SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - South Hadley voters said no — twice.

Now, town leaders are trying to find a way to keep sports, music, and teaching jobs from disappearing, without asking taxpayers for more money. For students in South Hadley, the vote matters.

Here’s where things stand, South Hadley is facing a $3 million budget deficit — driven by rising health insurance costs and cuts in state and grant funding. Voters already rejected two tax override proposals last month, one for $9 million dollars, another for $11 million.

On Wednesday night, town meeting members are voting on a short-term lifeline: using $1.5 million dollars in “free cash” — certified, available funds to help fill next year’s budget gap and restore programs like middle and high school sports and music.

But that’s only part of the plan, leaders are also voting on creating an “override stabilization fund”, a permanent reserve designed to prevent this kind of crisis from happening every year. To fund it, another tax override vote is already being discussed — as early as June.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at South Hadley High School.

Even if tonight’s budget passes, it still needs school committee approval to officially restore those sports and clubs. For this town, the question isn’t just how to close this year’s gap — it’s how to stop facing the same crisis year after year.

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