Council approves $290,317 midyear appropriation for Northampton Public Schools after heated debate

Northampton — The City Council on Feb. 5 approved a $290,317 midyear appropriation for Northampton Public Schools, concluding a three‑hour meeting that included more than two dozen public comments and a tense debate over whether the mayor’s order properly reflected the school committee’s prior vote.

The appropriation was part of a larger mix of school requests discussed at a Jan. 22 special meeting of the school committee. Mayor Schiara told the council she vetted a superintendent’s list of immediate, one‑time needs and that other items would be covered by state circuit‑breaker reimbursements and capital reprogramming, bringing the total funding addressed to roughly $504,367.

“Superintendent Bonner presented the schools’ current requests,” Mayor Schiara said, explaining how her order prioritized items she said were ready to be funded this fiscal year. The administration’s order included onetime positions and equipment to run through the end of the school year, the mayor added.

School committee members and several public commenters urged the council to approve a much larger appropriation. “The school committee voted by a supermajority for $790,175,” school committee member Mike Stein told the council during public comment. “The mayor unilaterally chose to ignore the request of her colleagues.”

Councilors debated the appropriateness of midyear appropriations and the process by which the mayor and superintendent compiled the final list. Councilor Chris Stratton proposed tabling the item so the mayor could split predictable, recurring costs directly into the FY27 budget and leave a smaller emergency reserve in the Special Education Stabilization Fund. That motion to table failed on roll call, 1–8.

After further discussion, the council voted to approve the mayor’s order approving $290,317 from free cash for the midyear requests. The roll call on the final order recorded one dissent (Councilor Stratton); the measure passed.

Councilors and speakers emphasized that onetime funding does not solve longer‑term staffing or achievement shortfalls. Several public speakers — including parents, school committee members and teachers — described persistent literacy and math gaps and urged sustained investment so that temporary roles and purchases are not simply repeated with new one‑time money.

Mayor Schiara said any recurring positions or programs that schools want to continue next year will need to be proposed and funded in the FY27 budget process: “If you want to continue these positions next year, you’re going to have to figure out how to make them fit within the budget,” she said.

What’s next: The midyear appropriation funds will be incorporated into the FY27 budget planning by the administration and school business office. Councilors asked for improved information flows between building principals, the superintendent and the school committee to reduce surprises in future midyear requests.

Vote tally: The council approved the midyear appropriation (26.011) on roll call; Councilor Stratton recorded the lone no vote.