Rally for a Better School Budget, November 17
Hundreds of Amherst Public School Students MArched to UMass on March 24, 2025 to protest school budget cuts at a state budget hearing. Photo: Amherst Regional Public Schools
Source: Support our Schools
Support our Schools Amherst is organizing a rally in support of the Amherst Public Schools and a better school budget for FY26-27. The rally will be held at Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue, on Monday, November 17 at 6 p.m before the scheduled Town Council meeting which starts at 6:30. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume because budget cuts are scary, but parents advocating for their kids aren’t! THere will be a few speakers and some chanting.
Town Council Forum on the Budget
On Monday 11/17 at 7pm, the Town Council will hold the annual Forum on the budget. This is a critical opportunity for the public to communicate with the Town Council about budget priorities for FY27 (the 2026-2027 school year). The Town Finance Committee is drafting their budget guidelines now. These guidelines act as a map for the Town Manager to follow as he makes the budget. Town Council is likely to approve them in December, which is why we have to advocate NOW for more money for the schools. The draft school budgets are not out yet so we do not know the size of the projected deficits, but all predictions are that this will be a difficult budget year.
Come to the meeting at Town Hall or join by Zoom to make a public comment. The time limit is likely to be 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can submit written public comment if you can’t join live. Are you nervous about making public comment? Check out our explainer for all the info you need!
Let Town Councilors know how our underfunded schools have affected your student and your family. Have class sizes, aging facilities, understaffing, outdated skillsets (underfunded professional development), or reductions in academic or extracurricular opportunities affected your student’s educational experience?
