[{"_1":2,"_134":-5,"_135":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111,122],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6275263,"mediaKeyId","2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae","parentId",2775627,"title","Votes at a glance — Northampton School Committee, March 13, 2025","audioSeconds",5778,"startMs",617000,"endMs",6395000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae&start=617&end=6395","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae/thumbnail_617000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6275263/Northampton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Northampton-School-Committee-March-13-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275263-b21f7f32ee313c12a2d452bd8e58e63a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181623&Signature=QUNobMKttQ-qN5YOIj07cG81DGvtaee0MmlW8eF4Vg72UlJV8PW4wdHGGMb0T-Pj-GPGa4zshGPE3O3bWv8mnGJ~3bUVvt~FtGkSPulw96KdcbDIcnsICIwyttO55l3vGDdElwbPETv9ftvHvCDRo5YDJP-2nCGWAr0OYH4wGn9HcGAujZghKFs9WWvyOO08CTxR0PpIQDQs8u28MOC3cvGza90zGlt6HpxXbZNYwNwlaE5hlWBVBPfjAdtsTmBX8N2Ac9ASwyxI0nUaoYrbrDIvw4cUokHvUBG98Q1YEwKHqRX1ZuCxu9wPWvo3T9LD2LsV-Gq-feAC-Di031ul0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton Public Schools, MA","date","2025-03-26T13:10:12.1Z","article","This “Votes at a glance” summary lists all formal motions, outcomes and key details recorded during the March 13, 2025 Northampton School Committee meeting.

1) Motion to enter executive session (collective bargaining/litigation)
- Motion: Enter executive session pursuant to M.G.L. c.30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation.
- Mover: Member Beisenfroid (as recorded in roll call)
- Second: Member Agna
- Vote: Roll call recorded as affirmative (9 in favor); chair declared executive‑session exception and the committee closed the open meeting.

2) Approval of minutes and consent agenda (multiple items)
- Motion: Approve recommended minutes and consent items (minutes from multiple dates; field trip; second reading of policy IKF; emergency assistance shelter reimbursement fund allocation).
- Mover/Second: Member Sarah P. Cox moved; Member Hennessy seconded (as recorded for the minutes motion); other consent votes had the listed movers/seconders in the packet.
- Items approved: February 13, 2025 School Committee meeting minutes (minus item c to be returned later); 07/28/2022 minutes; 07/23/2022 minutes; 07/14/2022 minutes; 04/30/2020 minutes; student advisory committee minutes listed; Leeds third‑grade field trip; second reading of policy IKF (graduation requirement); Emergency Assistance Shelter reimbursement allocation ($68,598.06).
- Vote: Voice votes recorded as approved (no recorded objections or formal tallies archived; committee noted abstentions where applicable). For reporting consistency the committee chair recorded approvals as passed.

3) Motion to approve District Calendar (Version C), 2025–26
- Motion: Approve District Calendar, version C.
- Mover: Member (motion made; seconder recorded)
- Vote: Voice vote recorded as unanimous (9 in favor; 0 opposed).

4) Motion to accept midyear appropriation and amendment (see separate article)
- Motion: Accept midyear appropriation of $294,833.02 from City Council.
- Amendment: Expenditures to be made in accordance with superintendent’s recommendations (motion to amend carried; amended motion carried).
- Vote: Voice votes recorded as approved (amendment and main motion carried; committee recorded no objections during voice tally).

5) Motion to accept gift from Northampton Education Foundation
- Motion: Accept NEF gift of $44,300 for Northampton High School projects (Collaboration Corner and Blue Devils Café expansion).
- Vote: Approved by voice vote (recorded as affirmative; no objections recorded).

Notes: Many consent‑agenda items and routine motions on the March 13 agenda passed by voice vote without recorded roll‑call tallies. The executive‑session motion was the sole item recorded with a roll‑call tally (9 yes). Where voice votes were used, the chair announced the outcome in the public record. If a formal roll‑call or recorded tally is required for audit, members requested staff to produce the minutes and supporting documents that identify movers and seconders and to post corrected minutes for item c as noted in the meeting.

Complete action summaries and staff follow‑up tasks are available in the meeting packet and will be posted with the official minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northampton School Committee | March 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A summary of formal motions, actions and outcomes recorded at the March 13 School Committee meeting.","taxTitle","Northampton Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",51089,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6275269,"Superintendent presents three FY26 budget scenarios as committee begins review; special‑education and literacy needs dominate discussion",209,10386000,10595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae&start=10386&end=10595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae/thumbnail_10386000.jpg","/articles/6275269/Northampton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Superintendent-presents-three-FY26-budget-scenarios-as-committee-begins-review-specialeducation-and-literacy-needs-dominate-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275269-e8f79ba89fe1993ccf827b643d797b1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181623&Signature=O6znby6u~LAuJ9bFr-t1a0uAprBT9JSWcdiynvaTtHxIJZLIzn8JahUTbs6MWhY-7x1mfOfRnPbZvejfNabRi09OmWdet5RAUj-YlDIP8CYj2eD7oK~ajKURR4M0elVbI0ewQQnyZCGDCXjJxJWr-nzHgqmHJLk0BAbGUKuexk0CmG63QXPgBwoOjgjiZfd6BC5MAePfPSuNw3f~l8oSjBIwd7uwzIeJOWht8OfA8o8lmeBUMwt4ByGbedDJKXCG9o-4JGRWcsrIWyjeUWJyqKebbr3xWUBuZgflz8TdilLoaa6-Lq7lyclxFGqdK4oaZl~onG6fly6XVNj-u0hNQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Portia Bonner presented three FY26 budget scenarios to the School Committee on March 13 and explained the district’s planning assumptions, enrollment trends and rising demands for special‑education and reading supports.

Bonner said the district prepared three views: a “strong” budget (a larger‑scope plan that the superintendent described as roughly a 13.2% increase over a stated base), a “level‑service” budget (about a 7.7% increase) and a “city fiscal‑target” budget (a 4% target aligned with the city’s guidance). The superintendent stated a base figure during the presentation (reported in the budget packet as $42,311,142.64) and said all three views used that base as a starting point.

Bonner highlighted several drivers affecting the budget: stagnant state Chapter 70 aid that does not keep pace with inflation, uncertainty about federal pandemic recovery funding, rising costs for out‑of‑district tuition and transportation, and growing numbers of students with special needs. She said district staffing increased by about 32.67 full‑time equivalent positions (roughly a 9% increase) from 2019 to 2025 while enrollment fell by roughly 7.9% over the same period.

District leaders said the “strong” budget would add reading and math interventionists, additional paraeducators for monitoring and small‑group instruction, restored clerical time at several elementary schools, more special‑education teachers, a full‑time nursing care coordinator and additional school psychologists and content staff at the high school. The level‑service budget maintains current staffing and adds limited intervention capacity, while the 4% city target would require reductions in staffing and program offerings, according to the presentation.

Director of Student Services Matthew Holloway told the committee the district is exploring in‑district models to serve medically fragile students and students with intensive autism needs in order to reduce out‑of‑district placements; he cautioned that any potential programmatic reorganization would not immediately generate large cost savings and would require staff training and time to implement.

Members pressed for more modeling and clarity. Member Stein asked for historic staffing comparisons and asked administration to quantify any claimed efficiencies from program restructuring; other members asked for a cost breakdown of the positions included in the “strong” budget. Business Manager Bobbi Jones explained where to find cost‑center details in the budget packet and offered to arrange line‑by‑line walkthroughs for committee members.

Why it matters: The three scenarios frame the committee’s FY26 deliberations; they set different staffing and service outcomes depending on how much local revenue the City provides and whether federal and state funding levels change. Members flagged special‑education caseloads, literacy recovery and staffing retention as the core issues that will drive budget choices.

What’s next: The Budget & Property Subcommittee scheduled three extended meetings in March (March 17 and March 24 plus a prior meeting) to review detailed department and school cost centers. Administrators said they will return with more granular line‑item and staffing data for those sessions.","Superintendent Portia Bonner presented a three‑scenario budget for fiscal 2026 — a strong budget, a level‑service budget and a city fiscal‑target budget — and highlighted enrollment trends, rising special‑education needs and reading intervention priorities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6275273,"Northampton Education Foundation to award $44,300 to high‑school projects; committee accepts gift",530,8395000,8925000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae&start=8395&end=8925","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae/thumbnail_8395000.jpg","/articles/6275273/Northampton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Northampton-Education-Foundation-to-award-44300-to-highschool-projects-committee-accepts-gift","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275273-6f0a082c83b28181398a8923bdee6b89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181623&Signature=cj21~kUQ3DZSBiLZsfnxVpzEJSHRNhULoYLIcnjamhJX9ProIVvTza4vpn5yn8yidABOqnPAamSPsmIgaQdOibeG8zbwGen5cf8bzZw5TVTS5A~JYSC42fU2BmF~MFmrI9oRmMrSh4iY-ykUvwXGPywogocyWp4TVh5eEJaIUruiTqf12P0X2TggEDVKqwcIjyPWVG0YhxhZQfFz2ZfLKaouTdInt1xFZTzfIU7xgCM7aN5VjPnG4KgEZblatbZL02YgGftRtKtUF0y6SgK9zRLEie~Dqk91WCDOuig6012N0CSDXAUQN76lW9P5OLz1hrF99mH~Q9qVa4fOp9oQSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton School Committee voted to accept a $44,300 gift from the Northampton Education Foundation (NEF) on March 13 to fund two high‑school projects: a “collaboration corner” in the high‑school library ($36,000) and an expanded student‑run Blue Devils Café ($8,300).

Marty Wall, vice president of NEF and co‑chair of the distribution committee, told the committee the gift is the first disbursement under a newly restructured endowment that will provide sustained support to district projects every three years. Wall said the foundation’s second $1 million fundraising campaign, completed in February, and stewardship through the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts enable the enhanced multi‑year support.

NEF described the collaboration corner as a flexible, technology‑enhanced library zone with moveable acoustic screens and ergonomic seating designed for small‑group work and neurodiverse learners. The Blue Devils Café funding will expand a student vocational program that operates a coffee cart; NEF said the expansion will add food‑safety training, budgeting and job‑readiness components and room for more student participants.

The committee approved accepting the gift by voice vote. Dr. Bonner said the high school should be ready to access the funds within two weeks of formal acceptance.

Why it matters: Locally raised endowment support can fund pilot projects and expanded vocational and collaborative learning spaces without using operating budgets. NEF said the restructured endowment will permit recurring three‑year grants to schools in the district.

Attribution: Marty Wall (NEF vice president) presented the gift and described project budgets and the endowment change. The committee approved the gift by voice vote.","The committee accepted a $44,300 gift from the Northampton Education Foundation to fund a high‑school library collaboration space and an expanded student‑run cafe; NEF announced larger endowment disbursements to follow.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6275277,"School Committee accepts $294,833 midyear appropriation, amends acceptance to follow superintendent recommendations",695,6376000,7071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae&start=6376&end=7071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae/thumbnail_6376000.jpg","/articles/6275277/Northampton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/School-Committee-accepts-294833-midyear-appropriation-amends-acceptance-to-follow-superintendent-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275277-92eb25945cad83a61284d588fe899440/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181623&Signature=daY-I8YJvguSYz7V~61lR7nBer9QN2YdPIMEE7oJ9o8qIW68dYwAlQTwte84tTL9AF4AkqZCw7srr4ju1I~cpB0E8OVcQE3aahxqY60s6z5ibvUiyC~2nMcivlYWTahHjWdiciy-plkjSdMxLwRsvNlVAlVObfb~fQdS6lBQV-yJneQIncrE78LMnvU3aKGmf-ONdhKm6r6J0V5~GCKhXtQKVagDHlvJrRJDli7C2WpYuPH~ocC5FqeMXs79Kc5GcLmE7h0vxghw6VUFaSYF638r7JqCMoPr0iorx~xC-fYQMLJfr9V-nHU7cwfW~Wcxr1eHuDNHyA2fUgDidGM7cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton School Committee voted March 13 to accept a $294,833.02 midyear appropriation approved by the City Council on March 6. The committee also amended the motion to require that spending of the funds follow priorities recommended by Superintendent Portia Bonner.

Member Hennessy moved to accept the appropriation; Member LaBonte seconded. Member Stein offered a non‑friendly amendment asking that expenditures align with the superintendent’s recommended positions and line items. The amendment passed by voice vote and the amended motion to accept the appropriation carried.

During discussion multiple committee members pressed for greater clarity on how the midyear funds were packaged and distributed before the City Council vote. Member Stein said she was “very frustrated” the appropriation returned to the committee as a per‑pupil, per‑building disbursement rather than an explicit list of positions and line items. “I didn't really see needs at the center of this,” Stein said, urging the committee to set line‑item priorities and seek transparency about communications between the superintendent’s office and principals.

Superintendent Bonner and Business Manager Bobbi Jones said many of the positions requested by principals were included in the district’s midyear requests but that principals and bargaining units had raised different priorities. Director of Student Services Matthew Holloway said he would unpack special‑education staffing needs and options at upcoming Budget & Property subcommittee meetings.

Why it matters: The midyear funds are a one‑time injection that committee members said could provide staffing and program relief this year. Members who pressed for the amendment said they wanted clearer accountability over how those dollars would be spent; proponents of the appropriation said moving the money quickly into district payroll and programming was also urgent.

The committee approved the amended motion by voice vote; members recorded no objections or formal tallies in the public record.","The committee voted to accept a city council midyear appropriation of $294,833.02 and approved an amendment directing expenditures to follow the superintendent's recommended line‑item priorities.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":46,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6275282,"Northampton School Committee adopts 2025–26 calendar, pilots consolidated Wednesday early-release days",697,5698000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae&start=5698&end=6395","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae/thumbnail_5698000.jpg","/articles/6275282/Northampton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Northampton-School-Committee-adopts-202526-calendar-pilots-consolidated-Wednesday-early-release-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275282-06610175576f3bd299a4f2673a6995c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181623&Signature=GGW308JPxdCH~pMs2LPihDuUF2I7pfpKY6rBgVDKsyeKueNEzwWQ0NkkHJ8Xn24BUNjnLXJ4zYT44g72rpbg82wKZsNhjFIIVripjEI~eUve90FBMt7oFZDoQtXrjDDp7c~dGflcml~qKt5yhe9rA7vJQnWbBpXCyu27~ySrba9vLbEkPEdGQRBdm5OWP-cFoBdH3bg6LgOQOsBBSU8Ri7TMKIpmHfrMW4lPYeQv3CYUU4DYiOSqd7UpX~Sd6itwoYsgRGmG-bWgA6FWWj66XPrydxtG8xfjYNIoSdxXu061kW~Qw~MDuDqAJdgLNuoc~BPHpLQ2~y25khQiz0adfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton School Committee unanimously approved the 2025–26 district calendar on March 13, adopting the version labeled “C,” which places scheduled early‑release days on Wednesdays and groups parent‑teacher conference days into consecutive weeks.

Superintendent Dr. Portia Bonner presented three calendar options earlier in the meeting: version A (the district’s traditional, staggered early‑release schedule), version B (a schedule with all early‑release days on Wednesdays developed with the teachers’ union) and version C (a union‑ and principals‑endorsed compromise that shifts some conference dates later in the school year). Dr. Bonner said version C had reached consensus among the union and principals and recommended the committee adopt it.

Student representatives raised practical concerns about the Wednesday‑only early-release pilot, saying the schedule could systematically conflict with students who take one‑day‑per‑week Smith Vocational classes and with Advanced Placement testing in early May. The student representative said AP testing generally occurs in the first two weeks of May and warned scheduling half‑days then could create testing disruptions.

Committee members discussed those concerns and requested staff double‑check specific dates, including May 6 (a half‑day on version C) and the AP testing window. After brief discussion the committee voted to approve version C; the chair called the voice vote and recorded it as unanimous.

Why it matters: The calendar change is a policy decision that affects families’ schedules, extracurricular planning and district operations. The Wednesday‑early‑release pilot is intended to create consistent weekly planning time for staff and streamline conference scheduling, but students and staff flagged potential conflicts with vocational schedules and standardized testing.

Next steps: Staff will confirm exact dates and coordinate with the high school and Smith Vocational to minimize conflicts with vocational classes and AP testing window. The committee treated version C as a pilot and said it will review outcomes after the school year begins.

Attribution: Discussion and the recommendation to adopt version C were made by Superintendent Portia Bonner; student concerns were raised by the student representative during the calendar discussion.","Committee voted unanimously to adopt “version C” of the 2025–26 district calendar, which groups early‑release days on Wednesdays and staggers conference weeks.",{"_33":123,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":124,"_41":125,"_43":126,"_45":127,"_47":128,"_49":129,"_51":130,"_53":131,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":132,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":133,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6275286,"Parents and disability advocates tell Northampton School Committee administrators are admitting IEP noncompliance; callers demand accountability",392,3958000,4350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae&start=3958&end=4350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775627-d392b0ca79849a4be32a8d6cddb797ae/thumbnail_3958000.jpg","/articles/6275286/Northampton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Parents-and-disability-advocates-tell-Northampton-School-Committee-administrators-are-admitting-IEP-noncompliance-callers-demand-accountability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275286-9403a252c1441ba0c68ffe14c2595e42/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181623&Signature=T9d9anIPjkXYsZMQOXryGgQbu7qh-XJTXfkSKIthpLw7gGYB2AivIomiNFv2LSCta~sbazsalO5HljLx4AdSTwVhY5rKQMlE2Dpx62KZlMORGIKA~ofWJ7emAq2zf3ApShJHGGnau3M1Y9-hqHBfWgvbiIsLgo~othvM2CFKl7hmGm7w2AwdbmRmBJLw6cV0CvW0tBl1FKddXxF~fKv9W0H2DtE~ZfdEOTCEkTHNSuGSd-uMgSKWU4Qsn9uEQfbdSStsFb3YMHamaRCbwzWVmePjrqwCaQQtPKylyrcNpjDPruMhWX1sMwrzkqtQKGYLAysgCc-Hyv-337JJgeIfuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents who spoke during the public-comment period at the Northampton School Committee’s March 13 meeting accused district administrators of routinely failing to deliver services listed on students’ individualized education programs and urged the committee to act.

The allegations were led by Paula Regano, who identified herself as an early childhood audiologist. Regano said material she received while preparing a rebuttal to a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education complaint included staff remarks admitting service gaps. “I do think that the reality of the situation is that we don't always, I mean we should, but we don't always give kids everything they should get on their IEP,” Regano said, quoting a transcription she said had been submitted to the state.

Advocates at the meeting described a pattern: families who do not know their rights receive fewer services. “We have so many families of kids who need so much more, so much more than we give them, and they don't know that they can come in and make a fuss,” Regano said, reading from the transcript she said was produced by district staff.

Several speakers tied the alleged shortfalls to staffing and funding shortages. “This is about funding. This is about not having the staff,” one public commenter said. Deborah Thompson and Melissa McEvorski also urged the committee to formally apologize for remarks at a prior meeting that callers said disparaged petitioners who requested extended public-comment time for a communication disability.

Member Anne Gacy read an apology at the March 13 meeting, saying her earlier remarks were “thoughtless” and offering a personal apology to disability advocates. Chair Jean Louis Shera acknowledged the public outcry and said the committee would continue to receive written comments for the public record at northampton-school-committee@northampton-k12.us.

Why it matters: Several speakers said the material they submitted to the state includes recorded staff remarks that claim incomplete IEP implementation and systematic under‑delivery of services when families do not press for them. The committee does not respond during public comment; members and staff discussed next steps later in the agenda and acknowledged the concerns during budget and student‑services discussion.

The committee did not take formal action on the allegations at the March 13 meeting. Members asked staff for more information about staffing, leave and vacancy rates and signaled they would discuss the issues further at upcoming subcommittee and budget meetings.

What committee members said: Member Stein said the claims were “extremely disheartening” and said she had submitted a records request for communications related to the midyear appropriation, which several speakers had linked to service shortfalls. Director of Student Services Matthew Holloway, present later in the meeting, described plans to expand in‑district programming for students with intensive needs and said the district had begun training paraeducators and other staff.

What's next: Members asked for a fuller personnel and attendance report and for the director of student services to present program proposals and cost estimates at upcoming budget subcommittee meetings. Several public speakers asked the committee to consider formal censure of board members who they said disparaged disability claimants at a prior meeting.","Multiple residents used the public-comment period to say school staff admitted regular shortfalls on IEP services, and pressed the committee and superintendent for apology and corrective action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance — Northampton School Committee, March 13, 2025

Superintendent presents three FY26 budget scenarios as committee begins review; special‑education and literacy needs dominate discussion

Northampton Education Foundation to award $44,300 to high‑school projects; committee accepts gift

School Committee accepts $294,833 midyear appropriation, amends acceptance to follow superintendent recommendations

Northampton School Committee adopts 2025–26 calendar, pilots consolidated Wednesday early-release days

Parents and disability advocates tell Northampton School Committee administrators are admitting IEP noncompliance; callers demand accountability