School Committee approves $24.9M FY27 budget and field trip to leadership conference.
School Committee · Meeting of March 24, 2026
Easthampton School Committee greenlights $24.9M FY27 budget, up 9.54 percent. Superintendent Michelle Balch and Director of Business Services Julia Saari-Franks presented a level-service budget balancing sustainability with strategic reallocations, driven by $736,000 in year-three personnel costs and rising special education and transportation expenses. The committee voted 5-0-1, with Eric Guyette abstaining, approving the proposal, which now moves to the Mayor and City Council for finalization by May.
The budget includes reallocation of existing capacity at Mountain View School to strengthen the middle school experience, including creating a Dean of Students post and adding world language and STEAM teaching roles. The committee also unanimously approved a field trip for Easthampton High School Student Council to the 2026 Vision National Conference in Derry, New Hampshire, June 21-24, funded through the student activities account and fundraising.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 365 words
Source: the School Committee meeting of March 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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