2023 HSD Deliberative Session

2023 HSD Deliberative Session
Posted on 01/30/2023
Image that displays SAU55 logoHAMPSTEAD SCHOOL DISTRICT The mission of the Hampstead School Board is to provide challenging, educational experiences that prepare all students to succeed to their individual potential in a changing world. This session shall consist of explanation, discussion, and debate of warrant articles number 2 through number 9. Warrant articles may be amended subject to the following limitations: (a) warrant articles whose wording is prescribed by law shall not be amended, (b) warrant articles that are amended shall be placed on the official ballot for a final vote on the main motion, as amended, and (c) no warrant article shall be amended to eliminate the subject matter of the article. An amendment that changes the dollar amount of an appropriation in a warrant article does not violate this provision. The Hampstead School Board will meet immediately following the session to finalize the article recommendations for the official ballot. Attached to this posting: 2023 Hampstead School District Warrant 2023 School Budget Form (MS-26) 2023 Default Budget of the School (MS-DSB) Posted at: Hampstead Central School Hampstead Middle School Hampstead Town Offices Hampstead Public Library Superintendent’s Office www.hampsteadschools.net Deliberative Session I Hampstead Middle School 28 School Street, Hampstead, NH Tuesday, February 7, 2023 7:00 PM 2 0 2 3 HAMPSTEAD SCHOOL DISTRICT WARRAN T 1 | Page of 4 2023 Hampstead School District Warrant State of New Hampshire To the inhabitants of the School District of the Town of Hampstead, New Hampshire, qualified to vote in District affairs: First Session of Annual Meeting (Deliberative) You are hereby notified to meet at the Hampstead Middle School, 28 School Street, Hampstead, New Hampshire, on Tuesday, the 7th day of February 2023, at 7:00 p.m. This session shall consist of explanation, discussion, and debate of warrant articles number 2 through 9. Warrant articles may be amended subject to the following limitations: (a) warrant articles whose wording is prescribed by law shall not be amended, (b) warrant articles that are amended shall be placed on the official ballot for a final vote on the main motion, as amended, and (c) no warrant article shall be amended to eliminate the subject matter of the article. An amendment that changes the dollar amount of an appropriation in a warrant article does not violate this provision. Second Session of Annual Meeting (Voting) Voting on warrant articles number 1 through 9 will be conducted by official ballot to be held in conjunction with town meeting voting to be held on Tuesday, the 14th day of March 2023 at the Hampstead Middle School, 28 School Street, Hampstead, New Hampshire. Polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. and remain open until 8:00 p.m. Article 1 – Election of Officers To choose the following school district officers: School Board Member 3-year term School Board Member 3-year term School District Moderator 3-year term School District Treasurer 3-year term School District Clerk 3-year term Article 2 – Bond Issue/Hampstead Central School Addition P roject Shall the voters of the Hampstead School District vote to raise and appropriate the sum of eight million one hundred ninety thousand dollars ($8,190,000) for the Hampstead Central School Addition Project and authorize the issuance of not more than seven million six hundred ninety thousand dollars ($7,690,000) of bonds or notes under and in compliance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); to authorize the School Board to issue, negotiate, sell, and deliver such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon and the maturity and other terms thereof; to authorize the School Board to apply for, obtain, accept and expend any federal, state, or other aid that may be available for said project and to comply with all laws applicable to said project; and to authorize the School Board to take any and all action necessary in connection therewith or to pass any other vote relative thereto; and further to raise and appropriate an additional sum of one hundred ninety-two thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($192,250) for the first year’s interest payment on the bond? Note: Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) will be utilized from the Capital Reserve Fund. (3/5 BALLOT VOTE REQUIRED) Recommended by the School Board (0-0-0) Article 3 – Operating Budget Shall the voters of the Hampstead School District raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $32,821,710? Should this article be defeated, the operating budget shall be $32,775,756, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments 2 0 2 3 HAMPSTEAD SCHOOL DISTRICT WARRAN T 2 | Page of 4 required by previous action of the Hampstead School District or by law; or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. Note: Warrant Article 3 (Operating Budget) does not include appropriations proposed under any other warrant articles. (MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED) Recommended by the School Board (0-0-0) Article 4 – Collective Bargaining Agreement - Hampstead Education Association Shall the Hampstead School District vote to approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Hampstead School Board and the Hampstead Education Association, which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing levels over the amount paid in the prior fiscal year: Cost Distribution Year 1 Year 2 TOTAL $350,123 $324,467 and further to raise and appropriate the sum of $350,123 for the 2023-24 fiscal year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and fringe benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing levels? (MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED) Recommended by the School Board (0-0-0) Article 5 – Collective Bargaining Agreement – Hampstead Association of School Staff Shall the Hampstead School District vote to approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Hampstead School Board and the Hampstead Association of School Staff, which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing levels over the amount paid in the prior fiscal year: Cost Distribution Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 TOTAL $213,172 $ 185,420 $ 185,420 and further to raise and appropriate the sum of $213,172 for the 2023-24 fiscal year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and fringe benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing levels? (MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED) Recommended by the School Board (0-0-0) Article 6 – Authorization for Special Meeting on Cost Items Shall the Hampstead School District, if Article 4 or Article 5 is defeated, authorize the Hampstead School Board to call a special meeting, at its option, to address the Article 4 and/or Article 5 cost item only? (MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED) (Without this article, the District would have to petition the Superior Court for a Special School District Meeting. This saves the District the expense of attorney fees and court costs.) Recommended by the School Board (0-0-0) Article 7 – Capital Reserve Fund If, and only if, Article 2 [the Bonding article] passes, then shall the voters of the Hampstead School District raise and appropriate up to $300,000, in excess of the first $150,000 of surplus, to be placed in the School Renovation, Reconstruction and Capital Improvement Capital Reserve Fund, previously established in 2006, with such amount to be transferred from the June 30, 2023 unassigned fund balance (surplus), available for transfer on July 1, 2023? If Article 2 fails, then this article shall be deemed null and void. (MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED) (The first $150,000 of surplus will be returned to the taxpayers. Up to $300,000 of the balance of the remaining surplus will be placed in the Capital Reserve Fund. The funds from this article come from the 2022-23 school budget surplus, not from additional taxes. This Article is contingent upon Article 2 [the Bonding article] passing.) Recommended by the School Board (0-0-0) 2 0 2 3 HAMPSTEAD SCHOOL DISTRICT WARRAN T 3 | Page of 4 Article 8 – Capital Reserve Fund If, and only if, Article 2 [the Bonding article] fails, then shall the voters of the Hampstead School District raise and appropriate up to $1,000,000 in excess of the first $150,000 of surplus, to be placed in the School Renovation, Reconstruction and Capital Improvement Capital Reserve Fund, previously established in 2006, with such amount to be transferred from the June 30, 2023 unassigned fund balance (surplus), available for transfer on July 1, 2023? If Article 2 passes, then this article shall be deemed null and void. (MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED) (The first $150,000 of surplus will be returned to the taxpayers. The balance of the remaining surplus will be placed in the Capital Reserve Fund. The funds from this article come from the 2022-23 school budget surplus, not from additional taxes. This article is contingent upon Article 2 [the Bonding article] not passing.) Recommended by the School Board (0-0-0) Article 9 – General Acceptance of Reports Shall the Hampstead School District accept reports of agents, auditors, and committees as written in the 2022 Annual Report? (MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED) Recommended by the School Board (0-0-0)
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