Inter-Lakes voters approve school budget, teachers union agreement

MEREDITH — After a night of spirited debate Wednesday, among the crowd of around 150 voters at the Inter-Lakes School District meeting in the high school auditorium, the operating budget was passed as presented, despite two amendments proposed from the floor.

The voters were vocal from the start of the meeting, which spanned more than three hours. After breezing through the first two clerical articles, voters considered the collective bargaining agreement in Article 3, which calls for a one-year contract and an estimated increase of $458,794.

Meredith resident Richard Juve asked the board if the teacher’s union voted for teachers to support a portion of their health insurance, and if teachers are contributing.

Superintendent Mary Moriarty said the staff pays about 17% of health insurance costs, and the district opted for a one-year contract, because they are undergoing a health insurance study.

The article passed with a vast majority of voters in favor, which made Article 4 moot.

The proposed operating budget was next on the warrant, in Article 5, amounting to $37.3 million, a 5.7% increase.

Juve was quick to speak after the article was moved and seconded, asking if the budget includes payment for the school board attorney. It was later noted there was a line item of $92,000 paid in legal fees, despite the district not having a salary for counsel.

“I think that’s outrageous,” Juve said.

Meredith resident Debbie Walker noted while the operating budget was up 5.7%, approving the union agreement makes it a total increase of more than 6%. She said it felt like the largest increase in a while, and with inflation, it is not sustainable. She added she believes the board has done as well as they can, but through strategic planning it needs to be reduced.

Chair Charley Hanson, of Center Harbor, admitted that “it is the biggest one in a while,” and noted rising health insurance and special education costs. He said these are things they can't control, but part of their job is finding a way to do so.

“And we’re working on that,” Hanson said.

Cindy Creteau-Miller, of Meredith, noted with 896 students enrolled in the district, it puts the cost per pupil at about $40,000. This, she said, equates to the cost of a private school education. Her concern is with the combination of this budget, and the Meredith town budget, taxpayers are looking at a major hike.

Creteau-Miller proposed amending the article to lower the budget to $30 million, which was seconded by Meredith resident Karen Sticht. Andy Carty of Center Harbor asked what they wanted to cut from the budget, and Creteau-Miller said it was “a burden of the school board, I believe, to figure out where it is cut.

“I don’t personally want kids to go without, ever, but we don’t get any state aid because of our assessments, because we are so high, so we are relying on all property taxes,” Creteau-Miller said.

She said all school districts are dealing with this “terrible burden,” then pointed toward low scores.

“You keep throwing money at something and it doesn’t change, it’s insanity,” Creteau-Miller said. “That’s why I presented this.”

Sticht said any amendment deserves discussion, which is why she seconded. She said the district is adding $2 million in special education, and felt the budget should be looked at to see if too much money is spent in any given area.

“Some things could be cut, and I’m not talking about arts and athletics,” Sticht said.

“Or perhaps the staff can take on more of their insurance.”

School board member Jim Locke, of Center Harbor, spoke as a parent and taxpayer. He said the board is responsible with taxpayer money, but cutting $7 million could lead to jobs lost. He believes the budget proposed is “good and sound.”

Board member Siobhan Connelly (At Large) addressed academic achievement, and said when Inter-Lakes is compared with other districts with similar populations, they are in the upper echelon of testing.

“We are a public school, built and providing freely accessible education to all students, no matter what their abilities and disabilities are,” Connelly said. "I just want to be careful around that in particular. It is true. We have an increasing special needs population, and they deserve education and care.”

Locke added from 2022 until now, there have been improvements in proficiency goals year-to-year.

“I would think that is a testament to our teachers and staff,” he said.

A Meredith parent sitting with his children, one who he said has special needs, said it was a difficult meeting to sit in. He asked voters to look the children in the eye when they think about cuts to the budget, because it will directly affect them.

Rachel Bartlett, of Sandwich, came to the meeting as a parent, Inter-Lakes graduate and district teacher. She spoke to proficiency scores, and said state assessment data only tells part of the story. She said 84% of last year’s seniors met two or more college and career readiness markers, and 63.5% exceeded the minimum established by the federal accountability system.

Bartlett also noted 69 students are participating in trades programs, and earned certificates preparing them for jobs. Students have also excelled in personal competencies including time management, preparation, organization, perseverance, engagement and reflection, she said. She said 245 students are showing high honors in those areas, and this is an important figure, considering the size of the district.

“I think we’re doing an incredible job,” Bartlett said.

The district ultimately voted against the amendment.

The discussion then shifted to the reduction of two health assistant jobs, while adding a third nurse to serve Sandwich Central School and carry out districtwide responsibilities. There was concern about how this would affect children with specific needs, such as assistance in the bathroom.

Moriarty said the director of student services is working with each building to make sure protocols are in place, and the reality is they are trying to find ways to bring forth the most responsible budget.

Ashley Clark, of Meredith, is a nursing assistant at the high school, and her job is one which will be removed. Typically, she is in the bathroom helping children about a dozen times a day, and when she is unavailable, paraprofessionals are relied on to do the job. She said they tell her they are overwhelmed when this happens.

“Why not keep the assistant in the office to do that job?” Clark asked.

Virginia Donaldson, of Meredith, proposed an amendment to add the two assistants back into the budget for $134,733, making the budget $37.5 million. It was seconded by Sarah Thompson, but was ultimately voted down.

After nearly 90 minutes of discussion, the district voted to approve the budget as presented. The Inter-Lakes School District serves the communities of Center Harbor, Meredith and Sandwich.