Weare deliberative session sets March ballot: $20.45M operating budget, para contract, three petition articles

Neil Kirk was elected pro tempore moderator, the board named a new student-services hire and the district set several warrant articles for the March ballot during the Weare School District deliberative session on Feb. 5, 2025.

The school board presented a proposed operating budget of $20,449,303 for fiscal 2025–26 and reviewed the default budget calculation of $20,469,757. The business administrator, Chris Roy, said the difference between the proposed and default budgets is $20,454 and explained that the proposed budget includes a newly negotiated five‑year transportation contract with Student Transportation of America (STA) that reduces first‑year costs by eliminating one route (going from 12 to 11 routes). Roy and other speakers warned the default calculation does not include the new STA contract and that, if the default passes instead of the proposed budget, the district would face about a $10,000 shortfall in the first year while the older contract basis remains in effect.

The Weare Finance Committee, represented by chairman Tom Flaherty, recommended a no vote on the proposed operating budget by an 8–2 margin; Flaherty said the committee believes the district should do more to reduce operating costs in light of a reduction in state aid. "The Weare Finance Committee on Article 3 voted to not recommend the proposed budget by a vote of 8 to 2," Flaherty told the meeting.

Article 4 on the warrant would authorize cost items in a collective bargaining agreement with paraprofessional staff, to be funded in addition to the operating budget. School officials and union representatives described the package as modest increases in hourly pay, a longevity payment, two additional paid holidays, and a $1‑per‑hour differential for staff who support students with intensive needs. Paraprofessional union president Amy Porter addressed the meeting: "Special education paraeducators are the backbone of the student support in our district," she said, urging voters to support the contract to retain experienced staff.

Finance committee members recommended Article 4 by a 7–1 vote, saying modest raises were needed to keep essential positions filled. The board indicated Article 4 will appear on the March ballot as printed in the warrant.

Three petition articles were presented and debated. Article 5 would require the district to include an estimated tax impact on warrant articles (RSA 32:5‑b was cited by petitioners). Proponents said the change would increase transparency for taxpayers; opponents said caution was needed about format and units so the notation would not mislead voters.

Article 6 is a petition to implement a budget cap tied to a per‑pupil dollar amount adjusted annually for inflation (petitioners proposed $24,767 per pupil as the cap baseline). That article drew extended public comment both for and against: supporters argued unconstrained school spending is unsustainable for property taxpayers; opponents said a cap could force cuts to services, particularly if special‑education numbers rise or state aid declines. After debate the petition will appear on the March ballot as printed in the warrant.

Article 7 is a petition calling on state officials to require financial and programmatic accountability for Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs, commonly called vouchers in public comment) before any expansion of taxpayer funding for private education. Petitioners said they want audited reporting, student‑performance tracking and protections for students with disabilities; supporters and opponents both spoke. The article will appear on the March ballot as printed.

Other business during the meeting: the board approved the nomination of Emily McGowan as student‑services coordinator at Center Woods; it accepted the minutes of the Jan. 15 meeting; it approved the 2025–26 school calendar as presented; and it elected Neil Kirk as pro tempore school district moderator after a motion by a board member and a second, with the moderator reporting the motion passed by a raised‑card vote.

What happens next: the warrant articles discussed at the deliberative session will appear on the district ballot for the March meeting (the moderator reminded attendees the deliberative session determines the warrant language that appears on the ballot and that final adoption will occur at the March vote). The district also scheduled a statutory public hearing on the budget cap for Feb. 18 at 6 p.m., and a candidate forum and budget session is set for March 4.

Votes at a glance (actions recorded during the meeting) • Pro tempore moderator elected: Neil Kirk — motion moved and seconded; approved by raised‑card vote. • Minutes of Jan. 15: motion moved and seconded; approved (voice vote). • Personnel nomination: motion to approve Emily McGowan as student‑services coordinator — moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote. • School calendar 2025–26: motion moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. • Warrant Article 3 (operating budget, proposed $20,449,303; default $20,469,757): presented by the board and the business administrator; the Weare Finance Committee recommended no (8–2). The article will go to the March ballot as printed; the deliberative session restricted reconsideration on the article per the moderator’s ruling during the session. • Warrant Article 4 (paraprofessional bargaining cost items; appropriation reported as $145,420 for 2025–26): presented and supported by school board and finance committee (7–1 recommendation); the article will go to the March ballot as printed; reconsideration was restricted at the deliberative session. • Warrant Article 5 (petition — require estimated tax impact notation on articles, citing RSA 32:5‑b): presented by petitioner Kate Bloom and will appear on the March ballot as printed. • Warrant Article 6 (petition — budget cap tied to per‑pupil cost, adjusted for CPI): presented by petitioner Kate Bloom and opponents; will appear on the March ballot as printed; the session dealt with several procedural motions and debate before agreeing the article will go on the ballot. • Warrant Article 7 (petition — request state accountability for Education Freedom Accounts/voucher funding): presented by David Trumbull; will appear on the March ballot as printed.

The deliberative session set the language that will appear on the ballot; final adoption or defeat of each article will be decided by voter ballot at the March meeting.