SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) -- South Hadley faces a growing budget crisis. Sports, library services, and teaching jobs could all be cut when budget cuts take effect in July.

State Senator Jake Oliveira recently visited South Hadley High School where students told him they’re worried about the future of both their town and their school experience.

“They were concerned about their educational programs. They were concerned about teachers being in the classroom. They were concerned about making sure that they have the ability to have extracurricular activities and sports,” he tells us.

The problem? Skyrocketing health insurance costs for town employees, growing faster than tax revenue.

However, South Hadley isn’t alone, as towns across western Mass face the same crisis.

“Our healthcare system in the United States is completely broken, particularly the way that we finance it. So you look at the state, 55% of our budget is spent on health insurance. And we want to give more money to towns like South Hadley, but health insurance is taking more and more of that pie each and every year,” Oliveira explained.

Senator Oliveira is working on legislation to help. if you want to weigh in, there’s a budget task force meeting Wednesday at 7 at the South Hadley Senior Center.

Western Mass News will have more information on surrounding the budget cuts tonight at 6.

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