BY STEVEN ANDREWS
Though the deliberative session of School District Meeting drew a large crowd Monday, Feb. 5, it resulted in no changes to the warrant articles that would surprise voters on Election day.
There was almost no objection to any of the language contained in the seven articles, despite the roughly 60 people packed into a crowded Center Woods Elementary School.
Most of the discussion was centered on articles 3 and 4, which will decide the school district’s operating budget and increases for support staff salaries, respectively.
Article 4 would approve the contract reached between the school board and the paraprofessionals union, which calls for annual increases in salaries and benefits for the next three years.
The paraprofessionals work as one-on-one aides with severely handicapped children and group aides for children who need assistance during class time.
Many of the residents in attendance wore pins showing their support for the newly formed union and the related warrant article.
If approved, the article would increase salaries approximately 5.5 percent annually for the next three years. Currently, paraprofessionals in Weare start out at $8.50 an hour.
A release by the union shows that similar workers at other schools in the area, including John Stark Regional High School, earn higher starting pay and more benefits.
Matthew Esenwine, chairman of the Weare Finance Committee, said the committee approved the article.
“Four years ago, they were paying $9 an hour at Hannaford to stock shelves overnight. We should place at least as much importance on our children as we do on our frozen foods,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd.
Trisha Ober, a paraprofessional and vice president of the union, spoke in favor of the article.
“We’re ecstatic to see the article going to the voters,” she said after the meeting. “The next step is to educate the community about what we do here.”
If Article 3 is approved, the 2007-08 proposed budget of $11,931,990 will be put in place. If it is defeated, the default budget of $11,729,096, which is the same as 2006-07 with certain legally required adjustments and prior board-mandated action, will be used.
The proposed budget is 1.7 percent higher than the default budget.
“We tried as hard as possible to come in level-funded,” said Matthew Thomas, chairman of the school board.
More than $100,000 of the increase is related to the expected utility costs of the new Weare Middle School.
Esenwine said that, after many lengthy meetings, the committee has endorsed the proposed budget.
“Overall, it’s a pretty responsible budget,” he said. “We were shocked at the utility costs, but I agree with the increases.”
Esenwine was impressed at the work the board did to make a budget that did not to reduce extensive increases.
“The board really understands the significant contributions taxpayers have made the last two years,” he said.
With the residents in attendance, the school board and the finance committee behind the article, the most contention came from the meeting’s moderator, Rep. Neal Kurk.
Thomas showed that if all warrant articles are improved, the school portion of the tax rate will rise 74 cents, or 13 percent.
Kurk interjected, commenting that if this rate of increase continues for just a few more years, school taxes will have doubled.
“Is that an editorial comment?” Thomas asked.
“Just an observation,” Kurk replied.
Other articles going to voters include a $17,900 appropriation to purchase technology equipment and the right to take $25,000 of any surplus at the end of the fiscal year to add to the School Building Repair Expendable Trust Fund.
Thomas said the funds would most likely go toward roof repair on Center Woods, which needs to be done within the next few years.
Esenwine and the finance committee did not support either of those articles.
“I don’t doubt the necessity of (placing the money in the trust fund),” he said. “I do doubt the necessity of it right now.”
The seven warrant articles appear before voters Tuesday, March 13, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Center Woods Elementary School.