Dear Everyone Learning @ ARPS:
An article in the Springfield Republican contained inaccurate information about the Amherst budget.
The Amherst Elementary budget for the current year is proceeding as planned and is projected to come in on target.
In the article "Council Urged to Tap Funds for Schools," the circumstances of the Town of Greenfield's budget were reviewed. The article includes a statement: "Amherst's four-town elementary school district also recently found that it was facing a $1 million deficit this year, and, and is now considering tough cutting measures to meet it. The Amherst district includes Leverett, Pelham, and Shutesbury."
Please note:
1. Amherst is an elementary district, not a four-town regional district. The Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools for grades 7-12 include the four towns.
2. Neither budget--the Amherst elementary budget nor the Amherst-Pelham Regional budget--is facing a deficit this year, 2007-2008. As noted previously in other communications, the current year (FY08) Amherst budget is on course to come in on target.
3. The 2008-2009 (next year) Amherst elementary budget, which is in very preliminary stages of development, does project a deficit unless additional revenue is realized, cuts are made, or there is a combination of both.
Thank you.
Jere Hochman
Superintendent