The South Hadley Public Schools will eliminate 19.4 positions at the start of the 2025-2026 school year due to budget cuts, affecting teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
The district’s elementary schools will lose seven teachers including first and fourth grade positions. Michael E. Smith Middle School will see reductions in English, math and music, while the high school will lose 1.4 positions in the Spanish and special education departments. District officials have cited financial constraints as the reason for the cuts.
The reductions are expected to impact students by increasing class sizes, reducing electives, and limiting individualized instruction.
“Kids will be in larger classes, which will affect teachers’ one-on-one time with their students and could potentially cause behavioral problems,” said the English Dept. Chair Tina Lesniak. “It will really impact kids who need more attention and help.”
Lesniak also raised the possibility that student enrollment in the district could decline because parents may try to find other school districts that can better meet their children’s educational needs.
Students at the high school also shared their concerns.
“I’m worried about the teachers being cut because my little brother’s learning may be at risk going into middle school and high school,” said sophomore Lexie Mansfield.
Ethan Smith and Chase Pecia, also sophomores, shared their concern about the number of teachers being cut at the middle school and the negative effect on programming. “The cuts will have a bigger impact there.”
Paula Lonergan, chair of the foreign language department, said the cuts have the potential to set the district back for years.
“It is a tragedy with a lasting impact,” she said. “In so many ways, the budget cut is a morale killer for both staff and kids.”
This budget cut is set and will be occuring at the start of the school year 2025-2026. There was a walk out held on Monday, March 31st at the South Hadley High School to raise awareness. Students made signs and walked with pride to express their concern about future students. State representatives senator Jacob Oliveira and state representative Homar Gomez came to support us while watching a few students empowering speeches and listening to their perspectives. We are hoping to make a stop to these budget cuts and see a difference over the next year.
