Northampton community unites amid school staff cuts

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Many in the Northampton community including students, parents, teachers, and unions joined together Wednesday evening inside JFK Middle School for a community forum.

This meeting was brought together after 40 pink slips were given out on May 1st to Northampton School Teachers and staff, meaning layoffs or job demotions.

Dozens came to speak and listen Wednesday night, rallying for the City Council and the Mayor to invest more in the city’s public schools. Rose Bookbinder of the Western Mass Area Labor Federation told 22News, “We wanted to come together and support their struggle to make sure that we fund our public schools. We feel like that’s critical for the health of our community.”

“We are hoping that the City Council will vote for the level services budget that the school committee voted on,” adds Northampton kindergarten teacher Andrea Egitto.

There will be a Northampton City Council meeting on May 16th where a standout is planned before the meeting where a vote will take place impacting the Northampton schools.

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Heath Kalb is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2022. Follow Heath on X @HeathKalb and view his bio to see more of his work.

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