Article 15:
Operating Budget ($35,603,094)
Warrant Article Language
Shall the Amherst School District raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling thirty-five million six hundred three thousand ninety four dollars ($35,603,094)? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be thirty four million nine hundred fifty three thousand nine hundred eighty three dollars ($34,953,983) which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Amherst School District or by law; or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only? Majority Vote Required.
Recommended by the Amherst School Board (5-0)
Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (advisory budget committee)(7-0)
Estimated tax impact of passing this article is: $0.17 per thousand.
Estimated tax impact of not passing this article is: -$0.09 per thousand.
*NOTE: Article 15 (operating budget) does not include appropriations proposed in any other warrant articles
BOARD EXPLANATION
The proposed budget for FY27 operating is a 1.3% increase or $461,286 increase over the FY26 adopted budget. This proposed budget allows us to meet the district’s everyday needs while continuing to pursue the Framework for Success. The SAU 39 Framework for Success is a districtwide roadmap that aligns Amherst, Mont Vernon, and Souhegan schools around a shared commitment to Engage, Challenge, and Support every learner. It focuses on five core priorities: strengthening student learning through high-quality instruction; supporting the whole child’s academic, social, and emotional needs; investing in educators through meaningful professional development and systems that help them thrive; building strong partnerships with families and the community; and stewarding financial, human, and facility resources responsibly. Together, these elements guide decision-making, promote continuous improvement, and ensure that all students have the opportunities and support they need to succeed. This budget includes a reduction of the paraprofessional staff at Clark-Wilkins and AMS, which is based on an analysis and audit of student needs. This budget also includes the cost of the new transportation contract with Student Transportation of America, for home to school and athletics bus service.
AMHERST WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE COMMENTS
The Ways and Means Committee voted unanimously in support of the proposed school budget. During the process of developing this budget, Ways and Means Committee members took part in the working group meetings for each subsection of the budget. The use of zero-based budgeting led to the development of an efficient budget that minimized the impact on taxpayers while maintaining the focus on student performance. There were continued substantial increases in insurance costs, as we’ve seen in the previous year’s budget, and the district was able to balance those increases while maintaining focus on the true needs of the district. The Committee asked many detailed questions and was satisfied with the responses received, some of which led to further refinement of the budget. The Committee strongly supports this Warrant Article.
VOICE OF THE VOTER
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