Weare school session to consider 4% higher budget and new teacher contract

Weare voters will debate a proposed $21.4 million school operating budget and new contracts for teachers and support personnel at the school district’s deliberative session on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

The proposed budget for the next school year is 3.66%, or about $650,000, higher than the one approved last year. Health benefits alone rose $412,000 on two line items, making it the most significant cost driver.

A proposed two-year contract for teachers will be on the ballot. Its first-year cost is $384,000.

Also on the warrant is a petitioned article concerning Education Freedom Accounts, the state’s school voucher program. It “calls on our legislators to protect taxpayers by requiring the Education Freedom Account program to provide fiscal and educational performance reports comparable to those required of public schools, and by limiting eligibility to families with demonstrated financial need.”

Weare School District covers Center Woods Elementary and Weare Middle schools.

The deliberative session will be held at Weare Middle School, 16 East Road, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Registered voters can discuss budget and warrant article and amend them to an extent. Final votes will take place Election Day, March 10.

The school board has two three-year seats available to new candidates.

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