School Committee

Easthampton School Committee cuts half-days in new school calendar. The committee unanimously approved the 2026-2027 school year calendar, reducing half-days from 12 to 6 for MVS and 9 for EHS while starting classes before Labor Day to avoid an end-of-June closure. Superintendent Michelle Balch

Easthampton School Committee increases virtual school enrollment cap. The committee voted unanimously on February 10 to raise the cap for Commonwealth Virtual Schools enrollment from 1 percent to 2 percent for the remainder of 2025-2026 and all of 2026-2027, according to Superintendent Michelle

Easthampton School Committee approves contract negotiations with Massachusetts Association of School Committees for policy manual review. The committee unanimously authorized MASC engagement for comprehensive policy development in a 6-0-0 vote. Sam Hunter was elected Policy Subcommittee Chairperson

The Easthampton School Committee held a full-day retreat on January 17 to train members on governance fundamentals. Chair Laura Scott and six Committee members, along with Superintendent Michelle Balch, EdD, and Director of Business Services Julia Saari-Franks, received instruction from MASC Field

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,