LONDONDERRY — Building plans, upgrades and improvements to facilities, and a lot of ways to spend money to make education successful while keeping taxpayers’ wallets in mind are topping the list as communities delve into school budget decisions.
In Londonderry, the proposed school budget for the 2024-2025 session is proposed at $88,259,411, an amount showing an increase of 2.69% over last year’s approved number.
The public had a chance to weigh in on the budget number and other spending hopes during a hearing last week.
The operating budget presented is a good number, according to school Superintendent Dan Black, saying at the recent public hearing that a lot of hard work went into crafting the numbers, keeping students and staff in mind while focusing on ways to continue to offer the best education possible in a fiscally sound way.
“A lot of hard decisions were made to get here,” Black said, adding it was a collaborative effort between administration, budget committee members and many others giving input and support.
Black said the proposed budget limits growth over last year’s number and also supports the district’s strategic plan and investments in not only academics but co-curricuar programs.
Budget increases are seen in money for strategic investments, including $200,000 for a new elementary literacy program; $30,000 for increased Career/Technical Education tuition, and $38,000 for electronic textbooks for advanced high school classes.
One big spending item that could make it to the March ballot is a $34.2 million project to expand and add on to Moose Hill School, where the district’s preschool and kindergarten programs are housed.
Past building studies concluded that Moose Hill has outgrown the programs and space needed for the younger students.
For dealing with overcrowding, proposed additions would add 24,646 square feet.
The project would also address bringing a full-day kindergarten to Londonderry, adding on an additional 18,013 square feet to the Moose Hill footprint.
School officials were scheduled to hold a public hearing on the Moose Hill bonded project this week.
Other articles that could make it to the final ballot in March include money to support the district’s building and grounds capital research fund, $125,000 for the technology network infrastructure capital reserve and funding for an equipment capital reserve fund.
The school warrant also includes an article asking voters to support a collective bargaining agreement between the school district and its school support staff.
Residents will have opportunities to hear more about the proposed budget and warrant articles during the annual deliberative session set for Friday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. at the Londonderry High School cafeteria.
Articles can be challenged and amended by voters at this meeting prior to being finalized for the March ballot.
Budget information and details on the Moose Hill project can be found at londonderry.org.
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Kennedy Cole, a college junior studying accounting, knew she wanted to attend school outside her native Nevada to expand her choices, meet new people and explore different places.
Yale University is considering whether to reinstate standardized testing and join Ivy League peer Dartmouth College in a policy shift that reflects a broader reevaluation within higher education admissions.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
