Londonderry board approves $1.344 million from fund balance to pay School Care assessment

The Londonderry School Board voted unanimously April 7 to appropriate $1,344,000 from the district’s retained fund balance to pay the remaining two-thirds of a School Care assessment due July 15, 2026.

The assessment, part of a $2.16 million pooled premium charged to participating districts, required a structured payment plan. District officials said the board paid $672,514 from the general fund in December as the first one-third installment; the board approved moving the remaining $1,344,000 from retained funds so the district can meet the July deadline while retaining the funds in the account as long as possible to earn interest.

The public hearing was opened as required by statute; Emity, the district staff member presenting the item, summarized the November board action that approved a structured payment plan and the allocation of charges based on membership in the risk pool rather than individual district claims. Emity said most districts had arranged payments or paid in full and that School Care was implementing additional parameters to strengthen its finances.

Amanda Butcher moved the appropriation and Kevin Gray seconded; the roll call vote recorded Kevin Gray, Tim Porter, Bob Slater, Amanda Butcher and Sarah Lawson as voting in favor. The board closed the hearing and notified the public the district will issue payment in time to meet the July 15 deadline.

Board materials show the district’s earlier December payment and the scheduled July payment amount; no changes to the payment plan were made at the meeting. The board did not amend the amount or change funding sources beyond the motion to expend retained fund balance.

Next steps: the district will prepare the appropriation paperwork and release the payment in advance of the July 15 deadline.