Parents, students denounce school budget cuts in Amherst
Children board buses at Wildwood School in Amherst. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST Rather than cutting nearly 15 positions from the secondary schools, town officials should reduce Amherst’s public safety budget and compel higher education institutions to assist with funding the public schools, according to residents who spoke to the Town Council last week.
At a budget hearing on the $31.9 million proposed fiscal year 2022 budget for the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, councilors were informed about concerns with a budget proposal that is $1.2 million below providing level services at the high school and middle school.
Parents, students denounce school budget cuts in Amherst
Children board buses at Wildwood School in Amherst. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 4/11/2021 11:29:34 AM
AMHERST Rather than cutting nearly 15 positions from the secondary schools, town officials should reduce Amherst’s public safety budget and compel higher education institutions to assist with funding the public schools, according to residents who spoke to the Town Council last week.
At a budget hearing on the $31.9 million proposed fiscal year 2022 budget for the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, councilors were informed about concerns with a budget proposal that is $1.2 million below providing level services at the high school and middle school.
Funding formula remains hot-button topic for regional schools
Amherst Regional High School GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 2/9/2021 12:34:09 PM
AMHERST Amherst officials are becoming increasingly concerned with efforts to revise the formula by which the four Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools member towns contribute to its operating budget. The options take into account not only enrollment but each of the four towns’ ability to pay.
At a meeting of the four towns Saturday to discuss the projected $32.01 million budget for fiscal year 2022, and what each town should pay to educate students at the middle and high schools, Amherst At-Large Councilor Andy Steinberg said moving away from the formula of a 5-year rolling average of enrollment to a more complex method determined by the state could lead to the district’s demise.
AMHERST – At least 16 staff positions in the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools could be eliminated in the next school year based on the initial version of the fiscal year 2022 budget.“What we’re proposing is we’re spending less money next year than we.