AMHERST — For the first time, the union representing teachers, paraprofessionals and other staff is endorsing the project to construct a new three-story elementary school at the current Fort River School site on South East Street.
The Amherst Pelham Education Association issued a statement of support Wednesday for the $97.5 million project. A Proposition 2½ debt-exclusion vote is underway, with election day on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“The APEA believes that every student and educator is entitled to work and learn in a safe and healthy school that is equipped for teaching and learning in the 21st Century,” the statement reads. “The APEA supports the building of a new elementary school in Amherst, and encourages the community to vote on May 2.”
Previously, the union, which is in the midst of contract negotiations with the School Committee, suggested people hold off on voting until it reached an agreement on a new contract. In doing so, union leaders said it was not taking a position for or against the project that would replace the 1970s-era Wildwood and Fort River schools.
The latest statement accompanies an appeal for full funding for education in Amherst, including fair and equitable wages for staff, full staffing that meets the educational needs of students, and safe and healthy buildings.
Earlier in the week, the Town Council made Amherst the first of the four regional communities to adopt an assessment method for how it will contribute to the district’s $33.7 million operating budget for fiscal year 2024. Councilors also approved a $17.77 million appropriation as its share. Leverett Town Meeting on Saturday will be the next to vote on the budget, with Pelham to follow in May and Shutesbury in June.
Amherst agreed to increase its assessment by $97,000 by adjusting the allowable budget increase to move from 2.5% to 3%. The district is expected to put these additional funds into the contingency and control accounts as it negotiates contracts, with no restorations to be made until contracts are resolved.
Meanwhile, the Amherst Pelham Administrators Association ratified a new contract that runs from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025.
The cost-of-living adjustments will be 1.5%, 2.5% and 2% and cover positions including assistant principals, the special education administrator, the athletic director, the multilingual education administrator and the nurse administrator.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.