Northampton schools facing a $325K gap

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - The Northampton Public School District is bracing for budget cuts, and the budget shortfall could mean layoffs.

During last weeks' School Committee meeting, Superintendent of Schools Brian Salzer said there's a $1.2 million budget increase for the next fiscal year.

Salzer presented the committee with several recommendations to fill that gap. Athletic fees, lunch prices and kindergarten fees could increase.

Salzer says JFK Middle School is set to lose Title I funding next year and that money supports three reading teachers. In addition to that, Salzer is also proposing reducing the equivalent of 14 full-time teachers, four at both the high school and elementary school, and six full-time special education positions.

Janet Street's son is a freshman at Northampton High School. She says this is her son's first year as a student in the public district and the cuts are a concern. “I think the classes and the teacher ratios are already not ideal. The kids are not getting enough personal attention. The teachers don't get enough time to spend with each student if they have any issues.”

Reducing busing to only the high school is also among the draft recommendations.