Brentwood voters approve 2027 school budget, teachers’ contract and limit on open enrollment

Brentwood voters at the district meeting on March 1 approved the school district’s recommended operating budget, authorized a four‑year pay and benefits package for teachers, and approved a warrant article that designates the district’s central school as an open‑enrollment school admitting zero nonresident students.

The municipal budget committee’s recommended operating appropriation was presented to the legislative body and approved. Presenters said the district will carry a modest increase into fiscal year 2027 driven almost entirely by non‑discretionary costs, chiefly rising health‑insurance premiums; the net increase from fiscal year 2026 was reported as $263,879 (a 3.54% increase) with an estimated tax impact of roughly $0.22 per $1,000 of assessed value (about $142.30 on a $650,000 home). “About $257,000 of the increase is tied to health insurance,” Mr. Heert said while presenting the warrant article on behalf of the school board, and he described the board’s selection of a conservative budget scenario that reduces one grade‑level classroom at a low‑enrollment grade rather than cutting core programming.

The school board explained the staffing change will not eliminate an existing teacher position but will leave an empty position unfilled and require periodic teacher movement to match enrollment. Public commenter Courtney Clashevski asked how that plan would affect rising kindergarten class sizes; presenters clarified the grade being reduced is grade two and that projected class sizes remain within evidence‑based practice ranges.

Voters approved the teachers’ collective‑bargaining agreement in warrant article two. The contract calls for multi‑year salary increases (presenters described year‑one at about 3.25%, years two and three at about 3.5%, and year four at about 3.25%), a $1,500 annual stipend for teachers with advanced graduate certification (CAGS), and an increase in personal days from three to four. The budget committee recommended the contract unanimously and reported the FY27 cost for the current year as $198,260, which the committee estimated would add about $16.86 in tax impact for a $650,000 home.

Warrant article three, framed by the board as a measure to prevent outward flows of local tax dollars under New Hampshire’s RSA 194‑D, designates the central school as an open‑enrollment school admitting zero nonresident students. Presenters said adopting the language limits the district’s exposure to statutory outflows that would require sending 80% of a per‑pupil figure to other districts; the board argued the article protects local tax dollars and prevents unexpected budget outflows. Residents asked whether admitting nonresident students could generate revenue; presenters responded that absorbing students creates administrative and classroom costs and could alter the district’s student‑teacher ratios, and noted uncertainty about the number of homeschool students who might seek enrollment if the policy changed. The article passed; the record shows one opposed vote on the motion to restrict reconsideration.

Two smaller warrant articles to add to existing capital reserve trust funds also passed. Article four authorized up to $20,000 from fund balance for the special‑education capital reserve to reach a target balance intended to cover potential out‑of‑district special‑education placements; presenters noted the fund’s target had been raised in prior years to reflect typical out‑of‑district costs. Article five placed $10,000 from fund balance into a technology capital reserve to smooth a recurring roughly $50,000 replacement cost that occurs on a five‑year cycle for devices and safety‑related technology infrastructure. Both articles were recommended by the budget committee; votes recorded one opposed on article four and one nay on article five.

The board used the meeting to recognize Principal Ron Q’s retirement later this year; Renee Bennett, superintendent designate and assistant superintendent for SAU16, praised his student‑centered leadership and long service and asked the legislative body to join in thanking him. The board introduced incoming principal Kathleen Hapa, effective July 1. The meeting closed with reminders about upcoming town election and town meeting dates.

Votes at a glance - Article 1 (operating budget): approved; presenters reported a $263,879 net increase and a 3.54% change from FY26; budget committee unanimously recommended. - Article 2 (teachers’ collective‑bargaining agreement): approved; FY27 cost reported as $198,260; budget committee unanimously recommended. - Article 3 (open enrollment—admit zero nonresident students): approved; board framed as protecting local tax dollars; restriction on reconsideration passed with one opposed. - Article 4 (special education capital reserve, up to $20,000 from fund balance): approved; budget committee unanimously recommended; one opposed recorded. - Article 5 (technology capital reserve, $10,000 from fund balance): approved; budget committee unanimously recommended; one nay recorded.

What comes next: The board noted that the FY27 budget and contract will take effect according to statutory and contractual timelines and reminded residents about the town election and the town meeting schedule for other municipal and cooperative‑district business.