School Committee rejects school choice pause, 3-2
Amherst School Committee kept school choice open, rejecting a pause 3-2. A motion to stop admitting new choice students for FY27 failed after debate over the $5,000 per-pupil payment and class sizes at Amethyst Brook.
School Committee · Meeting of May 19, 2026
Amherst School Committee kept school choice open, rejecting a pause 3-2. A motion to stop admitting new choice students for FY27 failed after debate over the $5,000 per-pupil payment and class sizes at Amethyst Brook. Shannon said the district took in 96 choice students in fiscal 2025, up from 82 in fiscal 2022.
The committee also unanimously accepted gifts of $10, $300 and $546.30. Sarah withdrew a motion to relinquish Wildwood Elementary on Sept. 15, and the item was set for June 16 pending guidance on use of the site. Members approved a motion that 2026-27 start times stay unchanged.
Superintendent Dr. Z said Attorney Sankey is conducting an outside investigation she expects to wrap up by the end of May.
In the full story:
- The Full Story
- Why It Matters
- Key Motions & Votes
- Source
- Amherst's community access TV: School Committee meeting, May 19, 2026
- The complete report: 794 words
Source: the School Committee meeting of May 19, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.
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