There should not even be the discussion of eliminating staff and educators from the Northampton school district; we are bare bones as it is. Education and safety of children should not be survival of the fittest, but that’s what is happening in our city.
Northampton shouldn’t be a Tale of Two Cities — those who have, and those who don’t. But year after year, it’s the mission of educators in our district to fight and advocate for every student, caregiver, and our coworkers, to not let people fall through the cracks. And it’s the most meaningful work, but it is often like bailing water on a ship while trying to sail it. We all pivoted 180 degrees immediately for the pandemic, and now are dealing with the aftermath of children that missed crucial years of socialization — you cannot take away valuable personnel, that is entirely what education is.
As money that should be going to the most needy gets siphoned off to charter schools that do not provide services and assistance to our most fragile and vulnerable young children, who provides that care and service? The NPS district. Students, caregivers and employees should not suffer the consequences of flawed state funding metrics. We should not be on the chopping block year after year. The city of Northampton cannot cut our staff — you will only take away from the most disenfranchised.
Nora DeJasu
NPS employee, Easthampton