School Committee votes to hold retreat with outside facilitator despite objection
Northampton School Committee approves $1800 retreat facilitator over member objections. The Committee voted 7-2, with one present vote, to hire Tracy Novick of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees to facilitate a March 30 retreat, with Member Alena Bartoli sponsoring the motion and
Northampton School Committee · Meeting of March 2, 2026
Northampton School Committee approves $1800 retreat facilitator over member objections. The Committee voted 7-2, with one present vote, to hire Tracy Novick of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees to facilitate a March 30 retreat, with Member Alena Bartoli sponsoring the motion and Member Cindy Mahoney seconding it. Members Michael Stein and Anat Weisenfreund opposed, with Stein questioning the need for outside facilitation and Weisenfreund calling for more respectful communication.
Members Amy Martyn, Cindy Mahoney, and Robbie Saner Sullivan supported the hire as a MASC best practice. The Committee then voted unanimously to enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining or litigation strategy, with Superintendent Bonner attending.
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Source: the Northampton School Committee meeting of March 2, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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