Weare School District holds public hearing on Article 6 budget-cap petition

The Weare School District held a public hearing on a voter petition to place Article 6 — a budget-cap warrant article citing RSA 32:5‑e — on the district ballot, the board said. The board read the petition language and noted the hearing is a required step under state law; the article was scheduled to appear on the district ballot for the March vote.

Supporters said the cap would restrain year-over-year spending and protect local taxpayers; opponents said it would force staffing cuts and undercut recent gains tied to a teacher contract. Speakers also debated whether the district’s spending or state funding levels were the primary driver of local tax increases.

A school board member read the Article 6 language into the record and said the petition met the 25-signature threshold required to put the item on the ballot and that the article cites RSA 32:5‑e. The board opened the public hearing and later closed it after hearing from residents and district staff.

Residents who backed the cap said they were motivated by rising…