Northampton Education Foundation approves $32K in small grants for local schools

The Northampton School Committee convened on June 12, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including budget adjustments, calendar revisions, and grant approvals aimed at enhancing educational opportunities within the district.

The meeting commenced with a discussion on the transfer of funds from the tuition account to the special education teacher salary account. This transfer, amounting to $2.40, was necessary to cover costs incurred for special education teachers during the current school year. The motion to approve this transfer was made by member Gacy and seconded by member Miller, receiving unanimous approval from all members present.

Next, the committee reviewed the revised school calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year. The revisions included a change in the date for professional development from March 12 to September 16 to accommodate the primary election, as well as corrections to the total number of school days. Member Hennessy raised a concern regarding the scheduling of a half-day workday on May 6, which coincided with an AP exam. After confirming that this scheduling had been discussed with faculty, the committee moved to accept the revised calendar, with the motion again made by member Gacy and seconded by member Stein, passing with unanimous support.

The meeting then transitioned to new business, where representatives from the Northampton Education Foundation (NEF), Sam Hopper and Jennifer Sanders James, presented a proposal for small grants to educators. They requested formal acceptance of $32,950.35 to fund 11 educational proposals across various schools. The projects included field trips, robotics integration, and literary magazine funding, among others. The committee expressed gratitude for the NEF's contributions and approved the grants following a motion by member Miller, seconded by member Reisenfroin, which also passed unanimously.

Additionally, Joy Hermanson from NEF introduced two endowment grants totaling $40,000 aimed at enhancing educational experiences in elementary schools. The first grant of $29,000 will support Math Recovery training for educators, while the second grant of $11,000 will fund the GrowFood Northampton project, focusing on food literacy and justice. The committee acknowledged the importance of these initiatives and expressed appreciation for the community's support in funding public education.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the committee's commitment to improving educational resources and opportunities for students in Northampton. The approved budget transfers, calendar revisions, and grant allocations reflect a proactive approach to addressing the needs of the school community. The committee looks forward to implementing these initiatives in the upcoming school year.