Leverett Town Meeting Approves 14% Increase in Regional School Funding and Funds for Track and Field Reconstruction at the High School

Leverett residents approved an additional $230,000 or a 14.1% increase in the town’s share of the regional school budget at their May 3 Annual Town Meeting. The large increase resultecd from the regional schools being instructed by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that the “guardrails” they have used for the past seven years to create their budgets — devised in order to cushion the impact of increases on the smaller towns — were not allowed. Therefore, the regional school system reverted to the state’s statutory assessment method, which called for the three smaller towns to make up for the shortfalls in their past assessments with larger increases for the coming year. Leverett’s total assessed amount for the regional schools in FY2026 under the allowed assessment method will be $1.86 million. In future years, the increase will be more balanced for all the towns, depending on the five-year rolling average of enrollment.

The Leverett Select Board had originally limited the increase to 6.5%, but it was clear after DESE officials came to the March 31 Regional School Committee meeting that the assessment method was out of compliance. Although alternative assessment methods can be used, they said, they must be approved in advance by DESE, in December of the previous year.

Three towns in the regional school district must approve the budget by a two-thirds vote. Pelham’s town meeting is scheduled for May 10. Pelham faces a 22.9% increase in their assessment for the region. Amherst will vote on its 4.81% increase on May 19. Shutesbury’s town meeting is May 31. Shutesbury is facing a 7.65% increase in its allocation. The total regional school budget is 6.5% greater than in FY2025 but falls short of level funding.

Leverett Votes to Fund Track and Field Reconstruction
The $4.4 million reconstruction of the high school track and interior playing field got a boost with Leverett Town Meeting approving $176,000 from its unreserved balance in Community Preservation Act funds. The track and field project involves reorienting the track to a north-south direction, widening it to eight lanes, improving the drainage and soil under the track and its interior grass field, and making the area ADA compliant. A second grass playing field will be created during the construction. Amherst-Pelham Regional High school has been unable to host track meets for the past five years because of the poor condition of the track. 

Construction is expected to begin this summer and be completed by the spring sports season in 2026. There is already $4.1 million allocated to the project. Additional funds are expected from Pelham and Shutesbury. Infrastructure for lighting and bleachers is included in the project plans, so those features can be added if funds allow.