Pelham school faces $186K deficit, mulls sixth-grade tuition transfer to Amherst
Pelham School Committee confronts structural deficit through tuition agreement with Amherst. Superintendent Dr. Xi Herman and Finance Director Shannon Bernacchia outlined a $186,000 projected shortfall for FY27 and recommended sending sixth-graders to Amherst schools under tuition, consolidating
Board of Education · Meeting of January 27, 2026
AMHERST — Pelham School Committee confronts structural deficit through tuition agreement with Amherst. Superintendent Dr. Xi Herman and Finance Director Shannon Bernacchia outlined a $186,000 projected shortfall for FY27 and recommended sending sixth-graders to Amherst schools under tuition, consolidating K-1 classrooms, and using School Choice revenue, currently 26 percent of the budget, as a one-year bridge.
The regional schools assessment could add $100,000 to $215,000 more to the deficit. Committee members raised concerns about fairness to families and staff; Finance Committee Chair John Trickey flagged the town's $135,000 additional FY27 tax appropriation and consideration of an override for FY28 to address long-term sustainability.
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Source: the Board of Education meeting of January 27, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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