LONDONDERRY — After a six-and-a-half hour marathon public hearing last Wednesday night, the School Board moved the $64.7 million budget to the deliberative session Feb. 10.
The School Board's operating budget is $356,209 less than the default budget. If approved as is at the deliberative session, the choice will go to voters March 13.
Resident Mike Brown asked the board to cut another $340,000 to keep a flat tax rate.
"We can't do that," board member Steve Young said. "We are already losing $1.2 million from the state."
The amount Young was referring to includes the money being withheld from the state's retirement contributions, as well as catastrophic aid for special education.
Several residents who had children go through the Londonderry school system spoke during the meeting, including Pollyann Winslow, whose daughter graduated in 2011 from Londonderry High School.
Winslow pointed out the excellent education her daughter received, as well as the experiences with extracurricular activities, in particular, the Marching Lancers Band.
"There may be a few teacher cuts because of enrollment numbers," School Board Chairman John Robinson said. "But we are maintaining all programs and services as they exist today for the 2013 school year."
While the School Board voted consistently, 5-0, in favor of all warrant articles, the Budget Committee was not so agreeable.
The Budget Committee voted, 7-0, against recommending the teacher's collective bargaining agreement that would give a 2.5 percent salary increase across the district. The estimated cost of this would be $625,000 for fiscal year 2013-2014.
The Budget Committee did not vote on the allied health professionals bargaining agreement that has an estimated cost of $56,426 for fiscal year 2013-2014. The committee planned to meet with Robinson, School Board member Ron Campo, Superintendent Nate Greenberg and district business administrator Peter Curro in the days following the hearing to further discuss the two unions agreements. The committee had until Tuesday night to make its recommendation.
The Budget Committee also was split, 4-3, against the $600,000 sum for the school buildings maintenance trust fund.
The eight warrant articles discussed, plus the election of two three-year seats on the School Board, will be placed on the ballot in March.
Voters are urged to attend the deliberative session on Friday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. in Londonderry High School's cafeteria to make any changes to the proposed articles. They can be amended at that time by a vote with those present. A quorum is not needed to vote on any changes.
For a full list of warrant articles and descriptions, visit londonderry.org.
• • •
Join the discussion. To comment on stories and see what others are saying, log on to derrynews.com.
