I am writing this to my fellow residents of this wonderful city to voice my bewilderment and disappointment regarding this year’s budgetary actions by the mayor, supported by many city councilors, that gutted Northampton school funding. The resulting loss of many teachers and paraprofessionals is unfathomable to me given this city’s apparent value in public education.

As a former special education social worker, I know how essential great teachers and paraprofessionals are to the children’s successful education and emotional/psychological development. And as a mom who educated her children in public schools throughout their high school years, I am also deeply saddened and angered by the elimination of vital electives for our high school students, many of whom are college-bound.

The lack of these offerings, such as a range of AP courses, may adversely affect the competitiveness of Northampton High School students in the college application process.

As I’ve been following this tragic fiasco in our community, I continue to be shocked and perplexed by the current administration’s budgeting practices. Municipal budgets in a democracy should reflect the values of the community, shouldn’t they? I thought this community, which boasts its Five Colleges reputation, valued education. Am I wrong?

I firmly believe that the current budget that funnels millions of dollars to the reserve (aka stabilization) fund, thereby creating one of the largest of such funds in the state (ninth highest out of 351 in 2023), while slashing the school budget and eliminating necessary personnel, does not reflect the values and preferences of our community.

Parents have come forward in large numbers to let the administration and their elected councilors know that they do not agree with this strategy of putting immediate needs for their children’s education aside and instead prioritizing capital improvements in the future. These parents and allies have presented cogent alternatives to this drastic action against education, yet their elected councilors have not advocated for them and their children.

Appallingly, when Councilor Rachel Maiore recently proposed a modest mid-year funding boost of less than $500,000 for the schools to reinstate some of the staff lost by budget cuts, many of the councilors voted against her proposal; it was supported only by Councilors Jeremy Dubs and Quaverly Rothenberg. This action was taken by the councilors despite having over $11 million in free cash, over which the mayor has complete discretion!

Such a disturbing and discouraging message for the kids and their parents in Northampton.

To wrap up, I ask all my kind and compassionate neighbors this question: Are your values being reflected by this administration and your elected officials? Did your councilors — ward and two at-large representatives — solicit your views on school funding? If not, have you conveyed your disappointment (if you are indeed upset by this, as I am) to the mayor and your councilors?

It seems to me that it’s time for a change in city government so that those we elect will actually represent our values in the way our tax money is spent.

Deb Henson of Northampton is a mental health lawyer and licensed clinical social worker. She can be reached at deb@deborahmhenson.com.