School Committee closes remaining school choice seats

School Committee · Meeting of September 8, 2026

EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton School Committee closed all remaining school choice seats for 2026-2027 and approved six policies. Superintendent Michelle Balch cited capacity in lower grades and a budget year that left the district unsure whether it faced a $900,000 or $2.7 million cut. Members voted 6-0 on the seats, the EHS handbook changes, student activity accounts and a $100,000 state special education earmark.

Six speakers urged a bell-to-bell cellphone ban at the high school, with one parent saying students should not be "in the driver's seat." Chair Laura Scott reported Balch rated proficient overall and exemplary on management and operations. Policies on restraint and seclusion and on law enforcement passed first reading.

In the full story:

• Opening, Consent Agenda and Student Report
• School Choice
• Student Clerk and the Technology Project
• Public Comment: Cellphones at EHS
• District Showcase
• Superintendent Update
• Business Update
• Superintendent Evaluation
• Committee Updates and Policy Review
• Executive Session
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 1,752 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.