Somersworth School Board approves $33.65 million budget, authorizes staff nonrenewals

The Somersworth School Board on April 18 approved a $33,651,486 budget for fiscal 2026 and accepted roughly $576,792 in reductions that include four staff positions and two nonrenewals, the board said at a special meeting called to meet a 15-day notice deadline following the Somersworth City Council’s April 7 budget vote.

The board convened the special meeting to issue required nonrenewal notices within the statutory 15-day window after the council’s action. The board’s final budget figure of $33,651,486 sits between the district’s tax-cap-compliant submission (about $33.2 million) and the superintendent’s recommended budget (about $34.2 million). The city council provided $458,894 above the district’s tax-cap-compliant number; those dollars were applied to the district’s tier-3 reductions, the board was told.

Why it matters: The approved reductions reduce personnel and program spending as the district calibrates to revenue limits set by the city. The board said the adjustments preserve some positions relative to deeper cuts previously proposed while still meeting the council-approved dollar total. The board also authorized issuing nonrenewal notices for two SAE positions so notices reach affected staff before the statutory deadline.

Most important details: The board accepted a package of budget reductions totaling about $576,792 and identified four specific position eliminations: a middle school special-education case manager, a high-school mathematics teaching position, a Maplewood building aide (para/SACA position), and the director of student services (a nonunion position). In addition, two SAE positions at the top of the reduction list will receive nonrenewal notices that trigger the meeting’s timing. The board materials list a 0.5 FTE in facilities as overtime hours rather than a full new facilities position.

Board members and district staff emphasized that the reductions reflect the revenue limits approved by the city council and that the administrative team reviewed options with staff during the process. The board was told the city council’s $458,894 contribution was applied specifically to tier-3 cuts to reduce the total number of eliminations; without that amount the district would have faced larger staffing reductions.

The board also discussed special-education and adequacy aid timing. Staff reminded members that special-education reimbursements are received the following year and that additional state aid would require a supplemental appropriation from the council to be spent in the current year; the board cannot spend unreceived or unappropriated revenue without returning to the city council. Board members urged continued pursuit of state funding and local negotiations for shared positions such as the social worker whose halftime status the district said it plans to retain for next year.

Votes and motions: The board moved to accept the superintendent’s recommendation to carry $576,792 in reductions (including the four positions identified) and approved the final fiscal-2026 budget amount of $33,651,486, both by voice votes after motions and seconds. The board also voted to enter nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3 II(b); a roll call establishing support for the nonpublic motion was recorded on the meeting record.

What’s next: The district will issue required nonrenewal notices and move into nonpublic session as authorized. Board members said they may pursue supplemental appropriations or state funding options later in the year if additional revenue becomes available; any such changes would require returning to the Somersworth City Council for appropriation.