Voters in Henniker and Weare will consider a $15 million budget for the John Stark School District, up 2.36% from the current budget, and a new contract for support personnel at Friday’s deliberative session.

If all warrants pass, it is projected the local school tax rate for Henniker residents would go up 32 cents per $100,000 of assessed valuation, adding $112 to the annual bill on a $350,000 home, and go up 21 cents for Weare residents, adding $73.50 to the annual bill. Even so, Henniker’s school tax rate would still be much less than Weare’s, at $4.37 versus $5.23.

The proposed increase in the operating budget from the current $14.66 million is driven in large part by increases in health insurance costs and out-of-district special education costs.

The line item for salaries is down slightly in the third year of the current teacher’s contract, although that’s partly due to the director of facility’s position being moved to the SAU, which shifts it to a different part of the budget. One unfilled teaching position is being cut.

The proposed two-year contract for support personnel, including para-educators, custodians and some administrative staff, would increase average hourly wage from $18.43 to $20.30. Over all positions, the average first-year increase would be 11.55% and between 2.5% and 3% the second year.

If passed, the contract would add $152,548 in costs the first year and $39,653 the second year.

The deliberative session will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, in the John Stark Regional High School cafeteria. It can be viewed live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@sau24schools

Voters can debate and amend warrant articles at the session. They will be voted by ballot on March 12, town election day.