Cuts To Art And Technology Proposed For Elementary Schools

As part of the fiscal year 2022 elementary school budget that was presented to the Amherst School Committee this week, Superintendent Michael Morris proposed a combined $75,000 cut in elementary art and technology programs that would reduce the availability of these “specials” at all three Amherst elementary schools from five to four days per week next year. 

Finance Director Doug Slaughter confirmed to the Indy that the art and technology teachers at Crocker Farm are leaving/retiring, and rather than replace them with full-time staff, the district is proposing to hire part-time staff (0.4 FTE) to teach two days per week at Crocker Farm, and have the Wildwood and Fort River art and technology teachers cover the other two days. Students would still receive a 40-minute class each week in both subjects, but the reductions would mean the specialist teachers would condense their classes into four days a week in each school, leaving less time for other projects or “integrated” programming that crosses disciplines. 

According to Morris, the proposed $75,000 cut is part of the larger effort to trim $372,000 from a level-services $24,758,522 budget in order to meet the constraints handed down by the Town of Amherst. 

“This is not a balanced budget,” he said. In addition to the art and technology cuts, the overall reduction will be achieved by cuts elsewhere in the budget and by taking advantage of a low health insurance rate increase, a one-month health insurance premium holiday, and extensive use of school choice revenues.

At the School Committee meeting, all five members expressed concern about the reductions to  arts programming, recognizing that cuts are often permanent and that arts integration is a core value and key differentiator of the school district in what is a competitive market. Both Peter Demling and Kerry Spitzer, who represent the schools on the Joint Capital Planning Committee, noted that next year’s budget is expected to require even larger cuts than those proposed for the FY2022 budget because money is being prioritized for the four major capital projects on the horizon: a new elementary school, library renovation/expansion, and a new fire station and public works facility. 

Chair Allison McDonald said, “[arts integration] is the special sauce that makes our elementary schools truly special. Kids derive such joy and learning from the integrated projects and programs. It is really disappointing to see them go away.”

“These cuts are very painful, and I am concerned we are not on a sustainable path,” Demling said. People move to Amherst for the schools, he said, and it may be time for the School Committee to take a principled stand and ask the Town to commit to funding the schools at a minimal operational level. 

Ben Herrington agreed, indicating he would support Demling’s suggestion to vote on a budget that included the $75,000 even though it would be above the Town guidance, in order to maintain art and technology at five days per week at each school. “You never get anything that you don’t ask for,” he said.

A School Committee vote on the elementary school budget is scheduled for March 30th.