by Johanna Radding  Northampton Resident In a recent Gazette article about Northampton’s “unexpected jolt of money” from underestimated revenue and interest, the reporter quoted Mayor Sciarra saying that she was “quite surprised.” Many people from the community have been pointing this out in public comments, articles, and presentations for months. Claiming to be surprised by…

The following statement read at NPS Staff convocation on 8/26/24 is shared with permission from the president of the Northampton Association of School Employees. Good Morning everyone, I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you all today. Thank you NEF and VINS for always supporting our educators! For those of you that don’t know me…

by Cathy McNally Northampton resident, parent of NHS graduates, Communication Coach and Consultant When the “Support our Schools” Facebook Group launched on April 3, it didn’t really start a  community movement, just like your grandpa’s garage didn’t really start your middle school band. It just made gathering a lot more convenient.  The Facebook Group Page…

Presentation – An Alternative MAP to the School Budget Video Recording: Northampton Open Media – 6/17/24 City Council Special Meeting Video Time Stamp: 1:50 QUAVERLY ROTHENBERG: Thank you, President Jarrett. I am very grateful for this opportunity as a representative of Ward 3 to make a presentation regarding alternative budget plans.  I first want to…

Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal & Smith Gift Video Recording: Northampton Open Media – City Council 5/16/24 Video Time Stamp: 2:06:48    Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra read a 16 page statement direct from the proposed budget book linked below: City of Northampton Proposed 2025 Budget Book Video Time Stamp: 2:52:55 Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra:    I have one more thing…

The Northampton School Committee met to discuss the 2024-2025 school budget on April 11, 2024. A meeting recording is available at the following YouTube link: Northampton School Committee 4/11/24  Member statements from the April 11 meeting are included below.  Superintendent Presentation for FY24-25 Video: 2:59:01 Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra: So we we’ll move up item F under…

Special Education Stabilization Fund Video Recording: Northampton Open Media: School Committee 6/13/24 Meeting Agenda: June 13, 2024 Video Time Stamp: 3:50:08 Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra: This brings us down to H, which is the vote on the Special Education Stabilization Fund under Master General Law Chapter 40, Section 13E. And I will sort of introduce this.…

by Tom Riddell Northampton Resident, retired Smith College Professor & Class Dean The mayor has called a Special Meeting of the City Council for Monday, August 5.  As a result of an increase in the city’s year end revenues, she is requesting that the City Council rescind its approval of an override vote on the…

At a special meeting held remotely on June 17, 2024, Councilor Rothenberg presented a budget map for school funding to City Council members, Mayor Sciarra, and City Finance Director Nardi. Councilor Rothenberg invited Northampton resident Al Simon to present at the meeting.   June 17, 2024 Video Recording: Northampton Open Media I moved to Northampton five…

“Due to Northampton’s preference to put more money into reserves and less into critical needs like schools, the amounts in our savings accounts are excessive.  Compared to similar sized cities in Massachusetts, our reserves are much larger.” Read Melissa Maciborski’s Guest Column here:https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2024/07/northampton-has-money-for-schools-it-needs-to-spend-it-viewpoint.html July 22, 2024