Keene voters approve $79.1 million operating budget; amendment to add $250,000 for special education fails

Keene voters on March 11 approved the Keene School District operating budget of $79,100,705, the district’s proposed 2025–26 spending plan, after rejecting an amendment to increase the figure by $250,000 aimed at restoring special-education staffing.

The amendment, moved by Jennifer Kiernan, a special educator and Keene resident, sought to increase the proposed operating budget to $79,350,705. Kiernan said the money would “give money to higher special educators that are being cut” and asked the meeting to target caseloads under 20. Eric Murphy, a Keene resident, seconded the motion. After public discussion and a show-of-hands count, the amendment failed with 14 votes in favor and 31 opposed.

Why it matters: the approved operating budget will appear on the March ballot as presented by the Board. The district explained that if Article 1 fails at the ballot, the default budget would be $77,683,980 and the board may call a special meeting under RSA 40 (as described at the session) to address a revised operating budget.

D…