DERRY — With the Derry School District facing a possible state funding shortfall of millions of dollars in the next few years, residents Saturday added $50,000 to the proposed budget for next year, just in case the town needs to take legal action.
At the deliberative session, school officials presented the proposed $80.3 million budget for the 2010-2011 school year, up 2.38 percent over the current school year.
Voters approved sending that budget on to the ballot in the March 9 election. Approximately 100 people attended the session. They also approved an amendment adding an additional $50,000 to address any possible legal action the district may take once a new educational funding formula takes effect. Derry could lose up to $7.5 million in state money as part of the new funding plan.
Resident Kevin Coyle made the motion to add the extra money and said he did not believe the state's planned formula addressed an adequate education. He said adding $50,000 could give the school district a financial buffer in case it decides to join in with other possible lawsuits against the state. Derry Rep. Ken Gould supported the motion and said he was not particularly hopeful for Derry.
"Manchester, Nashua, Concord are scheduled to receive a lot more than we are scheduled to lose and have more votes in Concord," Gould said. "We may know more by June. I think we do need to be prepared."
School Board Chairman Brenda Willis told residents the board was proactive in its attempts to be informed about what's going on in Concord with educational funding and Derry's outcome. She said the board has met on several occasions with the governor, state senators and representatives, and other state officials.
"Our children are always first and foremost in our mind," she said. "We've done everything we can to reduce our budget. And we are working with the governor, and he is well aware of our situation."
In addition to the amended budget for next year, voters approved an article on a two-year collective bargaining agreement between the Derry district and the Derry Education Association, with an estimated salary/benefit increase of $16,714 the first year and $262,369 the second year. The proposed contract includes a 0 percent salary increase in year one and a 1 percent increase in year two.
Voters will cast ballots on the school budget and other articles on March 9. Residents also will elect three School Board members. Incumbents Brenda Willis, Ken Linehan and Kevin Gordon all are running unopposed for re-election.
Polls open in Derry at 7 a.m. Districts 1 and 4 vote at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School and Districts 2 and 3 cast ballots at West Running Brook Middle School.
