“Kids have so much drama and things to deal and worry about, in life and adding this extra thing to put on their shoulders is not right. Us kids will try to the best of our ability to fix this, but we don’t deserve this, we deserve a way less stressful life.” Read June Bedell’s…

“Northampton politicians made choices years ago to fund investments in education by using one-time funds, repeatedly. Now, they do not want to do this anymore, even though they still can. These politicians have also decided the people who will pay for this change in budgeting strategy will be the newly unemployed teachers and support staff,…

“The main reason I chose ‘progressive’ Northampton over other neighboring towns was due the reputation of its excellent public schools. Public schools are one of the remaining, significant hopes to save society. By blending children from diverse economic, racial and social backgrounds with each other, we can prevent ‘othering,’ racism and a culture of hate.”…

“Even though councilors and constituents who have tirelessly combed through the budget have found that money. It’s now even clear to me, a non-math person: The $2 million needed to fill the gap is there. But the mayor and most councilors won’t agree to use it.” Read Valerie Reiss’s Letter to the Editor here:https://www.gazettenet.com/Letter-to-the-editor-55652039 June…

“The schools are underfunded, they do not have a deficit. The ‘deficit’ is a manufactured one. There is over $2 million in free cash available right now and more money in reserves, yet the mayor continues to choose to underfund our schools in the name of fiscal stability. A city that hoards money while choosing…

“Nurses know all too well how the burdens of chronic understaffing and lack of institutional support can hurt those in our care. It doesn’t work in our hospitals, and it doesn’t work in our schools.” Read Aaron Winston and Rose Tottser’s Letter to the Editor here:https://www.gazettenet.com/Letter-to-the-editor-55755990 June 27, 2024

“When students are in a chaotic system that provides less for them, they will do less — their school experience will not truly reflect what they are capable of.  When in a system that recognizes the value in providing funding and resources for discovering their interests and strengths, students will do more — they will find…

“For almost two decades, elected officials have told parents in Northampton some variation of ‘our hands are tied,’ (are they really?) and ‘the state needs to change their funding’ (true, but if it hasn’t happened after almost 20 years of lobbying, do we really believe that the Legislature will suddenly have an epiphany?)” Read Julie…

“We see our public schools as the most important structure for care on a community wide level, and we know we’re not alone in this thinking either” Read Sarah Buttenwieser, Amy Martyn, and Kristen Elde’s Letter to the Editor here:https://www.gazettenet.com/Letter-to-the-editor-55795728 June 30, 2024

“The situation in schools is dire. I’m connected to many teachers, and have never heard them say, ‘I have so much free time and nothing to do.’ They face challenges like never before.” Read Daniel Cannity’s Letter to the Editor here:https://www.gazettenet.com/Letter-to-the-editor-55739965 July 1, 2024