Easthampton $1.4M tax override rejected

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Easthampton's Superintendent of Schools fears more teachers could lose their jobs and more school programs could be cut.

Easthampton voters last night rejected a $1.4 million dollar property tax override. The override would have a closed a nearly one million dollar gap in the school budget.

The Superintendent of Schools told 22News the money would have restored one dozen teaching positions and brought back the world languages program at the middle school.

Amanda Asamoah, an Easthampton voter, told 22news, “Students deserve their education and teachers deserve their wages.”

“I hope that it can go back on the ballot next year,” said Kaci Ruh, an Easthampton voter. “I think that changes have to be made. Anecdotally it looks like the demographics of Easthampton are changing.”

Override opponents said they couldn't afford another tax increase. Superintendent Dr. Nancy Follansbee says it's too early to determine just where the school system will have to make any further cuts.