The Northampton Public Schools are facing an unnecessary and avoidable crisis.

Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra has proposed a city budget that will eliminate classroom teachers, specialists who work with children with disabilities, and support staff in each of our public schools. While the mayor has listened to our early concerns and added $1.3 million to the school budget using the Stabilization Fund, it is not enough. The schools require $2 million more for level funding, for students to continue to receive the services they need.

Here’s what we know:

The city’s reserves and stabilization funds are sound.

For each of the last 7 years, The City of Northampton has collected more revenue than projected. The city keeps this revenue in an account it calls “Free Cash.” Last year this amounted to more than $5 million and the year before that more than $3 million.

It is fiscally responsible – and morally necessary – to invest in our students and schools.

We cannot cut teachers and services to the students who need them the most to put more money in the “Free Cash” account.

Our city already has the funds to fully fund our schools.

We call on Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra and the Northampton City Council to fully fund our public schools, maintain existing staffing levels, and ensure every student in our schools the quality education that every child deserves.