School Committee approves payroll, grants, and field trip; plans strategic planning.
School Committee · Meeting of January 13, 2026
Easthampton School Committee approves payroll and grants; launches strategic planning. The committee voted unanimously to accept $37,715 from the Easthampton Learning Foundation to support 17 projects, and approved approximately $2.9 million in payroll and accounts payable across three pay periods, with Eric Guyette abstaining from each vote. Superintendent Dr.
Michelle Balch presented findings from 13 community listening sessions and 45 individual meetings and announced plans to establish a Strategic Planning Steering Committee to complete a district strategic plan by year end. Director of Business Services Julia Saari-Franks reported 48 percent of local appropriations spent or encumbered as of December 31 and noted two student transportation vans funded by $130,000 in Fair Share Earmark grants are expected in late March or mid-April.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 435 words
Source: the School Committee meeting of January 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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