Londonderry board puts $9.05 million bond for full‑day kindergarten, district office conversion on March ballot

The Londonderry School Board voted to place a $9.05 million bond on the March 11 ballot to add modular classrooms at three elementary schools and convert space at Moose Hill to house the district office if voters approve the measure.

The article would authorize a $9,050,000 bond to fund design, construction, furnishing and equipping of modular classrooms at South School, North School and Matthew Thornton School and related renovations to convert Moose Hill into the district central administrative office. The warrant includes authorization for the board to issue bonds and to accept federal, state or other aid that becomes available for the project. The board said the first‑year payment was estimated at $226,250 under the proposal, which assumed a 15‑year bond at roughly 3.46 percent interest.

Why it matters: The board framed the bond as both an instructional investment — enabling district‑wide full‑day kindergarten — and a cost‑management move that would end the district office lease sooner. School Board Chairman Bob Slater said the plan would “bring that Moose Hill environment to all the elementary schools” and give the district time to monitor enrollment changes over the next decade.

Details and debate: The school board said the package would add two modular units at North School, two at South School and four at Matthew Thornton; modular buildings would be installed on concrete foundations and were presented as long‑lived (board materials estimate a 40+ year lifespan). Slater told the meeting the district reviewed several alternatives last year — including larger construction at Moose Hill, purchase of commercial property and portables — and developed the modular plan after voter feedback and enrollment analysis.

School Board member Tim Porter gave the budgetary breakdown used by the board to justify the request. Porter summarized the projected recurring figures once the program is fully implemented: approximately $759,000 per year for debt service on the bond and roughly $183,000 for additional staff costs, offset by savings and new revenues, including an estimated $283,000 saved on midday bus runs, about $263,000 saved from ending the district office lease and an estimated $444,000 increase in state adequacy aid tied to full‑day kindergarten enrollment. “By the third year we’re in the positive for it,” Porter said.

The school board formal motion to place the bond on the ballot was moved by Amanda Butcher and seconded by Sarah Loughlin; the board reported a 5‑0 vote in favor. Budget Committee Chair Patrick Cassidy reported a 7‑0 favorable recommendation from the budget committee.

Other process items: The warrant article requires three‑fifths approval at the ballot to pass. After discussion at the deliberative session, a motion to restrict reconsideration for the article passed by voice vote.

What’s next: The article will appear on the March 11 ballot. If approved by voters, the board would be authorized to issue bonds, accept applicable aid and carry out the project; if not approved, the district would continue under the current schedule for kindergarten and the existing district office lease.

Ending: Officials said the modular approach is intended to be economical and reversible while giving the district additional classroom capacity and time to reassess enrollment trends before making larger permanent construction decisions.