[{"_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",6201739,"mediaKeyId","3789176-a7e1a9307d9ee86e2e61a5ef62eab295","parentId",3789176,"title","Northampton students and parents decry NHS scheduling crisis; committee authorizes immediate hires and seeks follow-up funding","audioSeconds",6574,"startMs",234000,"endMs",6808000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789176-a7e1a9307d9ee86e2e61a5ef62eab295&start=234&end=6808","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789176-a7e1a9307d9ee86e2e61a5ef62eab295/thumbnail_234000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6201739/Massachusetts/Northampton-students-and-parents-decry-NHS-scheduling-crisis-committee-authorizes-immediate-hires-and-seeks-follow-up-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201739-7d3dd463b85ecf0b25749ebc2f670b12/orig.mp4?Expires=1770927053&Signature=JwV8htnUfA4oLOPHZrafpC7EFlxIA96ALKjvGXJGp-5Y71ORB0OU-licoJzyYT4u6xPnbikN56H5N9HjSSslsPr1xzTAvLzcd5ft4tGG5V8X7jNVpdlnp~KT~jyMKWYXkJ8hkteKwkgmB11RjD-JCxhtEfZ~mCrPAYKHM1MaMsv-W1pYcrNv4P8QOXUy7h-z3Ztt7uAqQ~e4jv7NF-VrYvxLWwG-pvQ-JGK6us0TnGnoBMGiHT9oNNwtB90hNJg-cvmG6gUiJs5zv~XpYyxBZve8oBsGfzaBSEqo9l7RDdbRESqxkb-aIGay2ZnK-Ov-t4tyvotyoyoibWli2TESiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-06-13T03:19:03Z","article","Northampton — Students, parents and school staff told the Northampton School Committee on June 10 that recent budget cuts left Northampton High School (NHS) unable to run enough course sections, creating “holes” in many seniors’ schedules and forcing some students to consider taking multiple classes off campus.

The committee heard more than a dozen public comments from NHS students, parents and paraeducators describing the scale of the problem and the impacts on college preparation and daily life. “This huge problem could be solved by hiring the teachers that NHS needs,” student Anna Lucia Ohm said. Zara Sman, newly elected president of the student union, told the committee, “I am literally unable to take classes at my own high school.”

The comments described common situations: seniors with an empty period because no class was offered at that time, students forced into asynchronous college classes at Smith College, and students who face scheduling shifts that could hurt college admissions. Parents and paraeducators added that the pressure is especially acute for students with IEPs and for families without flexible transportation or evening availability.

Why it matters: Committee members said they view the scheduling failures as the direct result of prior budget reductions and of insufficient teacher staffing at NHS. Members and the public framed this as a district‑level resource and equity problem because the loss of high‑level course options affects students’ competitiveness for selective colleges and can move coursework off campus in ways that disadvantage families without extra time or money.

What the committee did: Following public comment and debate, the committee voted to authorize the superintendent to act quickly to address the urgent need at NHS. The motion directs the superintendent to pursue immediate hiring to restore two prioritized positions at the high school and to restore funding for the school garden program; remaining potential uses of newly identified funds will return to the committee at a special meeting on June 25 for further decisions. The committee also asked administration to prepare postings so positions can be advertised immediately.

Discussion and dissent: Members debated whether to use one‑time savings identified by the mayor’s office and IT cost adjustments to pay for recurring personnel costs. Some members argued that one‑time funds should not be used for ongoing salaries; others said the urgency of students’ scheduling harm required immediate action and that the committee could seek recurring funding later. After amendments and a roll‑call process, the committee approved the authorization and directed administration to report back.

Next steps: The superintendent and high‑school principal said they would post the positions and pursue hires, then return to the committee on June 25 with recommendations for the remaining newly identified funds and possible additional requests. The committee also signaled it would examine the district’s broader staffing and budget choices in August as part of multi‑year financial planning.

Ending: Committee members thanked students, parents and staff for detailed testimony and said they would treat the scheduling failures as a priority for the summer hiring cycle, while reserving further decisions about long‑term funding for the upcoming budget cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northampton School Committee | June 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Northampton — Students, parents and school staff told the Northampton School Committee on June 10 that recent budget cuts left Northampton High School (NHS) unable to run enough course sections, creating “holes” in many seniors’ schedules and forcing some students to consider taking multiple classes off campus.","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},6201724,"School Committee authorizes superintendent to begin contract talks with business administrator, committee to review in executive session",827,6363000,7190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789176-a7e1a9307d9ee86e2e61a5ef62eab295&start=6363&end=7190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789176-a7e1a9307d9ee86e2e61a5ef62eab295/thumbnail_6363000.jpg","/articles/6201724/Massachusetts/School-Committee-authorizes-superintendent-to-begin-contract-talks-with-business-administrator-committee-to-review-in-executive-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201724-f13250dbddbe362880bf46c629c3e533/orig.mp4?Expires=1770927053&Signature=CdW3PrDXySDYuc6QlKvVH2cP0R8pASv3mcUImEVhiSPz40JikSngJso-FnBXsRokxygAyq3fugYsIi0fifX5r3jzWg6lCxjSC-FfBzx1W7E-6EK6Am4qRzne7HJVeMFEFvJBzMMQr5WfqHMi6sO4-wEQZOloaL3NmcC1KsTFXYdvE5ITg4hCzDsrZiZy2Ws0Bz~SSO-y87Tm8vEgTy94LH5Ye-VXXdRtHOayVlKBRHLT5ingSFajBmgxQkYXlaPRsPXagCp-7rYnvFtsVtTAN4xBr3ZhLZ6AxkQCCr-gGenE4xxE0p60VlRzOL5JtUURMDUxx62cae390lHhIPcvKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Northampton — The School Committee on June 10 authorized the superintendent to enter contract negotiations with the district business administrator, with the committee requesting to be consulted in executive session before any proposed contract is returned for public approval.

Committee members discussed process and oversight. Some members asked for parameters including suggested contract length and increases; others urged that the superintendent have latitude to negotiate but that the committee be given time in executive session to offer guidance before approval. After debate the committee approved an amended motion that authorizes negotiations and requires the superintendent to consult the full committee in executive session for feedback before bringing any final contract for a public vote.

Why it matters: The business administrator position is a senior district role that affects budget, procurement and operations. Committee members indicated they want to preserve oversight of compensation and contract terms while allowing timely negotiations so the district can complete an agreement before the current contract ends.

Outcome: Motion passed on a roll call with the amendment requiring committee consultation in executive session. The superintendent said she will return a draft contract to the committee for review and public approval once negotiations produce a proposed agreement.

Ending: Members noted this vote is an authorization to negotiate and that any final contract will come back for public action.","The School Committee granted the superintendent permission to open contract negotiations with the district business administrator, with the committee to be consulted in executive session and to receive any final proposed contract for public vote.",{"_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},6201729,"School Committee accepts $32,950 in NEF small grants and endowment awards for district programs",930,3460000,4390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789176-a7e1a9307d9ee86e2e61a5ef62eab295&start=3460&end=4390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789176-a7e1a9307d9ee86e2e61a5ef62eab295/thumbnail_3460000.jpg","/articles/6201729/Massachusetts/School-Committee-accepts-32950-in-NEF-small-grants-and-endowment-awards-for-district-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201729-55bf0af04ede458d57f78285d44efeef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770927053&Signature=Jp8Hh~ijw88vvhZP4vJLSWXGennZBOGE7-sviYSUXxhFOttwNJQFDWblDtYs3wl9cRAD2ITjG8ao-Iccq6M~C849g9jn6kGnPieDQu4LCLJBr9Aii61VgciXFdh-qN~DQQX9RK1UhW7LD~P8MgWU2kxJjuS~A3wrCmv37IqK1FNbdV2Rcw2pQxzH4DIG2tb-9yr1mXUpWBW2mwlH~7wxRa-yVkJ-BxeVuzYfqAgltGLPpMDAI9M5O241kkHSFifzNP0moTt0Kfqz3~0UIyRDVsGNn-V2~NSOoxgc7itvzlRzAS~flBW8jv8BDcW7t98nv-X53eWB6aYsIlgmNu5ycA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Northampton — At the June 10 meeting the School Committee formally accepted two rounds of Northampton Education Foundation (NEF) funding: $32,950.35 in small grants covering 11 teacher proposals across district schools, and NEF endowment awards to GrowFood Northampton and to fund Math Recovery specialist certification for elementary math interventionists.

The small grants portion included funding for robotics across elementary schools, the NHS literary magazine, a visiting artist series and several classroom‑based projects. NEF co‑chairs Sam Hopper and Jennifer Sanders James described the grants as selected by committee review and supported by community donations and fundraisers; the committee voted to accept the awards.

The NEF endowment grants awarded $29,000 to GrowFood Northampton for place‑based food and farm‑based learning for K–5 students across the district, and $29,000 to expand Math Recovery level‑2 training for interventionists and special‑education teachers to support students in grades 2–5. NEF representatives said the awards will include field trips, classroom lessons, certification training and a planned teacher/family resource website.

Why it matters: Committee members thanked NEF for local philanthropic support and noted that the grants fund supplemental programming and professional development that the district’s operating budget cannot fully cover. Members also praised the community process NEF used to evaluate applications and urged continued collaboration.

Outcome: The committee voted by roll call to accept both the NEF small grants and the NEF endowment grants; NEF representatives said funds will be disbursed after committee acceptance and project leads will be notified.

Ending: NEF organizers invited the public to a grants showcase event the next evening at the Center for the Arts to highlight projects funded by the grants.","The committee voted to accept $32,950.35 in Northampton Education Foundation (NEF) small grants to fund 11 classroom projects across elementary, middle and high schools and approved NEF endowment grants including GrowFood Northampton and a Math Recovery certification project for elementary interventionists.",{"_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},6201734,"School committee leans toward shorter, administrator‑led cellphone policy; students to be included in drafting",1350,4680000,6030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789176-a7e1a9307d9ee86e2e61a5ef62eab295&start=4680&end=6030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789176-a7e1a9307d9ee86e2e61a5ef62eab295/thumbnail_4680000.jpg","/articles/6201734/Massachusetts/School-committee-leans-toward-shorter-administratorled-cellphone-policy-students-to-be-included-in-drafting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201734-7d07606b442645963bddbb660c60971e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770927053&Signature=h4PNc0PCrGMbY~iRciCYjklMhonHQhx93i7PAfORLzr-16SeH4zQh1lPi4HoVFtPzSobUDDby25V1HtnPPo~~G7vC7XRLvq27UzcSGv0EZ4I3-nZOLJKh~qHxEn3PKENCCJXLOwyxfTJZnUt6lILfbQsOm1psWX9E7Ew~rtOy2TQYRZpVQ58CIBpYjBIWUW0qb3wFNDX-ZacLfeEkxY5jdPGwGFP3FGpXlfIVRsm90MyfasG62DNK-j4bxvXbu-AN5iPwyH76v5EGLaz~P8I2MH22xeV5YyfMSreOigp4H2XWZR5MLRkeUoeEcXvSg4CAcqID6rjm3SaDWMoG44BLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Northampton — The School Committee spent a lengthy portion of its June 10 meeting debating two draft cellphone policies and the process for creating a final rule limiting in‑school personal device use.

Committee members presented two options: a shorter framework that directs the superintendent to develop school‑level guidance (policy B), and a more prescriptive, longer draft that specified detailed prohibitions, exceptions and consequences. Several members said they preferred the shorter approach because it allows administrators, teachers and students to design workable practices for each school level.

Member discussion centered on three points: (1) whether one policy should cover elementary through high school or whether separate approaches were needed by age; (2) how exceptions for documented medical or 504/IEP needs would be managed so students and families understand who gets approved access and where those devices are stored; and (3) the importance of building teacher and student buy‑in before rollout. Member Vandenfreude and others urged that elementary and middle grades be handled differently from the high school, and that students be included in drafting and piloting a plan at NHS.

Student leaders attending the meeting urged inclusion. “We would appreciate being involved,” Student Union President Zara Sman said, noting students’ interest in practical, enforceable rules.

Why it matters: Committee members said evidence linking high phone use to classroom distraction and wellbeing has become part of school policy decisions nationwide. Several members pointed to recent state actions and to research showing widespread notifications and social‑media exposure among teens.

Outcome: The committee signaled a preference for the shorter, superintendent‑led policy that would: require personal devices to be off and stored during the school day (storage method to be determined by the superintendent and administrators), instruct the superintendent to develop implementation guidelines, and require the administration to engage students, staff and families in drafting school‑level procedures. Members indicated they expect different rules for elementary/middle schools versus NHS and suggested a phased rollout with student and teacher involvement. The committee asked administration to return with a proposed process and timeline in August.","After hours of debate, the committee favored directing the superintendent and school administrators to develop a brief framework limiting student phone use during school hours and to involve students, families and staff in designing school‑level rules, while keeping separate approaches for elementary/middle and high school.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Northampton students and parents decry NHS scheduling crisis; committee authorizes immediate hires and seeks follow-up funding

School Committee authorizes superintendent to begin contract talks with business administrator, committee to review in executive session

School Committee accepts $32,950 in NEF small grants and endowment awards for district programs

School committee leans toward shorter, administrator‑led cellphone policy; students to be included in drafting