Amherst Town Council Public Meeting on Budget (in person and virtual)

HOW TO TAKE ACTION:

• Make a public comment at the 11/18 Town Council Meeting at 6:30 PM, in-person in the Town Room at Town Hall or via Zoom: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/89382473012
• Can’t attend the meeting? Submit a public comment to the Town Council online.
• Take a few minutes to complete the SOS Amherst Survey to provide feedback on why our schools are important to you and your family
• Forward this email to people in your networks and ask them to advocate for our schools

WHAT YOU CAN SAY

• Share your story – How has your child or family been impacted by lack of adequate funding in our schools? Why are our public schools important to you and your experience in Amherst? Let the Town Council know that our public schools are a top priority for you and your family.
• Ask the Town Council to:
  • Include the full amount allotted to the Regional Schools last year in the base for calculating this year’s increase.
  • Allocate as much money as possible to our schools this year, and prioritize operating budgets over surplus generation.
  • Distribute last year’s $5,227,426 surplus only after considering the needs of all stakeholders.
  • Ask the Town Council and Finance Committee to prioritize our schools – including the middle and high school – in the Town Manager’s budget guidelines for FY26

Meeting schedule:

5:00 p.m. Regular meeting, beginning with a Town Council Reading Period of Councilor Town Manager Evaluations
6:30 p.m. Public Forum on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
7:00 Public Forum on Supplemental Budget Appropriations

The regular Town Council meeting will resume following the 7:00 Public Forum