WILTON – The proposed 2024-25 operating budget for the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School District totals $14,271,384, an increase of $328,163, or about 2.5 percent over the current year.

A collective bargaining agreement between the School Board and the Teachers’ Association would add another $629,285, for an increase of about 7 percent.

Those figures do not include other warrant articles.

The proposed budget was presented by the Budget Committee at a public hearing on Thursday, Feb. 8, led by Chairman Jeffrey Jones of Wilton. About 30 people attended the hearing.

Costs are divided between the two towns using a formula based on student population and each town’s equalized valuation. This year that split is Wilton 71.8 percent and Lyndeborough 28.1 percent.

There are currently 543 students enrolled in the three schools – Lyndeborough Central, Florence Rideout Elementary, and the middle/high school. There are 57 classroom teachers.

The tax impact, based on a $300,000 home, is $152 in Wilton and $129 in Lyndeborough.

Jones said the main drivers of the increase are Special Education (an increase of $303,851 or 3,4 percent); a decrease of $125,000 in anticipated federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant; and an increase in services at $175,000.

Other areas of increase include health insurance (about $104,000); N.H. Retirement program ($26,000); instructional software ($47,000), and transportation ($42,000).

Areas that decreased include total spending at the three schools ($28,000), technology ($19,000), dental insurance (11,000), and staff wages ($92,800).

Staff numbers remain the same but salaries are affected by the retirement of some long-time teachers being replaced by younger ones.

Jones said, in comparing actual expenditures per pupil with similar sized schools, WLC at $20,022, is “about in the middle.”

The three-year collective agreement would add $629,285 the first year.

There are three other warrant articles, including a petition received on Feb. 8. Article 7 asks for $275,00 be added to the Building/Equipment/and Roadway Capital Improvement Plan, money to come by general taxation.

Article 8 asks for an additional $100,000 for the fund to come from the unexpended fund balance.

The petition asks that the School district vote to authorize the School Board to retain a portion of the unexpended fund balance, up to 5 percent the current year’s assessment.

Use of the funds was not explained, but coverage of emergencies implies.

Few questions were asked by the audience.

Wilton resident Tom Schultz said the increase was “about one-third of the town’s increase, but the school portion is the largest part of the overall tax bill. He commended the board for their efforts at keeping the increases down.

Lyndeborough resident Fran Bujak said there was a need for a “miscellaneous line” in the CIP to cover such things as doors and windows which could need replacement.

Lyndeborough selectman Mark Chamberlain inquired about work on the tennis court and was told the work is “in progress.”

He asked about a plan for dealing with the declining number of students.

Board Chairman Jeff Allen of Lyndeborough the board was “working on a strategic plan.”

The District annual meeting will be held on Saturday, March 9, 9 a.m., at the middle/high school.