SAU 21 Article 1: 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 $28,569,586? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $28,389,340 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 FY 2020-21 SAU 21 proposed operating budget is $28,569,586 which reflects an increase of $984,632 versus the 2019 budget of $27,584,954, or 3.57%.

The Default Budget is $28,389,340, an increase of 2.9% over last year’s adopted budget or an increase of $804,386.

Hampton is responsible for 45.46% of SAU 21’s appropriations.

Those in favor say:

Three components represent 83% of the increase in the 2020 school year budget versus last year:

1. Special Education: +$433,210 Increases for special education services and transportation per students’ individualized education plans (IEP) as mandated by state and federal law.
2. Seacoast Education Association (SEA) CBA Salaries: +$300,333 Represents 2.75% cost of living adjustment (COLA) and step increases per new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
3. ROTC Salary: +$82,818 Change in accounting practice for the federal USMC reimbursement for ROTC salary as offsetting revenue, as opposed to an account credit. There will be no tax assessment variance, however, the operating budget reflects the increase (with a corresponding revenue increase).

Fiscal Impact: Using the example of a home valued at $400,000, adoption of the Proposed Operating Budget for SAU 21 will cause an increase in taxes of $48.23.  If the Operating Budget fails to pass, the Default Budget will create an increase of $39.40.  The difference if the Operating Budget passes is $8.83. Take your property valuation divided by 1000 and multiplied by .12 to get the tax impact for your property (if Article 1 passes).

SAU 21 Article 2: 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 Educational Support Personnel Association which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the proposed staffing levels:

Year                 Estimated                     Estimated Health          Tot Est                                                               Salary Increase             Insurance                     Cost Increase

2020-21           $13,143                      $          0                          $13,143

2021-22           $13,311                       $          0                         $13,311

2022-23           $  6,670                      $          0                         $  6,670

2023-24           $  6,770                      $          0                         $  6,770

and further to raise and appropriate the sum of $13,143 for the 2020-21 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 the school districts of Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Seabrook, South Hampton and the voters of the Winnacunnet Cooperative  School District (which includes Hampton voters).

Hampton is responsible for 45.46% of SAU 21’s appropriations.

What it means:  Article 2 asks for the funding for a Collective Bargaining Agreement for SEPSA, which represents the para-professionals who mainly assist students with special needs.  It is a four-year agreement from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024. Year one includes a 2.5% cost of living adjustment; Year two includes a 1.0% cost of living adjustment and the addition of Step 11; and Years three and four each include a 1.0% cost of living adjustment.  The average SAU 21 SESPA employee has an annual salary of $21,150.

Those in favor say:  The proposed collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for our SESPA employees provides improved compensation and benefits to retain and attract vital educational associates.  The agreement includes contractual language to manage employees more efficiently, and safeguards against potential IRS penalties*.

*Two (2) SAU 21 districts have been levied with IRS penalties for not offering affordable health care insurance to SESPA employees. The coverage included with this CBA will eliminate this exposure and cost liability.

The SAU has a 25% turnover rate of important educational associates, and long vacancies due to difficulties hiring qualified personnel for open positions. The #1 cited reason is a lack of health insurance coverage. 76% of the positions are not currently covered by health insurance. The proposed agreement will cover all but 3% of these positions. Comparable SAU’s in our geographic area all offer health insurance and more competitive compensation packages. As such, SAU 21 is at a significant competitive disadvantage.

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

Fiscal Impact: If Article 2 is approved, it will cause an increase in taxes of $0.64 for a Hampton home valued at $400,000.  Take your property valuation divided by 1000 and multiplied by .002 to get your cost.

SAU 21 Article 3:To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $231,910 to continue the HVAC replacement project at Winnacunnet High School? 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, 2022, whichever is earlier.  (Majority vote required.)

Hampton is responsible for 45.46% of SAU 21’s appropriations.

 What it means: Article 3 reflects the scheduled upgrade of the D-wing to a functioning HVAC system. The project is part of the ongoing HVAC replacement cycle that includes incremental HVAC replacement as systems reach end of functionality; upgrades; controls integration; and duct cleaning.

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

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

Fiscal Impact: A Hampton home valued at $400,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $ 11.12 in 2020 if SAU 21 Article 3 passes. Take your property valuation divided by 1000 and multiplied by .028 to get your cost. This decision is for the current year only.

SAU 21 Article 4: To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $85,000 to replace the auditorium sound system. The current system is not fully functional and is undersized for the space and design of the auditorium.  This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7 VI and will not lapse until the project is complete or June 30, 2022, whichever is earlier.  (Majority vote required.)

Hampton is responsible for 45.46% of SAU 21’s appropriations.

What it means: The auditorium sound system replacement project represents a full replacement and upgrade of the auditorium sound system. The current system reached end of life and is not properly engineered and designed for optimal sound acoustics, resulting in multiple dead zones or poor quality acoustics throughout the auditorium.

Those in favor say: The new proposed sound system is designed to resolve acoustical problems and provide the proper system for both school use and for community uses.

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

Fiscal Impact: A Hampton home valued at $400,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $4.07 in 2020 if this Article passes. Take your property valuation divided by 1000 and multiplied by .01 to get your cost.

SAU 21 Article 5: To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate $75,000 to be added to the existing Special Education Expendable Trust Fund, with up to $75,000 to be funded from the June 30, 2020 unassigned fund balance available for transfer on July 1, 2020. No additional amount to be raised from taxation. (Majority vote required.)

What it means:  Article 5 is a continuation of a policy to set aside surplus funds in a designated account to cover unanticipated mandated expenses to assist our students with special needs.  Funding for the Special Education Expendable Trust comes from any potential available year-end fund balance; no additional taxation is required.

Those in favor say: The Special Education Expendable Trust was established for the purpose of funding unanticipated special education costs. As such, it is beneficial to replenish the Special Education Expendable Trust to safeguard and mitigate future unexpected costs.  The target for the fund is $400,000, which has been updated to reflect increased out-of-district placement costs.  The current balance is $319,325.

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

Fiscal Impact: No additional amount to be raised from taxation.

SAU 21 Article 6: 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, 2020 unassigned fund balance available for transfer on July 1, 2020. 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 funding and safeguarding the school district against increasing health insurance premium costs, or unanticipated health insurance related expenditures. The Health Care Expendable Trust also allows for mitigation of large potential budget increases due to rising health insurance rates. The target for the fund is $300,000 and the current balance is $$154,029.

Those in favor say: Funding for the Health Care Expendable Trust comes from any potential available year-end fund balance, i.e. not raised via additional taxation.  It is wise to set this money aside so that as unexpected costs arise, the District is prepared.

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

Fiscal Impact: No additional amount to be raised from taxation.

SAU 21 Article 7: To see whether police officers shall be permitted to enforce federal immigration laws, comply with immigration detainer requests, or contact federal immigration authorities to conduct a background investigation on anyone arrested on evidence of any other crime.  No school district nor town official shall establish “Sanctuary Cities” policies that prevent immigration laws from being enforced by any police officer nor federal immigration officer in the performance of their job. CITIZEN’S  PETITION by 25 or more registered voters of the Winnacunnet School District.  (Majority vote required.)

What it means: Max Abramson, NH state rep for District 20 Rockingham County, along with 25 registered voters, put this question on the ballot as a poll to get the opinion of voters on the topic.  If this Article passes, it would be non-binding.

Those in favor say: The petitioner said that he felt it was an efficient way to start a discussion about policies with regard to immigration policies and law enforcement as it relates to “sanctuary cities”.

Those against say: The points that were made at Deliberative Session include:

• Regardless of one’s position on the topic, a School District Warrant is not the place for this question.
• The Winnacunnet School District has no jurisdiction over the activities of law enforcement in the represented towns (N Hampton, Hampton, Seabrook, Hampton Falls and South Hampton).
• “Sanctuary Cities policies” is the primary topic, but no definition is provided.
• . Schools do not establish immigration policies.

 Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact for this Article.