Effective July 1, 2027, Francestown will become an independent school district for the first time since joining the ConVal School District in 1967, following a vote on four warrant articles at a Special District Meeting on Saturday, Aug. 8.
The articles allow the new Francestown Independent School District to move forward with planning its withdrawal from ConVal and provide funds during the transition period. More than 100 people attended the meeting at Francestown Elementary School.
For Article 1, Election of School Board officers, voters nominated candidates from the floor. Laura Mafera, Pat Troy, and David Stahlin, who also served on the Francestown School Committee during the town’s pre-withdrawal process, were all elected after running unopposed.
Kevin Pobst, who serves as the town’s representative on the ConVal School Board, was elected moderator of the new district. Susan Kane was elected clerk, and John Ludlam was elected treasurer.
For Article 2, voters approved an amendment proposed by resident Gary Schnakenburg to raise the operating appropriation from $100,000 to $120,000. Schnakenburg, vice president and commissioner of the Southwest Regional Planning Commission, cited insurance and other unpredictable costs as reasons for the increase.
Pobst called for a body vote after about a quarter of voters present voted against the amendment, but the article passed as amended.
No one spoke in opposition or proposed amendments to Article 3, which established a retained fund balance, or Article 4, which established an SAU Withdrawal Planning Committee.
At a May 2025 Special Town Meeting, Francestown voters approved pursuing withdrawal from the ConVal School District as well as School Administrative Unit 1 once district withdrawal is complete.
Troy clarified that Article 4 serves only to establish a planning committee to study the costs and benefits of leaving SAU 1 and creating a new SAU before any proposal goes back to voters.
SAU’s provide administrative functions for the district including superintendent leadership, special education administration, business and financial services, human resources, including payroll, curriculum and professional development, maintaining student data and state reporting, and technology support.
The Francestown School Committee and the new FISB have stated that the town plans to educate children in grades K-5 at FES following withdrawal from the district, and that middle and high school students will have the option of tuitioning in to ConVal.
The FISB has also stated that the board will approach other districts to weigh different options for middle and high school student.
The SAU planning committee is required by state law.
