Pelham School Committee confronts $186k elementary deficit, explores tuition-based merger.
Board of Education · Meeting of February 3, 2026
AMHERST — Pelham School Committee confronts $186,000 elementary deficit and considers tuition-based merger with Amherst. Superintendent Dr. Xi Herman presented two pathways at the January 22 special meeting: additional School Choice fund draws (roughly 26 percent of the current budget) or a tuition agreement with Amherst requiring union and committee approval.
Finance Committee Chair John Trickey reported the town raised $135,000 in additional taxes for health insurance and retirement, with capital needs totaling $6 million over five to six years. The committee recommended a kindergarten-one multi-age classroom, temporary use of Choice funds, and a superintendent goal shift toward PES succession planning.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 377 words
Source: the Board of Education meeting of February 3, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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