Amherst-Pelham Regional School District public meetings in 2024
44 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Joint meeting of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and Union 26 School Committee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and Union 26 School Committee will meet jointly to consider entering executive session under Massachusetts Open Meeting Law to discuss personnel matters. No substantive decisions or discussions are listed beyond the procedural call to order and adjournment.
Amherst, Pelham, and Regional School Committees meeting separately and jointly
The Amherst, Pelham, and Regional School Committees will meet separately and jointly. The joint meeting will consider and vote on the 2025-2026 academic calendar and discuss the superintendent's entry plan findings. The Pelham committee will consider a letter of support for a CPA application. The Amherst committee will receive a superintendent's update on the FY26 budget, 6th-grade move, Fort River capacity, and redistricting.
- Pelham School Committee: Consider letter of support for CPA application (Pelham Playground Committee funding request)
- Regional School Committee: Review new course(s)
- Joint meeting: Action on 2025-2026 academic calendar (three options presented)
- Joint meeting: Discussion of Superintendent's Entry Plan findings
- Amherst School Committee: Superintendent's update on FY26 budget, 6th-grade move, Fort River capacity, redistricting
Four Towns Meeting and Special Meeting of Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee will hold a Four Towns Meeting and Special Meeting on December 14, 2024. The main item is a discussion of the FY26 budget, with supporting documents provided. The meeting also includes opening procedures and future agenda planning.
- FY26 Budget Discussion (information item, with presentation and handout attachments)
Negotiating Subcommittee of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee
The Negotiating Subcommittee of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee will meet to consider entering a closed executive session to conduct collective bargaining with the Amherst-Pelham Education Association (APEA). The agenda contains only procedural items; no substantive votes or public discussion are scheduled.
- Enter into executive session for collective bargaining with APEA
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee Meeting Joint with Amherst, Pelham, and Union 26 School Committees **RELOCATED TO AMHERST TOWN HALL**
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and joint committees will meet in Amherst Town Hall to review policy updates, receive updates on the first quarter of FY25, and consider entering executive sessions for collective bargaining strategy discussions. Public comment is accepted via email or voicemail by 3 p.m. on the meeting day.
- First read of Policy ACE: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability
- First read of Policy AC: Nondiscrimination and Harassment
- Proposed removal of Policy ACC: Harassment Prevention; Standards of Conduct
- Proposed removal of Policy ACA: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Gender, Gender Identity, or Sexual Orientation
- FY25 First Quarter Update
Negotiating Subcommittee of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee
The Negotiating Subcommittee of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee will meet to enter executive session for collective bargaining with the Amherst-Pelham Education Association (APEA) and to discuss bargaining strategy. The meeting is being held virtually due to a snow day.
- Enter executive session for collective bargaining with APEA
- Discuss strategy for collective bargaining or litigation
Pelham School Committee
The Pelham School Committee will hold its December 3, 2024 meeting to approve minutes, hear updates from the superintendent and principals, and review the FY26 budget and academic calendar. The committee will also discuss a request for a letter supporting Pelham’s decarbonization roadmap and review updated anti-bullying and harassment policies.
- Request for letter supporting Pelham Energy Committee’s decarbonization roadmap
- FY26 budget preview discussion
- Academic calendar for 2025-26 school year reviewed
- Second readings of updated anti-bullying and harassment policies
- Draft letter regarding PVCICS (likely a regional school district matter) discussed
Joint Policy Subcommittee
The subcommittee is meeting to discuss and continue work on several policies, including BDC, IIB, sections G and J, and possible graduation policies. They will also plan future work and address other topics.
- Discuss Policy BDC
- Discuss Policy IIB
- Continue to Discuss Policies in section G
- Continue to Discuss Policies in section J
- Discuss Future Graduation Possible Policies
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee joint meeting with Union 26 School Committee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and Union 26 School Committee will hold a joint virtual meeting. They will vote to appoint Shannon Bernacchia as Interim Director of Finance and discuss requests to member towns for surplus appropriations. The committees will also consider entering executive session to prepare for negotiations with nonunion personnel.
- Appoint Shannon Bernacchia as Interim Director of Finance
- Discuss requests to Amherst, Leverett, Pelham, and Shutesbury for appropriations from their surplus
- Consider executive session for negotiations with nonunion personnel (Director of Finance, Dr. Douglas Slaughter)
- Consider executive session for negotiations with nonunion personnel (Superintendent, Dr. E. Xiomara Herman)
Fiscal Sustainability Subcommittee
The Fiscal Sustainability Subcommittee will discuss requests from Amherst, Leverett, Pelham, and Shutesbury for appropriations from their surplus funds. The subcommittee will also discuss a memo to the Amherst Town Council and Finance Committee providing guidelines for the FY26 budget. This is a discussion-only meeting; no votes are listed.
- Discuss surplus appropriation requests from Amherst, Leverett, Pelham, and Shutesbury
- Discuss memo to Amherst Town Council and Finance Committee for FY26 budget guidelines
- Meeting is virtual via Google Meet
School Equity Advisory Committee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School District’s School Equity Advisory Committee will convene to finalize its charge and discuss three key requests before the Regional School Committee. The meeting is procedural with no decisions scheduled.
Amherst School Committee
The Amherst School Committee will meet in person at the Library at Amherst-Pelham Regional High School to discuss and vote on several items, including a private school application for 80 Acres and a letter opposing a charter school's enrollment expansion. The committee will also review updates from the superintendent, consider a resolution, and discuss elementary school handbooks and FY26 budget considerations.
- Vote on 80 Acres private k-4 school application
- Approve draft letter to DESE opposing PVCICS enrollment expansion
- Consider Mass Promise to Invest resolution
- Review elementary school handbooks for improvements
- Discuss FY26 school budget considerations
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee joint meeting with Amherst School Committee, Pelham School Committee, and Union 26
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and local school committees met jointly to discuss state aid requests, charter school expansion, and financial updates. The meeting included procedural items, public comment, and updates from chairs and the superintendent. No major decisions were recorded in the agenda.
- Discussion and possible vote on a resolution supporting a $3.8 million state aid increase for Amherst public schools
- Letter to DESE regarding a charter school expansion request
- Debrief on Amherst Town Council Financial Indicators Meeting with follow-up steps
Fiscal Sustainability Subcommittee
The subcommittee will debrief from the November 4 Town of Amherst Financial Indicators meeting, discuss revenue data received from Central Office, and review revenue sources. The meeting is virtual and open to the public.
- Debrief from November 4 Town of Amherst Financial Indicators meeting
- Discussion of revenue data received from Central Office
- Discussion of revenue sources
- Compilation of questions and research topics
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee joint meeting with Union 26 School Committee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and Union 26 School Committee will hold a joint virtual meeting to consider entering executive session under Massachusetts Open Meeting Law for contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, including the Director of Finance, Dr. Douglas Slaughter.
- Union 26 considers executive session for nonunion personnel negotiations
- Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee considers executive session for nonunion personnel negotiations
Amherst School Committee joint meeting with Amherst Town Council, Finance Committee, Regional School Committee, Budget Coordinating Group, and Jones Library Trustees
This is a joint meeting of the Amherst School Committee, Town Council, Finance Committee, Regional School Committee, and Jones Library Trustees. The main agenda item is a presentation and discussion of Fiscal Year 2026 financial indicators. The meeting also includes a call to order, a provision for topics not anticipated 48 hours in advance, and adjournment.
- Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Indicators: Presentation and Discussion
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee at the Amherst Town Council Financial Indicators Meeting
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee will meet jointly with the Amherst Town Council to receive a presentation on Fiscal Year 2026 financial indicators. Discussion will follow the presentation. The meeting is informational only; no votes are scheduled.
- Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Indicators presentation
- Discussion of financial indicators
School Equity Advisory Committee
The School Equity Advisory Committee will meet to discuss school and district climate and culture, and receive updates on academic outcomes. The committee will also schedule future meeting dates through June 2025 and plan future agenda items.
- Discussion of school and district climate and culture
- Academic outcome updates
- Schedule future SEAC meeting dates through June 2025
Negotiating Subcommittee of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee
The Negotiating Subcommittee of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee will open with procedural items and then enter executive session to conduct collective bargaining sessions and discuss strategy under the state Open Meeting Law. No substantive decisions are listed on this agenda.
Pelham School Committee
The Pelham School Committee is meeting in person to discuss routine business including public comment, approval of minutes, and updates from the superintendent, principal, and chair. They will also hear a presentation on MCAS results and accept a gift.
- MCAS presentation by Mary Kiely and Tonya McIntyre
- Introduction of Duane Chamble from the Family Center
- Acceptance of a gift (file attached)
Joint Policy Subcommittee Meeting
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School District Joint Policy Subcommittee will meet to discuss policies in sections G and J. The meeting includes call to order, public comment, and approval of minutes.
- Discussion of policies in section G
- Discussion of policies in section J
Budget & Audit Subcommittee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School District Budget & Audit Subcommittee will hold a virtual meeting to approve draft minutes from July 3, 2024, and discuss a possible comment regarding a regional charter school’s request to increase enrollment. The committee will also review agenda planning items.
- Approve draft minutes from July 3, 2024
- Discuss possible comment on PVCICS enrollment increase request
- Agenda planning for future meetings
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee joint meeting with Union 26
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and Union 26 School Committee will hold a joint meeting. They will consider entering executive session to discuss strategy for negotiations with nonunion personnel, including the Director of Finance and the Superintendent. The agenda also includes updates on the HRC Foundation's Welcoming Schools Program, block scheduling, and MASC resolutions.
- Consider entering executive session for negotiations with nonunion personnel (Director of Finance Dr. Douglas Slaughter)
- Consider entering executive session for negotiations with nonunion personnel (Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman)
- HRC Foundation's Welcoming Schools Program update
- Block scheduling update at ARHS
- MASC Resolutions discussion
Fiscal Sustainability Subcommittee
The Fiscal Sustainability Subcommittee will discuss school revenue sources, identifying what is known and unknown, and compile a list of questions and research topics. They will also discuss a data request from the Central Office and plan future agenda items.
- Discussion of school revenue sources
- Compilation of questions and research topics on revenue
- Data request from Central Office
Amherst School Committee: UPDATED
The Amherst School Committee will meet virtually on October 15, 2024, due to a lack of heat. Agenda items include a presentation and discussion on a private school (80 Acres), review of MCAS accountability data and district designation, and FY2026 budget development with a Q1 review. The committee may also vote on school handbooks.
- Private school presentation and discussion (80 Acres)
- MCAS data and district designation review
- FY2026 budget development with Q1 review
- Handbooks review and possible vote
- Gift acceptance (AMH Gifts 10-15-24 revised.pdf)
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee will hold a regular meeting with public comment, chair updates, and approval of minutes. The main business includes a debrief of the recent 4 Towns meeting, a discussion on regional schools restructuring, a presentation on MCAS data and district designation, and a possible vote on a resolution supporting Massachusetts Question 2. The committee will also discuss a requested charter school expansion.
- Debrief of the 4 Towns Meeting held September 28, 2024
- Regional schools restructuring discussion
- MCAS data and district designation presentation
- Proposed 'Yes on 2' Resolution – discussion and possible vote
- Discussion on charter school requested expansion
Pelham School Committee - UPDATED
The Pelham School Committee will hold a regular meeting including a preliminary preview of the FY26 budget, discussion of a liaison to the PTO, and appointment of a MASC delegate. Public comment can be submitted by email or voicemail before the meeting.
- FY26 Budget Preliminary Preview (information item)
- Discussion of School Committee Liaison to PTO
- Appointment of MASC Delegate
Four Towns Meeting and Special Meeting of Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee is holding a Four Towns Meeting and Special Meeting to discuss the FY26 budget process. The agenda includes opening items, a presentation on the budget, and time for questions and feedback. No votes or decisions are listed on the agenda.
- FY26 Budget Process discussion with attached PDF (1,703 KB)
- Questions and Feedback session for attendees
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee joint meeting with Union 26 School Committee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and Union 26 School Committee will hold a joint meeting to consider entering executive sessions under Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. The closed sessions are for strategy discussions and negotiations with nonunion personnel, including the Director of Finance, Dr. Douglas Slaughter.
School Equity Advisory Committee
The School Equity Advisory Committee will meet to discuss a draft of the Climate & Culture report at Amherst-Pelham Regional High School and consider where to begin on impact and action. The meeting is informational; no votes are scheduled.
- Discussion of draft Climate & Culture report at ARHS
- Impact & Action planning — where to start
- Future agenda planning
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee joint meeting with Union 26, Pelham School Committee and Amherst School Committee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and local school committees held a joint meeting on September 24, 2024, in Amherst. The agenda included procedural items, a presentation on a new bullying reporting platform, and updates on regional topics such as track and field and preparations for a four-town meeting. Several items were postponed to the following day.
- Presentation of new bullying reporting platform
- Track and Fields Update (regional topic)
- Preparations for 4 Towns Meeting (regional topic)
- Consider entering executive session (postponed to 9/25)
- Approve minutes (revised draft from April 9, 2024)
Joint Policy Subcommittee Meeting
The Joint Policy Subcommittee of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District will meet to discuss feedback on policies AC, ACB, and ACE, focusing on non-discrimination and related guidelines. The meeting is scheduled for September 23, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Library at ARMS. No decisions are listed; the agenda consists of discussions and draft revisions.
Amherst School Committee
The Amherst School Committee will meet in person at the Library at Amherst-Pelham Regional High School to discuss routine updates, including a first read of a draft policy on approving private schools, committee self-assessment goals, and budget reviews for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The meeting will also include a discussion on a possible vote regarding a handbook review.
- First read of draft policy LBC approval of private schools
- Committee self-assessment and goals review
- FY25 budget update
- FY24 4th-quarter budget update
- Handbook review and possible vote
Fiscal Sustainability Subcommittee
The subcommittee will discuss revenue sources and determine a data request of the Central Office. They will also approve minutes from the August 6, 2024 meeting.
- Discuss revenue sources
- Determine data request of Central Office
- Approve minutes of August 6, 2024 meeting
Pelham School Committee Special Meeting
The Pelham School Committee will hold a special in-person meeting to address a FY24 budget overage. The meeting is scheduled for September 11, 2024, at 5 PM in the Pelham School Art Room. No decisions or new business items are listed beyond addressing the budget issue.
- Address FY24 budget overage
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee Joint Meeting with Pelham School Committee and Amherst School Committee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee, Pelham School Committee, and Amherst School Committee held a joint meeting to discuss superintendent goals for the 2024-2025 school year, review anti-bullying and harassment policies, and address regional administrative matters. The meeting was held in-person at Amherst Town Hall and livestreamed.
- Final draft of 2024-2025 superintendent goals reviewed
- Anti-bullying and harassment policies (JICFB, JICFC) discussed for second reading
- Minutes from prior meetings approved
- Gifts accepted for regional schools (document: Region gifts 8-27-24.pdf)
- Subcommittee for new superintendent disbanded
Pelham School Committee
The committee will receive updates from the superintendent, principal, and chair, and hear a report from the Playground Committee. Members will also discuss comments from a recent school committee retreat and consider setting a permanent meeting time. A warrant report and acceptance of gifts are on the agenda.
- Playground Committee report
- Review comments from school committee retreat
- Discussion of permanent meeting time
- Warrant report
- Acceptance of gifts
School Equity Advisory Committee
The School Equity Advisory Committee is meeting to receive an overview of academic disparities and a preview of culture and climate data. The committee will also discuss developing recommendations and next steps. No votes or decisions are scheduled; the agenda is informational and procedural.
- Academic Disparities Overview (information item)
- Preview on Culture and Climate (information item)
- Developing Recommendations and Next Steps (discussion)
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee will discuss the budget process with the four member towns, review superintendent goals, and consider entering executive session for collective bargaining strategy. The meeting also includes a presentation on school finance by Tracy Novick of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.
- Discussion of 4 Towns Meeting - Budgeting Process, with letters from Pelham Finance Committee and Amherst Town Council
- Review of 2024-25 Superintendent Goals
- Presentation on school finance by Tracy Novick, MASC Field Director
- Consideration of entering executive session for collective bargaining strategy (APEA ULP dated 08/09/24)
Amherst School Committee
The Amherst School Committee will discuss and potentially act on a motion to refer any application to establish a private elementary school in Amherst to the Superintendent for review. The committee will also hold a second reading of policies on anti-bullying (JICFB) and harassment of students (JICFC). The agenda includes standard items such as public comment, chair's update, superintendent's report, and approval of minutes.
- Motion to refer private school applications to Superintendent for review under Policy IHBG
- Second read of anti-bullying policy JICFB
- Second read of harassment policy JICFC
- Committee self-evaluation discussion
Policy Subcommittee
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School District Policy Subcommittee will meet to discuss and finalize revisions to two key policies: the Anti-Bullying Policy (JICFB) and the Student-to-Student Harassment Policy (JICFC). The meeting is procedural and informational, with no decisions scheduled for adoption.
- Discussion of Anti-Bullying Policy JICFB (June 2024) with recommended edits
- Finalization of revisions to Anti-Bullying Policy JICFB
- Discussion of Student-to-Student Harassment Policy JICFC with highlighted version
- Finalization of revisions to Student-to-Student Harassment Policy JICFC
Fiscal Sustainability Subcommittee
The subcommittee will elect a chair, discuss its charge, and begin a discussion on school revenue sources, including identifying what is known and unknown and compiling research questions. The meeting is organizational and exploratory in nature.
- Elect a subcommittee chair
- Discuss subcommittee charge
- Discussion: School revenue sources — identify knowns, unknowns, and research topics
Special Joint meeting of the Amherst-Pelham Regional, Amherst, and Pelham School Committees
The Amherst-Pelham Regional, Amherst, and Pelham School Committees are holding a special joint meeting for a retreat. The only substantive agenda item is a Joint School Committee Retreat listed under new and continuing business. The meeting is in person at Converse Hall, Amherst College, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee Meeting
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee will hold a routine meeting with standard opening and closing items. No major decisions are listed; the agenda includes updates on track and field, budget/audit subcommittee work, and a final review of the interim superintendent’s evaluation.