Henniker board adopts 2026 budget; warns special-education costs drive tax projection

The Henniker School Board voted on Jan. 13 to adopt a proposed 2026 school budget that raises spending by 2.98, driven largely by special-education costs, health insurance increases and the negotiated teachers’ contract.

Chris, who presented the reconciliation and revenues, said the district faces a combination of rising costs and uncertain state revenue. “Revenues from the state are projected to be less next year... predominantly due to a grant... called the extraordinary needs grant,” he said, explaining a projected loss of roughly $102,000 in that grant alone and how that shortfall affects the tax projection.

The proposed budget numbers presented to the board included an object budget increase of $323,351 (2.98%). The proposed budget figure shown in the packet was $11,186,252; the legally calculated default budget — the number that would take effect if voters reject the proposed budget — is $11,055,780 (a 1.78% increase). Chris said the difference between the proposed and the default is approximately $130,472.

Board materials and discussion identified principal cost drivers: - Special-education tuition (presenters noted a $133,000 increase in that line and emphasized unpredictability caused by individual placements), - Year-two staff contract costs and longevity provisions in the teachers' agreement, - Health and dental premium increases (healthcare line shown up roughly 16.9% in rate changes though some costs were reallocated), - SAU shared-position proposals and transportation contract increases.

Chris projected tax-rate impacts if all warrant items pass: the district’s adopted tax rate of $9.64 per $1,000 assessed value would rise in the projection to $10.59 (about $0.95) from the proposed budget change, with the teachers’ warrant adding about $0.31, for a combined projected change near $1.26 per $1,000. Using the projection, he estimated the annual increase on a $350,000 house at about $441 if all warrant items, including the contract, pass.

The board approved the proposed budget by voice vote and directed presenters to prepare the warrant and materials for the deliberative session. Members also discussed contingency planning (special-education trust funds and possible shifts from expendable technology trust funds to a special-education trust).