CHESHIRE COUNTY, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Voters across the county will head to the polls on Tuesday for local elections and town meetings, with school district budgets taking center stage. In the Monadnock Regional School District, Article 1 on the school ballot reflects a significant $3 million budget reduction made during the deliberative session in February. About 200 residents attended that session, with an overwhelming three out of four voters supporting the cut.

Keene School District Budget and Special Education Debate

In Keene, special education funding was a key discussion point at this year’s deliberative session, much like in previous years. Last year, voters approved an additional $500,000 for special education positions. However, a similar funding increase proposed this year was rejected. Keene Board of Education Chair George Downing stated that the schools did not indicate a need for more special education staffing. He assured that if a need arises during the year, it will be addressed. Downing also noted that much of last year’s added funding went into surplus.

Voters in the Keene School District will cast their ballots at the Recreation Center from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Downing discussed the district’s budget on WKBK’s “Good Morning” program on Friday (listen here).

School District Withdrawal Proposals

Several towns are considering whether to explore withdrawing from their regional school districts.

  • Alstead voters will decide if the town should request a feasibility study on leaving the Fall Mountain Regional School District. If the study proceeds and a withdrawal plan gains approval from the State Board of Education, all towns in the district—including Acworth, Charlestown, Langdon, and Walpole—would vote on the potential separation.
  • Langdon and Walpole voters will weigh in on directing the district to conduct a feasibility study for their own withdrawal. However, Langdon’s measure would be void if Walpole residents reject the study proposal.
  • Rindge residents have the option to request a study on withdrawing from the Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District. A similar proposal passed in 2019, but a resulting committee concluded in 2020 that leaving the district would be more costly than staying. Rindge has been part of the district since 1969.
  • ConVal School District voters will consider whether to allow two of its nine member towns—Dublin and Francestown—to withdraw. Interest in leaving the district arose after last year’s failed proposal to amend the district’s articles of agreement, which would have allowed for the closure of elementary schools in Dublin, Francestown, Bennington, and Temple amid declining enrollment.

Polling Locations and Hours

Residents will vote at their designated polling places on Tuesday, March 11. Here are the locations and times for some area towns:

  • Acworth – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., town hall
  • Alstead – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., town hall
  • Chesterfield – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., town hall
  • Dublin – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., town hall
  • Keene – 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., all wards at the Keene Parks and Recreation Center
  • Peterborough – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Peterborough Community Center
  • Swanzey – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monadnock Regional High School
  • Winchester – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Winchester School Gym

For a full list of polling locations and times, check with your local town offices.

See election results tomorrow at My Keene Now.