Amherst Schools Approve Two New Staff Positions

School Committee · Meeting of October 6, 2026

Amherst School Committee approved adding 1.2 FTE in staff without new town funding, then four town bodies went into executive session. The committee unanimously voted to raise an Amethyst Brook intervention teacher position from 0.4 to 0.6 FTE and create a 1.0 FTE English Language Learner teacher at Crocker Farm Elementary, funded inside the approved FY27 budget. Committee member Andrew questioned how the budget could absorb the new positions after the town already added $185,000 this year to preserve 2.5 interventionist FTEs, and after administrators found $187,000 by cutting classroom supplies by "$30 to $50 per classroom." Member Laura Jane said "all I want for this district is for us to have enough educators and enough resources for our students and our teachers." Afterward, the Amherst, Pelham, Amherst-Pelham Regional and Union 26 committees each voted by roll call to enter executive session under MGL Chapter 30A, Section 21, with no intent to return to open session.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,007 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of October 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.