The Timberlane budget committee approved the athletics department’s FY26 proposed budget of $476,633 after a presentation that highlighted insurance and transportation as the largest budget drivers.

Angelo Fantasia, the presenter for the athletics budget, told the committee that athletic supplemental insurance could increase by 66% — roughly $7,610 — after the district’s insurer stopped servicing New Hampshire and the district contracted with a replacement carrier. Fantasia also cited a 3% contract-driven increase in team transportation (about $9,889) and a 4% increase in game expenses driven in part by police-detail costs and short-term rental of two storage containers for track equipment.

He also noted offsetting decreases: combined replacement-equipment lines for middle and high school show a projected 32% decrease (roughly $6,023) because previously budgeted purchases — a middle-school wrestling mat — are not needed next year, and an athletics activities line will decrease by 42% because the district’s Hall of Fame ceremony does not recur next year.

Fantasia described a Title IV grant-funded esports program whose coach stipend totaled $3,000 this year ($1,500 per season); the athletics budget proposes adding a $3,000 stipend line for next year because grant funding is not expected to continue.

A motion to take the athletics budget under consideration and for approval passed unanimously (nine in favor). Committee minutes show the committee voted to accept the athletics budget for further review and inclusion in the district’s FY26 budget package.