On Election Day, Dunbarton residents will weigh whether to change the traditional format of their school district’s annual meetings.
JR Hoell, a former state representative, is leading the effort to bring the SB 2 format to the school district in hopes of the new structure inviting more community engagement.
SB 2, also known as the Official Ballot Referendum form of town meeting, splits the traditional meeting into two parts: a deliberative session where residents can debate and amend warrant articles, followed by a separate voting day when residents cast their ballots.
“I think this is a great opportunity to allow more participation in the school budgeting process and the management of the schools that we have today,” said Hoell. “I think it will be a great solution for the town of Dunbarton.”
Concerns about the school district’s rising budget prompted Hoell to explore the SB 2 alternative. Separating the vote from a lengthy meeting would incentivize more residents to participate and give leaders a clearer sense of where the community stands, he said.
This year’s proposed school budget is $11.6 million, a 10.4% increase from last year.
Under the current traditional format, residents gather for a meeting that can stretch on for hours, with attendees commenting on each warrant article and questioning each budget line item before making a decision.
But the school board has unanimously recommended that residents vote against the SB 2 proposal.
Clement Madden, school board chair, said he believes the change would not benefit a small community like Dunbarton.
“I don’t think it serves our district well, and it leads to uninformed folks,” he said. “I think people are trying to present this as trying to allow more people to engage. You still have a deliberative session. People probably will not engage with that.”
Every year, around 600 to 800 residents show up to vote at the annual school district meeting. In the last five years, there hasn’t been a petition in Dunbarton to move away from traditional meetings.
“People still enjoy what takes place at the town meeting relative to the school. It’s fun.” Hoell said. “But the school district meeting is very procedural.”
The petitioned warrant article to transition to the SB2 form of government will be on the ballot for residents to consider at the school district meeting on March 7 at 4 p.m.