As members of the SRSD Budget Advisory Committee, we are asking voters of Belmont and Canterbury to support the proposed 2024-2025 budget. As established by a warrant article, the Advisory Budget Committee comprises three members of Canterbury and four members of Belmont. This year two members of Canterbury and one member of Belmont submitted letters of interest and were accepted by the School Board.

Given the base adequacy rate (the minimum amount of money the state sends to public schools for each student) directly impacts the budget, the Advisory Committee also followed the ConVal school funding lawsuit and the New Hampshire Superior Court’s ruling that the current levels of base adequacy are too low and unconstitutional. The court wrote that while it is up to the legislature to determine the cost of base adequacy it can be no less than $7356.01. The current base adequacy is only $4,100 per pupil, per year, while the actual average cost of educating a New Hampshire student is $19,400 per year. This is pending action by the state Legislature and, unfortunately, will not benefit the 2024-2025 budget.

For the SRSD 2024-2025 budget, the School Board committed hours of discussion and difficult decisions, always with taxpayers, students, and district employees in mind. The budget was scrutinized to look for savings that would not directly impact the quality of education.  

Funding is a central component to providing a high-quality education and the goals of public education must evolve with the changing world. Supporting quality education and preparing students for the changing world is a fundamental responsibility of our communities. We feel the proposed budget is fiscally responsible and supports appropriate funding for all programs benefiting the students.

~ Heidi Chaney, Andrew Fournier and Jay Grafton, SRSD Budget Advisory Committee members