Belchertown School Committee Directs Superintendent to Explore Restoring Middle School Spanish

BELCHERTOWN — May 26, 2026 — Belchertown School Committee unanimously directs superintendent to explore restoring Spanish at Jabish Brook Middle School. The committee, meeting May 26 at Chestnut Hill Community School, voted to have Superintendent Brian Cameron convene talks with administrators and world language staff after more than an hour of public comment from parents, alumni, and teachers urging the reversal of a scheduling decision that eliminated seventh and eighth grade Spanish. BHS World Language Department Chair Chris Holzofsky, a 29-year district teacher, told the committee that 72 Belchertown seniors earned the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy over five years — potentially yielding up to 15 college credits each — and that 228 of 306 Massachusetts middle schools currently offer world language programs. Cameron said operating with substitutes for two years and a structural shift to a six-period locked daily schedule to enable cross-building staff sharing were central to the decision, but said he was willing to meet on alternatives including after-school options or specials pull-outs, provided no specialist is reduced to part-time. In reorganization business, Heidi Gutekenst was re-elected chair 5-0 and Hope Guardenier was elected vice chair.