Members of the School Board along with the Budget Committee were briefed on the proposed $81 million FY-26 budget on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
“Tonight we’re just handing over the budget,” Londonderry Superintendent Dan Black said during the meeting.
Black explained that by early January the School Board finalizes the proposed budget that they will send to the Deliberative Session in February.
It was explained by Black, that the proposed budget limits the growth over last year’s budget, and in fact, the proposed operating budget, as of now, would be less than the current budget.
“We’re delivering a budget today that is about $33,000 less than that,” Black said during the meeting.
Black said that they did so intentionally in order to allow for the prioritization of a Full Day Kindergarten and District Office potentially proposed warrant article, while also prioritizing their academic and co-curricular program.
“We have a budget that’s basically level funded,” Black said during the meeting.
The proposed operating budget put forward by Black is a total of $81,116,875, compared to the FY 25 budget of $81,149,869.
Black said in addition to being below the FY 25 budget, the proposed operating budget is actually less than the Default Budget of $89,240,249.
In total the proposed operating budget is about $123,000 less than the Default Budget.
One of the major aspects of the budget is for personnel, and Black said they are proposing a net reduction of $365,100 for the add/ swap staffing requests.
Black said it accounts for the enrollment the District has, and what is needed for both academics, and co-curriculars because of it.
As of now, if the proposed operating budget was approved, it would mean that $67,184,188 would need to be raised from local taxes, which would equate to an anticipated tax rate of $9.47.
Black explained if that were to stand, it would be 93 cents less than the current tax rate.
During the meeting, Black also laid out the schedule for the budget review process, which includes meetings on Dec. 10, and Dec. 17, with the School Board expected to finalize its proposed budget on Jan. 7.
On Jan. 26, they are expected to have its public hearing, and also a public hearing for any potential bonds that are proposed.
This year’s Deliberative Session is scheduled to take place on Feb. 7, with voting taking place on March 11.
School Board Chair Bob Slater, said he appreciates the due dillence that went into having the proposed operating budget come in below last year’s budget.
“I think it’s a good start for the budget,” Slater said.
The next School Board meeting is set to take place on Dec.10 beginning at 7 p.m.