The Jaffrey-Rindge School District narrowly crossed the 60% threshold to enact a school tax cap at the polls on Tuesday, by a mere 12 votes district-wide.
Voters in both towns approved the ballot question, though it was closer in Jaffrey, with 1,267 “yes” votes to 1,122 “no” votes. Rindge voters were more decisively in favor of a cap, 1,821 to 918.
In total, that’s 3,088 “yes” votes across the district — where 3,076 marked the 60% threshold needed to pass the cap.
The ballot question was in two parts. The first part of the question was to limit school districts’ property tax levy to the prior year’s amount, adjusted for inflation (excepting new construction and bonded capital costs). The second part requires the School Administrative Unit (SAU) central office to account for no more than six percent of total school district appropriations.
Voters on both sides of the issues spoke about their views on the tax cap at the polls on Tuesday.
Jennie Aho of Rindge, who supported Republican candidates Tuesday, said she was torn on the issue but ultimately voted for the tax cap. She said her main concern was the continuous rise in property taxes.
Bob Meissner of Jaffrey, who favored Democratic candidates on Tuesday, said he voted “no” on the question.
“I did vote ‘no,’ because the unintended consequences of making a cap like that are that there are areas that need to be funded that that cap would eliminate the possibility of funding — important items for the school and the school district,” said Meissner.