File image of SAU 90 School Resource Officers, courtesy of the Hampton Union.

To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100,000 forthe purpose of a second School Resource Officer to serve Centre School and Marston School in the district.  (Majority vote required.)

What it means: Hampton currently employs two School Resource Officers, one at Hampton Academy and one that is shared between Marston School and Centre School.  This authorization would add one officer to the Police Department so that all three schools would have a dedicated School Resource Officer.  The dollar commitment was spelled out as follows:  Officers assigned usually have more than three years of service which puts them at an annual pay of $50,532.20. The Town’s retirement costs are 29.43% or $14,868.98. Maximum insurance cost is $25,277.43, Dental is $1,606.72, Life Insurance is $118.00, Workman’s Compensation Insurance is estimated at $1,854.20 for this example for a grand total of $94,248.53. These numbers can change depending on the pay rate of the officer assigned and any changes in retirement or benefit costs. The remaining funds help offset training costs and equipment.

Those in favor say: A School Resource Officer increases the safety in the schools by serving as a deterrent, by building relationships with the students and, if needed, by direct intervention in criminal activity.

Those opposed say: Some people expressed concern that the objective of increasing safety in the schools was not discussed as an overall topic with multiple possibilities considered prior to putting forward an additional police officer as a pre-determined solution to whatever safety concerns there might be.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $405,000 would bear a one-time tax cost of $12.24 in 2019.  This would impact future years as well, since the salary and associated expenses would then become part of the default budget.

Article 5 – Child Benefit Services

To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate funds in the amount of $38,925 to provide child benefit services, in accordance with RSA 189:49, for students who are residents of the Hampton School District and attend Sacred Heart School located in Hampton, New Hampshire.  BY PETITION. (Majority vote required.)

What it means: Sacred Heart School is a private school in town. Thirty nine Hampton residents attend Sacred Heart as opposed to attending the Hampton public schools. This Article asks for an offset for child benefit services in lieu of the taxpayers paying for the students to attend public school.

Those in favor say: These students would otherwise be attending the public schools at an average cost per student of $15,000. The Article asks for $998 per student.  These funds help to cover a nurse, educational technology, supplies and textbooks. Funds are not used for any religious purposes.

Those against say: Some people have expressed concerns with supporting a religious organization, even if the funds are not specifically used for religious purposes.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $405,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $4.50 in 2019 if this Article passes. Approval of this Article affects the current year only.

The Warrant for SAU 21 will consist of 7 Articles in 2019, as detailed below.

Shall the School District raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $27,208,859. Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $26,807,906 which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the School District or by law; or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only.  (Majority vote required.)  Note: Warrant Article #1 (operating budget) does not include appropriations in any other warrant articles.

What it means:  The proposed 2019-20 operating budget for the Winnacunnet Cooperative School District is $27,208,859.  Should this budget be defeated, the Default Budget will be in effect; and that is $400,953 less than the proposed budget.  If this Article passes, Hampton voters will be responsible for $184,438 (46% of the differential between the fallback budget and the proposed budget).

Note the numbers presented below are for Hampton’s share only, not the whole of SAU 21’s budget.  To calculate the effect on your property tax (for your specific property):

• Divide the Tax Assessor’s Valuation of your home by 1,000. (Example: for the average assessment of $405,000, the number to use would be 405.) Use your latest tax bill, or go to: http://gis.vgsi.com/hamptonnh/Search.aspxand enter your street address to get your valuation.
• Multiply the result in #1 by .132 to get the tax impact of the proposed Operating Budget, as compared to last year’s budget.
• Multiply the result in #1 by .055 to determine the tax impact if the Operating Budget fails.

Those in favor say: The 2019-20 proposed budget provides the resources to support approved goals for the District, and the initiatives to provide a personalized learning environment for each student.  Further, the budget reflects continued implementation of the School Board approved Technology Plan and Facilities Plan.

The following summarizes the budget line items with a significant increase or decrease, and reasoning for variance.

Special Education = $3,512,047 (-1.5% Decrease $51,921).  The decrease in special education is based on student need as dictated by Individualized Education Plan (IEP) services, mandated by law.

There is a slight increase in salaries, reflecting the new administrative salary structure and staff COLA (cost of living adjustment).

Vocational Programs = $199,860 (- 14% Decrease $32,514). The decrease reflects the total contracted enrollment of 90 students.

Student Activities = $883,604 (+2.5% Increase $21,497). The increase reflects adjustments to officials, rentals, supplies, and uniform accounts due to additional sports and cost escalation.  Further, increases in salaries reflect the administrative salary structure and staff COLA.

Guidance = $846,122 (+2.8% Increase $22,752). The increase reflects anticipated track advances for certified teachers, the administrative salary structure, staff COLA, and biennial PowerSchool attendance.

Improvement of Instruction = $389,591 (+13.9% Increase $47,514).  The increase is primarily due to a significant increase in tuition reimbursement based upon actual expenditure history.

Information Technology $740,962 (+5.6% Increase $39,330). The Information Technology accounts align with the School Board approved Technology Plan.  The increase reflects a new contracted services engagement with the SAU to recognize personnel and cost efficiencies, the administrative salary structure, staff salary COLA, and a one-time software/licensing purchase of Scholastic Hosting.  These increases are slightly offset by a reduction in the repair/maintenance account.

SAU Services $850,896 (+30% Increase $251,069). The increase reflects an investment in an enhanced vision of the SAU, envisioned to better serve all of our districts.  The goal is a more consistent, collaborative, and efficient operation that benefits all stakeholders by improving services and increasing cost-effectiveness.  This includes:  Competency Based Education (CBE) Planning and Implementation, SAU-level Director of Student Services, PowerSchool (Student Management System) across all districts, and technology synergies.

School Administration $856,652 (+6.2% Increase $50,188).  The change is due to reallocating all graduation related expenditures into the graduation account; administrative salary structure; and COLA.

Buildings $1,807,064 (+4.8% Increase $82,522).  The Buildings, Grounds and Vehicles accounts align with the School Board approved Facilities Plan.  The increase is due to a number of factors:  cost of living adjustment for staff, additional repair and maintenance needs, and higher heating fuel and electricity rates.  The increases were slightly offset by decreases in consultant and insurance costs.

Grounds $282,920 (+6.2% Increase $16,479).  The increase is due to contracted lawn services, the purchase of a new lawn mower and tractor that have reached end-of-life, and a plan to top-dress the baseball field to counter chronic flooding and condition issues.

Transportation $1,035,854 (+18.8% Increase $164,182). The increase reflects a new five-year contract.

Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: The difference between the proposed operating budget and last year’s adopted budget is $960,634 of which Hampton is responsible for 46%.  This differential will create an additional tax cost for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 of $53.86 as compared to last year. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .077 to get the difference for your tax bill between voting “yes” to the proposed SAU 21 operating budget or voting “no” and operating under the default budget for 2019.

To see if the School District will vote to approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Winnacunnet School Board and the Seacoast Education Association which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the proposed staffing levels:

2019-20       $299,101                            $0                             $76,994                        $376,095

2020-21       $319,900                     ($11,737)                        $82,349                        $390,512

2021-22       $308,860                           $0                             $79,478                        $388,338

2022-23       $312,524                            $0                             $80,405                       $392,929

and further to raise and appropriate the sum of $376,095 for the 2019-20 school year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at proposed staffing levels in accordance with the current collective bargaining agreement.   (Majority vote required.)

Note:  In order for this article to be adopted, it must be approved by the voters of all the school districts (Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Seabrook, South Hampton and the Winnacunnet Cooperative School District (includes Hampton voters).

What it means: This Collaborative Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is a four-year cost of living adjustment of 2.75% per year, offset by some concessions. One concession provides for reducing the higher cost of health insurance by removing Blue Choice, changing from a three-tier prescription program to a five-tier program for additional cost savings.  It provides for an allowance for non-benefit eligible employees to participate in SAU 21 healthcare plan at 100% their own expense, it also eliminates the option for a spouse to take opt-out payments if both spouses are employed in SAU 21 and one is enrolled in a health insurance plan.

This CBA increases the retirement stipend from $600 per year of service to $625 per year of service and allows for an increase of unused accrued sick day retirement payout from $40 per day to $45 per day.  The longevity stipends for years of service and stipends for holding an advanced degree will increase according to the 2.75% COLA, for eligible teachers.

Teachers will be required to remain in school on Fridays until approximately fifteen (15) minutes after the normal closing of school for students.  Teachers who change school districts within SAU 21 will retain any sick leave benefit attained in the prior SAU 21 school district.  Sick leave will be credited at the start of the school year to reflect actual practice, and language was clarified in the sick leave bank section to better reflect actual practice.

Those in favor say: The proposed CBA is the result of a negotiation process that all parties felt was both fair to our teachers and fiscally responsible to our community and taxpayers. If the contract is not approved by the voters, it will result in a “status quo” agreement for all teachers: Staff will not receive a step or cost of living adjustment or the negotiated stipends, and course reimbursement will not increase.  Benefits will remain intact from the previous contract.  But the concessions will not be put in place either. The high-cost Blue Choice health plan will remain in effect at a higher cost to the school with no contingency to address potential ACA excise tax exposure.  The administration will lose the ability to better control course reimbursement to benefit the school, to hold teachers accountable for meetings, training, etc. on Friday afternoons, to manage personal day usage, and they would forego tools to help retain great teachers through SAU-wide professional status.

After failing three (3) times in the last nine (9) years, there is legitimate concern that staff morale and job satisfaction will suffer.  There is concern that teachers may leave SAU 21 for surrounding districts to regain missed steps and achieve higher salaries.  Our compensation package is trending down relative to surrounding districts – which could negatively impact our ability to attract and retain valuable teachers, and deliver our high educational standards.

Those opposed say: No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $405,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $21.62. Multiply your tax valuation divided by 1,000 times .053 to get your tax impact.  This affects your tax bill through the 2022-23 contract year.

To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $244,151 to continue the HVAC replacement project at Winnacunnet High School that is estimated to cost $1.5 million between now and 2025? This project is part of the facility plan adopted by the school board. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7 VI and will not lapse until the project is complete or June 30, 2021, whichever is earlier. (Majority vote required.)

What it means: The proposed HVAC upgrade project reflects the scheduled upgrade of the C-Wing to a functioning HVAC system with proper ventilation (which currently does not operate).        The project is part of the ongoing HVAC replacement cycle that includes ongoing HVAC replacement, upgrades, and duct cleaning as the systems reach end of life.

Those in favor say: The HVAC replacement cycle helps minimize large one-time expenditures for multiple system replacements, and distributes the spending over multiple years.

 Those opposed say:No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $405,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $ 13.46 in 2019.   Multiply your tax valuation divided by 1,000 times .033 to get your tax impact. This decision is for the current year only.

 

To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $192,200 to replace the auditorium roof. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7 VI and will not lapse until the project is complete or June 30, 2021, whichever is earlier. (Majority vote required.

What it means: The Winnacunnet auditorium roof has reached its end of life and requires replacement. The proposed project aligns with the overall roof replacement plan that was developed in conjunction with a roof consultant.

Those in favor say: The roof replacement is part of the multi-year cycle for necessary building maintenance at Winnacunnet Cooperative High School.

Those opposed say: No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $405,000 would bear a one-time tax cost of $10.61 in 2019.  Multiply your tax valuation divided by 1,000 times .026 to get your tax impact.  This decision is for the current year only.

To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $115, 000 for resurfacing the track ($90,000) and tennis courts ($25,000) The track was installed in 2010 and it is recommended that it be resurfaced and relined every 8 years to maintain the integrity of the surface.  The tennis court was last resurfaced in 2012 and is in need of repair and resurfacing, which is recommended every 7 years. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7 VI and will not lapse until the project is complete or June 30, 2021, whichever is earlier.   (Majority vote required.)

What it means: The Winnacunnet track and tennis courts have exceeded the recommended years of use, per the manufacturer’s specifications. Further, the facilities department has inspected both surfaces, and determined that resurfacing is necessary.

Those in favor say:  We need to perform regular maintenance in order to protect the investment in the School District’s assets. Note: It is recommended that both surfaces be resurfaced every eight (8) years going forward.

Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $405,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $6.53 in 2019 if this Article passes. Multiply your tax valuation divided by 1,000 times .016 to get your tax impact.  This decision is for 2019 only.

To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate $75,000 to be added to the existing Health Care Expendable Trust Fund, with up to $75,000 to be funded from the June 30, 2019 unassigned fund balance available for transfer on July 1, 2019. No additional amount to be raised from taxation.  (Majority vote required.)

What it means: The Health Care Expendable Trust was established for the purpose of safeguarding the school district against increasing health insurance premium costs, or unanticipated health insurance related expenditures.  Trust Balance (as of 12/31/18): $75,718; Target Balance: $200,000

Those in favor say: The 2019-20 proposed operating budget includes a reduction of $75,000 with the intent to withdraw funds from the Health Care Expendable Trust to help mitigate the large health insurance premium increase, if needed. Funding for the Health Care Expendable Trust comes from any potential available year-end fund balance, and is not raised via additional taxation.

Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: There is no tax impact because the money was appropriated in prior tax years. This Article is allowing the withdrawal of the money from the fund for the specified purpose.

To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate $50,000 to be added to the existing

Special Education Expendable Trust Fund, with up to $50,000 to be funded from the June 30, 2019 unassigned fund balance available for transfer on July 1, 2019.  No additional amount to be raised from taxation. (Majority vote required.)

What it means: The Special Education Expendable Trust was established for the purpose of covering unanticipated costs. It is beneficial to replenish the Special Education expendable trust to safeguard and mitigate future unexpected costs.

Those in favor say:  Funding for special education continues to present fiscal challenges to the district.  Funding for the Special Education Expendable Trust comes from any potential available year-end fund balance, and is not raised via additional taxation.  Trust Balance (as of 12/31/18): $258,041; Target Balance: $300,000

Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: There is no tax impact because the money was appropriated in prior tax years. This Article is allowing the withdrawal of the money from the fund for the specified purpose.