LANGDON, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Voters at Monday night’s Fall Mountain Regional School District deliberative session opted to prioritize student programs over cost-cutting, approving changes that increased the proposed operating budget while eliminating a major capital reserve contribution.

Residents from Acworth, Alstead, Charlestown, Langdon and Walpole voted to add $235,436 back into the budget, raising it to $37,773,729. They also removed an article that would have shifted $500,000 into the district’s capital reserve fund.

Concerns about rising education tax rates — particularly in Alstead and Charlestown — were raised repeatedly during the meeting, with several speakers saying the projected increases were difficult for homeowners to absorb. Still, most discussion focused on avoiding deeper reductions to academic offerings.

A key point of debate was the proposed elimination of the high school’s in-person French program. Voters ultimately supported restoring funding for the position, citing the program’s strong reputation and long-term benefits for students. Under the revised plan, the French position would remain, while 19 other positions would still be cut as part of broader staffing reductions.

Students and residents also pushed back against proposed cuts affecting Fall Mountain students attending the River Valley Technical Center in Springfield, VT. Voters approved funding to allow current participants to complete their programs, arguing that students already enrolled should not be forced to change course late in their education.

Attempts to roll back the budget by roughly $3 million and later by about $700,000 both failed.

Several articles discussed Monday will appear unchanged on the March 10 ballot, including a proposed three-year teachers’ contract that would increase wages and benefits over the next three fiscal years, an article allowing voters to decide whether Walpole and Langdon may withdraw from the district, and a proposal to limit open enrollment.

All 11 warrant articles will go before voters on Election Day at polling locations in each member town.