[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6078251,"mediaKeyId","2960219-34ab68abc607bb8dfc3f6667a1b0c4b6","parentId",2960219,"title","Parent alleges routine IEP violations; asks for independent investigation as committee cancels next-day meeting on legal advice","audioSeconds",8151,"startMs",8591000,"endMs",16742000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2960219-34ab68abc607bb8dfc3f6667a1b0c4b6&start=8591&end=16742","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2960219-34ab68abc607bb8dfc3f6667a1b0c4b6/thumbnail_8591000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078251/Massachusetts/Parent-alleges-routine-IEP-violations-asks-for-independent-investigation-as-committee-cancels-next-day-meeting-on-legal-advice","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078251-624b6d8881121caca0e4318ee0e87a8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771096627&Signature=Z576-U8QbsYPz4pfdvsZkf-yXp-mWvFJUNMX71Y3y4fTlA3wGlxoMfd7V5vzTJ8MPCfbrDQx6Hh4yMtmagHVztOurCQvyBjyst1fatfgBvm704PordIxttGgY1Pi0WA3SsEXhsBvcJK9xoWpylrykjYctXsEIa3hzKbuOo-J0ldviwgbjNNFOSEtHPIiBVGJltWftNN2y9giklUkarynQYnl1noswMZTOpKt-lbtYMLsSqKgxvc-dTgNgLgE0e2c1QqrbcwLb0WtRMX3GK7oYhbj5O5aFfZrBIsvjOTnJzDA65G3226lluvmUqe3UHQ1sSrXRlhY19RNUv9Gi4yKBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-04-11T02:45:46Z","article","At the April 10 meeting, parent and regular commenter Gaurav Jasnani accused district employees of routinely violating students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and said he had been targeted after filing complaints. Jasnani said he had received a \"hot-mic\" transcript he said recorded district staff acknowledging routine violations and using derogatory language about his family. He publicly demanded an independent investigation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's disability office or the Attorney General's ADA office and called for the immediate administrative leave of four named employees.

Jasnani said he had spoken to Vice Chair Agna earlier in the day and was told the committee had not been informed whether an investigation had begun. He said the district's reliance on staffing shortfalls as a reason for violating IEPs was unacceptable and linked the problem to budgetary decisions that reduced staff.

After public comment, the committee discussed a scheduled special meeting for the following day that had been called to address a personnel/legal matter. On the advice of legal counsel, the committee voted to cancel the special meeting and to seek guidance about whether the matter should instead be handled in executive session. The committee said it would reschedule and follow legal counsel's direction about the proper forum for discussing personnel and confidential student matters.

No committee motion at the meeting ordered an independent external investigation; Jasnani's demands were recorded as public comment. The committee said it would follow advice from legal counsel and noted that executive sessions are limited by law and may be required for personnel and student-record issues.

The transcript shows the exchange and the committee's subsequent action to cancel the next-day meeting while legal counsel reviews the appropriate process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northampton School Committee | April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A parent told the School Committee he has evidence district employees acknowledged routine IEP violations and demanded an independent investigation; the committee cancelled a scheduled special meeting on legal counsel's advice and said it would seek appropriate next steps.","taxTitle","Northampton City, Hampshire County, Massachusetts","taxId",68541,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6078256,"NHS student union releases survey: students report low satisfaction with lunch, concerns about bus timing and mental-health access",985,1232000,2217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2960219-34ab68abc607bb8dfc3f6667a1b0c4b6&start=1232&end=2217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2960219-34ab68abc607bb8dfc3f6667a1b0c4b6/thumbnail_1232000.jpg","/articles/6078256/Massachusetts/NHS-student-union-releases-survey-students-report-low-satisfaction-with-lunch-concerns-about-bus-timing-and-mental-health-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078256-b1c2e76fe4f07eb3b3861f18eeebe562/orig.mp4?Expires=1771096627&Signature=Dn3rudN~nznIWnoKOb48rxmTONRaPLMAuA3OeUwuCsqM9r3hTIGD59220GM~KHSaq-lYBmyL~iTZAReZ9U3cssdubkDbv5DTP0In71mpOlVh~W5bzCdgKTo5MlU9sE56WsB-2El~L3hrHafi2DSWy82ldSjbSM4jz5JHaPgrAgYCJuG1EcrpnjyZDCSLMIJCd7pfXrioxTDHRK~bMzMrGYQ5KmP3ylYx0RGQ-orIzovkAFoGBhe7mfH656pFjRXkgMHLLMbUv4UN-Ih7AU6eMg-GF410-lk2rmrsgoCou2eJ~lTWcjCxdS1MiX4dhSb-KpCW8CyEwI84Rla92f7r8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Student Union members presented the results of the student survey to the School Committee on April 10, describing responses that highlight students' experiences with mental-health resources, school lunches, transportation and course planning.

Key findings presented by the student union: about 25% of respondents said they did not know where to go for mental-health help at school; only 32% had met with an adjustment counselor this year; the survey found 63 respondents reported using the school's community closet (a student-run resource near the library); the average student rating for school lunch quality was 36 out of 100; and more than half of students who take the bus depend on it daily and three-quarters reported missing the bus sometimes, rarely or frequently due to inconsistent timing.

Presenters said the survey collected roughly 458 responses — about half the school population — and offered to filter the data by grade or demographics on request. The student presenters also said they plan next steps, including working with the district wellness committee on physical-activity and mental-health questions and following up to improve survey design (for example, clarifying follow-up questions that created confusing responses).

Student union members Zara and Nadia also noted recent advocacy work: they and other students went to the State House to testify about chapter 70 funding.","At the April 10 meeting the Northampton Student Union presented results from its annual student survey, citing a low average lunch rating (36/100), bus timing problems that cause missed rides for many students, and gaps in students' knowledge of mental-health resources.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6078260,"School Committee adopts updated wellness policy after DESE review and WellSAT assessment",446,11418000,11864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2960219-34ab68abc607bb8dfc3f6667a1b0c4b6&start=11418&end=11864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2960219-34ab68abc607bb8dfc3f6667a1b0c4b6/thumbnail_11418000.jpg","/articles/6078260/Massachusetts/School-Committee-adopts-updated-wellness-policy-after-DESE-review-and-WellSAT-assessment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078260-51f33175d5c4e08ff2b0f5629570f7ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771096627&Signature=K8pgu~yLli9wDhLHdMo5QGTDH5uuz1yuo2nhAuhRuX1oIipr67oG4tfHR9uPx0f-hTlcRXHf6mDAuSXjKMVEwcwj~uOlknkWSpiAE48E815pteeoc7o-D49OR94pqkQnRthVLcm149n9NObM34knJTLgfEr7RqETHFiX6VnOXMGW997-wSMxIqet09v6CEz6gOuB36xrLBsfa6kM-emMzjJEB-cGj7TDDSpSyRdh-Q8IN-zQWukNBNjaodslbU4d6qaEQuO0c89GmYkICaHSFn1iIz-XuzRvxlBYH22WUz3nNPoR0YjRPqte4qvgPrFj7-GvsiRjOIXHyKB6OveIxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton School Committee voted to adopt an updated district wellness policy during its April 10 meeting, suspending the usual first-read requirement so the committee could approve the policy at that meeting.

Member Gazzi explained the wellness-policy review process: the district qualified for the Massachusetts DESE School Wellness Coaching Program, formed a committee including district administrators, staff, a parent and a local partner, Grow Food Northampton, and met with a DESE coach. The draft policy was evaluated using the WellSAT 3 assessment tool and subsequently reviewed by DESE school wellness specialists, who scored the district's policy as strong. The updated policy keeps all DESE-required elements and expands on farm-to-school programming and mental and emotional health supports aligned with Goal 5 of the district's strategic plan.

Following a motion to suspend the rules and approve the policy on final reading, the committee voted to adopt the revised wellness policy. Committee members said the policy would be followed by further student engagement on implementation details and noted the administration's continuing obligations around physical-activity programming and PE requirements.

The policy adoption will be incorporated into district practice and followed by implementation work led by the administration and building-level staff.","The committee voted to adopt a revised district wellness policy that adds farm-to-school language and expanded language on students' mental and emotional health after review by a DESE wellness coach and an assessment with WellSAT.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6078265,"Northampton School Committee recommends \"strong\" FY26 budget after marathon public comment",4363,11649000,16012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2960219-34ab68abc607bb8dfc3f6667a1b0c4b6&start=11649&end=16012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2960219-34ab68abc607bb8dfc3f6667a1b0c4b6/thumbnail_11649000.jpg","/articles/6078265/Massachusetts/Northampton-School-Committee-recommends-strong-FY26-budget-after-marathon-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078265-22211f86a1d9767d8c758c72517e8e55/orig.mp4?Expires=1771096627&Signature=DKRqdmkb3arxEQ6yRJJS0eSmQrtveDAm-30xI0P8ujv-~ygE9BwSLTsAzYcmItFtEcDpgVGfiNkk7okxbip-eQ0vdzqDg-otuj8OzKue9jjWFnAMWYw4sr1HU9Hfih0-uHhpigVek8Ntw-6dXfp1BaopMZjcedH1o8~4xODXXF2ALqr73tZmtLymqZSsTebBR2~vShRZ15BkA-lefxa3IgK6WlC5utZgV2Pym7d9O6ch3uZJqq5xXKd1dc1Tr7AmF8-GWIqn4kXJnUJL5iBwBFGmic0kEyYOnH8k90ihLzxTSE6vO71SQFIj2fAjle6SxcNkJVlyyCHMoMZSLbEwJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton School Committee voted to recommend a \"strong\" FY26 budget of $46,610,090 and directed Superintendent Bonner to present and advocate for that figure before the City Council.

The decision came after nearly two hours of public comment — dominated by parents, teachers, students and school staff — urging the committee to adopt the highest funding option on the table. Speakers described recent staff cuts, gaps in reading and special-education supports, and classroom sizes they said had grown too large. Student representatives and members of the student union also testified in favor of the strong budget, citing the possibility that further cuts would harm college-preparatory opportunities and student services.

Mayor Schiara explained the city's fiscal constraints to the committee, saying the municipal revenue the city expects to collect would not cover the full cost of the strong budget without an override. The mayor said two main pressures limit how much recurring funding the city can add now: (1) an expected 10.5% increase in health-insurance costs and (2) property-tax constraints under Proposition 2\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001f code limits.

The committee debated the options on the agenda: the strong budget (the largest ask), a level-services budget and a city fiscal-target budget. Proponents of the strong budget argued that early intervention (reading and math interventionists, elementary special-education staffing) reduces longer-term costs and prevents students from needing more expensive services later. Opponents and some committee members, while sympathetic to the needs raised in public comment, warned the strong budget would require either a multi-million-dollar override or a rapid reallocation of city funds and could leave the city fiscally exposed if revenues fall.

The committee ultimately approved the motion recommending the strong FY26 budget and directed the superintendent to advocate for it to the City Council. The committee noted the recommendation is advisory; the City Council and mayor retain final control over appropriations.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Recommend the strong FY26 budget of $46,610,090 and direct the superintendent to advocate for it to the City Council.
- Outcome: Approved (roll-call recorded in transcript).","After more than an hour of public testimony and debate, the Northampton School Committee voted to recommend the strong FY26 budget — $46,610,090 — and directed the superintendent to press the case to the City Council, even as the mayor warned the package would require significant new revenue or an override to be sustained.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parent alleges routine IEP violations; asks for independent investigation as committee cancels next-day meeting on legal advice

NHS student union releases survey: students report low satisfaction with lunch, concerns about bus timing and mental-health access

School Committee adopts updated wellness policy after DESE review and WellSAT assessment

Northampton School Committee recommends "strong" FY26 budget after marathon public comment