Schools adopt strategic plan, reject start-time freeze
School Committee · Meeting of May 20, 2026
PELHAM — Amherst-Pelham Regional, Pelham and Amherst school committees adopt a long-awaited strategic plan over one dissenting vote. The Regional, Pelham (4-1) and Amherst (3-1) committees approved version 17 of the plan after member Laura Jane objected to "union animus" language on page 44, which stayed in with only minor edits. Superintendent Dr.
Z told members the committees could not responsibly change 2026-27 start times because the new Amethyst Brook elementary school's single bus entrance makes regional traffic impact "unaware" until the building opens; a motion to codify no change failed 3-5-1. Committees also ratified a 2025-2028 Unit B contract and gave first reads to a restraint-and-seclusion policy still split between Amherst's self-adopted version and a legally reviewed joint draft, due for reconciliation June 10.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 1,050 words
Source: the School Committee meeting of May 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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