SWANZEY, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – In a contentious Monadnock Regional School District deliberative session Saturday, attendees voted 156 to 56 in a secret ballot to amend the proposed $39,199,676 operating budget to an even $36,000,000.
The amended budget was moved by Richmond resident Antoinette Cincotta, while the secret ballot was requested by Lisa Traeger, also of Richmond. Both women spoke in favor of the amended budget, as did several other Richmond and Fitzwilliam residents. Traeger said the point is “we all need to tighten our belts.” When asked specifically what they felt needed to be cut, those who spoke in favor of the diminished budget said they did not know.
The proposed $39 million budget contained no new programs but reflected a $936,000 increase in health insurance expenses and an out-of-district tuition increase of $322,000 as the predominant driving forces behind the increase over the $37,800,000 budget voters approved last March. Monadnock Regional School District Board Member Betty Tatro of Swanzey said the increase was simply “the cost of doing business.”
Opponents of the amended budget proposal said it will have an adverse impact on the district and could potentially lead to cuts in teaching and support staff, athletic programs, or after-school programs. Budget Committee Chairman Ed Sheldon of Swanzey told the public he would aim to recommend cuts to non-academic programs and services, but said he wasn’t sure.
Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, March 11 to vote on the amended budget and the other warrant articles. If the proposed $36,000,000 budget fails, a default budget of $38,819,434 will go into effect.
All other articles passed as written with the exception of Article Six which sought to raise and appropriate the sum of $200,000 for the School Grounds Expendable Trust Fund. That was amended to $100,000 and passed on a voice vote.