Amherst OKs $23.4m school operating budget

Thursday, March 11, 2010

AMHERST – Voters on Tuesday filled an open, uncontested Amherst School Board seat with more than 200 write-in votes for longtime resident Lucienne Foulks, who will join incumbent Peg Bennett, who ran unopposed.

Voters also approved the district’s proposed $23.4 million operating budget, 1,561 to 1,127. The Amherst district covers the town’s elementary and middle schools.

The new budget is roughly two-thirds of 1 percent above last year’s.

As for the Souhegan Cooperative District, which is voted on by Amherst and Mont Vernon residents, Amherst voters gave a thumbs-up to the proposed $18.2 million operating budget, 1,618 to 1,299, while Mont Vernon voted against the Souhegan budget, 193-219. Overall, the budget passed with 1,811 yes votes to 1,518 no votes.

The Souhegan board had no contested races; incumbents Steve Coughlan and Dana Redmond will retain their seats.

The operating budget, which is about 1 percent more than last year’s, means Mont Vernon residents will pay roughly 10 cents more on the school portion of their property tax bills, while the increase for Amherst residents is slightly less.

Dean Shalhoup can be reached at 673-3100, ext. 31, or dshalhoup@cabinet.com.