Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Operating Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Merrimack Valley approves $51.9 million operating budget after heated debate
Summary
Voters adopted a $51,893,330 operating budget for 2026-27 after debate over taxes, staffing and rising health-care costs; trustees said most budget lines are level-funded and increases are driven by benefits, food services and special-education needs.
The Merrimack Valley School District on Tuesday approved a $51,893,330 operating budget for 2026-27 after more than an hour of presentation and resident debate.
Tom Laliberte, a school board member and chair of the finance committee, told voters the budget represents a 3.3% increase over the prior adjusted budget and that $33,832,577 of the total will be apportioned to local taxpayers. "Eighty-five percent of the 806 lines in the budget are level-funded," Laliberte said, and the increase is largely driven by health and dental (+$1.14 million), higher food-service costs (+$475,000) and contractual obligations tied to teacher workshops and graduate coursework.
Supporters said the budget restores essential services cut in prior years and avoids adding new full-time positions; Laliberte confirmed the proposal adds two library assistants and otherwise contains no planned unfilled positions. "This budget meets our contractual and legal obligations," he said.
Opponents pressed on taxes and efficiency. Adam Russell, a resident of Pennacook who spoke in favor of the budget, warned that cutting the proposal further would risk staffing and services: "If you're looking to fight education taxes, you're in the wrong room," Russell said, urging residents to take the issue to state lawmakers. Kelly Bocyan of Loudoun questioned whether enrollment declines—about 66 students—justify the roughly $1.7 million increase.
Residents asked for specifics about transportation and utilities; Business Administrator Sam York said propane is locked in and the district maintains a wood-chip heating system, while some electricity costs remain usage-dependent. Laliberte said long-term underbudgeting of utilities and food service required the adjustments.
After a series of procedural points and a card-count to end debate, the meeting adopted the motion to approve Article 4 by a standing count of 352 votes in favor and 104 opposed. The board moved and the meeting then restricted reconsideration, meaning further action on the operating budget cannot occur at this meeting.
