The third time was a charm as Bow residents rejected two school district operating budgets before approving the Budget Committee’s recommendation, which requires the School Board to make cuts.
During the Friday, March 14, annual School District Meeting, residents packed the Bow High School auditorium and debated the operating budget for more than three hours before approving a budget of about $24.8 million – $152,000 less than the school board’s proposal.
The Budget Committee’s budget passed 274-104 by ballot vote after the School Board’s was rejected 259-165.
One resident proposed an amendment to leave the budget at $23.4 million, the same amount as the 2007-08 budget, but that amendment failed 270-125.
When the motion was made to keep the budget with no increase, School Board member Warren Fargo said it would have a negative impact on the town.
“We have to be cautious when making cuts that would destroy a positive in the community, and that is the school district,” said Fargo. “You have to look at strengths. To cut the school district to this level would be devastation.”
Resident Scott Lucas said the budget came down to wants.
“When we talk about cutting programs, so what?” said Lucas. “The problem with America is that we want more than we can afford to pay for. Do we have to have it all? What if we cut with priority? If you keep wanting it all, be prepared to pay.”
Vivian Knezevich, who said she moved to town for its education system, spoke in favor of a higher budget.
“Quality education costs a lot of money and a lot of the reason many of us live here us for the education this district provides,” said Knezevich. “It sounds silly, but our kids are our future and we need to pay to make sure that happens. We need help with our future.”
Residents were outspoken throughout the evening, and early on resident Van Mosher was nearly asked to leave the meeting after getting into a heated exchange with Moderator Jim Hatem.
Mosher interrupted the moderator on multiple occasions before Hatem banged his gavel, saying Mosher was out of order.
At one point during the exchange, Mosher felt Hatem was editorializing his motion and voiced his displeasure for Hatem.
“Mr. moderator, my motion is that you follow the rules,” he said. “The secretary of state would be very interested in what you’re doing right now.”
The School Board has not yet decided where the cuts will be made, although some potential areas mentioned have been the school to career program, gifted and talented, athletic trainer and sports.
All of the articles at the meeting passed, including the approval of $92,000 for increases in salaries and benefits, $154,000 for a five-year lease and purchase agreement on two school buses, $156,000 to replace the wooden siding at Bow Elementary School, $16,000 to make improvements on the patio area at Bow High School, and $80,000 for several paving improvements to Bow Memorial and Elementary schools.
Also, voters agreed to add up to $60,000 to the district’s Capital Reserve Fund and $40,000 to the paving Capital Reserve Fund, both which will come from any surplus at the end of the current year budget.
Although the meeting was well-attended, with nearly every seat in the auditorium full, a large number of residents left after the operating budget was passed around 10:30 p.m.