Amherst School Committee presented FY27 budget featuring position cuts amid school consolidation. The draft, incorporating a 3.85 percent increase and $1.06 million in external funding, proposed reductions of 1.4 clerical positions, one custodian, 4.0 special education teachers, 2.5 intervention
Amherst School Committee voted unanimously to rate Superintendent Dr. Xi as needing improvement on her summative evaluation. The four-member committee present (Andrew Hart, Bridget Hynes, Sarah Marshall, and Chair Deborah Leonard) voted 4-0 for the "Needs Improvement" summative rating and the same
Amherst School Committee voted unanimously to approve fee increases and reaffirmed its full budget proposal. The vote was 4 to 0 for a $1 increase to instrument rental fees, a 50-cent increase to preschool rates, and no change to lunch pricing. Superintendent Dr. Xi argued for the Committee's $5.87
Amherst School Committee allocated over $375,000 to intervention teaching and specialist paraprofessional support at elementary schools. The Committee voted 5-0 to allocate $189,371 in restored town funding to intervention positions after the Town Council voted to add $120,000 above the Town
The Amherst School Committee approved a contested FY27 budget reallocation on a 3-1 vote. Chair Deborah Leonard moved to shift $187,500 within the budget, increasing Regular Instruction Payroll by $120,000 and Support Services Payroll by $30,000 while offsetting the increases with cuts across nine
Amherst School Committee voted to maintain current start times for 2026-27 school year. Laura Jane Hunter moved that any future changes require extensive research, community input, and a formal process; the motion passed with Vice Chair Bridget Hynes supporting and member Sarah Marshall opposed.
Amherst School Committee approved a revised physical restraint and seclusion policy on a 4-0 vote. The April 12, 2026 Policy JKAA establishes a goal of zero or near-zero use for restraint incidents and orders immediate removal of doors from designated restraint rooms within 48 hours. The policy
Amherst voted 5-0 to proceed with sixth grade relocation to Chestnut Street Academy in fall 2026. Committee member Bridget Hynes raised concerns about the plan's cost amid a projected $1.8 million structural deficit and estimated the academy would add more than $1 million annually, questioning the
Amherst School Committee deferred a vote on the FY27 budget after a public hearing on proposed consolidation savings. The draft budget, proposing a 3.85 percent increase to serve 1,049 students, includes reductions of 4.0 special education teachers, 2.5 intervention staff, and 4.5 specials
The Amherst School Committee voted to maintain school start times for 2026-27 despite six months of construction disruption. Laura Jane Hunter, the committee secretary, moved to formally declare no changes, with future modifications requiring extensive research and community input. The motion
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