West Springfield approves $1M in school budget cuts

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The West Springfield town council has approved over $1 million in budget cuts from schools.

The West Springfield Town Council has adopted Mayor Will Reichelt’s proposal for the fiscal year 2025. But Reichelt says he’s disappointed that it came with over 1 million dollars in budget cuts to the school department, including more than $586,000 worth of existing educator positions, plus $250,000 dollars worth of proposed new positions.

Those school positions were being funded by the elementary and secondary school emergency relief fund, Mayor Reichelt says he was expecting those funds to eventually end.

But Reichelt says he was still surprised to see the cuts happen, “It is understandable that the council wants to make decisions and cuts to the budget where an increase of taxes is happening and they want to offset that–but at the same time we need to way in the needs of our students.”

Councilor Dan O’Brien was among the five members of the town council who voted in favor of the cuts. O’Brien said the council has not reduced a budget presented to it in the 9 years he’s been there, and goes on to say quote;

“The Mayor allowed the school committee to vote on a budget that had a 14% increase over the previous year. He then cut 1.6 million from this amount. No complaints from the school committee.

He then forwarded a budget with a 9% increase to the city council. This included new positions that were added with one time esser funds and a $500,000 line to be used in the future. The city council has not reduced a budget presented to it in the 9 years I have been there. I believe this was a ploy to be used in the spring when the mayoral race will start. It gives him the ability to blame the city council for another tax increase, he can say he cut 1.6 million and the city council didn’t cut anything. 

This cut is not a cut to the school budget. It is a cut to the increase to the school budget. It has increased every year 

I proposed a 1.6 million dollar cut to match the mayors. If it passed the mayor would have the chance to veto it but then he would own it. It did not pass but councilor Anthony Distefano proposed a series of cuts that passed. The mayor still has the option to veto.”

Dan O’Brien,West Springfield Town Council

Mayor Reichelt has ten days to approve or veto the budget cuts. Councilors who voted against it say people’s jobs are at stake.

“Last night I supported $1 million in cuts to the proposed school department’s budget. I would like to clarify – even with the cut – that the schools will still be receiving a 7% increase in funding, a total increase of roughly $4 million in one year. This is the largest increase in the three years I have been on the council. I have heard from residents – particularly seniors and middle-class families  – about the struggles they have paying their bills. The proposed school budget was looking for a 9.52% increase, and the budget would have resulted in taxes being raised 5% on property owners and businesses – marking the third straight year of increased taxes in town. Cutting the school budget is no easy choice, but I do believe supporting a 7% increase to the school budget while trying to lessen the burden on taxpayers and small businesses is the best option for the town to move forward.”

Michael LaFlamme, West Springfield Town Council

The superintendent, who 22News also spoke with, is very concerned. She told 22News, “We can’t sustain these cuts–we can’t provide the services necessary to students if these cuts are made.”

Mayor Reichelt says he is likely leaning towards vetoing the cuts to teaching positions.