Mahar Receives Over $100,000 in Rural Aid

ORANGE - In the spring of 2019, Ralph C. Mahar Regional School received $183,774 in rural aid. The proceeds went towards new weight room equipment and woodworking machinery, along with other miscellaneous costs like grounds maintenance and special education expenses.

According to Senator Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield) the school received the money as a result of the $1.5 million that was budgeted by the senate to help schools in rural areas that face “fiscal challenges due to population decline, density, and ability to pay.” In an article by the Greenfield Recorder, Senator Anne Gobi stated that “[she] will continue to work on additional initiatives to bring more funding to our schools so our students have the same opportunities as students in nonrural areas.” When interviewed by the Red and Blue Review, Mr. Hemlin told reporters that although students at Mahar may not have every opportunity students in urban areas have, such as easy accessibility to internships, they are very fortunate to have chromebooks that they can take home, access to innovative courses like Makerspace, and for staff members who go above and beyond for their students without expecting reimbursement. Although Mahar has some financial challenges, Mr. Hemlin believes that they are still “ahead of the game.”

Although rural aid money is annual, the amount is subject to change from year to year. Because of this, rural aid money cannot be spent on the hiring of new staff members. However, the money can be used to buy new equipment for the school and can be put towards transportation costs such as for late buses. Although rural aid money could’ve been used to revamp the late and sports bus program, the Finance and Facilities Committee decided, after sending out a survey, that the programs were unnecessary. The results showed that only a small percentage of students, about 5.2%, would've stayed an additional day after school if late buses were provided.

This year the aid money was put towards new weight room equipment and woodworking machinery. According to Mr. Hemlin the school had to “dispose of some equipment over the years” because of its functionality. The decision to revamp the weightroom and woodworking machinery was made carefully, using the input of the Athletic Director, sports coaches, P.E. teachers, and Mahar's Director of Facilities Mr. Tom Bates.

While some students were unhappy that the aid went to new equipment and not the to the program of their choice, it should be noted that the Finance and Facilities Committee incorporated student voice through the school council. The school council is composed of a student’s parent from each grade, two student council representatives, both principals, and representatives from the Mahar Teacher Association. The committee plans to continue incorporating student voice through the school council in the years to come.

The school will be receiving rural aid money again this year. However, the aid amount has not yet been announced. Although there are no “set in stone” plans for the spending of this year‘s rural aid, Mr. Hemlin explains that the replacement of the turf and keeping up with “cutting edge technology” are some of the needs that will have to be addressed in the years to come.