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Governor Wentworth School Board adopts FY2026 budget, backs multiple warrant articles
Summary
After a public hearing, the Governor Wentworth Regional School Board approved the FY2026 budget 6–2, approved several warrant articles for the Deliberative Session, and approved budget transfers and manifests. The board also agreed to draft a Universal Meals warrant article set at 300% of the federal poverty rate.
The Governor Wentworth Regional School Board adopted the districtFY2026 budget following a public hearing and a 6to2 vote on Jan. 6, 2025. Dr. Elizabeth Sheckler moved to approve the budget; Mary Schillereff seconded the motion, and the measure passed with Guy Pike and Charlene Seibel opposed.
The hearing included a presentation by Superintendent Caroline Arakelian that reviewed enrollment trends, general fund items, proposed new staff requests, revenue projections, debt service and planned warrant articles. Board members questioned the proposed Student Wellness Coordinator position, the replacement vehicle line, transportation expenses and details of newly negotiated collective bargaining agreements. Members of the public asked for the coordinatorjob description and proposed salary and for clarity about positions funded previously with ESSER funds that have been moved into the general fund.
The board also approved routine business during the meeting. It voted to approve minutes from the December 2 and December 12, 2024 meetings and approved accounts payable of $3,342,315.85 and payroll of $3,175,109.20, a combined total of $6,517,425.05. Superintendent Arakelian presented a budget transfer request moving $5,000, $57,820, and $25,000 from the Tuition Private Elementary line to Consult Services–Elem to pay for services; that transfer was approved unanimously.
During deliberative-session preparation, the board read multiple warrant articles aloud and recorded formal votes of support. The board unanimously supported the GWAT collective bargaining warrant article and several other articles (Articles 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9); motions and votes supporting those articles were moved and seconded by board members and carried as recorded in the meeting minutes. Article 8, the Turf Field Capital Reserve warrant article, failed on a 4to4 vote amid member concerns about testing results, infill reuse and alternative options.
The meeting closed routine business with committee reports and scheduling. Chair Brodie Deshaies noted a thank-you letter to the Governor Wentworth Arts Council and the board scheduled follow-up steps for deliberations ahead of the Deliberative Session.
Votes at a glance: Motion to adopt FY2026 budget: Passed, 62 (Pike, Seibel opposed). GWAT collective bargaining warrant article (Article 3): Support motion passed (unanimous). Special Meeting warrant articles (Articles 4 and 6): Support motions passed (unanimous). GWSSA collective bargaining (Article 5): Support motion passed (unanimous). Maintenance Capital Reserve (Article 7): Support motion passed (unanimous). Turf Field Capital Reserve (Article 8): Support motion failed, 4yes, 4no. District Repairs & Improvements (Article 9): Support motion passed (unanimous).
The board entered non-public session later in the evening under RSA 91-A to discuss personnel and legal matters, accepted the retirements of Tresa Livernois, Linda Perrow and Sharon Stackhouse with gratitude, and adjourned at 9:33 p.m.
