WILTON – Voters at the annual meeting of the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School District on Saturday, March 5, approved the three articles on the warrant with no dissenting votes. Those articles included a budget totaling $13,152,064, a contribution of $130,000 to the Building Equipment and Roadway Capital Reserve Fund, and $100,000 to be added to the Special Education Reserve Fund.

About 40 residents attended the 90-minute meeting at the middle/high school.

The budget was presented via Power Point by several members of the Budget Committee, including Chairman Jeff Jones.

The budget is a 3.1 percent increase over last year. It was noted that only 10 percent of the budget is discretionary, the rest mandated by previous contracts and state or federal requirements.

Enrollment has been gradually increasing and there are now 581 students in the three buildings, the middle/high school, Florence Rideout, and Lyndeborough Central.

Increases in the budget include a 19 percent rise in Special Education costs, a new truck for the facilities manager who has been using his own vehicle; removal of the deteriorating tennis courts; a collective bargaining agreement which adds 2.9 percent; and a new technology strategy vision.

It was determined that the cost of rebuilding the tennis courts would be too prohibitive. The tennis team has other places to practice. The area will be returned to grass.

It was reported that federal COVID funds had been used under their guidelines, but there is still $684,000 which can be used through 2024.

Uses for that money include improving the sound system, improving nursing services, technology upgrades, after school programs, and a fund for long-term substitute teachers.

By state figures, the cost per student is $17,832. That figure was disputed by Wilton resident Bill Keefe who said he had used the numbers “in the report,” and the cost is actually $22,637. The state does not include transportation and certain other costs in their formula.

Wilton resident DJ Garcia asked how the district could get more help from the state. “Small schools need more revenue, and it is becoming prohibitive for the community.” He asked how the community could get more involved. “I don’t want to cut

programs.”

Wilton resident Tom Schultz noted the suit against the state to “provide an adequate education,” and asked why Wilton and Lyndeborough had not joined. Regarding special education, “the government has never lived up to its commitment.”

There was little discussion of Article 5, the facilities reserve fund.

Several projects have been moved, or removed, from the plan.

A planned lighting upgrade has been completed.

Replacement of the boiler could not wait and was replaced using hazard funds, $85,000.

New air conditioning for the library will be done in 2025.

Paving of the road to the upper fields was removed from the plan because of the tennis court removal savings.

There is a need to build up the fund for future roof replacement.

Under Article 6, special education, it was noted there are 112 special needs students, 4 percent of them out-of-district. Out-of-district transportation costs about $70,000.

The fund is needed in case a new needy student arrives in the district. That student’s needs must be dealt with immediately.

Moderator Walter Holland asked if the state had such a fund.

Representative Lisa Post of Lyndeborough said they were “working toward it.”

In answer to a question, the budget committee said COVID funds could not be used.

Total tax impact is estimated at 93 cents per $100,000 valuation in Wilton and 90 cents in Lyndeborough, adding over $100 to the average tax bill.

The meeting began with a tribute to former board member Harry Dailey by Board Member Jim Kofalt. Dailey served as vice-chairman and then chairman of the board for several years.

Kofalt said, “He was the chairman of the committee overseeing the renovation of Florence Rideout, always attended events and fund raisers,, and oversaw several milestones, including moving the fifth grade to the middle school. He served the needs of the school and the community well and will be missed.”

The school board is creating a scholarship in his memory. Anyone wishing to contribute may contact Kristina Fowler at the SAU office.