Failing the tax override would cut 35 school jobs and end sports

What happened

The city faces a budget shortfall. On May 26, 2026 the superintendent told the School Committee that if voters reject the June 9 Proposition 2 1/2 override, the school budget must be cut $2,771,418 -- eliminating up to 35 staff positions, including all nurses, librarians, and school psychologists at Mountain View, all-day preschool, and every middle and high school sport and club. If the override passes, the cut would be $922,603 and about 6 positions.

Why it matters to families

This is the difference between a normal school year and one without nurses, librarians, sports, or preschool for hundreds of Easthampton children. Every family with a child in the district had a direct stake in how the town voted on June 9.

The evidence

The May 26, 2026 School Committee meeting minutes and attached budget presentation lay out both scenarios by school: a failed override cuts 24 positions at Mountain View (including 2 nurses, 2 librarians, 3 speech-language pathologists, and all-day PreK) and 11 at the high school (including 2 special-education positions and the BRYT re-entry program), and ends all athletics and club stipends districtwide. A passed override cuts about 6 positions and preserves sports, clubs, and most programming.

The source