[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6298321,"mediaKeyId","2504797-5f9222c4caced6c11849663f25fd37d4","parentId",2504797,"title","Stratham approves small capital reserve additions; meeting tallies bond and budget votes","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",8711000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2504797-5f9222c4caced6c11849663f25fd37d4&start=8711&end=8711","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2504797-5f9222c4caced6c11849663f25fd37d4/thumbnail_8711000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6298321/New-Hampshire/Stratham-approves-small-capital-reserve-additions-meeting-tallies-bond-and-budget-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298321-99d7a0a9de3ec39fc55e300a7eefece1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221719&Signature=PuUSeH0hoH-YEVkkYqCTUaJRk8ItIPFiKqrAtHYjMBm18C4Nqmw~6TZdOt-ica11idsCTojvV7xf0nkTp9EZZA8GSOGm43vu2n9UX3E1fHXFODjAVJ1KqtMyxa1hDViWiBfdW23cG38COiqsog9p1e5iWt0FhtNkqOI0POpYaEIaQGtzSdU-Fx~vu-GpctG9nfgaRQTnwsmlKclJM5NclWqzfcre~K1MHJ9AYOaXfo~3iv~UN~8NXiRq1Dy-uIpGLg36nDmgveBV4-~Locscp6~7fvaRRy372~aZusqkl4raM7cv2oOMx9WjDrlI4GM4njQZuDzV5q3UuIJaCawTQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Stratham School District NH","date","2025-03-05T16:11:55Z","article","Voters at the Stratham School District meeting approved two warrant articles that add funds to existing capital reserve accounts and finalized earlier votes on the bond and operating budget.

Article 3 (Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund) — Voters approved adding $20,000 to the maintenance capital reserve fund, with the sum to be taken from the district’s June 30 fund balance; no additional taxation was required. The article was recommended by both the Stratham School Board and the Financial Advisory Committee (each 5–0).

Article 4 (Technology Capital Reserve Fund) — Voters approved adding $10,000 to the technology capital reserve fund, again to come from the June 30 fund balance with no additional tax impact. The article was recommended by both the board and the Financial Advisory Committee (each 5–0).

The meeting also announced the previously conducted ballot result for Article 1 (school building renovation bond). The moderator read the results as recorded at the count: 7 abstentions, 28 no and 411 yes; the moderator declared Article 1 passed and the meeting restricted reconsideration. Article 2 (operating budget) was adopted as amended to $15,636,375 after a floor amendment that added $110,000; that article also had reconsideration restricted after passage.

Votes at a glance
- Article 1 — School building renovation bond: $11,961,745 bond; additional $299,044 for 2025–26 debt service; ballot vote; moderator announced tally as read at meeting (7 abstain, 28 no, 411 yes); outcome: approved; three‑fifths/ballot required.
- Article 2 — Operating budget: Adopted as amended to $15,636,375 (amendment restored $110,000); outcome: approved by voice vote; majority required.
- Article 3 — Maintenance capital reserve fund: $20,000 from fund balance; outcome: approved by voice vote; majority required.
- Article 4 — Technology capital reserve fund: $10,000 from fund balance; outcome: approved by voice vote; majority required.

Procedural notes: the meeting opened a one‑hour ballot box for the bond article (as required by the RSA cited in the warrant); after ballot counting the moderator announced results and the assembly approved motions to restrict reconsideration so Articles 1 and 2 would not be revived that same session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Stratham School District Annual Meeting 3/4/25","oneSentenceSummary","The district added $20,000 to the maintenance capital reserve fund and $10,000 to the technology capital reserve fund (both from fund balance). The meeting also recorded final results for Articles 1 and 2 and adopted motions to restrict reconsideration.","taxTitle","Stratham School District, School Districts, New Hampshire","taxId",76477,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6298326,"Stratham approves 2025 operating budget after restoring $110,000 to preserve a teaching position",2345,5605000,7950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2504797-5f9222c4caced6c11849663f25fd37d4&start=5605&end=7950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2504797-5f9222c4caced6c11849663f25fd37d4/thumbnail_5605000.jpg","/articles/6298326/New-Hampshire/Stratham-approves-2025-operating-budget-after-restoring-110000-to-preserve-a-teaching-position","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298326-8d2050882197d0e6bbe53d46c562ec80/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221719&Signature=aXKojUdL67HQLXEqYwY2TtImj4D9Xdd428wJ2EncfyXodEYCI9BQX8TBckenowMe-j5BW8PTXoRuAp0yXKCaWGKWX90eSfxHsleSEf~pSlrDB~GfeRDCoLWPBSL21KAHONGxtRZmQoQ6hIdGLToqHMcQA-t5mvwjIaq0E~hCZt0u1kh4s8dj~Ckq4ewvNnMFNYBjAolN1NLtkUqaH-Z1XBUyf0XC0vUWhkYQGO01OgkaA~CpHjUvAJGZd4dkhHnCoj0wGbOWS3euYBzdY1XAXNSftHg6QC99KrUkKVwCjKngP8mS9cZZu26-hycnVTiXAYiKJtl2~zgq9lWuDEolMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stratham voters approved the school operating budget for 2025 at a district meeting, passing an amended appropriation of $15,636,375 after an amendment restored $110,000 to the board‑recommended total.

Principal Kate Lucas and Board Chair Jennifer Scrafford presented the budget framework and timeline, and noted the heavy share of salary and benefits in the district’s budget. The district’s proposed operating budget went through multiple iterations: an initial proposed increase of roughly 4.93 percent, a second version at about 2.73 percent, and the final board‑approved proposal at 1.99 percent over the prior year, before the amendment introduced at the meeting.

An amendment to add $110,000 back into Article 2 — restoring the average salary and benefits for one certificated position — was moved by Gail Vardakis and seconded by Heather MacNeil. Supporters of the amendment said the Financial Advisory Committee had vetted the larger figure and that removing the funds would increase class sizes and reduce one‑on‑one instruction. Cameron Orr, a member of the Financial Advisory Committee, said the committee had recommended the higher amount and quoted the superintendent’s warning that further reductions could require program or staff cuts.

Opponents cited declining enrollment, reassessment impacts on taxpayer burdens and the town’s overall tax picture. Several residents and committee members urged caution because the district’s personnel and collective bargaining obligations make salaries a dominant share of spending; speakers noted that roughly 95 percent of the operating budget consists of mandated items such as salaries, benefits and transportation, leaving little discretionary spending.

The amendment to increase the budget by $110,000 passed on a voice vote; after debate concluded the moderator called the final voice vote on Article 2 (as amended) and announced that the ayes had it and Article 2 passed. The meeting then approved a motion to restrict reconsideration on Article 2 so the item would not return to the floor that evening.

Speakers in favor of the amendment highlighted classroom sizes and special‑education supports. Kathleen Peck, who identified herself as school district clerk and a member of the Financial Advisory Committee, said restoring the $110,000 would prevent increases in fourth‑ and fifth‑grade class sizes and preserve access to instruction. Several parents and educators spoke in favor of the amendment, arguing that higher staff continuity and lower class sizes support student outcomes. Opponents pointed to a multi‑year decline in enrollment (testimony cited a fall from roughly 620 students in earlier years to roughly 470–499 currently) and the town’s reassessment and tax pressure.

What’s next: Article 2 now stands approved for the 2025 fiscal year at the amended amount; the district will proceed with appropriation and fall revenue scheduling, and the town’s revenue settings will determine the eventual tax rate.","The Stratham School District voted to approve a $15,636,375 operating budget after an amendment to restore $110,000 (one teacher’s salary and benefits) passed on a voice vote. The school board recommended the budget 3–2; the Financial Advisory Committee had opposed the lower figure and supported restoring the funds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6298331,"Stratham voters approve $11.96 million bond for school renovations after contested debate",7882,621000,8503000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2504797-5f9222c4caced6c11849663f25fd37d4&start=621&end=8503","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2504797-5f9222c4caced6c11849663f25fd37d4/thumbnail_621000.jpg","/articles/6298331/New-Hampshire/Stratham-voters-approve-1196-million-bond-for-school-renovations-after-contested-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298331-20da03745ee1ee167321173c0082d023/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221719&Signature=NT7CD2CvtIVo2emDaRsqCyt1CBR5gFWiDBNAvt~bF0NZf46YoFdm-F2RoCFIoVgQSSzZvo8z8Ce3kxbf3oCasSa1W0a4U-AGWJ-~Jnn6wApA~4p~6FgisDOYfhja1DupyB61nSWggyFS43SmSP6jdUNKelGWVRcY97KWyOUuiMLvYi3Ky9cWbaloPYm~i-oXgSXn4neoW6-XTviXu1OjSYEDb3bU8OJ4Dxf4uinF2R81l2F5KkKIWS41vDDH~yYSekB8NcGRPZuhUNPhZqdD7wHUGn5WfPNf7f7kwuzoFk4FnJ7QEt8MVdfpQR5pn9185OhTo2wGMKMhskqjNe-Bsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stratham voters on Tuesday approved a bond of $11,961,745 to fund renovations at Stratham Memorial School, with an additional $299,044 to cover the 2025–26 debt-service obligation.

The warrant article, introduced by the moderator and recommended by the Stratham School Board (5–0) and the Financial Advisory Committee (5–0), authorizes the board to issue bonds or notes under the Municipal Finance Act and to accept any federal or state aid that may become available.

The bond campaign was presented to voters by members of the school building subcommittee and staff. Principal Kate Lucas described the school’s educational priorities and community programs and explained the renovation plan’s focus on safety, ADA compliance and instructional space. The building subcommittee and construction manager proposed replacing two temporary classroom buildings, upgrading fire protection, improving administrative circulation, expanding the cafeteria by roughly 20 percent and adding four special-services classrooms (two of those to replace temporary classrooms), among other items. The project budget includes a 15 percent contingency and a $250,000 line for an owner’s representative.

Engineers and construction volunteers on the subcommittee emphasized the need for contingencies and compliance upgrades. Paul Corrino, who identified himself as a professional mechanical engineer and a member of the building committee, told voters that a 15 percent contingency is typical at the schematic-design stage and warned that cutting the project budget now could leave insufficient funds to finish needed work: “It’s too early. You don’t make judgments like that,” Corrino said, adding that further design phases will refine costs.

Builder and subcommittee members called Corino Construction as the pre‑construction manager selected through an RFP process. The presentation noted key line items drawn from schematic designs: sprinkler upgrades and associated water‑main work, boilers (~$235,000), an air‑handling package (about $1,000,000) with control upgrades (~$335,000), cafeteria expansion (~$730,000), office reconfiguration (~$1.4 million) and allowances for leach‑field work, roof replacement and envelope improvements. The presenters said there is roughly $240,000 in the district’s maintenance trust that could be applied to window replacement (estimated at $400,000–$500,000) but that windows were not included as an immediate necessity in the bond scope.

Floor debate included calls to reduce the bond by removing what some residents characterized as nonessential elements and by lowering contingency from 15 percent (board staff’s proposal) to 10 percent (the contractor’s suggestion). Resident Sean Dempsey moved to amend the article to reduce the bond to $10,000,000 and to lower contingency to 10 percent; the motion was seconded. Supporters of the amendment cited declining enrollment and tax pressure; opponents — including on‑site construction professionals and building‑committee members — argued the risk of underfunding the project and the need to preserve contingency for unknowns uncovered during design and construction. The amendment failed on a voice vote.

After the floor debate closed the meeting opened a one‑hour ballot for the bond (required by the RSA cited in the warrant language). When ballots were counted the moderator reported the tally as read from the meeting: 7 abstentions, 28 no, and 411 yes; the moderator announced that Article 1 passed. Following the result, the meeting approved a motion to restrict reconsideration of Article 1 so the article would not be reintroduced the same evening.

The bond authorizes the school board to issue, negotiate and deliver bonds or notes under the Municipal Finance Act and to take any other action relative thereto; the article also includes the separate appropriation of $299,044 for the project’s 2025–26 debt service.

What’s next: the bond proceeds and project planning will move into the design‑development and construction phases; presenters repeatedly said more detailed cost estimates will follow as designs are finalized and that the additional contingency was intended to prevent construction stoppages or late change orders.","At the Stratham School District meeting, voters approved a $11,961,745 bond for school renovations, including sprinkler upgrades, cafeteria expansion and replacement of temporary classrooms. The bond carried on a ballot vote; an amendment to reduce the bond to $10 million failed after floor debate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Stratham approves small capital reserve additions; meeting tallies bond and budget votes

Stratham approves 2025 operating budget after restoring $110,000 to preserve a teaching position

Stratham voters approve $11.96 million bond for school renovations after contested debate