Northampton School Committee approves $48.84 million FY26 budget, contingent on council action

The Northampton School Committee on June 25 voted to approve the fiscal year 2026 school budget totaling $48,839,176, a motion the committee framed as approval of the budget submitted May 16 and amended June 18 and contingent on that budget taking effect on July 1, 2025.

The vote was called by Chair Mila Sherrer, who said the committee could act “according to the charter” after the council failed to act within the statutory window and that the committee’s vote must be clear that it is on the May 16 submission as amended June 18. The approved total combines the school committee’s preliminary budget of $44,011,006.95 and an “other funding” column of $4,827,004.81 shown in the packet, producing the $48,839,176 figure the committee approved.

Committee discussion focused on line-item details and program changes rather than the contingency. Member Stein pressed for more detail before voting, saying the committee had not received a full mapping of how service-delivery changes for special education would be implemented and warned the committee was “moving so quickly, with very little information.” Several members asked for clearer counts of budgeted positions and how percentage increases for nonunion staff lines were calculated.

Superintendent Dr. Bonner and school finance staff (identified in the meeting as Bobby) responded with line-item clarifications: the registrar position was increased from 28 to 30 hours, some pay-line increases reflect new hires or increased hours, the per-diem Title IX coordinator line was raised from about $11,000 to $30,000 based on prior usage, and crossing-guard pay increases were included. Dr. Bonner also said the $209,175 in Medicaid reimbursement is named in the general fund order and that the $166,000 Smith gift is similarly included in the order.

On the contentious topic of the district’s “sub separate” program changes for students with neurodivergent needs, Dr. Bonner said administration had reorganized existing staff rather than requested new permanent hires and that no individual student IEP would be changed without appropriate consultation. Stein and others urged that the committee receive a fuller report from Director Matt Holloway and recommended regular updates, including to the curriculum subcommittee, while Dr. Bonner said Holloway has been holding community focus groups and that an August update and the consultant’s findings will be provided.

Committee members and staff noted procedural consequences if the committee did not approve the budget: the district would operate under a one-twelfth continuing spending limit based on the prior year, which the finance staff said could constrain purchases, software renewals and some summer preparations and would be manageable short-term but risky entering the fall.

Member Ashley moved to approve the budget for FY26 in the amount of $48,839,176; Member Miller seconded. The motion carried by roll call (majority in favor; recorded tally announced during the meeting as 7 yes, 3 no).