Easthampton School Committee accepts $69,124 life sciences grant

School Committee · Meeting of August 11, 2026

Easthampton School Committee accepts $69,124 grant, shifts earth science to middle school. Superintendent Michelle Balch, presenting in place of vacationing Director of Business Services Julia Saari-Franks, told the committee 11 percent of the FY27 local appropriation was spent or encumbered as of July 31. Members voted 6-0 to accept a $69,124 Massachusetts Life Sciences Center grant, $57,124 for equipment and $12,000 for professional development, to fund an OpenSciEd biology curriculum at Easthampton High School as earth science moves down to Mountain View School.

Chair Laura Scott called the shift, first identified by staffer Maureen Benenda, "not insignificant" for college readiness. The committee also approved $414,837.37 in payroll, honored outgoing student representatives Henry Lagana, Jess Atkins-Barber and Walter Baker with Excellence in Student Representation Awards, and scheduled Superintendent Balch's annual evaluation for August 17 and, if needed, August 24.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,284 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of August 11, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.