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Board adopts $15.52 million proposed budget, approves teacher contract and recommends citizen petition warrant language
Summary
The John Stark Regional School District board adopted a proposed 2025–26 budget of $15,515,737 (a 2.33% increase), approved a new two‑year teacher contract with average salary increases, and voted to recommend a citizen petition (RSA 32:5-b) requiring tax‑impact notations on warrant articles. The board also approved several election appointments.
The John Stark Regional School District School Board voted to adopt the district’s proposed 2025–26 operating budget and took several related votes on the teachers’ contract, warrant language and routine appointments.
Budget adoption: Superintendent Dr. Coe presented the proposed operating budget of $15,515,737, an increase of $353,617, or 2.33% over the current year. Dr. Coe explained component changes across salary, benefits, contracted services, transportation and out‑of‑district tuition costs. The board voted to adopt the proposed budget as presented; the adopted motion was recorded as approved by voice vote in the meeting transcript.
Default budget: The district's default budget calculation was described as $15,481,148 (a 2.1% increase over the current year). Dr. Coe and the business administrator explained that some contracts and line items would be treated differently in the default calculation versus the proposed budget.
Teacher contract: The board reviewed and acknowledged a two‑year negotiated agreement with the John Stark Teachers Association (JSTA). Dr. Coe summarized the contract’s financial terms as a projected $330,000 annual impact driven by a 6% grid increase with an average first‑year teacher salary increase that included a $4,000 step adjustment. Dr. Coe summarized non‑monetary items the contract addressed, including workload and professional responsibilities language, changes to department leadership roles, innovation stipends and adjustments to substitute pay.
Citizen petition warrant article: The board received a citizen petition (RSA 32:5‑b) to require that the annual budget and all special warrant articles include an estimated tax impact on the ballot. The petition text reads, in part, “shall contain a notation stating the estimated tax impact of the article. The determination of the estimated tax impact shall be subject to approval by the governing body.” The board discussed whether to take a position and reached a consensus to recommend support for placing the petition on the warrant and to provide the tax‑impact notation as part of the ballots and warrant materials.
Appointments and program changes: The board approved a slate of election‑related appointments (ballot clerks, treasurer, clerk) by voice vote, and adopted the revised Program of Studies, which included new elective offerings and course reclassifications (for example, a new video production/ICT offering and rebranding of an Intro to Plant Science course to align with earth/plant science learning goals). Votes on appointments and program changes were recorded by voice vote; detailed roll‑call tallies were not provided in the transcript.
Ending: The board scheduled the deliberative session for February 7 and confirmed the district will publish the proposed budget, associated estimated tax impacts, and warrant language before the public deliberation and the business of the voters. Staff were directed to finalize tax‑impact calculations and other supporting materials for public hearings.
