Council approves $2.8M shift to reserve accounts; amendment to restore 18 school positions fails 3–6

The Northampton City Council on Jan. 22 approved Order 24.203, moving $2.8 million in free cash into various reserve accounts, while rejecting an amendment that would have recommended a $451,220 midyear appropriation to restore 18 positions cut from the school budget.

Councilor Moulton moved to approve 24.203; Councilor Donna LaBarge seconded. Before the vote, Councilor Rachel Maiori (recorded in the meeting as "Councilor Maori") offered an amendment recommending that the mayor draw funds from the fiscal-stability fund, the stabilization fund and the FY2025 undesignated general fund balance to make a midyear appropriation of $451,220 to restore 18 cut school positions through the end of the school year. Councilor Jeremy Dobbs seconded the amendment.

The proposed amendment prompted extensive discussion: Councilor Maiori presented spreadsheets from the schools’ business office that she said estimated the midyear salary cost to restore the positions; the council asked for clarification about whether the school figures included employee benefits and next‑year budget impacts. Finance Director Laura Nardi stated she had not previously seen the spreadsheet and said the figures presented did not include benefits and represented only partial‑year salary costs (the school business manager said the figures represented about five months of salary starting Feb. 1). Nardi noted that adding health insurance and payroll taxes would materially increase next‑year costs.

Mayor Sarah and several councilors warned that hiring staff midyear without a plan for sustaining recurring costs could create budget problems in the next fiscal year. "Unless we can find a way to build this into the budget and have it recur, then this will become a deficit," the mayor said. Supporters of the amendment, including Councilor Maiori and Councilor Rothenberg, argued the midyear help could reduce short‑term stress in schools and reduce operational strains on staff and students.

On a roll call, the amendment failed 6–3 (yes votes by Councilor Rothenberg, Councilor Dobbs and Councilor Maiori; no votes by Councilors Moulton, Perry, Elkins, Jarrett, Clemmer and LaBarge). The main order, 24.203, then passed 7–2 (no votes from Councilors Rothenberg and Maiori).

The council asked that documents shared during the debate be added to the permanent meeting record and discussed next week at related budget and school‑committee meetings. Finance Director Nardi noted she can prepare cost projections that include benefits and next‑year implications if the council wishes to revisit the question.

Votes at a glance: Amendment (recommendation to appropriate $451,220 to restore 18 school positions): failed 3 yes, 6 no. Order 24.203 (appropriate $2,800,000 in free cash to reserve accounts): approved 7 yes, 2 no.

Councilors said they expect continued conversation between the administration, finance staff and the school committee about midyear needs and the sustainability of any hires beyond the current fiscal year.