001Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Hey, Bruno. We have I know we're a couple minutes behind schedule. I also know that we still have a line out to the door. Uh but in the interest of I want to be respectful of everyone's time. I appreciate you guys or those of you that are here and punched in early. Thank you. Um, my name is Dave Emmanuel. I serve as your school district moderator. And at this point, you know, I met this guy in the back row. Jacob, how old are you? >> Nine. I met this nine-year-old. This I think this is his first school district meeting. And Jacob told me that he would help us kick off the meeting by leading us in the pledge of allegiance. So, I would ask you to uh please rise uh
002remove your hats or rise if you're able. And uh Jacob, the flag is to my left. Guys, if you'd please lead us in the pledge of allegiance. >> Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Jacob. I'd like to introduce myself, uh, Dave Emanuel. the school district moderator. I wanted to work our way down the school board for introductions and then hit staff and financial advisory committee. >> Yeah. Good evening everyone. Uh I'm Stratum School Board Chair Jennifer Scraford. >> Eric Herring, member Cameron, member. >> Kathleen Peek, member. Sophie Saltstall, member. >> Chris Hendriski, superintendent of schools. Yeah, if you guys are if you're game that would be awesome. Is that okay?
003>> Yeah. Yeah. Or just pass it around. Whatever works for you guys. You guys >> Molly O'Keefe, director of finance. >> Thank you, Molly. >> Diane Garo, school council. >> Harrison Little, legal intern. >> Kate Lucas, principal. Brittney Thompson, director of special education. >> Patrammy, financial advisory committee. Abigail Daring, Financial Advisory Committee Chair. >> Shane O'Brien, Financial Advisory Committee. >> Erin Garcia Dees, school district clerk. And Erin, thank you for clerking for us. Appreciate it very much. You've met our I wasn't going to pass the mic around the whole room. The rest of you know who you are. Um, I wanted to just uh I wanted to uh we have a presentation we wanted to start off with, right? And uh unless anyone has an objection to a non-resident who's on our staff presenting uh
004any objections to hearing from our school staff, uh none being noted, Principal Lucas, the floor is yours. >> Hi guys, thanks for coming. Steve's gonna actually get our video started for us once he distributes chairs. >> Dave, can I use the minute? >> Yeah, please. >> Um, thanks. So, while we're getting that video set up, I just wanted to um send a quick thank you. You know, obviously we have elections next week and um our board will be changing, but uh we know that Eric Herring is leaving. He's been vice chair and we've really enjoyed working with him. So, we wanted to send thank yous. >> Thank you. >> So, thank you, Jen. I appreciate it. >> Yeah. So, on behalf of the board, I wanted to thank you for serving um the elementary school
005board. You know, you really cared about testing and recovery from COVID, and you know, we've really seen that consistently, as you guys are going to hear more about tonight, um with our kids. Um, we can see that in test scores and we can see that in the interventions we see every day from SF SMS staff. Um, so we just wanted to thank Eric so much. You know, I I always say um Eric is probably the most thoughtful person I've ever met and I don't mean that as nice, which is very boring. I mean it as everything he says is thought out and well presented and it's been amazing to have him as a vice chair. So, thank you Eric. >> Thanks again. Pleasure to work with all of you. Thanks, Eric. >> Hello everyone. I'm
006Kate Lucas, the principal of Strata Memorial School. Thank you for joining us today. Today you're going to be watching our video, our budget video about our proposed budget for FY27. In our video, we hope to explain our budgeting process, our warrant articles, and a little bit about how amazing SMS is. And I cannot think of a better way to do that than inviting these three amazing, intelligent, charismatic individuals to join me. >> Thank you, Miss Lucas. We are Emma, Brin, and Millie. We are the producers, >> hosts, creators of this podcast, SMS. Miss Lucas invited us to join her with this video and here we are doing what we do every week and showing you a glance at how awesome SMS is. You'll hear from us, our classmates, a couple of our teachers, and one
007of our fabulous parents. We hope you enjoy our budget video. Miss Dalzar, you're a math specialist. What makes you most proud of the work being done at SMS? I am so proud of the collaborative culture here at SMS and the high expectations that we have around student learning. We were able to show off all our hard work when we took the math statewide assessment or the SAS. Last spring we were 55% proficient in 2024 and we went to 75% proficient in 2025. >> That is great. Thank you. >> Thank you. I'm here with Big Buddy Ben Lasher and little buddy Fred Schmidt. So guys, what is your favorite part about Big Buddy and Little Buddy? >> I like spending time with Ben and all the fun crafts. That's so fun. >> Fred is nice and
008I like doing activities with him. So ya, we know fourth grade just launched educational passages boat building project. What are you most excited about? Well, I am most excited about um about like fourth grade like building the boat, but I'm most excited about um art because you know I'm creative. >> Yes. >> And I'm so excited about like bu like making the flag and about just like decorating the boat in general. Miss Merks, you've had two children attend SMS. Tell us why you love SMS. >> Thank you. Um, so we moved here just in time a week before my son started kindergarten. And we specifically chose this area because of the good things we heard about the school. In my experience, those things are true. >> At the school, they really see the individual. They
009focus on building friendships and building a good citizens, but also learning. My son is now at the middle school and everything that he's learned at SMS has transferred there. Um, been very pleased with how his education is going and where it continues to go from there. My daughter is still in third grade. We have a few more years where we get to be here and enjoy the atmosphere is created. >> At SMS, we are deeply committed to providing an elementary school experience that sees and celebrates the whole child, their talents, complexities, passions, challenges, and gifts. We've created a culture of curiosity where students and staff explore profound questions seeking to better understand the world around them. Each day, students engage in complex learning that requires critical thinking, collaboration, and creative solutions. The staff and families
010work in partnership to ensure each child has a voice in their learning, is confident, demonstrates care and empathy for their community, and shows strong academic growth. We aspire to inspire one another. Every August, the SS administration in collaboration with senior leadership and the school board begins the process of developing and a fiscally responsible budget that reflects our priorities, ensures an excellent education, and aligns with our values. As you can see, most of the driving factors in our proposed budget can be broken down into four categories with a few outliers. The first salaries with an increase of $112,248, which accounts for the steps and tracks outlined in our collective bargaining agreements as well as the raises for our non-UN yearround employees. The second driving factor, health insurance premiums, is an unexpectedly large increase that unfortunately we
011have no influence over. Next year we are facing an increase of $374,947. The third driving factor is our special education costs. This is an obstacle not unique to SMS, but an issue being faced by schools nationwide. You will see an increase in special education tuition of $210,000, special education transportation of $95,000, and special education extended school year ESY of $10,000 for a total increase of $315,000. The final driver is transportation other which is comprised of our daily bus routes with first student at $31,572 and our field trip transportation at $7,499 for a total increase of $39,71. Of note and importance is the debt service bond. This line represents the building renovation project which was approved by the voters in March of 2025. This will remain a yearly operating budget item for the duration of the
012bond. It is included here because the bond payments became part of the operating budget once the bond was approved by the voters last March. You will note in a future slide that the bond is delineated from the overall operating budget as it has already been approved by the town. The entire FY27 proposed budget is available on our website. Additionally, the Stratum School Board meetings are recorded and posted to learn more and hear the specifics of how this budget was developed. They are a great resource. The last four meetings in particular were in partnership with the Stratam Financial Advisory Committee who have been thoughtful and insightful partners throughout this process. In New Hampshire, public schools are funded through a combination of state aid and local property taxes. However, the state aid or state adequacy funding is
013significantly below the actual cost of educating students. The Supreme Court recently confirmed it's too low. Around $7,356 per student would be a more realistic minimum, but the legislature has not acted. Right now, the base grant is in the low 4,000s, which with extra funds for special education and other needs. Because state funding falls short, local property taxes cover most of the difference, including about 83% of special education costs, which are legally required and tailored to each student. This slide shows the change from the current school year to the proposed FY27 budget for the 2627 school year. The principal described the changes in the operating budget which consists of the general fund and food service fund. Title idea and other grants were previously appropriated as part of the SAU budget. However, as the school district is
014the legal owner of the grants, the appropriation is being moved to reflect that. >> We want to thank you for watching our video and learning more about what makes SMS truly a special place. We hope the glimpse of our community has painted a powerful picture of learning, deep connections, and joy. We sincerely appreciate your continued support through this budget process. Mark your calendars. The Stratam School District annual meeting is Wednesday, March 4th at 6 p.m. here at SMS. We look forward to seeing you there. Thank you, Principal Lucas. At the the next item of business is just to review our meeting rules of conduct for the evening. And uh just so we're all on the same page, fire exit to my left, fire exit to my right, fire exit out behind us, fire exit the
015other direction, restrooms out back to my right. Uh general rules. Rule number one is uh in the state of New Hampshire, the moderator makes the rules per New Hampshire state laws. I am tasked with establishing rules to conduct this meeting. If there are any questions, that's rule number one. Uh rule number two, uh only registered stratum voters are permitted to participate in tonight's proceedings. I invite non-registered voters to join me in the front row so I can see where you are in the front two rows of chairs. Number three, voters should have checked in with the supervisors of the checklist and received one colored voter card upon entering the meeting room. If you have not done so, Mel and the supervisor of the checklist are against the climbing wall. Four, uh, this meeting will be
016conducted in an orderly fashion using simple parliamentary procedure to govern the questions, discussion, and voting. Each article of business will have a motion supported by a second questions, discussion, and a vote. It's It's my job to make sure that everyone in the room knows what's going on on all the time so we can succeed together. Number five, any and all speakers must be recognized by the chair. So, speaking and voting at this meeting is only afforded to registered voters unless the opportunity to speak by a non-registered voter is requested and permitted by the moderator. Voters wishing to ask a question or make a statement should approach the microphone. We have one in the center aisle. This would be the best one to use. and um come up and state your full name and address for
017the record. Speakers, I ask if uh if we have more than one, if you know you'd like to speak, come on up and queue up with us so I can get a feeling of the dynamics in the room and and help keep the meeting moving to while everyone has a chance to speak. Uh if you can keep a queue, that would help me. Uh and my goal is to be respectful of everyone's time. So, if we can save a minute for each speaker because every speaker is up here already in line, uh I will thank you in advance. I thank you in advance. Uh please pose all questions uh directly to me. You're you're that's the way the meeting has to run. Has to go through the chair. You can't hammer somebody on the school
018board or the staff. Has to come to me and I will find the right person to address it. If you're in the house and you want to speak, come get in line. I'm going to ask you to please limit questions to one at a time. So everyone with an inquiring mind that wants to ask a question has an opportunity to do so. You can follow up if there's a long line. I might ask you to jump back in the line again, but uh you know focus on what's the most in question you what's the most important question you'd like to ask. Uh regarding debate and comments, it should be gerine to the subject article with a point and preferable only under three minutes. And I've asked our clerk to help us time. So if somebody's
019going to be really long, I'm going to ask you I'm going to buzz you after three. I'm not using any names. Rule number six, amendments to an article cannot change the subject matter or purpose of the article. It should be made in legible writing and seconded by a registered voter. So, if a voter has a question or would like assistance with wording an amendment, um, please see me or I I might ask someone on the staff to help. Our goal is to make sure that whatever your amendment is is worded in a way that will either pass the Department of Revenue Administration or legal test down the road. Does that make sense? Again, we're trying to make sure that everyone can be successful. Uh, amendments will only be accepted one amendment at a time. So,
020if someone has an amendment to an article, they'll come they'll bring it up in writing. I'll read it and we will talk about the amendment and we will resolve that amendment before anything else is done. We're not, we won't have an amendment to the amendment of the amendment or second or third order parliamentary nightmare or train wreck. My goal is to make sure that everybody in the room is on the same page. And if anyone's confused at any time, give me a wave or just say point of order, help me out. Don't uh please don't be afraid. Don't be embarrassed. There's no stupid questions. It's our goal to make sure everyone knows what's going on. Once all the amendments uh once the amendment has been discussed and voted on, we'll return to the either the
021article or the amended article and we'll wrap up one article at a time. Number seven, if a if a voter choose if a voter chooses to move the question to end debate, which is I move the question to end debate. Stop the stop the questions, stop the conversation, stop the discussion. Uh my rule is everyone who's in line, you've gotten up in line, you've asked, you've done what we've asked you to do. I want to hear what you have to say. So, we're giving everyone a chance. If you want to speak, come up to the microphone. I want to hear everyone that's in line. Number eight, a secret ballot may be requested for any article during any point in tonight's discussion. And uh it will be done at the written request with uh and signatures
022of at least five present registered voters. So, if you want if you feel something is sensitive and you don't want to do it with a voice vote, a hand vote or standing vote, you can call for secret ballot, I just ask for five signatures. Uh Mel, our supervisors have the ballot. We're all ready to go. It's It's all good. Uh number nine, a motion to restrict reconsideration limits the opportunities to reintroduce business during tonight's meeting. So in the event of a motion to reconsider if it's made tonight and approved, it restricts the conversation and it won't be brought up. It's an old town meeting type tactic where we pass the budget, everybody leaves, and then you know the nine people left in the room say, "Hey, let's reconsider the budget and revote on it." Uh
023restricting reconsider. Oh, sorry. I probably should have done that, but uh anyway, uh restricting reconsideration uh will prohibit that from happening tonight. And uh everybody's again on a fair playing field and everyone knows what's going on. So uh if re if rec reconsideration is restricted that uh we can't talk about it until at least a posting from seven days from tonight and everyone will be noticed for the next meeting to discuss the topic. And last rule number 10 uh the moderator may be overruled by a simple majority of the house. So if I screw something up or you need to call me on the carpet or overturn a decision I made uh the voters in the town of Stratam have the opportunity to do that. And I will just close with the rules. I've been
024coming to these meetings since I was Jacob's age uh in the scouting program. I believe in democracy uh town meeting and school district meeting. Uh I ask that everyone present please be respectful of everyone's rights and opinions and that we treat our friends and neighbors as we would like to be treated in return. Uh we all live in the same community and I ask that we conduct business uh the same way that we have for over 300 years and uh I am honored to help navigate this process with each of you. Are there any questions about what I've gone over? What questions do you have? Okay, I'll buy that. If you develop any questions or if there's anybody's confused at any time this meeting, give me a sign or or say point of order or
025point of inquiry, everything will stop and we will make sure that we're all on the same page. Beautiful. Our next order of business is article one, which is on the 2026 warrant article. I'm putting my spectacles on. Article one, the operating budget. The average cost per pupil for the preceding year as calculated in accordance with RSA 1897 section 1A is $29,33. ELA proficiency is 69%. Math proficiency is 75%. Science proficiency is 45%. Shall the Stratam School District vote to raise and appropriate the amount of 17,000 17,498,91 for the support of the schools for the payment of salaries for school district officials and agents and for payment of statutory obligations of the district. This article does not include appropriations contained in special or individual articles addressed separately. This appropriation is recommended by the Stratam School Board
0263 to two. This appropriation is recommended by the financial advisory committee 3 to one and a majority vote is required. I have read the article. Would anyone on the school board like to speak on article one? >> Yeah. Also, Madam Sure. Thank you. Yeah. So, uh, Miss Lucas and the SMST did a great job explaining, uh, the budget. We I'm eager to hear if there's any questions or concerns, but just to let everyone in the room know, you know, the budget process starts in August. Um, we meet many times to talk about it, five times I think, with the FAC. Um, so we meet all fall and, um, there's a lot a lot of thought that goes into the budget. We actually um took over $100,000 out of the budget um before approving it um
027last meeting. So it I just want to ensure that everyone understands that there's been a lot of conversation about this budget that we are very cognizant um of taxpayer concerns and also cognizant of you know making stratum um a strong a strong school which we really believe it is. So that's all I have to say. Thank you. Thank you, Jennifer. At this point, uh the floor is open for questions and comments, uh remarks on article one. If you have a question or would like to speak on article one, please come to the microphone. Give us uh your full name and address, please. Good evening. My name is Frank McMillan, one Haywick Drive in Stratam. Uh my question is for uh the school board. Um, I'd like some explanation as to why two of the three
028two of the five members voted against the budget. That I think needs needs explanation. Thank you, Frank. >> Yeah, I can I can talk about that. Yeah, so I was actually one that voted against. The only reason I voted against is because I was looking for a cut in a different area. Um, but I do um I do fully support the budget as it is. It's just I was looking for another small cut in a in a different area that um my fellow board members did not agree with me. But I do support the budget as proposed tonight. Um I I can speak to the same thing. I was the other no vote because we were negotiating on which portion of the budget we were going to modify. So I had voted no specifically to
029move money from a different portion of the budget. So I do support the current budget as it is. >> Thank you Jennifer and Cam. Frank answer the question. Are there any other questions? A debate on article one? Seeing no questions or debate for article one, we will move to vote on article 1. The operating budget, the average cost per pupil for the preceding year as calculated in accordance with RSA189751A is 29,33, ELA proficiency 69%, math proficiency 75%, and science proficiency 45%. The question before us, shall the Stratam School District vote to raise and appropriate the amount of $17,498,91 for the support of schools and the payment of salaries for the school district officials and agents and for payment of the statutory obligations of the district. This article does not include appropriations contained in special individual
030articles addressed separately. This appropriation is recommended by the Stratam School Board 3 to2. The appropriation is recommended by the financial advisory committee 3 to1. A majority vote is required. All those in favor of article one, the operating budget, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Nay. >> The eyes have it. Article one carries. >> Mr. moderator, could I make a motion to restrict reconsideration, please? >> I heard the voice, but I didn't see where it's coming from. >> To to your right, sir. >> Oh, Eric. Thank you. It's been a long day, Eric. We have a motion on the floor to restrict reconsideration. So that would mean this article would not come up again tonight. If it comes up again tonight, it would be won't be voted on for at least 7 days. Is
031there a second to Mr. Herrings? >> I'll second. >> Second from Salt and Stall on the end. Thank you. Does everyone understand? I'm about to call for a vote to restrict reconsideration on article one. So we will not talk about it or vote. We won't we can talk about it again tonight, but we will not vote on it again tonight. Everyone understand what we're about to do? If you do not want to talk about this again tonight or vote on this again tonight, I'm going to ask you to vote yes. If you don't want to do that, you vote no. All those in favor of restricting reconsideration for article one, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed, nay. Motion carries. We have restricted reconsideration for article one. Thank you. Article two, collective bargaining agreement.
032Shall the Stratum School District vote to to approve the cost item included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Stratam School Board and the Stratum Teachers Association, which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level. Fiscal year estimate increases. 2027 $380,684 increase. 2028 there's a $37,993 increase. 2029 there's a 299 $123,000 increase and in 2030 the impact is $323,565 and further to raise an appropriate $380,684 for the current fiscal year. Such sum representing additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing levels. This appropriation is recommended by the Stratam School Board and a majority vote is required. Is there a motion to support article two? >> Do you want to speak on it,
033>> Cam? We have a motion. Is there by Cameron or is there a second? >> I was going to speak on the article. Is that >> We just need a motion and a second to keep it rolling. No, you're good. >> Make a motion. >> We got a second by Jennifer Scrawford. >> Uh Mr. Or, would you like to speak? >> I would. Thank you. >> Thanks, Kim. So, I uh work or we worked closely with the Stratam Teachers Association on the new collective bargaining agreement in this fall of 2025. Um and we had met many times over the course of the fall um to negotiate the new contract. Their current contract expires in August of this year. And the just to clarify, this is just the Stratam Teachers Association. and the pair of professionals
034have their own contract which was negotiated in 2023. So, uh this I believe is available on the website, the current one that was approved by the school board and ratified by the stratum teachers association. But I do want to go over a few of the highlights and kind of compare it to the previous um contract. So, the 4-year contract that the teachers are currently coming out of was set at a cost of living increase of 1.5% every year over the last four years. So, the newly negotiated contract is broken down with a 3.5% increase in year 1, 3% increase in years 2 and three, and a 3.5% increase in the final year of the contract before the next negotiation. Um there was modifications to the longevity uh payments that are part of the step payments.
035That's all in the contract. But um to the uh point that uh Dave made, the year-over-year financial impact is 380, 307 in the first year, 307,000 year 2, 299,000 year 3, and 323,000 year 4. Um, and we tried to balance the obviously the tax impact with trying to look at the 1.5% contract over the last four years to um, you know, basically try to make up for some of the lost ground on the 1 and a.5% when there was inflation running significantly higher than that. Um, and Dave, I did want to ask you, well, can I if can I ask a clarifying question about the amendments? I I was I was under the impression that this one because it's a contract negotiation was handled differently from an amendment perspective. >> That's fair. Yeah, I don't
036know that we can we can't amend a collective bargain agreement. It's it's a yes or no vote on this one. Okay. Thank you for your clarification. >> All right. Thanks, Cam. >> Um, so that that is kind of the highlights. Um and you know we did try to put some additional cost controls in like the uh professional development. So we the board one of the board goals is to encourage professional development of the staff at SMS. Um but we're also trying to predict costs. So we asked to cap the total on conferences and that $2,500 or above um requests come to the board so we can be aware of those requests. Um, and we asked for a cap of $15,000 on on that yearly. And also we asked the teachers association to move up the
037retirement deadline um so that we could get to that before the um budgeting process starts in the fall. So, um, so I appreciate Surround Teachers Association and Jennifer and everyone else who worked on that and especially to, uh, Molly who helped us with all the finance stuff and, uh, Heather Murray who's the SAU HR. >> Thank you, Cameron. Is there any questions or debate for article two, the collective bargaining agreement? If there is, please make your way to the microphone. Tom Curtain, uh, 8 Hwick Drive. Um, is the the increases are those, um, are those increases are they one by one? In other words, if I get 3% this year, do I get 3% on top of my 3% next year? Say my salary is 100. Now I'm getting 103. Is it the following year
038is an increase of three and then the following and so on. >> Would you like to respond? >> Uh yeah. So that is the cost of living the year-over-year increase. So those the percentages and the dollar amounts are with a like you're saying three 3.5% then the following year is three. So that's like a cost of living increase. >> Okay. Thank you Tom. Thanks for your question. >> Thank you >> Pat. Bad bra 9pines drive. So first off, I was a member of the fact, but the fact did not deal with this warrant article at all. Um, I'm here to talk about one thing. I want to focus tonight on the issue of healthcare costs in relation to the contract. Healthcare is one of the fastest growing components of our operating budget. This year alone,
039it increased more than $363,000 or 17.6%. One of the largest drivers of overall budget growth. Again, I'm talking about this budget that we just passed that I even voted for. Even if even if future increases moderate, health care costs will continue to grow significantly over the next several years. That growth is structural. It is not actively if it's not actively managed, it will continue to place pressure on future budgets and taxpayers. The collective bargaining process is one of the few formal opportunities available to to evaluate and modernize healthcare plan design. It is the moment when contribution structures, plan options, and long-term cost controls can be examined. In this agreement, the health care structure remains unchanged. It was not even addressed. That means the district is committing to continue absorbing rising health care costs under the
040same model the next four years. So we can't touch this for the next four years. Across both the public and private sectors, employers are actively redesigning health care plans to cost to control to control costs while maintaining storage uh strong coverage. The marketplace has evolved and responsible governance requires adapting to the re that reality. The school board has a fiduciary responsibility to address escalating healthcare costs just as it has in addressing salaries and other major expenditures. Leaving this cost driver unexamined transfer risk into future budgets. This is not about reducing benefits. Our our teachers deserve competitive health care, but it is about sustainability and stewardship because future costs were not meaningful address meaningfully addressed in this agreement. I cannot support the sworn article as presented. Thank you. >> Thank you, Pat. Anyone else have any
041questions or conversation? >> Laura McMillan, one Haywick Drive. Um I'm just looking at the comment that um Mr. Curtain made that cumulatively this is a $1.3 million increase in the cost of living. Um when you add up the four years and that is in addition to teachers who have been working for those four years that they're going to also get salary increases on their steps according so they're getting additional bonuses in addition to their steps. Is that correct? Uh so the 3.5 and the 3% were the base cost of living increase but there are increases not specific to stratam but it's step increases on >> right they have a contract that gives them step increases if these numbers were zero >> correct >> they if they were getting no cost of living increases they would
042still be getting increases in their salary year-over-year according to their steps. So I don't believe that everyone steps every year. So correct. So I don't over these four years. >> I'm uh I'm sorry. No, I just got to make sure that we're uh I I can't let it go or a uh >> Would you like to respond? >> Uh yeah, I mean I'm if anybody else wants to clarify, but they not every teacher is going to step every year. So if we didn't have the cost of living increase, then there would be people that aren't getting any raise. So I to your point, yes, there are the step increases, but that's kind of a standard design of the of the budget, I mean of the uh collective bargaining agreement. It's not something that we created.
043>> Does that make sense, Laura? >> Yep. Can I ask a followup? Yes. >> I just want to clarify that over the four years, most teachers will get at least one step increase in addition to >> I can't speak to that. I don't Yeah, I think we might need >> talk about how often steps happen. >> The step a response from our financial officer. >> Um, so all teachers are on a grid with um steps. So I believe it's 10 steps or 12 steps >> or 13. Um, so they step until they reach the top and then when they reach the top, they don't step anymore. They can track and go across the grid as they gain more education, but once you reach that 13th step, then you don't track anymore. >> Okay. Thank you.
044>> Thank you, Laura. Paul Piranho, 10 Haywick Drive. So, just from what I'm hearing is that it's really was it really wasn't an a percent and a half. It was a percent and a half plus every step for the last four years. So, it could be five and a half or six and a half percent. Um, which having worked for many many years in private industry, that's a pretty good raise. But anyway, that's not what I'm talking about what I want to talk about. I want to talk further more about this the health insurance. When you look at the health insurance and you add in the dental insurance, it's about $375,000 more. When you add that to the $380,000, we're talking almost $750,000 in this um collective bargaining agreement because the health insurance is really
045part of it. that's down here is non-negotiable, but it really isn't non-negotiable. It's negotiable anytime you have a contract negotiation for a CBA. So, this is an opportunity for us to control the costs of health insurance. Now, correct me if I'm wrong. The taxpayers of Stratam pay 90% of the health insurance for the teachers. Is there someone on the board that would like to respond on the question or uh financial office? >> Okay. It's not a blanket 90%. There's a range depending on what plan and what teacher chooses which plan. >> Well, anyway, in when you average it, it's 9010 whereas the rest of SAU 16 is 8020. And I would like this to be reviewed again and say why are we paying 90 when the rest of SAU 16 is paying 80. That's a
046huge difference. And I can tell you health insurance is going up at a phenomenal rate and we should be we should be very careful about health insurance. It's a bigger cost >> Yeah. >> than the cost of uh of wages. because we don't control that cost. Do >> you want to talk? >> That's all I have. Thank you, Paul. Um, >> would you like to I >> I think I'd just like to respond quickly unless Cam you want to um I I just want us to be really careful because we're just throwing out all these numbers and um you know numbers are powerful and it is not that everyone else in the SAU is 8020 and it's not that every teacher at SMS is 9010. That is not true. There's a um there's a range
047of plans um they can do I guess I'm trying to understand this. They can do anywhere from 80, 85, 90. It depends what plan they choose within SMS. Anything else you want to add? >> Okay. Thank you for the clarification, Jennifer. >> Can I provide an additional comment on that as well? Is that I I just don't want there to be an impression that that was not looked at and that's what I I've heard at several schoolboard meetings, that's what I'm hearing today, that the healthc care was considered, that we just took it off the table, but that's not the case. So we met many many times with the stratum teachers association. We went through the contract page by page correcting things, changing things and part of the healthc care benefit. I have private insurance.
048I understand the difference that people are talking about between 80 90%. But we're also looking at these 1.5% increases and looking at the total picture of compensation. So it's not that that wasn't considered at all. I just want to clarify that. >> Thank you, Cameron. >> Nancy Hunter Brown a um my complaint was the health care as well. I was the one what 15 years ago that said, "Hey, teachers need to start putting some money out towards this because before that teachers didn't pay a dime towards the health insurance." So, I was thrilled 15 years ago or so when they said 10%. I can't believe it is still 10%. When the general public pays 25% of their health care, the teachers are not underpaid. They're well compensated for what they do. And I don't believe
049that you're going to the collective bargaining table and fighting for the people of the town. That's all I have to say. Call the question. >> Okay. Oh, >> so the question has been called. Everyone who's up finish being up. Everyone else, I'll call a question at the end of we'll vote on it after Cindy. Yes. >> Hi. Uh Katie Young, 150 Bunker Hill Stratam. Um full disclosure, I teach in the school. I also have a son that attends here and I was on the negotiation team um for the contract. Just a couple little insights. Um, you know, I don't want to stand up here and try to prove my worth as an educator. Um, but just some things on the contract. We were 1.5 over the four years. Inflation was 16%. Eric mentioned um really
050kindly that wasn't lost on teachers that, you know, in comparison to inflation like we really took a concession in that contract. Um, and so when we talk about healthcare, that was definitely on the table. We discussed it. We felt that really the 1.5 really set us back quite a bit and it would be many years to try to make up some of that that was lost to keep up with the cost of inflation. Um, and so healthc care remained the same. I work at worked at another school in SAU16. I actually had stronger health care there at that school. So we can compare plans. Um, but not everyone is on a 9010 plan. We have deductibles at our school. I did not have a deductible at my old school. So just a little thought there.
051We are having conversations at the SAU level that we've been invited to in terms of healthcare and trying to problem solve and talk about that and as a union we will make a good faith effort to have those discussions. Um so just another thing to keep in mind. We are aware of the cost. Um but we really took a concession over that 1.5 increase. Um, and so we felt that the 3.5, the three, the three, and the three was a fair um, contract for us to try to make up some of the ground that we lost. A teacher that's like me, 17, 18 years in the field, I'm at the top of my steps, so I'm not getting that extra increase. And a majority of our staff is at the top. So the increase that
052we got was the 1.5. I spent that money on my own classroom last year. We've had many years of frozen budgets from the start of the year where I don't get any money for my classroom. The raise that I got went to my students into my classroom. >> Yeah. Thank you, Katie. Thanks for your point of clarification. >> There we go. David Zippin, Winggate Court. I just want to thank everybody for their time today and thank you so much for putting in the work to put this budget together. My question for the board is how much time would you estimate you spent putting into this budget all together? >> Just a point of clarification. Are you thinking the operating budget or you the collective bargain agreement? >> On the collective bargain agreement. Thank you. Thank
053you. Yes. Thank you very much. >> Cameron, were you on >> ballpark number? Um I'm trying to think >> 20 hours 20 to 30 hours I would say we we're meeting every couple of weeks for two hours with the teachers association and then going back to draft things. So it wasn't you know to your point it's not like we met once and said hey we're not going to consider that. It was a week after week negotiation with the with the teachers association. So I would say probably 20 plus hours >> over what period of time? >> Uh I think we started in October. So it was primarily or like the very end of September was September through like November. So it was a pretty short period of time. >> So let's call it five to
054six months worth of work and about 20 to 30 total hours have gone into putting this budget or this uh this um discussion together that we're having today. Is that fair? >> Yeah. And I will say in addition that you know that's the collective baring agreement obviously involved with the uh with the other um >> but we're heavily involved with the other budget as well too. So, it's not just it wasn't just the time for the CBA. So, >> I guess my point I'd like to make is that many of us in this room have spent less than 20 minutes looking at this entire thing. And it's certainly our right to come here and voice an opinion. That's the part of democracy that makes this country so great. But I would certainly defer to the
055time that you spent as coming to a decision that's best for the school. I did a quick search just uh on the way over here looking at property values in top ranked schools versus non-top ranked schools. I would argue that Stratam is a top ranked school and property values in top ranked schools on average are 25% greater. I think if we want to continue to maintain our status as a top ranked school, we need to attract top ranked talent. And by doing that, we have to afford our teachers the ability, the cost to live, and the cost to support their families. That's all I had to say. Thank you. Thank you. >> Yeah, I appreciate everyone's exuberance. I'm just uh I don't want to create an environment where someone's nervous about what they have to
056say. So, I appreciate you holding your applause or sitting on your hands or whatever you need to do. Cindy, >> uh Cindy McCclary, Crest View Terrace. Um, so is it my understanding that the majority of the teachers at SMS have taught here for a greater number than 13 years or taught in the New Hampshire school system greater than 13 years? >> Question is, what's an average what's the average employment longevity for our students, our teachers, staff? >> Yeah. >> Can we do a little research and get back to you on that? Well, my guess based based on the fact that my children went to this school. I used to work at this school as a parah. And when I did, typically you had to have seven years experience to even be considered for an interview
057as a teacher at this school because the administration really wanted to hire staff that was well informed, had done their training elsewhere, and could give our students and our children the kind of education that we really think they deserve. serve. So, as a result, you quickly get to that 13-year cap where the levels don't apply to you anymore. And then yes, you can go up in education, but once you hit mast's, and I was a teacher for 17 years in Massachusetts, once you hit mast's, honestly, it doesn't pay you to go to the doctorate level unless you're going to work a whole lot more time than I was going to be working because of the cost of the degree. So what we're really saying is if we do not go into some kind of collective
058bargaining agreement, first of all, those teachers who have been here and have been giving our children their veteran teaching experience, their excellent, excellent teaching experience will not be getting the benefit of this cost of living raise. They will be getting just a level they they won't be getting anything. Is that correct? Could I be un misunderstanding? >> Well, I think the article before us is to either approve or deny the collective bargaining agreement. So, it's a it's a yes or no vote. If it's a no vote, nothing changes and they'll renegotiate this collective bargain agreement. >> So, that's shocking, right? That's shocking to me. I came into this auditorium tonight and hugged a teacher that was critical to my daughter's development when she was in fourth grade. He's still here. She has gone on to
059become an amazing person and I give a lot of thanks to that person who's standing in the corner over there. And I think we deserve to give our stratum teachers the best that we can and it does help our property values. That's a big plus, right? Even though I don't have children in the school anymore. So, thank you very much for all your work. That's all I have to say. >> Thank you, Cindy. Okay. Okay. Cool it. Thank you, >> Peter Leles Oaklane. Um, I agree that property values and ranking matter. Um, and we did improve this year. We are now 28th. We were 50th the year before. Um, before this, we've been fifth. So, I I'm glad we're moving in the right direction, but we are 28th in the state for elementary schools, but
060we are number two for teacher pay by only 300. And I would argue because of the way um Portsmith is number one, we're probably really number one. So, we are not underpaying our teachers. We are we we have the second highest paid teachers in the state besides despite the fact that there were 28th uh in the state and the state average is 63,000 I think hold pull that up and we and ours sorry >> 69 and we pay 93 so I just want to reality check where we are in our rankings and where we are in pay. So whether we have this goes through or not, we have the second p highest paid teachers uh in the state of New Hampshire. >> Thank you, Peter. >> Pat Brownie again, 12 Pines Drive. That's out of
061By the way, the last comment was out of 161 districts. The way the way this the structure in New Hampshire is all over the place. There are some districts that are elementary schools, some districts that are high schools and middle schools, some districts that are all like Portmith is high school, middle school, and elementary school. So, you would think their salaries will be a little bit higher, but they're about the same as as we are, but in terms of elementary schools, yes, we are the top paid uh elementary school. The one thing that hasn't been mentioned is obviously I I've thought about this a lot. Okay, I I respect our teachers. We want to we want well for our teachers, but I my comments were nothing to do about that. It had to do with
062finally getting our hands around the health care costs and we can't wait another four years because if we pass this, there's nothing we can do for four years because it's in the contract. That's that's the reason I'm standing here. The one thing that wasn't mentioned and yes, the teachers still get their steps. Uh, by the way, for the you I've been involved couple years in this now. Uh, we don't bring our our teachers. We bring in master degree teachers at about step seven, I think. So, there's really not much move for them move for them to move up to the step 13, but there were 13 steps and then there's another five steps going across masters, masters plus 15 units, uh, credits, masters plus 30 credits. The other thing that wasn't mentioned was that the
063uh in in the in the contract, if you get a PhD, you you get every year a $2,500 bonus. No one mentioned that. Uh but the other thing that wasn't mentioned is that yes, the the um um the there's something called longevity bonuses. No one mention longevity. So, if they hit if they hit the actually they kick in at the 12st step and it and it it's it starts at $500 $1,000 in $500 increments. Okay. So, so even if they hit the end of their their steps, they're still going to get bonuses for and they go up 500. Well, it's like 500 for first year, second year, then it goes to a,000 no,000 then,500 then, etc., etc. So again, the reason we want this voted down is to try to I I personally can't wait
064another four years for us to negotiate the healthcare costs. Can't I hate to do it this way, but the only option we have is to vote this down. I think the teachers can survive for one year. They're still going to get some bonuses. They're still going to get some steps, some of them. Um, and I'll leave it at that. Uh, Mr. Chair, Mr. Mr. Moderator, I I request a ballot vote, please. Can I have your signatures, please? >> Yeah. Hey, guys. Roger. The question was called earlier. Um, >> it was >> Well, I tell you what, guys. Uh, the House had called the question. This would end debate. Uh, I just hang on a second because everybody's going to vote. Does the House I'm going to ask you if you vote yes, debate is over.
065If you vote no, we'll listen to the next people in line. Uh, all those in favor of closing debate, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed, nay. >> Nay. >> Okay, debate is closed. Thank you. >> That was my point. >> Oh, Roger. >> Roger. Thank you for making your point. I have before me a request to uh go to secret ballot on this article. So I will read the article again and we will go to vote. So Mel, if you could prep the box and everybody else, uh stay in your seat. We'll be with you in a moment. The article before us, article two, collective bargaining agreement. Shall the Stratam School District vote to approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Stratam School Board and the Stratum
066Teachers Association, which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level. Fiscal year and then estimated increase. 2027 380,684 2028 307,993 $299,123 $323,565 and further to raise and appropriate $380,684 for the current fiscal year. such sum representing additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing levels. This appropriation is recommended by the Stratam School Board with the majority vote. So, because we have a petition signed by registered voters to call for the secret ballot, what I'm going to ask you to do is anywhere in here is fine. I will put the I will have a ballot box right here by the podium and what I'm going to ask everyone in the house to do is
067to uh Mel and the supervisors are going to separate a little bit. You're going to take your orange piece of paper. Uh you're going to go visit the supervisors. They're going to give you a different color paper on which you will write yes to approve article 2 or no to kill article 2. Do not give me your orange piece of paper. Uh what the recommendation is moderators, I'm supposed to touch everybody's ballot. So, you're going to give me the ballot. I'm going to feel to make sure there's not three ballots in my hand. I'm going to put it in the box. You're not going to vote in the orange. You're going to vote on whatever color the supervisors give you first. You're going to show them your card. You're going to take your ballot. Yes
068or no. Going to hand it to me. I'll put it in the box. Does everyone understand what we're doing? >> Yes. >> And just to be clear, sometimes there's confusion about how long the ballot box will be open. The ballot box will be open until everyone in the room has voted and then we will close it. I will find some people to count our ballots and then we will announce the result. I will keep moving business along because I'm respectful of everyone's time. >> Okay. What do you want to do? Oh, so time out. Hang on. Hang on. Let's Let's do this one section at a time. What can you uh front section, front of the house, would you guys please get your ballots? I know it's going to be like the recess line. You
069guys come on. >> Thank you. three. Okay, got it. >> Thank you, Mel. >> We'll just do this one section of the house at a time. We'll be all good. >> Mel, can you guys can you separate where they're where you're giving them out? >> Carry a table over there. >> Or maybe we can pick a desk or something. >> Like, what time is that going to count? >> Oh, yeah. Are you glad to be done? >> I think it's right. >> I mean, I like >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Like the end of the era for you. >> Yeah. Lucy. Lucy. >> Or did you want to go by and say hi to Miss Lucer? >> It's good to be a reminder. >> I'm happy to like this stuff. Oh my goodness. You're
070Huh? >> Mine. >> It's really a fruit. >> I was wondering if you found me. Um, I think you have to get a yellow. Do you remember Marie? Yeah. >> I end up meeting with that buyers after the fact. So, I drove from that meeting back here. So, it took forever. 2 hours. line. I made it. tan lady. >> Oh, this is the back of the room. >> I can imagine that. >> Hey, how are you? Good. Come on. Okay. She loves it. Heat. Heat. I would uh >> yeah, >> you don't you can't make them walk a mile. There's a sad thing about you only work 180 days a year. A year to do work. Are you going to move to Kansas City? Oh, you're going to love it out there. Hi dear. not
071an expert between school board. over there. Heat. Yeah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Congratulations. Heat. Yeah. Heat. Sorry. Heat. One minute. I don't Yeah. Heat. All right, I'm following you. You know what you want? Heat. Heat. Yeah. Heat. Yeah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Thank you. Heat. Heat. Well, good. Yeah, >> Sam's doing well. Bears just took her boards yesterday. We'll find out. I mean, she We'll They have to Yeah. Yeah, it was about Good day. Next, All right. that right? >> Yeah. Heat. Heat. Thank you. Wow. Heat. Heat. Heat. Ladies and gentlemen, I just want to make a uh I was going to say a last call announcement. It's a partial last call announcement. Last call announcement for if you'd like to put a piece in the ballot piece of paper in the ballot box. This is registered
072stratum voters. This is last call. We're going to start processing. You don't have to come back to order quite yet, but I just want to make sure if you're lingering with your piece of paper, I I want to I want to collect it. Right. That's fair. >> Okay, guys. >> Okay. >> Oh, yeah. Last call on voting. It's it's all based on sending budget. So if you get a school that only spends 15,000 get 80% of 15,000 and comparison in the bill and it's um sometimes they're saying parents pay the difference but is the difference between pay or is it the difference in what you're welcome to there's A lot of there's a lot of like unknown. Great. Great. >> That's why plugged in. >> Yeah. the I'm sure um I'm sure there is salt
073came over on the Arabella the second ship >> and so that family name has been around New England forever. So you can imagine like family trees. >> No, we're good. Yeah, we're good. >> Okay, ladies and gentlemen. >> Okay, I'd like to come back to order, please. Just so everyone's clear what we're doing, um we have a I have a a beautiful selection of bipartisan ballot counters in the corner and they are processing our ballots right now. And uh if you've never process ballots with you, you know, I'll put a shameless plug. If you'd like to join our election team, we do this several times a year. And uh and what they're physically doing right now is they're sorting two very precise piles. One pilot says yes, and one pilot says >> no. And then
074they're going to count them several times. So this is going on in the front of the house. If anyone would like to observe it, they're doing it right now. While they are doing that, uh we are going to move into article number three. Article number three is open enrollment. Shall the Stratam School District vote to adopt an open enrollment school program designating Stratam Memorial School as an open enrollment school pursuant to New Hampshire RSA 194D for the purposes of enabling the district to admit zero non-resident students to the Strata Memorial School with a 0% of its resident pupils permitted to attend open enrollment schools located outside of the district. A majority vote is required and this article is recommended by the Stratam School Board. Is there a motion to support article 3? >> I'm going
075to motion to support the article. >> Thank you, Katherine. Uh, is there a second? >> Would you like me to? >> Okay, Jennifer, with a second by Jennifer Scarford. >> Uh, Kathleen, would you like to speak on the article? So I am going to give the basics of open enrollment and what it means. Um unfortunately at this time the bills that are at the state house there is a lot of vagueness and uncertainty with what the bill will actually contain. So open enrollment means that any student in any school in New Hampshire would be able to attend any other public school that they would want. And in theory, this sounds okay. You want to go to a different school, that's fine. Unfortunately, what we are concerned about when we learned about this bill is the
076vagueness of what happens with the funding. Right now, the bill states that 80% to possibly 100% of the sending schools money would follow that student. This is concerning because if we get a student from a town that only spends $10,000 per student, we could possibly get 80% of that $10,000. So only $8,000 would follow that student and we would have to make up the difference in educating that student here in Stratum. So that is was our number one concern, the difference in funding. Now, in other states where they have open enrollment, they have different levels of base adequacy aid per student. Base adequacy aid is what the state pays to educate each student in the public school district. New Hampshire is notorious for being 50th in the country. And we have talked about at multiple
077meetings how the state has been sued multiple times to increase their base adequacy aid. they have not increased their base adequacy aid. So unfortunately we would not be getting an increase in money if we accepted a student. The other thing that's concerning is the cost of transportation. We do not have to pay for transportation for a student that decides to come into the district into the school in this district. However, if they were able to get to a bus stop in the dis in the town, we would have to pay for their transportation. If a bus, for instance, would become full, then we would have to pay for an additional bus. And since transportation is one of our highest costs in our budget, that would explode the budget as well. Now, you're saying, well, that's
078just talking about students deciding to come to Stratum. What would happen if some of our students left Stratum? our money would leave with them. So we would send 80 to 100% of our money for that student they would follow if they decided to go to a different town. Now that would be counterproductive because our classes would get smaller but we would still have to heat the building. We would still have to pay our teachers and we would still have to keep the lights on. So we would still be working with the same operating budget until a certain point where we would be able to decrease classes in which case we would have to get rid of some of our teachers. So both of those sending and receiving students we would be losing money and we
079would be having to make up the difference as taxpayers here in the town which concerns us as a school board. Finally, if a student who has been in private school that lives in Stratum decides with this open enrollment for instance that they want to go to Portsouth, they our school has not been receiving base adequacy aid for that student because they have been at a private school for the entire first year that that student goes to Portsmith, for example, we would have to foot the entire bill not including base advocacy aids. So, we would lose that additional $5,000 as well. So, that's the third thing that concerns us. And that is why as a board, we do not think it's fiscally responsible to allow students to enter or exit at this time until more information
080is known about open enrollment. This is not a beall endall. If the state comes up with an open enrollment plan that is fiscally responsible and the board thinks it's a good idea, we can hold another vote and we can change by warrant article. But at this time, we do not think that it is fiscally responsible for our town to adopt an open enrollment. >> Thank you, Kathleen. >> Are there any questions or debate on article 3 open enrollment? Thank you. Thank you, Deborah Aler, 15 Apple Way. Sorry about that. Kathleen, that was excellent. Thank you so much. Um I came prepared to talk about open enrollment. Um I do want to add to um what Kathleen really really eloquently laid out are the the issues, the financial issues that we would have to address. um
081is that this includes it's not it's students and students are defined as residents. So a resident of stratum between the ages of a kinderg a typical kindergartener to 12th grader would be eligible for this open enrollment. So these are students that we either have accounted for because they attend our schools now have not we know about because they receive a voucher um or have moved into the district. We don't we don't know. So there's no way and the New Hampshire School Boards Association has come out against this. Um, I have met with multiple administrators across district 24 about this. They do not support this because you cannot budget for it. You just don't know. So, tonight we have to decide whether we will take students through open enrollment or we will pay to send students
082out for open enrollment. We are um I would say we are in the majority of the state of New Hampshire. There are only I think it is less than 25 school districts in the state that are not addressing this issue through a warrant article during this town meeting season. So, um this is incredibly forwardinking and responsible of the school board to be bringing this forward at this time. There may be changes in the future, but dealing with what's right in front of us, I would highly highly urge um my fellow stratum citizens to support this warrant amendment and support the school board's decision. Thank you. >> Thank you, Deborah. >> Hello, Frank McMillan Haywick Drive. Um I would just have a a request of the moderator. Mr. moderator, if you could just very clearly in
083plain English state what a yes vote accomplishes and what a no vote accomplishes because I think that there's some confusion in the room as to what vote accomplishes which end. Okay, that's fair. You talked about the article before us. >> Yes. >> Uh a yes vote would approve what I read which was a zero coming in and zero going out. >> Uh Paul Pano, >> sorry Frank, does that make Paul Paul Pirano, 10 Haywick Drive. Um, so there's a there's a bill in the House right now to consider open enrollment. >> There's multiple bills. >> If if that's the case, are we going to have a choice in the matter? I I mean, I honestly I I think what you're doing is you're thinking the right way because, you know, it's it's it's inequitable. you
084know, we're really going to be funding students from out of town and have to pick up, you know, the line, you know, a big a big additional fund for them to go to our schools. Um, but are we going to have a choice? I mean, if this if this is if this passes through the Senate and if the governor signs it, what's that what's what are we going to be able to do about this? Uhhuh. >> You know, I mean, maybe it's something that we have to think about and contact our reps and say this is not a good bill. >> Would anyone like to respond? >> We have Chris. >> Mr. Superintendent. >> So, the reason we did this is we don't know what the language is going to say. Paul, you got to
085introduce yourself. I'm sorry. Chris Andrew, superintendent of schools. The reason we did this is because we don't know what the bill is going to say. Paul. So, we're trying to be proactive that we can protect and have local control over our budget by having this. If a bill comes out and says says differently, then we'll have to look through that and we'll have to work through how we would budget for students that come in. But by by establishing the Warren article, it makes us an open enrollment school, but allows us to accept zero kids coming in and zero kids going out. Therefore, our money in Stratum stays in Stratum and we're not paying for for students coming in or leaving the district that's not under our control. And again, once once those bills continue to
086go, as as Kathleen said, there's there's multiple bills that are addressing open enrollment written some different ways, we're going to have to look through all of those once they're finally voted on. >> Thank you for the point. Thank you for the point of clarification. >> I just want to add to just thanking the superintendent for thinking proactively about this because we're doing what we can do, right? Everything is very unknown. So, thank you very much for the proactive >> Nancy Hunter. >> Hi. Um Nancy Hunter. Um, so if we vote no, it means we're not an open enrollment school. If we vote yes, >> no. >> If you know, if you vote no, the article dies. There's nothing else. >> It means we are not an open rope. No, >> no, just everything's there's no
087it fails. That's the end. That's that is the decision. It fails. If you approve this article, it says we have zero in and zero out. >> Yes. But we will be classified as an open enrollment school >> if we vote yes. >> Well, >> I guess uh if >> even though we're not accepting any children right now, >> I think that >> that portion can get changed to a percentage another time down the road if we're already classified as an open enrollment school. >> I don't have a better way to explain this other than I think uh if the state of New Hampshire says everybody's an open enrollment school, we're all open enrollment schools. What this does is this says that our percentages are zero going in and zero going out. That's the difference. >>
088Yeah. Okay. All right. >> We're just establishing the >> parameters. >> Yeah. Thanks, Nancy. >> Hi. >> Hello. Um um Gail Vardakus 27 Dunar and Oaks. I just want to like this is so confusing. So if so a vote for yes means that it's zero in zero out. Period. Okay. And secondly, I really want to urge everyone here, I know I can't turn around, to contact their reps at in all the state levels and to really consider this when you're voting when when when um new positions are opening up because this is a huge impact on our tax dollars that impacts us and our wallets and the quality of education we're able to provide the children of Stratum. So that's it. >> Thank you, Gil. >> Yep. >> Are there any is there any other
089questions or debate? on article three. Seeing none, I will read the article three and we will move the vote on it. Article three, open enrollment. Shall the Stratam School District vote to adopt an open enrollment school program designating the Stratam Memorial School as an open enrollment school pursuant to New Hampshire RSA 94-D for the purpose of enabling the district to admit zero non-resident students to the Strata Memorial School with 0% of its resident pupils permitted to attend other open enrollment schools outside of the district. A majority wrote a majority vote is required. This article is recommended by the Stratam School Board. Does everyone understand what we're voting? Anyone does anyone not understand question in as much as we have not yet closed the previous motion. Are we empowered to vote on and close? >> Yeah,
090I would that's a great question. I would tell you that I have closed the voting on the other one and we're just waiting on the results from our counting. So, I think we're we're solid. Thank you. No, it's good to check. I know. If I was a teacher, I'd give you a star. >> We're going to move the vote on open enrollment article 3. All those in favor all those in favor of supporting the article is written, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed, nay. >> Nay. >> Just kidding. Article three passes. Uh counters, is this >> um Oh, you going to move? >> Oh, sorry. >> Can I make a motion from the board? >> Sophie Salt and Stall. >> Hi. I'd like to make a motion to restrict reconsideration. >> We have
091a motion to restrict reconsideration. Is there a second? Second with a second by Jennifer Scraford. >> What the motion? We have a motion before us to restrict reconsideration. So, this will not be voted on again tonight. Does everyone understand? Yes. restricts the conversation. No. Says we can bring it up again. All those in favor of restricting reconsideration on article 3 open enrollment, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Nay. Eyes carry. We have restricted reconsideration for article three. You want to do another article or should I wait for the envelope? >> Okay. One minute. Then I should wait or one minute I should keep rolling. Okay, Gail. >> Sure. >> Thank you, Erin. >> Sure. I can read it. >> Perfect. Thank you, Erin. Sorry. >> So, Gail Vardakus 27 Dumbar and Oaks. Just
092want to mention that on our vote the ballot vote that's coming up next week that the same this the same type of article is going to appear on the ballot vote for the CMS exit high school. It's article three. So it's important that if you feel the strongly about voting in stratum that our tax dollars are still impacted on the ballot vote also. So I >> So what you're trying to tell me is that there's a similar article on the cooperative school district ballot that will be in the booth because the cooperative school district is an SB2 town as opposed to a traditional town >> school district meeting. >> I just wanted to share that. >> Thank you. Okay. >> I wanted to share with you the election results as well as introducing our counters
093of Paul, Mickey, Aaron, Nancy, and Denise. Uh thank you for counting uh the results of article two, the collective bargaining agreement. Uh, we have 175 yes votes cast, 104 no with two blanks. So, article two, the collective bargaining agreement has passed. Anybody restrict reconsideration? I have a a motion and a second to restrict reconsideration on article two. Um, got it. >> So many seconds. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Would you just state your name? I'm sorry. For the record. >> Thank you, Mark. And I had a second from Senator Deborah >> Ulair. >> Thank you. Uh, the motion before us is to restrict reconsideration on article two of the collective bargaining agreement. Does everyone understand we're about to vote on? Uh, all those in favor of restricting reconsideration, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed,
094nay. >> The eyes carry. Uh, motion carries to restrict reconsideration for article two. That takes us into article four, the technology capital reserve fund. Shall the Stratam School District vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 to be added to the technology capital reserve fund previously established in 2024. This sum is to come from the June 30th fund balance available for transfer on July 1. No amount is to be raised from taxation. This appropriation is recommended by the Stratam School Board 5 to Z. This appropriation is recommended by the financial advisory committee 4 to zero and a majority vote is required. Is there a motion to support article 4? Mr. Motor, I'll make a motion, please. Eric, we have a motion from Eric. Is there a second? >> Sorry. Just state your name for
095the record. >> Jeff, you got a second from Jeff Chason. Eric, would you like to speak on the motion? >> Yeah, Jeff. >> Thank you. So, I just wanted to describe what we we we do this every year. So, if you've been here before, you'll you'll know what this this is about. Um, the technology capital reserve is not for every piece of technology that exists within the school. So, I want you to just understand what it is that's that's really encapsulated in this warrant article. It's really around things that are what we would consider to be network infrastructure. What does that mean? Uh this is the electronic components that give us Wi-Fi that give us switching that gives us our firewalls and other sort of large big ticket capex purchases that have to be refreshed
096typically on about a 5year according to sort of industry best practices cycle. It doesn't include Chromebooks and things like that. That's a little bit different. So the reason we originated this several years ago was because that purchase can be quite expensive and it all comes due pretty much at the same time. you're replacing almost all of those components together. Um, when we did that last, it had a a significant budget impact. And so the idea was, let's create a capital fund so that we can make this a more predictable spend that doesn't affect the operating budget um in a way that um is unpredictable for taxpayers. So, we've been doing this for a number of years and uh the board recommends that we uh that we continue that this year. >> Thank you, Eric. Are
097there any questions or debate on article 4? Seeing no questions or debate on article 4, we will move to vote on article 4 technology capital reserve fund. Shall the Stratam School District vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 to be added to the technology capital reserve fund previously established in 2024. This sum is to come from the June 30 fund balance available for transfer on July 1. No amount is to be raised from taxation. This appropriation is recommended by the Stratam School Board 5 to zero. The appropriation is recommended by the Financial Advisory Committee 4 to Zero. And a majority vote is required. All those in favor of supporting article 4 for the Technology Capital Reserve Fund, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed, nay. The eyes carry. Article four passed. Article
098five, reports of agents. to hear reports of agents, auditors, committees or officers here for chosen and to pass any vote relating here too. Business from the school board. >> Uh, are we able to address reconsideration on the previous article? >> We can, but we're about to close the meeting. I'm happy to if you'd like to. >> Oh, we're about to close the meeting. Okay. I'm sorry. >> No, no. It's all good. >> I will not prolong it. >> Nobody voted. Nobody said no. Yeah, >> it's all good. >> Y >> uh is there any business to come before the Stratum School District? >> Seeing none, we'll move to article five to transact any other business which may legally come before this meeting. Is there any other business to come before the meeting? I'm looking at
099you, Pat. Okay. No, it's all good. Uh, seeing nothing else, uh, the I'm I'm celebrating because this is my 22nd annual school district meeting for you guys. And, uh, I know I'm excited to be here with you still doing it. We're uh, we're all lucky. If there's no other business to come before you, I am grateful that you've joined us this evening. I look forward to seeing you at the polls on Tuesday for election day and next Saturday morning for our annual town meeting on the 14th. And this Saturday to prep for it, there's an Eagle Scout pancake breakfast at the firehouse. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's all good. Be there. Be square. Thank you. I'll close the meeting at 8:00.