For several years, the Northampton Public Schools have been paying for an expanded staff and increased compensation with now-exhausted one-time funds, primarily federal pandemic aid and the “school choice” fund that collects money from out-of-district students. The mismatch between recurring expenses and revenues has created a systemic deficit that grows bigger every year until it is resolved.

Last year we faced a $2.3 million school budget deficit. This year: $4.77 million.

After months of intense discussions and reducing other parts of the city budget, the final budget passed this week increases spending for NPS by 8%. This is the largest increase for the schools in at least 32 years, yet because of the past over-reliance on one-time funds, it isn’t enough to avoid cuts.

To help close deficits last year and this year, I proposed transfers from the Fiscal Stability Stabilization fund totaling $3.18 million. This fund is the linchpin of the city’s Fiscal Stability Plan, which anticipates property tax overrides in intervals of four years or more.

Under Proposition 2½, the annual property tax revenue collected by a municipality cannot increase more than 2.5% without voter approval of an override. As inflation is typically higher than 2.5%, overrides are inevitably needed to maintain services.

We space out overrides by putting some of the override proceeds into the Fiscal Stability Stabilization fund, and if possible contribute a portion of unspent funds from the previous year (called the “undesignated fund balance” or “free cash.”) The city can draw from the fund to help handle fast-rising recurring expenditures or other unexpected costs. Once the fund diminishes to a certain level, an override is needed to close the budget gap and sustain the fund for at least another four years.

School needs and expenditures have risen rapidly since the 2020 override. We’ve used Fiscal Stability Stabilization and other one-time funds to help cover these costs, but always with the understanding that budget adjustments would be needed.

One-time funds can’t solve this structural deficit. What will solve it is a combination of cuts and higher taxes, two things that no mayor is ever eager to propose.

Last year, despite some reductions, it was not enough to prevent a doubling of the deficit, making further reductions inevitable. These decisions are painful for everyone involved, especially the hard-working staff who had to leave the classrooms they loved, and the students who loved them back. If there were a way to avoid these cuts, everyone in city government would take it. That includes myself.

And if there was a way to avoid asking for an override, I would also take it. After a period of high inflation, increased fees, and higher property assessments the city is legally obligated to conduct, I know many are worried about the high cost of living. But deeper school cuts would be detrimental to our district and our community. And if our schools are no longer attractive to new families, they won’t move to Northampton.

So, following two years of stabilization fund transfers and rising costs, I have proposed a $3 million override. This plan rests on the assumption that after three years of school funding increases ranging from 5% to 8%, we hold to a 3% increase in fiscal year 2026. (Depending on future fiscal conditions, we hope to eventually return to the 4% increases originally envisioned at the beginning of my tenure as mayor.)

The City Council has voted to put the override referendum on the ballot at the Nov. 5 presidential election. Using this high-turnout election maximizes democratic participation and saves the cost of a special election. If approved, the higher levy will be implemented beginning in fiscal year 2026.

I’d rather this problem be solved with increased aid from the state, which currently covers only 17% of NPS spending — a share considerably lower than most of our comparison communities and steadily declining for decades. I’m grateful to our dedicated state legislators who have been working on this issue, and I ask all to advocate alongside them.

I also want increased contributions from Northampton’s major nonprofit institutions, though I’m very grateful for the $500,000 gift we received from Smith College, which the city will use to support the NPS budget over the next three years. However, aside from that gift, the money isn’t here.

I’m not the last word on the override. You are. You are being asked to decide whether we should renew our Fiscal Stability Plan and expand it to cover the increased needs of our public schools. You are being asked whether you and your neighbors should raise those funds. I know how hard it will be to weigh these competing needs and desires, because I’ve been doing it myself throughout this budget process.

This budget season has taken an enormous emotional toll. Caregivers and teachers tell me they are exhausted fighting for basic needs. Stressed city officials tell me they dream about walking away from their positions. I can relate from my many sleepless nights. If all it took to avoid these problems was raiding our stabilization funds, if for no other reason but our own self-care, believe me: We would do it.

But that would make the problem worse, cloaking growing deficits instead of solving them, depleting critical stabilization funds in as little as two years’ time, and leaving bigger problems for future officials and school community members.

As we begin a citywide conversation about the override, let’s talk to, not at, each other. Let’s make sure we use accurate data. And let’s not judge people who draw different conclusions from the same set of facts. Everyone in Northampton shares the same challenging goal: finding ways to provide great city services with unfairly limited resources.

I pledge to do my best to provide you with accurate information, so you can make an informed decision. Whatever happens in November, I know we will come together afterward to find ways to further support our schools and keep our city thriving.

Gina-Louise Sciarra is the mayor of Northampton.