Northampton students protest scheduling crisis due to budget cuts at NHS

In a tense meeting held on June 12, 2025, the Northampton School Committee faced a wave of frustration from students, parents, and educators over a scheduling crisis that has left many high school students without the classes they need for their academic futures. The atmosphere was charged as voices echoed the urgent need for action amid ongoing budget cuts that have severely impacted educational offerings.

Students shared personal stories of being placed in classes they did not choose, with some facing the daunting prospect of "period holes"—gaps in their schedules that leave them without adequate coursework. Anna Lucia Ohm, a student at Northampton High School (NHS), expressed her dismay at being forced into a class that did not align with her interests, a situation she has faced for multiple years. “Choosing classes is not something I take lightly,” she said, highlighting the emotional toll of the scheduling issues.

The crisis has been exacerbated by cuts to teaching positions, which have left the school unable to offer a full range of classes. Students like Zara Sman, the newly elected president of the student union, voiced concerns that the lack of available courses could hinder their college applications. “Most colleges require four years of a foreign language, and being unable to take it would harm my admissions process,” she stated, emphasizing the long-term implications of the current situation.

Parents echoed these sentiments, with Lisa Papadimitriou, a mother of a rising senior, questioning the equity of a system that pushes students to take classes at Smith College instead of providing adequate options within their own school. “Public education is supposed to be equitable,” she argued, stressing that all students, regardless of their background, deserve access to a quality education.

The meeting also saw educators like Maritha Wallace and Paula Ragano calling for a stronger budget to support students’ needs. Wallace quoted James Baldwin, stating, “The children are always ours,” urging the committee to recognize their moral obligation to protect students’ educational rights. Ragano added, “It is not Smith College's job to educate high school students in Northampton,” reinforcing the need for the district to take responsibility for its students.

As the meeting concluded, the overarching message was clear: the community is calling for immediate action to address the funding shortfalls that have led to this crisis. With upcoming elections on the horizon, many attendees urged their fellow citizens to vote, emphasizing that the future of education in Northampton depends on it. The urgency of the situation has sparked a collective resolve among students, parents, and educators to advocate for the necessary changes to restore the quality of education that every child deserves.