School Committee

EASTHAMPTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS EASTHAMPTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING 50 Payson Avenue, 2nd Floor Easthampton, MA 01027 (413) 529-1500 TEL (413) 529-1567 FAX Salem Derby, Mayor e-mail: superintendent@epsd.us Michelle Balch, Superintendent website: www.epsd.us By Office of the City Clerk at 2:42 pm, Jul 16, 2026 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA In Person/Hybrid Meeting Tuesday, July 21, 2026 50 Payson Avenue, 2nd floor meeting area 6:00 P.M. This meeting will be recorded and will be posted to YouTube and other social media platforms. By participating in this meeting, you understand that the recording could contain your video stream or your audio stream (including images of yourself or anyone in the room with you), if you choose to enable your video or audio device during the meeting, as well as anything or anyone else that may be in the background could be recorded. The recording could include any opinions you contribute and anything you say about yourself. On occasion, chat within the meeting could also be captured in the meeting recording. Therefore, anyone attending the recorded meeting may have aspects of their personal data recorded, if they actively participate or not. Google Meet Link - School Committee 7/21/2026 Tuesday, July 21 · 6:00 – 9:00pm Time zone: America/New York Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/zdm-bfkp-bxn Or dial: (US) +1 650-781-0703 PIN: 949 300 880# More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/zdm-bfkp-bxn?pin=6108294358193 You will be joined to the call in MUTE mode. Please remain on MUTE until you are recognized by the Chair. The chair will recognize members of the public in the order of their use of the Google Meet raised hand feature. We ask you to state your name and the street or address of your residence when you are speaking. Members of the School Committee cannot respond to any comments made during public speak. This is your time to speak on any topic. There will be a 3 minute time limit for those who wish to speak. As with all School Committee Meetings, once you have spoken you are welcome to stay and observe the meeting, but you will not be able to speak again. I. CHAIR CALLS MEETING TO ORDER: ___Chair Laura Scott, ___ Mayor Salem Derby, ___ Bonnie Atkins, ___ Eric Guyette, ___ Megan Harvey, ___ Sam Hunter, and ___ Linda Markee Page | 1 II. CONSENT AGENDA Suggested Motion: Motion to approve the Finance and Other consent agenda items below as written. Consent Agenda – Finance: • Motion to approve the school payroll dated 06-11-2026 in the amount of $703,942.34. • Motion to approve the school payroll dated 06-25-2026 in the amount of $692,324.59. • Motion to approve the school Lump Sum payroll dated 06-25-2026 in the amount of $787,402.92. • Motion to approve the school payroll dated 07-09-2026 in the amount of $393,250.23. • Motion to approve the accounts payable authorization for payment dated 06-11-2026 in the amount of $384,466.97. • Motion to approve the accounts payable authorization for payment dated 06-25-2026 in the amount of $477,464.70. • Motion to approve the accounts payable authorization for payment dated 06-30-2026 in the amount of $667,457.53. Consent Agenda – Other: • Motion to approve the minutes of the 06-16-2026 meeting. III. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Donation - $1000 anonymous donation to Easthampton Public Schools Suggested Motion: Motion to accept the donation from anonymous in the amount of $1,000.00 to be deposited into the district gift and donation account. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT 15 minutes maximum – (chair announces opening and closing of public comment and public has a 3-minute limit per person to speak) V. SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE A. Superintendent Goal Update – Evidence for evaluation B. District Wellness Policy Presentation Page | 2  VI. BUSINESS UPDATE (SEE ATTACHED REPORT) A. FY26 End of Year Information B. Summer Food Service Program C. Grant Updates - Genocide Education Grant – $80,000 Suggested Motion: Motion to approve the acceptance of funds in the amount of $80,000.00 from DESE to be used for curriculum and professional development. D. Personnel Report for June 2026 VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. SCHOOL COMMITTEE UPDATES A. Policy Subcommittee Update B. Finance Subcommittee Update C. CES Update IX. NEXT MEETINGS: • 8/11/2026, 9/8/2026 and 9/22/2026 Executive Session: Suggested Motion: Motion to move into executive session per MGL Chapter 30A, 21A to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and to adjourn in the Executive Session. X. ADJOURN The above listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chairperson which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Page | 3  EASTHAMPTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS EASTHAMPTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING 50 Payson Avenue, 2nd Floor Easthampton, MA 01027 (413) 529-1500 TEL (413) 529-1567 FAX Salem Derby, Mayor e-mail: superintendent@epsd.us Michelle Balch, Superintendent website: www.epsd.us July 16, 2026 TO: Members of the Easthampton School Committee FROM: Julia Saari-Franks, Director of Business Services 1. FY26 END-OF-YEAR INFORMATION –The necessary transfers and reclassifications have been processed to complete closing the fiscal year and books have been closed for fiscal year 2026. The school department did end the year with a deficit in the general fund budget, which was addressed by using additional funds from the Circuit Breaker and School Choice revolving funds. I have provided the Quarter 4 report which shows that all of the FY26 General Fund budget has been expended. I have also included an end-of-year summary which includes details about the deficit. We are waiting on final grant and revolving fund totals from the City before we can finalize the reconciliation of all other non-general funds. I will provide additional end-of-year details to the Finance Subcommittee at an upcoming meeting. 2. SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM – The Summer Food Services Program is currently serving meals at Mountain View. Additional information will be provided as the program continues. 3. GRANT UPDATES – Easthampton Public Schools have been awarded the following grants: a. Genocide Education Grant – $80,000 – This grant will be used for curriculum development and professional learning partnerships with Facing History and Ourselves and the Collaborative for Educational Services. It will also be used to support Intergroup Dialogue and other student voice initiatives across the district. i. Suggested Motion: Motion to approve the acceptance of funds in the amount of $80,000.00 from DESE to be used for curriculum and professional development. 4. PERSONNEL REPORT FOR JUNE 2026 – Enclosed is the Personnel Report for the month of June 2026. Enclosures – (4)  Easthampton Public Schools FY 2026 Operating Budget End of Year Report FY 2026 FY 2026 FY 2026 FY 2026 FY26 FY 2026 FY 2026 FY 2026 BALANCE LINE ITEMS ORIGINAL BUDGET ADJ. BUDGET YTD ACTUAL ENCUMBERED HOLDOVERS TOTAL YTD % USED REMAINING Administration $1,276,512.00 $1,263,511.72 $1,260,210.79 $100.00 $3,200.93 $1,263,511.72 $0.00 100.0% Instructional Services $14,744,395.00 $14,651,462.88 $13,647,571.35 $1,088.93 $1,002,802.60 $14,651,462.88 $0.00 100.0% Other Services $517,529.00 $549,273.93 $537,420.09 $0.00 $11,853.84 $549,273.93 $0.00 100.0% Transportation $1,437,906.00 $1,471,693.87 $1,385,305.32 $0.00 $86,388.55 $1,471,693.87 $0.00 100.0% Operations & Maintneance $1,547,406.00 $1,584,090.93 $1,536,429.30 $30,765.32 $16,896.31 $1,584,090.93 $0.00 100.0% Fixed Charges $10,600.00 $13,964.38 $13,964.38 $0.00 $0.00 $13,964.38 $0.00 100.0% Tuition to Other Districts $3,259,806.00 $3,320,338.45 $3,242,310.90 $72,303.11 $5,724.44 $3,320,338.45 $0.00 100.0% TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET $22,794,154.00 $22,854,336.16 $21,623,212.13 $104,257.36 $1,126,866.67 $22,854,336.16 $0.00 100.0% Notes: The Adjusted Budet includes the supplemental appropriation of $60,182.16 from the city for heath services expenses Holdovers includes the following expenses: 1.) June payroll expenses included in the 07/09/26 payroll, 2.) teacher summer pays, 3.) accounts payable expenses for goods and services received in FY26 but not processed for payment prior to the end of the fiscal year.  Fiscal Year 2026 End of Year Summary Surplus / Deficit School Choice Circuit Breaker End of Year Deficit: $ (577,616.16) Planned Offsets: Planned Offsets: MVS Teachers $ 500,000.00 OOD Tuition: $ 800,000.00 Deficit Funding Reg Ed Transportation $ 300,000.00 Specialized Transportation $ 120,000.00 Total: $ 800,000.00 Total: $ 920,000.00 School Choice $ 137,560.00 Utilities $ 75,000.00 Maintenance $ 60.00 Actual Expenses: Actual Expenses: Special EducationTuition $ 62,500.00 MVS Teachers $ 500,000.00 OOD Tuition: $ 800,000.00 Reg Ed Transportation $ 300,000.00 Specialized Transportation: $ 120,000.00 FY25 Expenses: $ 84,220.58 Circuit Breaker $ 440,056.16 Budget Deficit: $ 137,560.00 Extraordinary Relief - Tuition: $ 208,840.00 Special EducationTuition $ 440,056.16 Total: $ 937,560.00 Budget Deficit: $ 440,056.16 Total: $ 577,616.16 Total: $ 1,653,116.74 Est. Balance 07/01/26: $ 88,813.20 Est. Balance 07/01/26: $ 2,970.42  OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE BOSTON, MA 02133 (617) 725-4000 MAURA T. HEALEY KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL GOVERNOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR 6/25/2026 Congratulations! We are pleased to notify you that Easthampton has been awarded a Genocide Education grant of $80,000. Through this funding and your important work, we hope to expand access to meaningful genocide education opportunities for all students in the Commonwealth. By engaging with challenging histories and critically analyzing the lessons of the past, students will build the skills they need to recognize and challenge injustice in the future. We are grateful for your efforts and commitment to this work. You will be receiving further instructions from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on next steps, and please feel free to contact Miesha Keita at miesha.keita@mass.gov if you have any questions. Sincerely, GOVERNOR MAURA T. HEALEY LT. GOVERNOR KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL  Personnel Report for June, 2026 New Hires: Name Position Location Hire Date Separations: Name Position Location Separation Date Miranda Busansky Para Educator EHS 06/12/2026 Sandra Alton Special Education Teacher MVS 06/22/2026 Linda Bailey Para Educator MVS 06/22/2026 Jamie Flemati Speech Language Pathologist MVS 06/22/2026 Lindsay Hall Special Education Coordinator MVS 06/22/2026 Gina Ianacone Nurse MVS 06/22/2026 Carly Knowles Nurse MVS 06/22/2026 Stephanie Kranchick Special Education Teacher MVS 06/22/2026 Kelly Melanson Special Education Teacher MVS 06/22/2026 Tracy Poulin Teacher MVS 06/22/2026 Gerard Benoit Teacher EHS 06/23/2026 Kate Gartrell Para Educator EHS 06/23/2026 Brian Merriam Para Educator EHS 06/23/2026 Sarah Mixter Adjustment Counselor EHS 06/23/2026 Jason Rodriguez Para Educator EHS 06/23/2026 Katherine Rowan Para Educator EHS 06/23/2026 Megan Walker Teacher EHS 06/23/2026 Chad Warren Special Education Teacher EHS 06/23/2026 Christina Howard Special Education Teacher MVS 06/30/2026 Judy Averill Principal MVS 06/30/2026 Meredith Balise Principal MVS 06/30/2026 Andrea McCallum Principal MVS 06/30/2026 Transfers: Name Position Location Transfer Date