School Committee interviews superintendent finalists

School Committee · Meeting of April 28, 2026

NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton School Committee interviewed two superintendent finalists in a marathon session covering special education, budget strategy and a looming cell phone ban. One candidate, a former Worcester and New Hampshire superintendent, said a district investigative report requested under the state's 91A public records law was "finally released on April 13th." The other, a former interim superintendent in Bloomfield, Connecticut, described negotiating a budget down to a 3.19 percent increase from an initial 8 percent request while preserving classroom positions. Members raised concerns from outside reports about the district's special education compliance, including a lack of a legally compliant child-find policy, and noted the district's 24 percent special education identification rate.

Several members voiced frustration over stagnant state Chapter 70 funding, with one saying "we've been hopeful in the past." The meeting ended with a 9-0 vote to adjourn.

In the full story:

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• Key Motions & Votes
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• Northampton's community access TV: School Committee meeting, April 28, 2026
• The complete report: 621 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of April 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.