Shutesbury School Committee establishes special education reserve fund, elects Jack chair

SHUTESBURY -- May 21, 2026, Shutesbury Elementary School Committee unanimously elected Leah Jack as chair and voted to create a special education reserve fund at its May 21 reorganization meeting. The committee seated new write-in member Megan Lennon and filled every officer and subcommittee role in a series of 5-0 votes, appointing Nate Longcope as vice chair, Anna Hurd as Amherst Pelham Regional representative, and Katrina Catalano as the Collaborative for Educational Services delegate. The committee voted to accept the provisions of MGL Chapter 40, Section 13E to establish a special education reserve fund, capped at 2 percent of the operating budget, currently approximately $55,000, and held by the town; a vote at a fall special town meeting is required before the fund becomes operative. Finance director Caitlin reported that the current-year budget is on solid footing and that all three capital warrant articles passed at town meeting. The committee also heard that site visits from two ground source heat pump contractors, Trane and Brightcore, have been completed, with grants totaling up to $1.15 million in technical assistance and implementation funding under pursuit; a coordination meeting with Town Administrator Haley Bolton is set for June 10.