Mount Greylock Regional School Committee Chair Julia Bowen speaks about why the town ultimately did not recommend funding a math interventionist at Williamstown Elementary School. “[The recommended budget] represents difficult decisions we discussed and made as a committee,” she said. “That we've had to make with state shortfalls and federal budget changes.”

WILLIAMSTOWN — Residents turned out for Tuesday night’s annual town meeting to push for a new position in the elementary school math department, despite the Mount Greylock Regional School District Committee leaving it out of the school budget.

The meeting’s most contentious debate centered on an amendment proposed by parents and school community members to fund a $120,000 math interventionist position at Williamstown Elementary School. The measure passed 233-102.

The amendment makes funding available for the position, though the School Committee retains discretion over whether to hire for it, said Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

Now, School Committee chair Julia Bowen said the district is focused on Lanesborough approving its share of the district budget at its town meeting June 9. Assuming Lanesborough approves the budget, Bowen said Superintendent Joseph Bergeron will come to the next School Committee meeting June 10 with a proposal for how to use the money.

“I cannot tell you what Joe is going to propose or how the School Committee is going to vote, but I know that we collectively recognize that we are in partnership with our towns, and that Williamstown has spoken,” Bowen told The Eagle.

Supporters of the amendment argued that the town should not wait to address the school’s declining math scores and that the position would reduce classroom teacher workload. Others said it was too soon to add another position because the district adopted a new curriculum last year and the additional salary would disrupt the district's level-service budget.

Math MCAS scores have declined since 2019 as high-needs populations grow, said amendment organizer and School Council member Jenna Hasenkampf.

Bowen spoke in favor of the town’s budget, but acknowledged 40 percent of students at Williamstown Elementary School perform below their grade level in math. State data shows moderate learning improvement growth in Williamstown, while Lanesborough is demonstrating high growth.

The School Committee declined to recommend the position during its March budget hearing, citing rising costs, limited reserves and double-digit assessment increases for both towns. Bowen said they declined to fund all additional staff requests from the district's three schools.

“This position was our top budget priority,” said Hasenkampf, adding that the position was supported by the school's principal.

Resident Anne Skinner spoke against adding the new position, citing the new math curriculum.

Williamstown annual town meeting voters took the microphone to debate whether the town should fund a math interventionist at Williamstown Elementary School.

"I suggest that we give that a year or so to see if that helps,” she said.

Elizabeth Upton, who has three children at the elementary school, said having the extra support could make a lasting impact during a time when children "are developing beliefs about whether they are capable math learners."

“We can't control the national trend, but we can decide how we're going to respond here in Williamstown,” she said.

Other supporters said students can't afford to wait.

"This is not an undoing of the School Committee's very challenging, heart-wrenching work, making difficult decisions," said Devan Bartels. "This is the messy part of our democracy. This is not a circumventing or bypassing process. This is the process, getting that right, and I think the School Committee wants to get that right too, and we want to get it right just as much as they do."

Bowen said she understands the parent perspective, but argued the solution lies primarily in curriculum improvements.

Other School Committee members said the budget was carefully designed to maintain services while limiting future financial strain.

“It's not just $120,000 this year, there is a lot going on and this affects what we are able to do,” Committee member Steven Miller said.

School Committee member Carolyn Greene said the group was disappointed it did not feel comfortable recommending the position, citing concerns about the district’s financial outlook.

Adding another $120,000 to the budget would move the district closer to needing a tax override, something officials already anticipate could happen in the coming years, she said.

“It's not because we don’t care about our kids, it’s because we know the fiscal realities we are facing as a town," she said.

The debate reflects broader budget pressures facing school districts across Berkshire County. Communities are grappling with meeting needs while facing rising costs and stagnant state aid. Pittsfield Public Schools is closing Morningside Community School at the end of this academic year and Southern Berkshire Regional School District cut 21 positions.

“If we can't as a community say this is worth it, I have to question our moral status, much less financial,” Bartels said.