The Greenfield school budget every year asks for more money, and this year was no different. The only difference is approximately 36 more students enrolled than last school year. The public (taxpayers) are told the school system doesn’t have enough money to pay the teachers. But then they create six new principal positions to the tune of $600,000.

Now after the school year begins, according to a Recorder article, the school system needed to hire three new kindergarten teachers. Where did this money come from? What happens next school year? Do they need to hire three new first grade teachers? Do the other three collect unemployment?

Did you know that the school budget pays out about $20,000 each school year to a non-tax-rolled church to parkits special education vehicles in their parking lot? Why not park them at the high school, or the Green River School that is not being used, or the Bendix parking area for zero dollars?

By the way, the vehicles I speak of are for transporting students with special needs to various schools. I have witnessed firsthand the drivers of these vehicles, texting while driving, shopping in Northampton while being paid on the clock, and passing me on Route 91 when I am going 70-75 mph.

Now I have heard that the school has purchased two new vehicles. If in fact this is true, where did this money come from?

We all know that a large chunk of town budgets go to fund our schools, however Greenfield needs to have some fiscal restraint. Many people in town live on limited incomes. At this time, we the taxpayers are paying for a new library and a new fire station, and let’s not forget the Police Department has been asking for years for new facilities. Where will this money come from?

Linda Clark

Greenfield