The 2026–27 school year is off to a great start. We are fortunate to have wonderful
learners, families and educators in our school community. This year will bring many positive and exciting opportunities for growth.
Learners in pre-K through grade 8 are beginning the third year of using Wit & Wisdom, our literacy program. The program includes enhanced phonics resources and instruction in the early elementary grades. It is a research-based, knowledge-rich curriculum that aligns with the science of reading.
This fall, pre-K through grade 8 educators have taken part in professional development focused on mathematics. Topics have included additive, multiplicative and fractional reasoning. All elementary teachers are focusing on effective math instruction and aligning the elementary math curriculum with Conant Middle High School by studying the standards and creating clear, comprehensive learning goals.
Conant Middle High School earned silver recognition on the 2025 AP School Honor Roll, highlighting its commitment to advanced learning. The most recent advanced-placement test results showed a significant increase in the percentage of learners who passed AP exams. The pass rate rose from 60% during the previous two years to nearly 80% last school year.
We are proud of our learners’ success in their courses and excited to offer several new AP
classes this year, including AP African American Studies, AP Chemistry, and AP Biology.
Financial matters
School districts across New Hampshire are facing budget challenges because costs continue to rise while state and federal funding remains limited. The Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District prepared for the 2026–27 school year amid rising costs and uncertainty about future local revenue.
As it does each year, the district completed the first part of its financial audit this summer.
Although the past few years have presented budget challenges, we are pleased that the district continues to operate efficiently and effectively. The auditing firm plans to complete the federal funds portion of the audit later this fall.
Last year, like many districts across New Hampshire, Jaffrey-Rindge received an additional health care fee of about $580,000 from SchoolCare, and we paid the fee within the required time.
This year, the district faces another unexpected cost, but this time for a positive reason. The district was offered several Career and Technical Education opportunities for high school learners this fall. About 70 Conant learners requested CTE courses, and nearly 50 enrolled in programs that matched their schedules and educational goals.
This opportunity is exciting for our learners, but it also comes during a time of budget
challenges. The district budgets for CTE each year, but that budget was based on fewer
learners enrolling and included only a modest amount for transportation. Based on September estimates and the courses learners selected, the district expects to spend about $450,000 on CTE tuition and $280,000 on transportation.
These costs support learners who attend programs in Keene, Mascenic and ConVal. Because many programs require multiple transportation runs each day, participation can become especially expensive.
The district is exploring broader transportation strategies that could reduce bus runs and lower costs for CTE and extracurricular activities. Any changes must balance savings with reliable access to programs that are not available within our district.
In 2024–25, Gov. Kelly Ayotte set aside about $18 million for Conant’s proposed CTE
construction project. The project would have expanded existing programs and added new
programs in our region by the end of the current school year. However, in March 2025, the vote to move forward with the project fell well short of what was required.
As a result, the district does not receive revenue from other districts, and many of our learners must attend CTE programs outside the district. Instead of keeping more learners in the district for CTE courses, we send them to surrounding school systems.
Another concern is House Bill 1300, which will place school district tax-cap questions before voters this November. If voters approve the measure by a three-fifths majority, a local tax cap would limit annual increases in school property tax revenue to inflation and growth in taxable property from new construction. Certain bonded capital costs would not be included.
A tax cap could limit future increases in property taxes, but it could also make it more difficult for the district to respond to rising costs for transportation, tuition, salaries, special education, and daily operations.
Facility news
Due to budget constraints, the district is beginning its second year without a facilities director.
The superintendent and business office work closely together to oversee and manage building maintenance, repairs and improvements. Over the past year and summer, the Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District has continued to invest in the condition, safety and long-term use of its school buildings.
This summer, the district began a planned, multiyear window replacement project at Jaffrey Grade School and Rindge Memorial School. The district also completed painting, flooring, and parking lot striping projects in August.
Another major project this summer was reconstruction of the Conant track. Activities
Director Heather Linstad worked closely with the track company to complete the project as
planned and make important improvements to the track and field area. The track was completed in July, and community members and learners use it every day.
Partnerships
The Jaffrey-Rindge district continues to strengthen partnerships that expand learning opportunities, support learner well-being, and provide educators with additional resources.
Franklin Pierce University remains an important partner, especially through its Education Department. FPU education students attend classes at elementary schools on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. After class, they observe experienced teachers at Rindge Memorial School and Jaffrey Grade School.
This partnership gives Franklin Pierce students valuable classroom experience while bringing additional educators and fresh ideas into our schools. The district is also exploring expanded college internships and dual-enrollment opportunities in education.
We are grateful to the Jaffrey-Rindge Education Foundation for supporting the
expansion of the Inquiry Scholars program at Jaffrey Grade School, Rindge Memorial School, and now the middle school. An FPU professor, Dr. Tom Bennett, oversees the program. FPU students serve as mentors for our learners and support them as they develop inquiry, investigation and presentation skills.
The Jaffrey-Rindge district is pleased to announce its official partnership with Antioch University New England. This partnership will support the district’s multi-tiered system of support for behavior and clinical mental health services. Antioch professors, doctoral students and postdoctoral students will provide weekly support in all three district buildings. The partnership also includes an outside evaluation of the district’s multi-tiered system efforts and a clinical mental health liaison who will help strengthen support systems for learners and staff.
The district also recently applied for and received a $10,000 science education grant from
MilliporeSigma, a company that regularly supports our schools. These funds will support
elementary STEM programming and provide learners with more opportunities to explore
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Last year, MilliporeSigma also supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics improvements at the middle and high schools.
We are fortunate and grateful for our innovative and committed community partners.