Shall all Departments of the Hampton School District be required to adopt and implement “Zero-Based” budgeting when preparing and submitting budgets to the District Treasurer and School Board for consideration for March 2026 proposals for 2027? Al Hampton School District Departments are to start at $0.00, justify every expense in each department, and then review each department budget proposal with the Hampton School Board for inclusion in the annual Hampton School District ballot at 2026 Town Election. BY PETITION. (Majority vote required.)
What it Means: Petitioners are asking that SAU 90 officials start with a zero expectation for all budget items, and build up from there, justifying each expense.
Those in favor say: No one was at Deliberative Session to explain their intent or justify the request.
Those against: The school already uses a zero-based approach, assessing each department and line item from the ground up to determine exactly what resources, materials, supplies and staffing are necessary to support the operations, but also to support SAU 90’s vision and goals. The School Board and Budget Committee then review each line item to make sure it is reasonable, and that the expenditure recognizes the interests of the school, the town and the taxpayers. Those against this Article say that the added regulation would not add any sense of fiscal responsibility that is not already present.