Somersworth School leaders outline $34.2M FY26 proposal, warn $1M in cuts needed to meet tax-cap

Superintendent John and Business Administrator Katie Krause presented the Somersworth School District’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budgets at a public hearing Feb. 11, outlining a superintendent-recommended budget that would keep current programs but raise spending $1,996,266 and a tax-cap-compliant alternative that trims about $1,035,686 to meet the municipal tax-cap calculation.

Why it matters: The superintendent’s recommended budget would preserve current programs and meet contractual obligations but — as presented — would raise the district portion of the tax rate by about $1.03. Under state tax-cap mechanics explained to the board, the district’s allowable increase is $903,007.44; the superintendent’s proposal sits roughly $1,035,686 above that limit, forcing significant reductions to reach a tax-cap-compliant figure.

Krause, the district’s business administrator, said estimated FY26 revenue totals $10,510,409, up $56,836 year-over-year, and that local property taxes make up 63% of district revenue while state adequacy aid accounts for about 26%. She told the board the superintendent’s recommended total expenditures are $34,228,278,…