[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_75":74},"mediaId",6108496,"mediaKeyId","2767754-e54f95c4a42bd767764935532a092bd7","parentId",2767754,"title","District debates landscaping contract, Lexia license and transportation plans; electrical panel flagged as costly summer project","audioSeconds",4837,"startMs",814000,"endMs",5651000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767754-e54f95c4a42bd767764935532a092bd7&start=814&end=5651","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767754-e54f95c4a42bd767764935532a092bd7/thumbnail_814000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6108496/New-Hampshire/District-debates-landscaping-contract-Lexia-license-and-transportation-plans-electrical-panel-flagged-as-costly-summer-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108496-1d8b23a7ff7e5a9b3c3369ccbc7d29af/orig.mp4?Expires=1776410157&Signature=EcmHkSGZJjmyBuqzBgnU2FHd3y1XZQWLDKMpCTDMD7Cv5buXLP7Yntqh0Js0Sw~T8CW7r5Q5oP8JNUtdgxPFyBZW1BUt1fdnnO5G5z1GxpA9x~v6zDlxyK4FaJ3EeuSFSNdx0a3gfKMyWvv0XU2M4ET1RSYKUo7fGQWvRnMrIr5Q54d1xum48ZoS3Cohn4gOli7xh4-t~gIt5rcyUq7nR6rRFGpjlF1~E-2yruTT1Jtjs9m5W0QzF-IQZxNU5wene6geeSi9Rt3nN7tclgdCiEL9SK6c4GZAm7eU8MCEj7yI0MD-GX-l0fpUOJLx6Z4Yvr3fSfWGN6uPUHTAJ35kzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Concord School District NH","date","2025-03-25T11:25:35Z","article","Administrators described multiple facilities and operations items during the budget meeting that intersect with the capital plan and summer work schedule: a proposed district-wide landscaping and grounds-maintenance contract, a decision to discontinue the district-wide Lexia site license, transportation plans emphasizing non-CDL vehicles and charging infrastructure, and an electrical-panel issue at the high school that may require replacement.

Landscaping and grounds: Capital facilities manager Matt Cashman described a proposed landscaping scope covering spring and fall cleanup, branch removal, mulch refresh, pruning, weed control and mowing up to twice weekly at peak season. Cashman said outside contractors had been used last year because of staff shortages and that the district has roughly a million square feet of school property and five maintenance employees, with two projected out and only three remaining in the summer. A $100,000 landscaping proposal was discussed as part of the broader $703,000 FY26 capital facilities total presented in the packet; Cashman and board members discussed trade-offs and possible volunteer 'adopt-a-bed' programs to reduce costs.

Lexia and curriculum software: Administration confirmed the district will discontinue the full district Lexia site license because usage did not justify the approximate $70,000 site-license cost. Lexia Pro will be retained for high-school special-education students funded from a special-education budget line; Title I schools can continue to support primary-level licenses using existing Title I funds if sites choose.

Transportation and vans: Administration reported continued driver shortages (roughly 11\u001112 vacant drivers referenced) and ongoing negotiations to expand non-CDL vehicle use for student transport. Staff said the district currently has a mix of CDL and non-CDL small vehicles and is exploring leases or trade-ins rather than immediate purchase, and that decisions on buying non-CDL vehicles would depend on workforce availability. Electric-charger installation for buses remains pending on external grant funding; administrators said chargers and electrical runs are expensive and that they have set aside an insurance payout from a totaled bus to help pay for chargers if needed.

High-school electrical panel: Capital staff and a vendor flagged a main breaker panel at the high school with older equipment (a discontinued Schneider/Square D legend switch/breaker). The panel is a 3,000-amp main; vendor notes indicated a known design flaw in the handle mechanism that could break during maintenance and render power inoperable. Administration said replacement would be best performed during an already planned summer shutdown; preliminary cost estimates provided in the meeting ranged approximately from $50,000 to $200,000 depending on scope and required arc-flash safety upgrades.

Board members asked that administration prioritize projects, provide precise cost estimates and timing tied to summer shutdowns and bids, and return with potential funding sources. The board agreed that, because some items are contingent on grant awards or bids, administration should present firm figures and options before committing to large purchases.

Ending: Administration said it would bring detailed bids and prioritization to the capital facilities committee and the board; transportation items and charger funding remain contingent on grant awards and workforce availability.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Concord School Board Budget Session #8 | 3-24-25","oneSentenceSummary","Administrators described a proposed landscaping contract, changes to reading software licenses, ongoing transportation hiring and vehicle plans, and a potentially expensive electrical-panel replacement for the high school. Board and staff discussed cost, priorities and grant timing during the budget review.","taxTitle","Concord School District, School Districts, New Hampshire","taxId",60242,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108501,"Board tables decision on middle school SRO and proposed restorative-justice role; discussion to continue Wednesday",2060,3048000,5108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767754-e54f95c4a42bd767764935532a092bd7&start=3048&end=5108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767754-e54f95c4a42bd767764935532a092bd7/thumbnail_3048000.jpg","/articles/6108501/New-Hampshire/Board-tables-decision-on-middle-school-SRO-and-proposed-restorative-justice-role-discussion-to-continue-Wednesday","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108501-f1a7ecc0e953eaafbb2766ad5fcc82c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776410157&Signature=SF1FlxkxNv592Kgu5Vb8-3Inu-sECGFjBbVSRL~PvGWXqxJ2zyIadl7eqzMInM9C0tgwd~rKB1MnidZnc6kIsyh6QsvVxYN5T3hFSrNVMWVzNb2QxculVZCvz1gwJ-Oa00wUG9ouWcOLoZySzynUvw203a2Zwfd~smaILkpritUL8q~MyGzcJUfWTl8ZyuYgCQAWXhR2hzh8SZ3leWjck8aCf355PDY~oWiy8yuSZO6d0z9XkpGvRVfOE~Nhr1OV1~kwEQ6ywqjrW1thbX2jmyjuxNaHzm-03eY27RFAOj-46KUmmfS3nObs~ym5mGLb0A9pDbOWpHMx4j51UD2UWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Concord School District Board tabled a proposal on personnel changes that would have removed the safety resource officer (SRO) line item for Runlet Middle School and redirected funds toward a restorative-justice/juvenile-justice position. The motion to table the proposal until the board's Wednesday meeting passed on a 6-3 roll-call vote.

The deferred proposal began as a multipart suggestion from several board members. One proposal would have removed the district's director of DEIJ (diversity, equity, inclusion and justice) from the budget (a line-item amount cited in the meeting packet as $136,071) and use those funds to add a restorative-justice/juvenile-justice position (roughly budgeted at $100,000 in discussions) while also eliminating the SRO line (a $101,000-plus line in the packet).

Board members and administrators discussed the practical and philosophical issues behind those requests. Principal Richard and other administrators described operational needs at Runlet Middle School and the benefits they have seen from an on-site SRO in past roles, including relationship-building and crisis support. Others on the board raised concerns about policing inside schools and said they preferred a social-worker or restorative-justice professional with juvenile-justice experience. Administration noted potential grant opportunities (Project AWARE and others) but cautioned that many grants require multi-year commitments and are not a year-long trial.

Because the proposed staffing changes intersect with an ongoing equity audit by Great Schools Partnership and pending grant awards (grant outcomes expected in April for some positions), board members sought additional time. Miss Robinson moved to remove the SRO line item and reallocate the DEIJ director funds; Miss Maker seconded. Following discussion, a motion to table the matter to Wednesday, moved and seconded by board members, passed 6-3 (roll-call recorded in the transcript). While tabled, the budget remains in its current status quo until the board reconvenes.

Ending: Administration and board members agreed to return Wednesday with clearer job descriptions, grant-status information, and concrete salary/benefit numbers so the board can weigh the trade-offs between SRO staffing and restorative-justice staffing.","The board deferred action on removing a middle-school school resource officer (SRO) line item and replacing it with a restorative-justice/juvenile-justice position. The tabling motion passed 6-3; the substantive personnel motion remains open for future consideration.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108506,"Board approves $150,000 boost for summer capital maintenance; funds from general fund",1526,1144000,2670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767754-e54f95c4a42bd767764935532a092bd7&start=1144&end=2670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767754-e54f95c4a42bd767764935532a092bd7/thumbnail_1144000.jpg","/articles/6108506/New-Hampshire/Board-approves-150000-boost-for-summer-capital-maintenance-funds-from-general-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108506-b84ff581076561ba0844180abcdc7283/orig.mp4?Expires=1776410157&Signature=c~nXHQf8dXuqnMAfxeNOzVNWgzH8iWL0IC6ZLGFhtfmxBe9asn2xxeXngzQe6cq7efgChRFHLTmdDKG~r1JkuCc1P~QgFVV~4l9vTQCwekLTo7HFiVprdbKtbG2LHt~tPErm-yjl6hTrQaw4FYOVCVQtT4D6XXDTjAdtq7CMNMpAdnTU3ZvyAd4YFHXf8hM86sw~d17RdpZEoU3rn718XyFn5WvnDKSptPMTEYo76asYmleADsOaK2Y4C3of0zSIZimlpSgGUVz2PQ5hwsOrdrnJq6UUq5iaAf-IiVVKjyagkwiiKK9sQs5k3PhDFBXamscj6cHG4fmZqWpqUXzTHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Concord School District Board of Education voted 5-3 to increase the district's capital facilities summer maintenance budget by $150,000, approving the amendment during its budget discussion. The motion was moved by Mr. Richards and seconded by Miss Bushey. The board directed the funds to summer maintenance projects in the capital facilities account with the additional amount to come from the district's general fund.

The measure was presented as part of a larger capital plan discussion that included a proposed spring/fall landscaping contract, increased grounds maintenance for athletic fields and site cleanup, and reprioritization of painting and HVAC work. Capital facilities manager Matt Cashman told the board the district has 5 maintenance employees, a little over a million square feet of school property and that outside contractors had been used last season to keep grounds maintained. \"You judge a book by its cover,\" Cashman said, urging investment in appearance and functionality.

Board debate focused on where the money should come from. Several board members pushed to split the increase or draw from maintenance trust funds; others warned that tapping reserves would reduce emergency capacity and could affect the district's credit outlook. Jack (business manager) and administration highlighted an S&P Global Ratings view that excessive draws on reserves without a restoration plan could harm borrowing capacity. After multiple amendments and failed proposals to limit or split the increase, the original $150,000 increase proposed by Richards passed on a 5-3 vote.

Opponents argued for a more cautious approach and for using trust funds to avoid expanding the general fund drawdown. Supporters said the work is urgent, citing clogged storm drainage, fields that need more frequent mowing and maintenance backlogs. Cashman and others stressed that some projects are one-time items tied to larger summer shutdowns and that planned work may avoid costlier emergency repairs later.

The board asked administration to return Wednesday with additional detail on priorities and specifics of how the increase would be allocated among landscaping, turf/field maintenance, painting, HVAC cleaning and other summer projects.

The vote amends the proposed capital facilities budget for FY26 summer maintenance projects, increasing the allocation by $150,000 from the general fund. Implementation and bidding will be managed by capital facilities staff and the business office.

Ending: Board members said they expect to follow up with the capital facilities committee and to monitor reserve levels later in the budget cycle; administration noted the district can re-open budget items in October if conditions change.","The Concord School District Board voted 5-3 to increase the capital facilities summer maintenance budget by $150,000, returning more money to summer grounds and building upkeep after months of staff shortages and community concern over school grounds.","actionData","errors"]

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District debates landscaping contract, Lexia license and transportation plans; electrical panel flagged as costly summer project

Board tables decision on middle school SRO and proposed restorative-justice role; discussion to continue Wednesday

Board approves $150,000 boost for summer capital maintenance; funds from general fund