Sheffield-area school panel rejects, then reverses budget vote

School Committee · Meeting of June 3, 2026

SHEFFIELD — Southern Berkshire school committee rejects, then reverses, its FY27 budget after an open meeting law disclosure and hours of emotional public comment. The panel first voted 5-4 against a $21,371,399 budget carrying a $16,808,548 town assessment, two short of the seven votes required under its regional agreement. After laid-off staff including librarian Alexis Kennedy and chorus teacher Maddie Caruso urged members to reconsider, and math teacher Sarah Sickett told holdout members "you harmed my kids tonight," the committee reconsidered and passed an amended version unanimously.

Member Kim Alcantara's amendment directs the district to find enough savings in benefits, administrative raises and grant funds to restore two to four more of the 17 positions eliminated this year, without changing town assessments. Carl Stewart noted only one of nine "reinstated" positions actually guarantees a laid-off employee's job back.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,332 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of June 3, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.