The Antrim Select Board met with ConVal Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders Monday to discuss the school district’s projected fund balance for the upcoming school year.
Saunders reflected on the past 18 months, reminding the board that at this time in 2020 the district froze the budget to prepare for an unusual and uncertain start to school. They did not anticipate funds from the federal government, Saunders said, and had to prepare to roll out a fully remote program. In order to do so every child needed a device in order to take virtual classes, complete assignments, and communicate with teachers. Previously, there were no devices in place for students pre-k through grade 4, she said.
“We have places in our towns with no broadband access,” Saunders said, and the school district was forced to take into account “expenses we’ve never had before” such as COVID-screening procedures and extra nurses for students taking in-person classes.
Saunders elaborated on a 4-color system the school district is using to identify risk and implement safety protocol measures for the upcoming year. Blue is the most “normal” learning situation involving limited mitigation strategies and requiring low community case numbers. Green is next, and will be the level ConVal schools are starting in this year. As a result, masks will be required indoors and on school buses, there will be outdoor learning spaces created, and increased cleaning. Yellow indicates substantial transmission, and while some students will remain in school there will be an option for remote learning as well. In a Red scenario, COVID cases are high enough for all students to move to entirely remote learning.
“We have to watch out for student and staff safety, schools are the one place where a significant amount of our population congregate every day,” Saunders said. A COVID monitoring team comprised of experts in the community has been established to give advice, recommendations, and monitor safety risks, she said.
Board Chair John Robertson brought up Senate Bill 130, legislation that would use taxpayer dollars to pay for some students in the state to attend private institutions and questioned what effect this would have on ConVal schools. Currently, public schools receive tax money through SWEPT (Statewide Education Property Tax).
Local governments collect and hold the authority to increase this tax, Saunders said, adding that this and the State Education Trust Fund come out to about $3,700 per student. SB 130 would give an average of $4,600 per student to those who qualify.
Saunders emphasized that one factor that is often overlooked in New Hampshire public education funding is the fact that ConVal school district is a huge geographic area. Buses in the district drive a combined distance “to California one day and back in the next,” she said. On average it costs $945 per student per year to cover transportation costs. This leaves less money for student education when they are in the building, Saunders added. If taxpayer dollars are directed to families sending their children to private schools it may be harder to raise SWEPT taxes which have not increased on a state level since 2005. Saunders explained that public schools are completely transparent in their use of taxpayer dollars, and must account for all funds used every year. The money given out by Senate Bill 130 on the other hand would not be publicly accounted for.
The board also discussed the highway department building addition, citing fire safety concerns. An automatic fire alarm system was suggested and it was agreed upon that responsible contractors will be essential in creating a space that will keep employees safe.