AMESBURY — Months after Amesbury Innovation High School students stood outside City Hall to protest a proposed move to the city’s high school, they are now facing the possibility of the school being shut down completely.
The new threat comes as city officials weigh what to cut should a proposed $6 million budget override fail to be approved in November.
The override question proposed by Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove reads: “Shall the city of Amesbury be allowed to assess an additional $6 million in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the operating budgets of the city and of the public schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026?”
If approved, the override would increase property taxes for Amesbury residents.
“The expected increase to property taxes for the average single-family home in Amesbury based on the FY2025 value of $626,318 is $964.53 or $80.38 per month. The actual increase for each homeowner is based on the most up to date assessment for the home and the current fiscal year’s budget,” the city’s website said.
AIHS was founded in 2001 by teachers and administrators who felt there was a need to provide an alternative to students not succeeding in a traditional high school setting, according to its website.
The school’s possible closure is one of the effects of a failed override listed on the city website alongside eliminating city employees and public school teaching positions.
Principal Evan Melanson said if the school were to close, current and potential students would feel the effects.
“The impact would definitely be on our current students, future students of Amesbury that could benefit from the specific setting that we offer, those specific supports that we’re able to offer and what we do here,” he said.
Melanson said despite the possible threat, staff and students are continuing as normal until told otherwise.
“They’re nervous. They’re unfortunately familiar with the feeling based on the budget crisis that many cities are facing right now and especially educationally. The educational budgets specifically, they are such a huge part of the town’s operating budget. They’re concerned, but they’re hopeful and optimistic, and we’re continuing every day like we’re going to be here forever,” he said.
Melanson said while voters may not have a direct connection to Amesbury Public Schools, cuts within the district could have a long-term impact.
“Sure, there may be people out there that don’t currently have students in the district or children in the district. But also the kids that are in our district are going to remain in our district. And, they’re going to be the ones that become members of our society here. So, it impacts a lot of people,” he said.
Melanson also said he encourages voters to learn more about the override as the election approaches.
“I think that I would just urge people to do the research and understand why we’re in the position that we are,” he said.