Funding for arts and technology teachers in Amherst Town Council’s hands – GazetteNET

Published: 4/29/2022 12:52:52 PM

Modified: 4/29/2022 12:51:25 PM

AMHERST Bringing arts and technology teachers back to full-time positions at the towns three elementary schools next fall willdepend on the Town Council increasing school spending beyond what will be recommended by the town manager.

With a $25.53 million budget request approved in March by the AmherstSchool Committee, or $52,800 higher than guidelines set by the Finance Committee, school officials this week learned in a memo from Town Manager Paul Bockelman that he will not include that extra money when he presents afiscal year 2023 municipal spending plan to councilors on Monday.

That means the restoration of art and technology instruction to five days a week at Crocker Farm, Wildwood and Fort River schools, and ensuring those subjects are integrated intothe larger curriculum, could be in jeopardy, and will depend on the Town Council successfully overriding Bockelmansrecommendation.

School Committee member Peter Demlingsaid the committees request for additional spendingshould remain intact, even if it violates the town-established guidelines.

Its the Town Councils job to fund that if they think itsa reasonable request, Demling said.

But Demling also said he was disappointed that Bockelman sent a memo to Superintendent Michael Morris that the full request willnot be supported, and described that as not engaging in good faith,despite the school committee being altar boys of staying within guidance and experiencingvery painful cuts.

Now we want to go over a hair, and were getting absolutelypure pushback without discussion, Demling said. On principle, I cant accept that.

School Committee member Jennifer Shiaoproposed that the committee reduce the extra funding being sought from the town, withan additional $31,000 expect to come to the town in chapter 70 state aid for schools. That idea was not supported by her colleagues.

I even feel more so that were passing the buck to the Town Council, Shiao said. Were unable to come up with a solution and are passing it on to another elected body to make a decision.

Originally, the plan was to couple the added spending in the budget with $26,400 in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) money from the federal CARES Act, though that portion being directed to arts and technogy teachers will now be covered byextra revenue the schools are receiving.

While the schools could use more ESSER funds to build the budget, Morris said he fears that doing so could lead to asituation where more significant cuts happen in future years. I do have real concerns, Morris said.

Chairwoman Allison McDonald said she would not be infavor of reopening the budget, and thatthe committee shouldencourage theTown Council toincrease school spending via atwo-thirds vote.

Similar to previous meetings, the oral and written comments from community members and teachers demonstrated support for the school committees position.

Nicole Singer, an art teacher at Fort River, said the committee should turn to ESSERfunds if the town wont provide the extra funding.

"Our students deservehigh-quality art and techfor the upcomingschool year," Singer said.

Victoria Munroe, a first grade teacher at Fort River, said that having full-time arts and technology teachers is critical for collaboration among staff.

More here:

Funding for arts and technology teachers in Amherst Town Council's hands - GazetteNET