Massive budget cuts. School closures. Teacher layoffs. Sports and arts programs on the chopping block.
Belchertown schools are in crisis, facing a $2.1 million budget shortfall that could reshape the entire district. Yet, at a recent school committee meeting, poor audio and confusing financial reports left many residents in the dark.
In this episode, we break down:
🔹 Why Swift River Elementary (SRE) is closing—and what it means for students.
🔹 How Belchertown ranks near the bottom in per-student spending.
🔹 The shocking rise in special education & mental health needs.
🔹 Hidden costs like Smith Voc & Pathfinder tuition.
🔹 What the town CAN do—but isn’t doing—to fix this.
This isn’t just about 2025—it’s about the future of our schools. If nothing changes, we’ll be right back in this same crisis next year. So, what’s the plan? Is a Proposition 2.5 override inevitable? Can sponsorships and school choice close the gap?
Listen now and find out what’s REALLY happening—before it’s too late.