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Board warns contingent budget would cut equipment, buses and free facility use if voters reject budget
Summary
Officials said a contingent budget—required if the budget fails and a revote is not successful—would prohibit a tax‑levy increase and eliminate equipment purchases, the $100,000 capital outlay, free facility use for community groups, and school bus purchases.
At the May 11 budget hearing, district presenters outlined concrete consequences if voters reject the budget and the board ultimately must adopt a contingent budget: no tax‑levy increase, elimination of equipment purchases, disallowing the $100,000 mini capital outlay (including a planned tile repair at the middle/high school), cessation of free facility use for community groups and cancellation of school bus purchases.
Mrs. May described the contingency rule: "A contingent budget would mean there's no increase in the tax levy for the prior year. So, essentially, eliminating that $416,000 increase...It would eliminate school bus purchases, and lastly, it would just eliminate any other program or non contingent expenditures in order to fit the expenditure budget within that $416,000 loss of revenue." Community members raised concerns about whether town recreation programs and youth groups could absorb new facility rental charges if the district lost that free‑use arrangement.
Board members and residents urged turnout, noting past low passage rates; presenters recommended communication and outreach to ensure voters understand program impacts of a failed budget.
