Stratham School Board holds public hearing on FY26 budget; residents split on staff cuts and taxes

The Stratham School Board opened a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget on Jan. 8 at Stratham Memorial School, inviting residents, staff and volunteers to give three-minute statements. Board members emphasized the hearing was fact-finding ahead of a March vote on the final budget recommendation.

The hearing drew roughly three dozen speakers over two hours. Many parents, teachers and school staff urged the board to preserve current staffing levels and class sizes, arguing cuts would harm personalized instruction. Other residents — including longtime homeowners and taxpayers — urged restraint because of recent property-tax reassessments and the town’s changing demographics.

Board Chair Jennifer (first name only in transcript) opened the meeting by describing the process: the board will collect public comment, the Financial Advisory Committee (FACC) will review and endorse or not endorse the budget, and the board will vote on its recommendation before the public deliberation and final vote on March 4.

Administrators described the current proposal and its drivers. Kate (first name only in transcript), who presented the budget overview, said the FY25 approved operating budget was $15,021,286 and that the FY26 proposal as read aloud in the meeting was “15,000,000 637,374,” a change the presentation identified as roughly $416,000 and 2.73% over last year. Kate listed major cost drivers as special education,…