[{"_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",[32,76,87],{"_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",6087424,"mediaKeyId","2890174-ad5801e8ea69d28c088bdf28c66d103c","parentId",2890174,"title","School board advances $9.05 million bond for full‑day kindergarten, district office renovations to deliberative session","audioSeconds",2763,"startMs",435000,"endMs",3198000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2890174-ad5801e8ea69d28c088bdf28c66d103c&start=435&end=3198","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2890174-ad5801e8ea69d28c088bdf28c66d103c/thumbnail_435000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6087424/New-Hampshire/School-board-advances-905-million-bond-for-fullday-kindergarten-district-office-renovations-to-deliberative-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087424-a8bfa1152f076c5afce535547242350b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169103&Signature=lVj62ZG9c94ZXgRNCY7m~2Q3Aq0Q1I59WsOeRcgtOXbKgCiPOn6-qoJwdg~4srkQS4XaxiqTniiOugRuJMm1uioga4khf67xJGEoPca7ytVw1vmbmotAKJr5VSkEHzVNn4fJAKYEShVvl2TB~HyT6K9TINrSUsQELmMx7Tghcgn4FumON6Vp0cwYszVCtwhZnj~~3n1pdx2aLl9eQcDU8Y4XINBF5ie-5wYDQn62DA2gz~FT2Q7GxxWEv1u2Y~MQCaCslhVEbDBpUUx1PYKkECq~lxIUS0hy64YdE6LBb67AZ6I4pS7aNiE9zn6ePD-Hyq~4HD2UNCQseaVaAbRWdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Londonderry School District","date","2025-01-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Londonderry School Board voted 5‑0 on Jan. 14 to send a $9,050,000 warrant article on full‑day kindergarten and district office renovations to the March deliberative session.

The article would raise $9,050,000 for “the design, construction, furnishing and equipping of modular classroom additions and renovations at South, North and Matthew Thornton elementary schools to create additional classroom space to accommodate a districtwide full‑day kindergarten program and for improvements and renovations of Moose Hill School to serve as district central administrative office,” and authorize bonds under the Municipal Finance Act, the board’s reading of the warrant said.

Board members and district staff framed the proposal as a compromise designed to reduce costs from last year’s larger proposal while also resolving the district office lease situation. Superintendent Dan (presenter) said the plan would add eight attached modular classrooms — four at Matthew Thornton and four split between North and South schools — and convert part of Moose Hill to district offices once kindergarten seats are relocated. He said the modular classrooms would be attached to existing buildings, include bathrooms where needed and would remain in place for at least 15 years.

Why it matters: proponents said full‑day kindergarten provides more instructional time and helps reduce remediation in early grades. District financial modeling presented to the board showed upfront capital and staffing costs in the first years but projected operating savings and increased state aid later in the bond term, the presenters said.

Details and tradeoffs
- Cost and tax impact: the warrant specifies a $9,050,000 authorization. District staff presented projected tax impacts as cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, showing a lower initial cents impact (presenters referenced roughly 4¢ in early years) and higher cents in later years (presenters referenced figures near 12¢ in some years), based on a 15‑year bond at a 3.46% interest rate and 2024 assessments. The board noted those were estimates and depend on bond terms and future assessments.
- Classroom siting and capacity: staff described attached 1,200‑square‑foot classrooms with hallways at Matthew Thornton and 900‑square‑foot classrooms at North School (near existing bathrooms). The plan keeps the LEAP preschool program at Moose Hill while repurposing another wing for offices.
- Enrollment and staffing: presenters said current enrollment trends are lower than several years ago and that the eight modular classrooms would allow the district to serve roughly 1,720 K–5 students under current scheduling; they projected capacity up to about 1,840–1,900 K–5 if needed. Operating cost projections showed a much smaller staffing increase than last year’s proposal — presenters estimated roughly two additional full‑time certificated staff in later years compared with much larger increments in the previous plan.
- Savings claimed: district staff said the plan would eliminate the midday bus run and estimated roughly $283,000 in annual savings from that change; they also cited savings from retiring other bonds and from ending or reducing a district office lease.

Public comment and board reaction
Speakers at the public hearing were largely supportive. Christine Perez and Beth Marocco (public commenters) urged the board to adopt full‑day kindergarten; Jonathan Esposito and Oscar Clark asked about socialization, transportation and how many kindergarten‑age children live in town; several speakers urged robust public information ahead of the March vote. Board members acknowledged questions about tax impacts and enrollment trends and said they would continue outreach and provide more detail in the coming weeks.

Board actions
- The board opened and closed a public hearing on the warrant article and, during deliberations, moved to place the article on the deliberative session. A motion to move the article to the deliberative session passed 5‑0 (motion by Sarah Laughlin; second by Amanda Butcher). The board then voted 5‑0 to indicate its support for the article at the deliberative session; Sarah Laughlin made the motion and Amanda Butcher seconded.

What’s next
The article will appear on the district’s warrant for the March deliberative session. The board and administration said they will publish further cost breakdowns, renderings and enrollment models for voters ahead of March and will present the article at the deliberative session.

(Transcript excerpts show the presentation and public hearing beginning at the board’s announcement of the public hearing and the board’s deliberation and final motions to move Article 2 to the deliberative session.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Budget Hearing/Bond Hearing January 14th 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Londonderry School Board voted 5‑0 on Jan. 14 to place a $9,050,000 warrant article on the March deliberative session to fund modular classrooms for full‑day kindergarten at three elementary schools and to convert Moose Hill School into district offices.","taxTitle","Londonderry School District, School Districts, New Hampshire","taxId",57338,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6087414,"Warrants and collective‑bargaining articles moved to deliberative session; board records unanimous support for items",0,7766000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2890174-ad5801e8ea69d28c088bdf28c66d103c&start=7766&end=7766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2890174-ad5801e8ea69d28c088bdf28c66d103c/thumbnail_7766000.jpg","/articles/6087414/New-Hampshire/Warrants-and-collectivebargaining-articles-moved-to-deliberative-session-board-records-unanimous-support-for-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087414-04cc3eab456ad0b10fd16c4b8b7d1fd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169103&Signature=jxFOAXZ32i74jCqqB1tkuwaaNTJrexavRNvzaXOlaIjC0HbmD75p8n-XuuIGzNZTGZKT0FkTErOMzoauR6MJq6VztCTxhS3bTEZ8iLjjI-tqP-K7JJPUjGTEddjZ5SyNV4pxwARTVJu59Oy7bdrSPwQrdKBd~LklI829weoHRJ4iXtQJ3DEe1ZJP~AqxsAYEEokxN6smo7ktLWz4xPVonxMtUPLoKf7hIMM23wdWhisFdNsBcCsySMkTK2O6Cc6eQj-izoa7UJ65RXoEdEYkPsNLd-pZSOkEkrSm~b2VHEBMudcw9aNg1gBqAGmF-v7L6zEhWiCchJaVsVsx5clg~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Londonderry School Board on Jan. 14 advanced multiple warrant articles to the March deliberative session and recorded its support for those articles. Where the meeting recorded formal motions or roll calls, the board voted unanimously (5‑0) to move each item to the deliberative session and to indicate board support at the meeting.

Votes at a glance (board actions on Jan. 14)
- Article 4 — Londonderry Education Association (LEA) collective bargaining agreement: Board moved the article to the deliberative session (motion by Sarah Laughlin; second by Amanda Butcher) and recorded board support. Warrant summary: additional cost items totaling $1,920,879 for FY 2025–26 (estimated tax impact presented as cents per $1,000). Board vote: 5‑0 to move and to support.
- Article 5 — Londonderry Association of Allied Health Professionals collective bargaining agreement: Board moved the article to the deliberative session and recorded support. Warrant summary: additional cost items totaling $189,307 for FY 2025–26 (estimated tax impact presented). Board vote: 5‑0 to move and to support.
- Article 6 — Authorization for special meeting on cost items (contingency language should bargaining articles fail): Board moved article to deliberative session (5‑0).
- Article 7 — School lunch programs and federal projects: Board moved the article to deliberative session (5‑0). Warrant language authorizes receipt and appropriation of federal funds and school lunch program revenue in a special revenue fund (amounts listed in warrant).
- Article 8 — Buildings and grounds capital reserve fund: Board moved $520,000 to the districtwide buildings and grounds capital reserve fund to cover listed deferred‑maintenance projects (5‑0 to move).
- Article 9 — Technology network infrastructure capital reserve fund: Board moved $125,000 to the technology/network infrastructure reserve fund for security software, server maintenance and network hardware (5‑0 to move).
- Article 10 — Equipment capital reserve fund: Board moved up to $95,000 from fund balance into the equipment capital reserve fund (5‑0 to move).
- Article 11 — Vehicle and machinery capital reserve fund: Board moved up to $50,000 from fund balance to replace vehicles and machinery, including district mower and a box truck for the music program (5‑0 to move).

A procedural note: a citizen petition referencing a state tax‑cap statute was submitted during the meeting but the petitioner indicated a typographical error and removed the article during the same meeting; the board did not act on that petition.

What this means
All movings to the deliberative session permit fuller debate and amendment at the March meeting, followed by any ballot vote required by statute. The board’s recorded votes indicate it intends to support the listed warrant items at the deliberative session; final voter approval is required for appropriation or ratification of collective bargaining cost items.

(Transcript shows each article read on the record and motions to move articles to the deliberative session; voters will consider the articles at the March deliberative session and at the subsequent ballot.)","At its Jan. 14 meeting the Londonderry School Board moved multiple warrant articles — including teacher and allied‑health contracts and several capital reserve appropriations — to the March deliberative session and recorded board votes indicating support. The board also opened and closed hearings required by statute where applicable.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6087420,"Board moves $89.12 million operating budget to deliberative session after public questions on staffing, placements and social supports",2842,3334000,6176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2890174-ad5801e8ea69d28c088bdf28c66d103c&start=3334&end=6176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2890174-ad5801e8ea69d28c088bdf28c66d103c/thumbnail_3334000.jpg","/articles/6087420/New-Hampshire/Board-moves-8912-million-operating-budget-to-deliberative-session-after-public-questions-on-staffing-placements-and-social-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087420-135edd5701420ce819ff57df424ce924/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169103&Signature=FJ7UAKAQWS3P9k-3nkTB31pc9pY4OjTC9X1ONG6cIm7XwP3hw8UdjT96z8wyy4KdwAuZLtfjs1B7TmC9QRNm8f8RvxNbeevQkT7T8XhQ2vSD4MspYf0FwnNM-zzURwQtlXXOsgQFx8mtC3p1xopTArKiZ5d2iiCN7R7rNku98sqmQ6KUdsPzGB4~Qz0lCGMOlmcCrnyUSsAYHP4CUcFhymipkdmO7G-CQuLlZRv17zP83Z6T9rX6OzF65vuCNIRcHQ65cECU1JYDVOp0gmH~nX5o~pNdNZof1uRUuBtmpOgt~dW4c50zhYPGLV5St-F5fLjdqsOs7IESQRFv3vmTmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Londonderry School Board voted 5‑0 on Jan. 14 to place the district’s proposed operating budget for fiscal 2025–26 on the March deliberative session.

The board’s warrant language listed two budget choices: the proposed operating budget of $89,116,875 (the board‑recommended figure) and the default budget of $89,240,249. District presenters said the recommended budget is roughly $33,000 below last year’s voter‑approved operating figure and about $123,000 below the statutory default budget.

Nut graf: District leaders described a largely level‑funded operating plan that seeks to maintain core academic and co‑curricular programs while responding to lower enrollment and rising out‑of‑district special‑education placement costs. The budget includes targeted new investments and staff changes the district says will better serve students while holding overall spending roughly flat.

Key details
- Size and drivers: presenters said the proposed budget is about $89.12 million and that the district is projecting a net enrollment decline of about 61 students. The largest new cost driver noted was a roughly $1.2 million increase for placed special‑education students. Other savings came from retired bonds and lower one‑time literacy rollout costs from the prior year.
- New investments: the recommended budget adds a social worker to serve grades 6–12, funds a new fire‑science/ career‑connected learning class and provides modest funding to expand advanced placement classes and middle‑school athletics stipends. Administrators said the social worker will be a district employee and the district will pursue any eligible Medicaid or other reimbursement channels where applicable but that routine social‑worker support for general students would be a school service rather than a Medicaid‑billable service unless tied to a specific IEP or 504 plan.
- Staff reductions: presenters said the budget reduces about 14 staff positions over a two‑year period (net savings of about $1.1 million), including two special‑education positions and two high‑school staff positions; presenters said those reductions respond to lower enrollment and program changes and that administrators will use the spring to finalize assignments and staffing details.

Public questions and concerns
During the public hearing, parents and residents asked about the social‑worker role, parental consent for counseling services, details of special‑education staffing cuts and the district’s ability to serve students with high needs. Kim (special education director) clarified that Medicaid billing to schools applies only when services are prescribed in an IEP or written plan and that general social‑work supports for students without such prescription are not currently a Medicaid billing pathway. Board members and staff repeatedly said the district would collaborate with families and obtain parental consent when appropriate.

Board action and next steps
The board opened a public hearing on the operating budget, took public comment and then voted to move the proposed operating budget to the deliberative session. Motion to move the operating budget to the deliberative session passed 5‑0 (motion by Sarah Laughlin; second by Tim Porter). The board also recorded a 5‑0 vote in favor of supporting the budget at the deliberative session.

The superintendent and finance staff said they will post detailed budget documents and continue public outreach prior to the deliberative session. The budget will be considered again by the budget committee at a later scheduled meeting.

(Transcript excerpts show the operating‑budget presentation beginning with district staff overview and participants’ questions and the motions to place Article 3 on the deliberative session.)","The Londonderry School Board moved its proposed $89,116,875 operating budget to the March deliberative session after a public hearing that covered special‑education placements, a proposed social worker, staffing reductions and enrollment trends. The board voted unanimously to advance the budget and indicated board support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School board advances $9.05 million bond for full‑day kindergarten, district office renovations to deliberative session

Warrants and collective‑bargaining articles moved to deliberative session; board records unanimous support for items

Board moves $89.12 million operating budget to deliberative session after public questions on staffing, placements and social supports