Northampton School Committee

Educators in Northampton, Mass., say a budget proposal from the mayor doesn’t do enough to support local schools. Union workers have now ended voluntary work as the budget’s debated and contract negotiations continue.

Well before a July deadline to submit nomination papers, Northampton, Mass. is already primed for a busy election season. Both the city council and school committee are seeing significant turnover, with at least seven officials not seeking reelection so far. WAMC spoke with daily Hampshire Gazette reporter Alexander MacDougall about how things are shaping up and how one issue in particular is already looming, as candidates collect signatures: funding for Northampton Public Schools.

After lengthy debates, job cuts and protests by locals and school officials alike, leaders in Northampton, Massachusetts are trying to avoid another tense school budget season next year.

A surprise uptick in revenue could translate to Northampton, Massachusetts ditching an override question this fall. The news comes on the heels of another financial surprise for the city – a month after lengthy budget debates and slated cuts across the school district.

The school committee in Northampton, Massachusetts, has signed off on a budget that dodges cutting positions at a time when districts across the state are grappling with deficits.