On Monday, March 24, students from Amherst Regional Middle School (ARMS) and Amherst Regional High School (ARHS) took to the streets in a civic engagement demonstration advocating for a fairer funding formula for regional schools in Massachusetts. Marching separately from their respective schools before joining together at Triangle Street, students continued their march to the UMass Amherst Commons, where the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Hearing was taking place.
The hearing, which focuses on education and local aid in Governor Healey’s $62 billion budget proposal, gave the students an opportunity to make their voices heard on the impact of current funding policies on their education. Prior to the march, students used their advisory time to create signs and discuss the purpose of their demonstration, ensuring they were informed and prepared to advocate for change.
“It’s the students’ march,” said ARHS Principal Talib Sadiq. “Staff were there to supervise, but this was their choice and decision.” “I am proud of the regional students demonstrating their civic responsibility and marching for what they believe in,” said Superintendent Dr. Xi who was in attendance at the meeting.
Student Voices: Why They Marched
Students shared their motivations for participating in the demonstration. “I’m hoping for more funding for our schools. Students deserve to have options in electives,” said K.G. (28). F.H. (26) said “I’m hoping to get out and prove the point that education needs to be a priority in the United States, and special education needs to be a priority. Anybody who wants to touch education needs to back off.” “I hope the state sees what we’re doing and understands that a change needs to be made. We’re losing teachers and programs. This is a special place, and it deserves support from the state,” advocated O.P. (27) . Even ARMS students demonstrated with a deep and passionate plea: “We’re fighting for something that needs to happen because they’re trying to cut our budget. This is democracy at its finest” said D.K. (29)
When asked how the funding formula should be changed, O.P. added, “Give more money to public schools—especially in relation to charter schools. Charter schools receive the same amount of funding, but they don’t need to provide the same programs.”
A Call for Change
The march highlighted student concerns over potential budget cuts that threaten essential programs, electives, and staffing. As lawmakers debate the FY26 budget, Amherst-Pelham students are making it clear that they expect state leaders to invest in public education. Their participation in the hearing was a testament to their commitment to educational equity and their determination to protect their schools.