Henniker board adopts $10.73 million budget, renews STA transportation contract and approves routine nominations

The Henniker School Board voted on Jan. 14 to adopt the district’s proposed 2025–26 budget of $10,728,832, a $291,019 (2.79%) increase over the current year. The board approved the budget after a public hearing and discussion of major drivers including personnel costs, a projected 10.7% health-insurance increase and a new five‑year transportation contract.

What the board approved: The motion to adopt the proposed budget as presented passed by voice vote during the meeting’s business session. The board also adopted the school-district warrant (including a proposed Article 5 expendable trust deposit described on the warrant), approved a nomination for Anne Kratz as a practical‑arts teacher, appointed Deb O'Coyne as deputy ballot clerk and renewed the SAU transportation contract with Student Transportation of America (STA).

Budget numbers and drivers: District staff said the proposed budget totals $10,728,832 — up $291,019 (2.79%) from the current appropriation. The district calculated the default budget increase at $225,362 (2.2%). Key cost drivers cited by administrators were personnel costs (including year two of the Henniker Teachers Association contract), a health‑insurance estimate increase of about 10.7% (adding roughly $81,000 in benefits), SAU shared-services costs and the transportation contract. Staff also noted a planned science curriculum purchase and some movement of contracted special‑education services into salary lines (hiring an in‑house speech therapist) as line‑item changes.

Transportation contract: SAU 24 put a five‑year contract out for Henniker, John Stark and Ware. Two bidders responded: Student Transportation of America (current provider) and First Student. The transportation committee recommended renewing with STA, citing lower switching/onboarding costs and satisfactory service. The board approved STA’s proposal; staff said the first-year price increase to regular transportation is about $36,855 (a 10.82% change), followed by smaller increases in subsequent years (approximately $20,511–$24,084 annually in years 2–5 as projected).

Warrant article and tax impact: The district described the tax-rate impact of the proposed budget and warrant. Using the figures presented, staff projected a tax rate under the proposed budget of $10.11 (a $0.46 increase over the current realized rate of $9.65). The default budget scenario projects $10.30; if Article 5 (a $50,000 expendable trust deposit) is included, staff said that equates to about $0.07 additional on the tax rate for each $50,000 deposited. The district also highlighted a state hold‑harmless step‑down in adequacy funding that reduces revenue by about $130,250 in the presented calculation.

Other board actions: The board accepted the nomination of Anne Kratz to fill a practical-arts teacher vacancy and appointed Deb O'Coyne as school district ballot clerk for the upcoming election. Both motions passed by voice vote. The minutes from the Dec. 4 meeting were also adopted earlier in the session by voice vote.

Votes at a glance (recorded outcomes): - Adopt minutes of Dec. 4 meeting — approved (voice vote). - Accept nomination of Anne Kratz, practical-arts teacher — approved (voice vote). - Approve five‑year transportation contract with Student Transportation of America — approved (voice vote); first-year increase ~ $36,855. - Appoint Deb O'Coyne as deputy ballot clerk — approved (voice vote). - Adopt proposed 2025–26 budget of $10,728,832 as presented — approved (voice vote). - Adopt school-district warrant including Article 5 (expendable trust deposit) — approved (voice vote).

Attribution and voting detail: The meeting transcript records voice votes where members indicated “aye” but does not include roll-call tallies or named individual votes in the public transcript. Where mover/second were called, specific mover or seconder names were not recorded in the transcript. The minutes and official record will carry any additional roll‑call details required for municipal recordkeeping.

Next steps and timeline: The district will proceed with the deliberative-session planning and the voting calendar; the board noted the SAU 24 candidates’ forum and budget session scheduled for March 4 at John Stark. Staff will post finalized materials and continue budget communications to the community ahead of the town voting period.