program and entered executive session on a 6-1-2 roll call.

In the full story:

• Public Comment: Allegations of Unaddressed Harassment at Amherst Regional Middle School
• Introduction of New High School Principal
• Climate Data Collection and Analysis Plan
• Audit Review
• Transfer to Regional Transportation Reimbursement Fund
• MSBA Project Funding and Potential Bid Savings
• FY27 Athletic and Activity Fees
• SY2026-27 Professional Development Calendar
• School Committee Self-Evaluation and Goal-Setting
• Consent Agenda, Gifts, and Future Business
• Executive Session
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 3,945 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of June 23, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.