Spending on the warrant for Westhampton Town Meeting Saturday
Westhampton Town Hall
Published: 5/6/2021 8:27:50 PM
WESTHAMPTON Residents will be called to vote on 26 articles at a Town Meeting on Saturday morning, many of which ask voters to approve appropriations on the town’s annual budget.
The proposed annual operating budget of $6.32 million represents an increase of 3.65%, or $222,264, over the current budget. The town’s Finance Committee recommended a slightly lower figure, at $6.31 million.
Four Town Meeting articles ask voters to appropriate funding for the town’s 2022 Hampshire Regional School District assessment; Westhampton Elementary School; vocational school tuition; and vocational school transportation. The town’s schools and libraries were collectively allocated a proposed budget of $3.9 million, up from $3.74 million in fiscal 2021.
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New Gateway superintendent Kristen Smidy agrees on contract with school district
Kristen Smidy CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Published: 4/15/2021 12:53:25 PM
HUNTINGTON – Kristen Smidy, the principal of Hampshire Regional High School, has agreed to a contract with the Gateway Regional School District to be its next superintendent.
“I am ready for this next step,” said Smidy. “I feel really honored that they selected me.”
Smidy, who also serves as the principal for Hampshire Regional’s middle school, will officially start in the new job on Aug. 1 with her last day at Hampshire Regional on July 31.
“I hope to provide great support for the new principal coming in,” Smidy, 37, said. “My work is definitely not done.”
Chris Bowen: Fear and loathing
Published: 4/14/2021 2:40:35 PM
It was 25 years ago when my wife Darlene and I learned that our town would vote on whether or not to allocate $70,000 to help build the Southampton section of the Manhan Rail Trail.
A similar article sailed through an Easthampton Town Meeting 75-4. Knowing our town had difficulties with the Hampshire Regional School District funding, I was immediately alarmed. My good wife Dar agreed.
At the town meetings, attendees twice defeated the motion to appropriate this modest investment. The Manhan Rail Trail Committee of that era responded with a no allocation motion. The $70,000 would be raised by private donations. This third motion passed with a simple majority.
Kristen Smidy named Gateway Regional School District superintendent
KRISTEN SMIDY KRISTEN SMIDY
Published: 4/8/2021 8:05:47 PM
HUNTINGTON The Gateway Regional District School Committee has named Kristen Smidy, the principal of Hampshire Regional High School, as the district’s next superintendent.
The committee voted 11-1 on Wednesday to offer Smidy the job. She was one of four finalists for the position chosen from among a pool of 22 applicants and eight semifinalists.
School Committee Chairwoman Michele Crane said that Smidy’s contract will be reviewed in an executive session next Wednesday with the aim of finalizing it that night.
“I am really proud of the district and the committee for running a really open-minded process,” Crane said.