11/8 Finance Committee Summary

The Finance Committee decided to postpone a vote on the surplus appropriations until their next meeting (next Friday 11/15 at 10:00 AM) because they first want to discuss the budget guidelines for FY26 and get some more information. If you can, watch the last 20 minutes of the meeting, starting at the 1:56:00 time stamp (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbiWf08TEqE), but here are my main takeaways. 

• There is no ongoing process for the Regional Schools to get money for capital needs and the Amherst Finance Committee seems unwilling to put any additional money into the Regional Schools unless it is proportionally matched by Shutesbury, Leverett and Pelham. We need to push them to find a solution to this complication because simply throwing up their hands can’t be the answer. 
• There is no process by which the Elementary Schools or Library would have been able to advocate for any emergent needs as part of this surplus allocation. Town Manager Paul Bockelman would not say whether he and the superintendent had discussed this issue since it was known that there was a surplus. 
• It is important that we advocate that our schools be prioritized in the budget guidelines for FY26. Each year, the Finance Committee develops budget guidelines, the Town Council votes on those guidelines and then the Town Manager uses them to develop his budget. 
• The next opportunity to advocate for the schools will be at the 11/18 Town Council Meeting. We will be sending out information about how to join that meeting, or send a comment to the Town Council in advance.