MONSON, Mass. (WWLP) - As more school systems face budget cuts, parents and educators are speaking out about the impacts it could have on students. Monson Public Schools is facing a nearly million-dollar deficit and the school committee went before the select board earlier Monday evening to prese nt their budget needs, a plea to Monson town officials. Belchertown School System faces $2.1 million deficit, Prop 2½ override proposed Students, parents, and teachers sounded the alarm on the potential impacts. If the most recent round of proposed budget cuts to the school system is approved. Madelyn Moreau, a student at Monson High, states, "That means I don't get to participate in the sports that I want to participate in, loss of scholarships. We are in a small town, but it's important." Monson Public Schools is facing a deficit of nearly $1 million, and as of the school committee's March 19th meeting, it's putting a lot at stake. Proposed cuts by the school committee include: Counselor staffing 7th/8th-grade teaching positions Math Coaching High school library staffing Programming, like sports, music, and technology "We understand that the rising costs are not sustainable for rural districts for small rural districts like ours," said concerned parent Erica Nissenbaum. "We are hoping that we can come to a compromise between the school department and the town." The rally took place before a tri-board meeting as the school committee presented their budget to the select board and finance committee who will then have to decide if they have the funds to support it. The preliminary request from the school department includes a 9.5% increase in its operating budget and a 5% increase in transportation. Interim Superintendent of Monson Public Schools Roland Joyal stated, "That's our number one priority is to give them the services that they need, whether they are special education services, gifted and talented services, athletics, or the lunches that they deserve. They are fighting for their students." This is a developing story and we will have an update with the results of Monday night's meeting as soon as that becomes available. Local News Headlines Maureen Neal, wife of Congressman Richard Neal, has died Chicopee law enforcement to conduct emergency training at Memorial State Park Belchertown police recover rifles, search for suspect Massachusetts sex offender remains in prison for downloading over 300 files of child porn WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less