KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) With Keene voters set to decide the Keene School District’s budget and an open enrollment policy next week, the chair of the Keene Board of Education recently joined a local radio program to explain what residents can expect when they head to the polls.

George Downing appeared on WKBK’s Good Morning with Dan Mitchell this week to discuss the proposed $82.43 million school budget and other issues that will be on the ballot during the district vote on Tuesday, March 10.

Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Keene Recreation Center. Voters must bring proof of age and residency, such as a driver’s license.

Downing said there are only two warrant articles this year, which is fewer than usual.

The first article asks voters to approve the district’s proposed $82.43 million budget. If voters reject it, the district would operate under a default budget of about $81.72 million — roughly $700,000 less.

During the interview, SAU 29 Chief Financial Officer Tim Ruehrexplained that several factors are driving the proposed spending increase, including higher special education costs, rising salaries and benefits, and a drop in state funding.

Ruehr said the district expects special education expenses to increase by about $1.5 million this year, largely due to more costly out-of-district placements. In some cases, those placements can cost as much as $250,000 per student annually.

Contractual salary and benefit increases for teachers and staff are also contributing to the budget increase, along with higher health insurance costs.

At the same time, the district anticipates receiving about $1.6 million less in state aid because funding is tied to enrollment, which has been declining in Keene and across the state.

Even with enrollment dropping, officials said the district still needs to maintain certain staffing levels and services. However, the district plans to reduce about 14 staff positions, largely because fewer students are enrolled.

If approved, the proposed budget is expected to result in an estimated 12.75% increase in the school portion of the property tax rate. Officials said that increase reflects both higher expenses — about $2.7 million more — and a reduction of about $2.3 million in revenue.

The second warrant article addresses how the district will participate in New Hampshire’s new open enrollment law, which allows students to attend public schools outside of their home district.

Downing said the school board is recommending a limited approach.

Under the proposal, Keene would allow a small number of elementary students from other districts to enroll in its schools. However, Keene students would not be allowed to leave the district under open enrollment.

Downing said the goal is to avoid potential financial risks if a large number of students were to leave after the district budget has already been set. The policy would also protect long-standing agreements with surrounding towns that send students to Keene schools.

The radio interview also touched on other district topics, including a recent $800,000 renovation of bathrooms at Keene High School. The project created private floor-to-ceiling stalls and was designed to improve safety and reduce vandalism and vaping, officials said.

Downing and Ruehr also discussed the broader challenge of declining enrollment, which is expected to continue as birth rates fall and fewer students enter kindergarten each year.

That trend could continue to affect school funding in future budgets, since state aid is based largely on student enrollment.

Listen to the full interview: