What it means: The SAU 90 Proposed Operating Budget is more than last year by $2,084,825.  That consists of $1,255,849 that will be included in the Default Budget, and $828,975 that is being proposed to cover additional expenses.

Note:  The school district is seeking a 5% salary increase and associated benefits for 57 Non-Union employees; including those who work in Custodial, Support Staff, Technology, ABA Techs (behavioral support), Social Worker, and Administrators.  These salary and benefit increases represent 44% of the Proposed Budget increase over the Default ($359,868).

Additionally, the Proposed Budget includes Special Ed costs to support an increasing number of students identified as needing out-of-district placements; as well as funding for increases in Transportation and facilities costs.

Those in favor say: Regarding the increases to the salaries and benefits for the 57 non-union employees, the school district is competing with other schools to hire support staff such as custodians, food service, etc. It has been very challenging to find people, and some of this is due to potential applicants not being able to afford to live in this area.  The modest 5% increase will help to make these jobs more attractive.

Special Education costs reflect the changing needs of the students; we are required to educate any child that comes through our door. Every attempt is made to keep the children within our district, but at times we need to place them outside for services we are not prepared to deliver.  When we have a move-in who needs out-of-district services that we did not budget for, that increases our costs by $100,000 to $200,000 per student (including  transportation). The school has no control over move-ins, and no option once the need is identified for services the district does not offer. Since these occurrences may take place within the budget year, any such diversion of funds means that less funds are available for the rest of the student body.  The Proposed Operating budget asks for recognition of these unforeseeable costs so that all students can receive the education they deserve.

Funds that were previously available due to the effects of the pandemic, notably ESSER funds (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund) were concluded as of last year.  That means less dollars available to offset district costs.

Those against say: No one spoke against the Article at the SAU 90 Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: The difference between the actual budget from 2023-24 and what is proposed for 2024-25 is $2,084,824. That difference will add .53 per thousand of property valuation, or $212.00 to the tax due for a household valued at $400,000.

Should Article 1 fail to pass, the Default Budget will add $128.00 to the tax bill versus last year for a property valued at $400,000.  Thus, the difference between accepting or rejecting the Proposed Operating budget is $84.00.

Take your property valuation divided by 1000 and multiply by .53 to get your cost increase versus last year for the Proposed Operating budget, and .32 to get the cost for the Default budget.

What it means: This is an annual request to keep the buildings updated and in good condition.

Those in favor say: Paying for ongoing maintenance helps to prevent more expensive repairs or student displacement in the future.

Those against say: No one spoke against the Article at the SAU 90 Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: Technically, $300,000 will cost an additional .076 per thousand, or $30.40 for a home valued at $400,000.  Keep in mind that the $300,000 was part of the budget last year, so there would be no increase in your tax bill due to this Article, if it passes.

What it means: This Article requests voter approval for the funding of a centralized ventilation system to improve air movement and air quality via dehumidification.  This is not the same as air conditioning, which is cooling the space.  This is to reduce moisture and to prevent mold issues.

Air Exchanges:

• Replace inside air with fresh outside air that has been dehumidified
• Reduce the level of carbon dioxide
• Operate quietly
• Are controlled by an automated direct digital system
• . Measure the demand, to better control costs

Current Condition at Centre School – Air Purifiers/Scrubbers

• UV Light / HEPA filtration
• Purchased in 2020, and meant as a temporary solution
• The system runs 24/7 to assure ventilation and acceptable indoor air quality
• The current system requires frequent servicing due to size and constant air circulation
• The air purifiers are noisy.

Those in favor say: The building was constructed in 1927, with an addition in 1959.  Air treatment needs and technology have changed since then. The air treatment system that was put in place during the pandemic was meant as a stop-gap measure and has a lot of short-comings.  This request is a lot of money, but it is necessary.  It will cover design and construction; renovation and replacement of the indoor air quality systems at Centre school.

The American Lung Association writes that “Taking steps to address air quality issues in schools before they become a problem can make a big difference in the health and success of students, faculty, and staff. Making even minor changes can have a large impact on health and learning. Increasing outdoor ventilation rates can result in higher standardized test scores, reduce the spread of respiratory illness, and decrease absences.  Good indoor air quality helps to create a healthy learning environment and results in better health and learning outcomes.”

Those against say: No one spoke against the Article at public meetings.

Fiscal Impact: The $2 million cost for this project will cost .51 per $1,000 of assessed value, or $201.60 for a property valued at $400,000.

What it means: Sacred Heart School is a private school in Hampton. Hampton students 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. There are 47 Hampton students who are in attendance at Sacred Heart School in the current academic year (out of about 240 total attendance in grades Pre-K through 8). The amount sought is 9% less than the amount requested in 2023, due to enrollment changes. The dollar amount is $1,117 per student. Around 30% of the funding goes toward nursing, and the balance is used for items such as for technology or health-related items.

Those in favor say:  Articles in support of a local private school are very common throughout NH. So long as the funds appropriated are used for the child benefit services listed in the statutes, they may be expended for those purposes. The use of the funding by Sacred Heart School falls within the allowed purposes.

Those opposed say: Some people have expressed concerns about supporting a religious organization, even if the funds are not specifically used for religious purposes. Others feel that any funds raised by such an Article should be shared by any private school in the Town (there are only a few other private schools in town, and they are Pre-K, or special ed).  Some question whether this support still benefits the Town.  At one point, the support was deemed reasonable because Hampton schools were overcrowded, which is not currently the case.

Fiscal Impact: A Hampton home valued at $400,000 would bear a tax cost of $5.20 in 2024, less than last year, meaning no increase versus your last tax bill if this Article passes. Take your property valuation divided by 1000 and multiplied by .013 to get your cost. This decision is for the current year only.