What it Means: The School Board proposes to raise and appropriate $2,587,361 to complete the final two phases of the roof replacement project per the roofing plan, and five-year capital improvement plan (CIP).
Those in Favor Say: The replacement of the 20-year old main school building and gymnasium roof began in the summer of 2024 and will continue through the summer of 2027. This final phase of funding was planned to coincide with the building bond expiration, such that the decrease in one line item will offset the increase needed for the replacement roof. The newer materials planned for the new roof should last 30 years.
Those Against Say: No one spoke against this Article, but questions were asked, including whether the roof could incorporate solar panels to reduce energy costs in the future. The reply was that the roof will be installed so that it is “solar-ready” and can be updated later, but solar panels are not in the budget for now.
Fiscal Impact: The net effect of the decrease in the Operating Budget (due to the retirement of debt service and other reductions), and the addition of the funds for this Article is a net increase of $255,103 or a 0.76 % (less than one percent) for the current year.
For a Hampton property valued at $650,000, the additional cost impact versus last year would be $15.60 (at Hampton’s share of 47.3%). Take your property valuation, divided by 1000 and multiplied by .024 to get a number that would reflect your increase.