I cannot imagine a more incorrect headline than the one that ran on Page 1 on Feb. 22: “All agree: Northampton schools in ‘crisis’ mode.” There are a few city councilors and a small but vocal group of parents demanding that the city recklessly spend $600,000 with 11 weeks left in the school year. Hardly everyone agrees that we are in a “crisis.”

And what will we get for that $600,000? An immediate deficit of $600,000 in next year’s budget. How about if those city councilors and parents, along with a practically invisible School Committee, instead spend a far smaller amount of money on a basic budgeting class? One that teaches how a city budget really works. One that teaches how to create a sustainable budget. One that takes into account a possible elimination of all federal funds.

And, yes, one that identifies any cuts that might have to be made. And we all need to remember that the loudest voice in a room is not necessarily the wisest.

Stephen Gilson

Florence