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Hope residents warn of 12% projected HES budget increase; School Committee seeks cuts
Summary
Public comment flagged a second draft HES budget that would raise local taxes by about 12%, citing a $71,000 reduction in state aid and a reported legislative minimum teacher wage of $50,000; the School Committee asked staff to pursue cuts and will meet March 23 to revise the draft.
Karen Gallagher, representing remarks from the HES School Committee during public comment, said the committee's second draft budget "showed a 12% increase impact to taxpayers," and that the state subsidy has "decreased by approx. $71,000." She told the Select Board the committee also cited a legislative requirement to set the minimum teacher annual wage at $50,000 as a driver of the increase and asked Shawn to prepare budget cuts; the next HES budget workshop is scheduled for March 23.
The board did not take a vote on the school budget at the meeting but heard that the School Committee considered the projected tax impact too large and requested further revisions. Shawn was reported to have met with 18 contractors to gather roofing and window specifications before accepting bids for repair work. The Select Board recorded these points for follow-up; no formal board action on the school budget occurred at this session.
