[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_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",6469249,"mediaKeyId","5781029-f0af68fe5922486dc272f3484fb2d164","parentId",5781029,"title","Board approves eighth-grade Washington, D.C., trip","audioSeconds",70,"startMs",4941000,"endMs",5011000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781029-f0af68fe5922486dc272f3484fb2d164&start=4941&end=5011","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781029-f0af68fe5922486dc272f3484fb2d164/thumbnail_4941000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6469249/New-Hampshire/Board-approves-eighth-grade-Washington-DC-trip","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469249-c2b0a81d50b2e4587714c472c0f0371a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873061&Signature=MsMQ2L3AYSZnF6eRCVAy4vH76z9DdwTdCQLq3ilVvrVmX941HjV1jWPZD6Y93Z3qxB14DBQ9j8QgvKyIIzwt~WqFadXebEtky7KlB-JqrLDvBt2ZWXFN8uNHRm5w1jgYQ3ZxSFg4cjPMy41Re6do4KwtwpJQ~r0BLR2FW-fjWivcdHZxHY2FmconscAWo4sFXrfxJTD6gtmoJee6IZYdyy~C4kowFgZbJ2~gxQPGypoLdhFvVwSjP55NGUfOk5SnNJMN6hOqXcCexLjckhEV5u-4nCIyIgp7nVQhH-XOWDULdVH2Hxp7b1w~CiKgGai9PHvvhaiIQf2J1I4Tmzl-Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Weare School District","date","2025-09-17T00:39:43Z","article","The Weare School District Board voted Sept. 16 to approve the proposed eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., including the itinerary and hotel. Administrators said the planned agenda reflected student and staff suggestions from last year's group and that the trip budget came in equivalent to the prior year.

Why it matters: The trip is a major extracurricular and fundraising activity for the district's eighth-grade cohort and requires board approval for travel logistics and district-affiliated supervision.

Details
- Administrators said the itinerary includes museum visits and other educational stops; they noted the hotel selected received strong reviews from prior student groups.
- The board approved the trip and asked staff to continue monitoring public-health guidance and venue openings as the travel date approaches.

Outcome
The board approved the trip by voice vote; administrators were authorized to proceed with family communications and student registration under the district's usual travel protocols.

Ending
School officials said they will proceed with parent communications and required permissions and will report back on registrations and any material changes to the plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9-16-25 WSD School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The school board authorized the eighth-grade Washington, D.C., trip and approved the proposed itinerary and hotel; administrators said the agenda incorporated student feedback and that costs matched last year's group.","taxTitle","Weare School District, School Districts, New Hampshire","taxId",64355,"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},6469254,"Middle school launches house program as behavior incidents and office visits fall compared with last year",0,2188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781029-f0af68fe5922486dc272f3484fb2d164&start=2188&end=2188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781029-f0af68fe5922486dc272f3484fb2d164/thumbnail_2188000.jpg","/articles/6469254/New-Hampshire/Middle-school-launches-house-program-as-behavior-incidents-and-office-visits-fall-compared-with-last-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469254-6dfe6aaf683bc9cb4db8a3e4bfbabfe9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873061&Signature=UVlqm7cdHTt9p05OalzUzeruNxss~I0iMHogVaVxl~FAwTflGoX5wWfjDFNv35Ggx9WWvawjJjUKjEFW7QHdW440OP18nPuR0WcY9cnP~zkvyqWrGEY863szqxDdY13FrxwQkvroNoVBesghhz1-T-Dq7ndBzk6iSIv4Tt85jz3OYPRjqaztGkDPInpy5GvPMVim4lu5V1OpI8ldhPbgxMguBlURjpQi3S-~EgTa8J3jlpP0Y5-pmil8bTyPnyHlA76r8wWN2uDZm2SFAf81O3ZON63ZhppB71TDFct4Gw8~dlBW0LRIeoO1fvUAFx5FUpfK78C0za~9Cwc~SHrFlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Weare middle-school administrators described a new \"house\" program on Sept. 16 intended to increase student belonging and cross-grade relationships, and they reported early data showing fewer office behavior referrals and health-office visits than the same period last year.

House program and student engagement
The house system groups students and staff into four houses that meet weekly during advisory and participate in positive competitions and assemblies. Administrators said Friday advisory with house activities is not optional so that every student and staff member participates and the houses build continuity and connection across grades.

Why it matters: Administrators said the house model creates regular cross-grade interaction, gives staff opportunities to work with students outside of their own classes, and that early assemblies showed strong student enthusiasm.

Behavior and attendance data
Middle-school administrators presented two-year trend charts showing a marked reduction in office referrals and visits compared with last year at the same point; they said fewer students were being recorded in the health office for avoidant behavior and that administrators and coaches are seeing improved capacity among staff to address lower-level incidents.

Clubs and extracurriculars
Administrators listed potential new clubs (baking club for grades 4–5, a film/production appreciation club for grades 4–8) and said they are tracking interest from students. The administration also said that band and chorus participation remains strong and that staff are exploring whether an additional after-school transportation run would be feasible to expand participation for students who lack rides.

Board direction and next steps
Board members asked for follow-up on points-only scoring and restorative options; administrators said points awarded within houses will be only positive behaviors and staff will run assemblies and house competitions. The board asked the administration to investigate the feasibility and cost of an afternoon bus run for middle-school activities and to place that on a future transportation-committee agenda.

Ending
Administrators will return with more detailed attendance and office-referral numbers in November and will schedule a transportation committee meeting to examine after-school run feasibility and estimated costs.","Administrators described a new house program at the middle school to boost belonging and noted early declines in office visits and health-office visits compared with the prior year; they also outlined club and extracurricular proposals.",{"_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},6469259,"Board adopts policy package, approves plan to accept Education Freedom Account funds and expands public access to policies",371,4278000,4649000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781029-f0af68fe5922486dc272f3484fb2d164&start=4278&end=4649","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781029-f0af68fe5922486dc272f3484fb2d164/thumbnail_4278000.jpg","/articles/6469259/New-Hampshire/Board-adopts-policy-package-approves-plan-to-accept-Education-Freedom-Account-funds-and-expands-public-access-to-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469259-7694543d3aac9500e38429090386dd2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873061&Signature=LYyGVtKv9HGkgK8l9fttwjnpA461Zl958~jM338jQIVljTYA65Rqw-gEwZXEskWWNGghTn4ayC56r5oE-iC6Buyyp7R6~pcK03zvXq2Na689ZOAbl6OtOUl7D-FnpbpSgMGxclarsiZBeTPBbuie1~TvHE4cfDGTFLiyFJT3r4f2id7csbzmXk3P5~W4inzuWpL95y4SxVeVWYnAJYGkDWI4IxBd9WMpm2jNdFt9GSguf~TXm-wuCyQvP4wLdNWpFr6~8rb6Pd5Nu6nlAUdashH62iDPo0PSACHg86ifpEAhFSdnpe0m44UOzO5EKt0qgcwh2fUS47aejfx2YyZOog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Weare School District Board voted Sept. 16 to adopt a set of policy updates and to accept Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds for students who enroll under that state program. School leaders also described steps to make district policies and meeting materials more accessible to the public through the Simbly platform and reported heavy early use of ParentSquare for family communications.

Policy votes and EFA acceptance
Board members adopted a package of policy updates grouped under the policy codes presented on the agenda. The policy committee recommended the changes primarily to reflect new statutory requirements and to consolidate several related board policies under updated policy codes.

Separately, the board agreed that the district will accept EFA funds for eligible students who choose to use Education Freedom Accounts. Administrators explained that the acceptance allows participating students to continue accessing discrete district services (for example, unified arts) while EFA funds flow to families or providers; the board did not change tuition practice for currently enrolled students and said implementation details will be finalized with counsel.

Communications and transparency
Administrators reported the district has implemented Simbly for policy posting and as a public-facing repository for board materials; the board was told the Simbly link is available and still in implementation for some nonpublic items. Staff also reported 1,800 ParentSquare messages had been sent districtwide since the start of school, with dozens of direct teacher-family interactions and widespread parent engagement (nearly 1,000 likes/acknowledgements recorded).

Why it matters: Policy consolidation clarifies board records and compliance with state law. Accepting EFA funds is an operational decision that allows the district to provide contractable or tuition-based services to families who choose the new state program; administrators reminded the board that EFA participation statewide was nascent and that accepting funds does not necessarily change the district's enrollment or instructional model.

Board direction and next steps
Board members asked administrators to publish policy drafts in a way that allows public review before a final vote and to return with implementation procedures for EFA participants, including how adequacy funding and any transportation or extracurricular fees will be handled. Administration said legal counsel had reviewed draft language and the board would revisit details in October.

Ending
The board moved several policy items on a consent agenda and voted to accept EFA funds; administration will bring back process-level recommendations for accepting EFAs and for making Simbly policy pages more prominently accessible on the district website.","The Weare School District board approved a set of updated policies (consent agenda), agreed to accept Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds for participating students, and discussed new public-facing policy access through the Simbly platform and ParentSquare use for communications.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6469262,"Weare kindergarten teams expand orientation to balance classrooms and support families",435,434000,869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781029-f0af68fe5922486dc272f3484fb2d164&start=434&end=869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781029-f0af68fe5922486dc272f3484fb2d164/thumbnail_434000.jpg","/articles/6469262/New-Hampshire/Weare-kindergarten-teams-expand-orientation-to-balance-classrooms-and-support-families","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469262-056b758e247812354b4dd9b6eda8347a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873061&Signature=QZtYntxNu~nCgiU8RnOVRhisv7NLcD~oeieXjC93PvKPjslklYo3AQU6RT~F6yWsiGmQRi-brBMuhvtzCjhzN~EVLoh-6fG5kK1c25KB-mrYQPfb-ZFTfzGxjEyF~K5WmJwXtVkoS-OwV4VwbyJNDuShwt08u6KNpJCR9l36g2dW5s1rLK90IrCKGP~jYBGTD2ohEU2OhY83pxMDFCrxW06dy63qQMUo9NwV6BX9cuwLf80VPnkziFoof~-mwzYlNGwNz2AyqmqLEgJAbNWTItSoAhIC5DoXveJKcUGUAsMluMJUDGphGo-yttmAon9ByLPyN-GSKN6V-h6H5c1OGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Centerwoods kindergarten teachers told the Weare School District Board on Sept. 16 that a five-day orientation and temporary homeroom rotation has helped staff assess incoming students and place them in more balanced classrooms for the full school year.

The orientation model places students in temporary homerooms for five days and rotates cohorts through each classroom so every child visits all five kindergarten rooms. On the sixth day, students return to their assigned homeroom and staff make final placement decisions using observed academic, social and routine behaviors.

Why it matters: Teachers said the process shortens the timeline for identifying students who may need early intervention and lets intervention staff quickly compile MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) lists so services can begin sooner. Teachers also said the approach improves family communication about where children will be each day.

What teachers said
- Presenters described using ParentSquare to send daily photos and updates during orientation, increasing family satisfaction and reducing parent uncertainty about where each child was assigned on rotation days.
- Kindergarten staff listed benefits including calibrated classroom routines, earlier intervention identification, and stronger student/teacher relationships that let instruction begin sooner.
- Teachers acknowledged iterative improvements year to year: they added maps and classroom-specific ParentSquare messages this summer after parental feedback requesting clearer day-by-day placement information.

Practical details
- Orientation is five school days; students rotate daily through five classroom “stations” and return to a final homeroom on day six for final balancing.
- Interventionists use the orientation period to observe and prepare targeted MTSS supports so interventions can begin quickly in the regular program.
- The district reported a positive anecdotal reception from parents; a teacher cited a parent message saying, “I love the pictures you post every day. I look forward to this.”

Ending
Board members thanked the kindergarten team and asked administrators to continue to share outcomes and parent feedback. Teachers said they will continue refining schedule and communications to reduce parent anxiety and improve balance across classrooms.","Kindergarten teachers from Centerwoods described a five-day orientation and temporary homeroom rotation used this year to assess students, build routines, and create more balanced kindergarten classrooms before regular instruction begins.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6469265,"Weare School District faces rising special-education costs, board imposes temporary budget freeze",264,3201000,3465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781029-f0af68fe5922486dc272f3484fb2d164&start=3201&end=3465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781029-f0af68fe5922486dc272f3484fb2d164/thumbnail_3201000.jpg","/articles/6469265/New-Hampshire/Weare-School-District-faces-rising-special-education-costs-board-imposes-temporary-budget-freeze","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469265-4a3f590fde1eeadb0bba6ef7b0644326/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873061&Signature=Rq8QwAml5thB~y-QKCqoOUzlTvPSKm3i6fbgmoJFVip-hmll45ojmMaNPZTriIpXRCjHB53FH4oeyYIsJ6svCSxamkgFxamW-P~Y72EMUZthGvCqszD4T57tW6kQAfTkOAGWB~8cKAI1IVzr6ZXw-5CZiBVIHwp0ec9cWkYVzRsmFUroAklyZS9ksxo70ElL-z9vLSsglqEwQjRgQV7fyzZCln-mp9ysqQXRaphmyM7Y0fvygcid0RbQ~hGIInCE~PHmcpGlR96CP1ftTSjh7PCYxXF~nJQMebN0hTYVNazK4TQ774usuZA6OrFI2Zjxs2oOZzfkV3WtI14G-z4ccA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Weare School District leaders told the school board on Sept. 16 that special-education caseloads and high-cost services have grown since spring, creating an immediate budget pressure that the district is addressing with a temporary purchasing freeze and consideration of reserve funding.

District business administrator Chris Roy and Superintendent Jackie Coe described a rapid increase in students identified with developmentally delayed and other high-need disabilities. The presenters said the district had 24 students in that category in 2021–22 and 40 at the start of the 2025–26 school year, creating new needs for one-on-one paraprofessionals, skilled behavior technicians and, in some cases, out-of-district placements.

Those additional service needs, the administration said, are driving roughly $200,000 of unbudgeted special-education expenditures this fall. The board placed a limited purchasing freeze on nonessential items while administrators review options to cover the shortfall without compromising direct services. The freeze was described as “soft” for a short time at the start of school to allow critical student-level requests to be filled, then tightened as the district compiled figures.

Why it matters: Special-education costs are a significant and often unpredictable part of district budgets. State and federal reimbursements, categorical grants and local reserve accounts are the primary tools districts use to manage spikes; the Weare administration told the board they are pursuing every available avenue but warned that timing and program eligibility make short-term coverage difficult.

What the board was told
- Growth in preschool- and kindergarten-age developmental delays and social-emotional needs is translating into higher-cost supports as those students enter elementary grades, where fewer embedded supports exist per classroom.
- The district is also seeing increased documentation and referrals that drive evaluation, related services and, for a minority of students, specialized placements.
- The administration said Medicaid billing and special-education aid remain important revenue sources but do not immediately provide additional appropriation the board can spend in-year; many aid streams are reconciled after the fiscal year or are restricted in how they may be used.

Short-term steps and options discussed
- Continue the purchasing freeze while inventorying outstanding requests and prioritizing classroom-critical supplies.
- Interview and hire paraprofessionals and specialized staff where feasible; some temporary assignments were approved so classrooms would have coverage while searches continue.
- Consider bringing a warrant article to voters to fund the district’s special-education trust (a reserve) so the board can access funds for catastrophic or unanticipated special-education costs.
- Maximize Medicaid and federal reimbursement processes where allowable and continue efforts to improve billing capture; the administration reported that more rigorous documentation over the last six months has increased recoveries.

Board direction and next steps
Board members asked for monthly lists of items the freeze prevents so the public and board can see what was deferred and why. The administration agreed to return with more detailed cost projections based on Oct. 1 enrollment and special-education counts, and to bring a proposal about using the special-education trust to a future meeting and potential warrant.

Context
District leaders said a portion of the change is pandemic-era cohorts with uneven early childhood experiences (students born in 2020) whose developmental needs are becoming more apparent in early elementary grades. The administration also described workforce patterns, competitive hiring and the broader decline in some federal COVID-era funds (ESSER) that previously provided budget flexibility.

Ending
Superintendent Coe and the business office told the board they do not yet expect to recommend program reductions; the immediate focus is short-term reallocation, targeted hiring and voter-authorized reserve strategies to stabilize finances while the district completes October enrollment and special-education eligibility counts.","School leaders told the board that special-education needs and out-of-district costs have increased sharply this fall, prompting a short-term budget freeze and proposals to use reserve mechanisms such as the special-education trust and warrant articles.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves eighth-grade Washington, D.C., trip

Middle school launches house program as behavior incidents and office visits fall compared with last year

Board adopts policy package, approves plan to accept Education Freedom Account funds and expands public access to policies

Weare kindergarten teams expand orientation to balance classrooms and support families

Weare School District faces rising special-education costs, board imposes temporary budget freeze