HOOKSETT – The 220 voters attending the deliberative session of Hooksett School District Meeting on Feb. 7 were largely supportive of the spending presented, making no changes to the seven warrant articles which will go to a general vote on March 11.
Nevertheless, there was a lot of discussion on almost every article, making for a three hour meeting.
There was an attempt to reduce the general operating budget of nearly $45 million by $126,66, the cost for modular classrooms.
It was pointed out that the operating budget is a bottom-line budget, so line items cannot be adjusted. The change failed on an emphatic voice vote.
“My taxes have doubled since I bought (my house),” said Mike Dullen a member of the PTA, who nevertheless supported the full budget. He noted that revaluation of property has had a lot to do with the increase and that Hooksett historically has a large amount of surplus left in its budget each year.
“We lost seven staff members last year by ending up at the default itself. Special education matters. These kids deserve the opportunity,” he said.
School Board member Evelyn Baker defended the budget.
“The school board worked very hard on this budget. We are above state averages” on state testing scores, she said.
Article 2 would fund a number of renovations to Hooksett Memorial School, which serves students in Grades 3-5. Rather than the larger bond presented last year meant to make repairs at all three of Hooksett’s schools, which failed, this year voters are asked to support a nearly $6 million bond to address issues at Memorial School only.
“Our goal is to spread it out,” said SAU 15 Superintendent William Rearick, referring to the long-term plan. “We heard (voters’) concerns about financing.”
The estimated tax impact of this warrant article is listed as 17 cents per thousand of valuation. That translates to $85 on a $500,000 home for the first year. The cost of the bond would be lower in ensuing years.
Alan Brennan questioned who owns the schools and criticized the architecture of flat roofs so common on school buildings.
School Board Vice Chair Jillian Godbout answered that flat roofs are not out of the ordinary and that they only received one bid to do the work necessary on the school. All three schools are owned by the school district.
Article 8, $58,005 to buy new desks, chairs, and other items led to some back-and-forth betwen the budget committee and the school board. Amy Tremblay of the school board said they were simply trying to be transparent with voters. This article is listed to have a 2 cent tax impact, or $10 for a $500,000 property.
An video explaining the conditions of Hooksett Memorial School can be found on the school’s website at https://memorial.sau15.net.
Voters will have their say at the polls on March 11 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Cawley School.
