Laconia School Board to consider 5% budget increase

LACONIA — The school board will consider approving a budget for the coming school year that is 5% greater than the current budget at its regular meeting Tuesday, with the increase largely driven by salaries and benefits.

The budget proposal of $43.16 million for school year 2024-25 represents an increase of $2.01 million over the current budget.

About half of the increase — $1 million — is attributed to salaries. Another $628,175 of the increase is going to increased benefits costs.

The budget projects enrollment declining at both the elementary and middle school levels, but increasing at the high school. The city’s three elementary schools are projected to experience a cumulative decline from 856 to 827. The middle school is projected to drop from 412 to 406, and the high school is expected to increase its enrollment, from 542 to 573.

If approved by the school board on Tuesday night, the district’s budget will be presented to Laconia City Council at its meeting on Monday, May 13.

The Laconia School Board meeting is at 6 p.m. on May 7, at the district office at 39 Harvard St.