Amherst school budget, the contingency budget is higher than the proposed budget?

How does that work? Normally the contingency is smaller and they use that as the excuse to cut all sorts of perks, and programs, but this year the contingency is higher but it still has the disclaimer about no school supplies, not being able ot use the buildings after hours, no non-essential maintenance, etc.
http://www.amherstschools.org/distri...?subpage=35953
http://www.amherstschools.org/files/...16%20final.pdf

Sharky, this is simply a reflection of a longstanding policy of the state legislature to change state law in a way that preserves the appearance of local control of the school budget while stripping away meaningful control. Most voters woke up way to late to the scam and its unlikely the clock can be turned back.