Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, MA

Joint Meeting: Town Council, Budget Coordinating Group, Jones Library Trustees, Amherst School Committee, and Finance Committee Special Meeting

Five local governing bodies are meeting to discuss the long-term financial outlook and budget projections for Fiscal Year 2028. The session includes presentations and discussions involving the Town Council, Budget Coordinating Group, Jones Library Trustees, Amherst School Committee, and Finance Committee.

• Discussion of Long Term Financial Outlook
• Review of Fiscal Year 2028 Budget Projections

Pelham School Committee

The Pelham School Committee will discuss student academic progress, including MCAS results in ELA, Math, and Science. The meeting also includes updates on a DESE review and reports from the Superintendent and the Pelham Future Committee.

• Presentation on student academic progress, MCAS results, attendance, iReady, and behavioral data
• Update on DESE Review
• Update from Pelham Future Committee
• Superintendent's update on vacancies, storage room door handle, and registration website
• Approval of minutes from June 1, 2026, and September 1, 2026

Amherst School Committee Meeting

The Amherst School Committee will discuss the Superintendent's goals for the 2026-27 school year and the evaluation plan following the 2025-26 year. The committee may also vote on the creation of a Communications Working Group, a Finance Subcommittee, and an EdTech Subcommittee.

• Superintendent SY26-27 goals and post-SY25-26 evaluation plan
• Potential vote on New Communications Working Group
• Potential vote on Finance Subcommittee
• Potential vote on EdTech Subcommittee

Regional Budget & Audit Subcommittee

The Regional Budget & Audit Subcommittee will discuss budget guidelines for FY28 and a redesign of the budget book. Members will review requests regarding cost efficiency, including administrative staffing and contracted services. The body will also consider recommending the adoption of a new budget planning policy.

• Review of FY28 budget guidelines and next steps for RSC presentation
• Discussion on adopting MASC Policy DBD - Budget Planning
• Review of cost efficiency requests regarding special education service costs and in-house hiring vs. contracted services
• Analysis of high school course enrollment and section efficiency
• Update on capital planning and potential for a stand-alone capital budget document

Amherst School Committee Meeting

The Amherst School Committee will discuss the Quarter 1 financial report and capital plan. The body is scheduled to vote on neuroaffirming training, the superintendent's 2026-27 goals, and the creation of new working groups.

• Vote on neuroaffirming training (Motion #2 from 5/7/26)
• Action on SY26-27 goals and evaluation plan for the Superintendent
• Potential vote to establish New Communications and Finance Working Groups
• Potential vote on a data request of the Superintendent for the November 17 meeting
• Vote to approve thank-you letters to MSBA, Elementary School Building Committee, DiNisco Design, and Accenture

Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee

The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee will discuss student discipline trends and the Superintendent's annual state of the school system report. The body will also consider votes on student handbooks, sabbatical requests, and a new building substitute position.

• Review of student discipline data for SY23–24 through SY26–27
• Discussion and possible vote on a proposed building substitute position
• Review of FY28 budget guidelines and capital needs
• Possible vote to re-establish the Budget & Finance Subcommittee for the OPEB Trust
• Discussion and possible vote on the Regional Agreement Review subcommittee structure

Amherst School Committee Special Meeting for Community Feedback on Proposed Transportation Routes

The Amherst School Committee is holding a special meeting to gather community feedback. The session focuses on proposed transportation routes.

• Listening session: Community feedback on proposed transportation routes

Joint meeting of Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee & Union 26 - Executive Session

The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and Union 26 will meet in executive session on October 19, 2026. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss strategy or conduct contract negotiations with Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman. The Committee will adjourn directly from this session without returning to open session.

• Executive session regarding contract negotiations with Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman

Joint Superintendent Transition Plan and Search Process Subcommittee ARPS **THIS MEETING HAS BEEN POSTPONED**

The Joint Superintendent Transition Plan and Search Process Subcommittee will meet to organize its operations. The group will discuss search best practices, lessons from past searches, and the committee's scope of work and budget.

• Discussion of superintendent search best practices
• Review of lessons learned from past searches and superintendent tenure
• Discussion of committee scope of work and needed budget
• Outline of project planner structure for subcommittee work
• Establishment of subcommittee meeting schedule

Superintendent Evaluation Subcommittee - **THIS MEETING HAS BEEN POSTPONED**

The Superintendent Evaluation Subcommittee will meet to review evaluation tools and timeline best practices with counsel. The group will also discuss potential goals for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Review of evaluation tool and timeline best practices with Counsel
• Discussion of potential goals for SY26-27

Regional Budget & Audit Subcommittee

The Amherst-Pelham Regional School District's Regional Budget & Audit Subcommittee meets virtually on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30am. The agenda lists opening items (call to order, public comment, approval of minutes), one new-business item on RSC budget priorities, and closing items (agenda planning and adjournment). The posted agenda does not include specific dollar amounts, contracts, or detailed proposals.

• Public comment on budget or audit matters, up to 3 minutes per speaker; comments also accepted at shorest@arps.org
• Approval of minutes
• New business: RSC budget priorities
• Agenda planning
• Meeting held virtually only via Zoom (Meeting ID 446 346 3299, Passcode iPPc9H)

Pelham School Committee

Amherst School Committee Meeting

The Amherst School Committee will meet to discuss the Superintendent's goals for the 2026-27 school year and the evaluation plan following the 2025-26 year. The body will also address groundwork for a superintendent search and the creation of new subcommittees.

• Superintendent SY26-27 goals and post-SY25-26 evaluation plan
• Superintendent search groundwork
• Discussion on new Communications Subcommittee and Finance Working Group
• Approval of minutes from eight previous meetings
• Review of warrant reports for payroll and payables from September and October 2026

Amherst School Committee, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and Union 26 meeting separately and jointly

The Amherst School Committee, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees, and Union 26 meet separately and jointly on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM in the library at Amherst Regional High School, 21 Mattoon Street. The Amherst School Committee will discuss and vote on increasing an English Language Arts intervention position by 0.2 FTE at Amethyst Brook and adding a 1.0 FTE English Language Learner teacher position at Crocker Farm Elementary. The committees will then consider entering executive session under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21, Purpose 1, to discuss an individual's reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, or discipline, dismissal, or complaints against a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual, with no intent to return to open session. The agenda also includes procedural call-to-order and adjournment items.

• Vote on increasing English Language Arts intervention position by 0.2 FTE at Amethyst Brook
• Vote on adding 1.0 FTE English Language Learner teacher position at Crocker Farm Elementary
• Executive session under MGL Chapter 30A, Section 21, Purpose 1, with no intent to return to open session
• Joint meeting of Amherst School Committee, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees, and Union 26
• Meeting at 21 Mattoon Street, Amherst, MA, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Joint meeting of Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee

The Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees meet jointly on October 1, 2026 to review proposed revisions to Policy ACAA on identity-affirming school culture and staff accountability, with a possible vote. The agenda also includes a vote to approve procedures for Policy JKAA on physical restraint and behavior support, and establishment of a Superintendent Transition and Search Process Joint Subcommittee. The meeting opens with public comment and closes with adjournment.

• Review of proposed revisions to Policy ACAA: Commitment to Identity-Affirming School Culture and Staff Accountability, with possible vote
• Vote to approve procedures for Policy JKAA: Physical Restraint and Behavior Support
• Establishment of a Superintendent Transition and Search Process Joint Subcommittee
• Public comment accepted by email or voicemail until 3 p.m. on meeting day; speakers limited to three minutes under policy BEDH

Joint meeting of Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and Union 26

This is a joint meeting of the Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees and Union 26. The agenda consists solely of a call to order, a proposal to enter executive session to discuss an individual's reputation or discipline, and adjournment. No other business is listed.

• Call to order for joint meeting of three school committees and Union 26
• Proposed executive session under MGL Chapter 30A, Section 21, Purpose 1
• Executive session to discuss reputation, character, or discipline of an individual
• No intent to return to open session after executive session
• Adjournment

Joint Policy Subcommittee ARPS

The Joint Policy Subcommittee of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District will review and discuss several priority policies, including those on time-out/seclusion/restraint of students, personal electronic devices, school volunteers, and protection of undocumented students. They will also continue reviewing Section B governance policies, consider new MASC model policies, and plan a systematic review of Section I instruction policies. The meeting includes public comment and will set a policy work plan for future drafting and recommendations.

• Review of JKAA policy on time-out, seclusion, and restraint of students, including DESE requirements and MASC model policy
• Discussion of draft Personal Electronic Device Policy tied to Massachusetts Attorney General's Phone-Free Schools Support Grant application
• Review of IJOC School Volunteers policy, including background checks (CORI, SORI, fingerprinting) and supervision
• Review of JII policy on protection of undocumented students in relation to Policy ACL on law enforcement interactions
• Review of 2026-2027 student handbooks for ARHS and ARMS, including conduct, discipline, and approval process

Amherst Pelham Regional School Committee - Four Towns Meeting

The committee is meeting to discuss the process for reviewing and updating the regional agreement. The session includes an overview of required updates and a discussion regarding recommended committee structures and town representation.

• High-level overview of regional agreements and required updates
• Discussion on the process for reviewing and updating a regional agreement
• Discussion regarding recommended committee structure and process

Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee

The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee will hold a regular meeting with public comment, an executive session on collective bargaining and litigation, and consent agenda items. The main business includes possible votes on a revised ARMS/Chestnut Street Academy calendar with make-up days, new positions and supplemental pay, superintendent evaluation goals, and adoption of committee goals from a retreat. The committee will also begin initial discussion of FY28 budget guidelines and priorities.

• Possible vote on revised ARMS / Chestnut Street Academy 2026-27 calendar including three make-up days
• Possible vote on new positions and supplemental compensation requests
• Possible vote on SY26-27 Superintendent Evaluation Goals
• Initial discussion of FY28 Regional budget guidelines, priorities, and timeline
• Executive session on collective bargaining/litigation (Unit A grievance, ULP charge MUP-26-11966, Magee/Cunningham/Dykes/Santos litigations)

Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee

The Committee will receive updates on district staffing, facilities, and student belonging priorities. Discussions include the formation of a Student Advisory Committee and reviews of student handbooks for the 2026–27 school year. The meeting also includes a review of the FY26 year-end budget and preparation for the upcoming Four Towns Meeting.

• Review of ARHS and ARMS student handbooks for SY26–27
• Discussion of student belonging and bullying prevention procedures
• Review of FY26 year-end revenues and expenditures
• Follow-up on the formation of a five-member Regional Student Advisory Committee
• Review of the FY28 capital planning process

Superintendent Evaluation Subcommittee

The Superintendent Evaluation Subcommittee will meet virtually on September 21, 2026. The meeting includes discussions regarding the SY25-26 evaluation process, software usability, and potential goals for SY26-27.

• Review of SY25-26 evaluation process and tool
• Discussion of potential evaluation timeline
• Review of potential goals for SY26-27

Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee Retreat

Regional Budget & Audit Subcommittee

The Regional Budget & Audit Subcommittee will discuss funding for World Language and transportation. Members will also prepare to develop budget priorities and review the upcoming operating and capital budget cycle calendar.

• Presentation regarding funding for World Language
• Presentation regarding funding for transportation
• Review of upcoming operating and capital budget cycle calendar
• Discussion on new fee groups for athletics for SY27-28
• Preparation for development of RSC budget priorities

The subcommittee unanimously elected Tim Shores as the new chair, replacing Sarah Marshall, who will remain the representative to capital planning meetings. Members reviewed presentations on World Language funding and transportation logistics but made no funding decisions. The group agreed to request simple budget priorities from the full committee in October and deferred action on athletic fee groups until late winter.

• Approved minutes of June 12, 2026 (unanimous)
• Elected Tim Shores as new chair (unanimous)
• Agreed to request budget priorities from full RSC in October
• Deferred decision on new athletic fee groups to late winter
• Adjourned meeting at 5:42 p.m. (unanimous)

Amherst School Committee Meeting

The Amherst School Committee is meeting to review the end-of-year FY26 financial report, discuss safety and well-being policies, and take action on superintendent goals and evaluation. The agenda also includes updates from district leadership and groundwork for a superintendent search.

• Quarter 4 and end-of-year FY26 financial report
• Discussion of safety and well-being, including physical restraint procedures
• Action on superintendent SY26-27 goals and post-evaluation plan
• Discussion of superintendent search groundwork
• Warrant reports with payables and payroll from July through September 2026

Joint Policy Subcommittee ARPS

The Joint Policy Subcommittee of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District will review Section B policies on governance and operations, comparing them against MASC model policies and Massachusetts law. They will also discuss possible new policies and review the 2026–2027 student and employee handbooks for potential revisions.

• Review of MASC model policies not in ARPS manual, including BDD (School Committee–Superintendent Relationship) and BE (School Committee Meetings)
• Systematic review of existing Section B policies for alignment with MASC model language and state law
• Discussion of CHCA policy on approval of handbooks and directives
• Review of 2026–2027 ARHS and ARMS Student and Family Handbooks
• Discussion of employee handbook and School Committee approval authority

Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee

The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee will meet to discuss the ARMS roof replacement project, including recent water intrusion and corrective actions, and to hear updates from school leaders. The committee will also consider establishing a subcommittee for the superintendent transition and search process, and review student handbooks and discipline approaches. The agenda includes routine items like minutes approval and warrants, plus a possible executive session on collective bargaining or litigation.

• ARMS roof replacement project update with OPM, contractor, and architect
• Discussion and possible vote on Superintendent Transition and Search Process Subcommittee
• Review of SY26–27 student handbooks, discipline, and bullying prevention
• Superintendent's opening of school report, including volunteer pause update
• Regional staffing and vacancy update

Joint Meeting of Pelham, Amherst and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees and Union 26

Amherst School Committee Retreat

Joint meeting of Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and Union 26

This is a joint meeting of the Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees and Union 26. The agenda contains only a call to order and a single item: a vote to enter executive session to discuss an individual's reputation, character, or health, or discipline or dismissal of a public officer or employee, with no plan to return to open session. No other business is listed.

• Executive session under MGL Ch. 30A, Sec. 21, Purpose 1
• No return to open session planned
• Meeting held in person at ARHS Library, 21 Mattoon Street, Amherst

The joint meeting of the Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees and Union 26 was called to order at 6:13 p.m. on August 27, 2026. The committees voted unanimously to enter executive session under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21, Purpose 1, to discuss an individual's reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, or discipline or dismissal, with no intent to return to open session. They entered executive session and did not return to open session. No substantive decisions were made in open session.

• Approved entering executive session under G.L. c. 30A, §21, Purpose 1 (unanimous)
• Amherst School Committee approved the executive session motion (unanimous)
• Pelham School Committee approved the executive session motion (unanimous)
• Union 26 approved the executive session motion (unanimous)

Amherst School Committee

The Amherst School Committee will discuss and potentially act on creating a new Dual Language and Multilingual Education Liaison position, and will hear a report from Attorney Sankey on his investigation into caregiver reports about restraint and seclusion in the district. The meeting also includes public comment and planning for a retreat.

• New position: Dual Language and Multilingual Education Liaison (action/discussion)
• Attorney Sankey report on restraint and seclusion investigation
• Public comment period
• Agenda planning for retreat on 8/29/26

Pelham School Committee Retreat

This is a retreat meeting of the Pelham School Committee with no specific decisions or proposals listed. The agenda consists only of a call to order, a retreat session, future agenda planning, and adjournment.

• Retreat session (no details provided)
• Future agenda planning

Joint meeting of Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees

The Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees are holding a joint virtual meeting. The primary purpose is to discuss and vote on staffing vacancies and position approvals for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Vote on SY26-27 Staffing Vacancies and Position Approval
• Review of Dual Language and Multilingual Education Liaison job title
• Review of Technology-Engineering Teacher (MS) position

Joint meeting of Union 26 and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee - Executive Session

The Union 26 and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees will hold a joint executive session to discuss strategy for negotiations with nonunion personnel regarding Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman. The chair will declare that an open meeting may harm the committee's negotiating position. The committees will not return to open session.

• Motion to enter executive session under G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(2) for strategy sessions on superintendent negotiations
• Discussion concerns nonunion personnel negotiations with Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman
• No public session will follow the executive session

The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and Union 26 held a joint meeting on July 20, 2026. The committees voted unanimously to enter executive session to conduct strategy sessions for negotiations with nonunion personnel regarding Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman. The committees did not return to open session.

• Voted unanimously to enter executive session regarding Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman negotiations

Joint meeting of Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee

The joint meeting of the Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees will consider and vote on the SY25-26 Summative Evaluation Report for the Superintendent. The agenda also includes a vote on Policy ACAA, a presentation of the annual Wellness Report, and public comment. The meeting is primarily focused on the superintendent's performance evaluation and policy approval.

• Vote on SY25-26 Summative Evaluation Report for the Superintendent by Pelham School Committee
• Vote on SY25-26 Summative Evaluation Report for the Superintendent by Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee
• Vote to approve Policy ACAA
• Presentation of SY25-26 Wellness Report
• Public comment period