Henniker’s thumbs-up beats Weare’s thumbs-down for John Stark budget

The sign outside of John Stark Regional High School.

The sign outside of John Stark Regional High School. GEOFF FORESTER

By DAVID BROOKS

Monitor staff

Published: 03-14-2024 10:28 AM

Henniker said yes more than Weare said no, which means the John Stark School District operating budget passed on election day.

The two-town school district often sees a split between its member communities at annual meeting time and this was no different. Henniker backed the $15 million operating budget by a margin of 164 votes, while Weare rejected it by a margin of 66 votes. The result: It passed, 1,292 to 1,194.

Henniker’s opinion held sway even though about four times as many people voted in Weare.

The two towns were in sync in their opinion of a new contract for support staff: Both approved it, and it passed, 1,575 to 927.

It is projected the local school tax rate for Henniker residents would go up 32 cents per $1,000 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 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. For all positions, the average first-year increase would be 11.55% and between 2.5% and 3% the second year. It adds an estimated $152,548 in costs the first year and $39,653 the second year.

The operating budget is an increase of 2.3% over the current budget.

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