November 18, 2025 Approved Minutes
The Municipal Budget Committee unanimously approved minutes from October 28, 2025, by a 7-0-0 vote. Regarding the operating budget, Supt. Fortney presented a proposal of $56,653,713, a 0.73% increase including a 7.8% health insurance hike. The committee voted 7-1 to recommend this amount for Warrant Article 1. The committee unanimously requested the School Board raise the School Buildings Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund in Warrant Article 3 from $200,000 to $500,000. The committee deferred decisions on Article 2 (PEAK CBA) and Article 3 until December 9, 2025, to await School Board action. Article 4 (Capital Reserve Roof Fund) and Article 5 (Special Education Expendable Trust Fund) were both approved as written at $100,000 and $200,000, respectively, by 8-0 votes. Larry LeBoeuf clarified upcoming bond repayment of $1.888 million for 2026-27. Source: https://www.kearsarge.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif731/f/pages/11-18-25_mbc_minutes_approved.pdf
Approved 12/9/25 Municipal Budget Committee Minutes of the Public Meeting November 18, 2025 Kearsarge Regional School District I. Call to Order Present: Claire Ketteler – Newbury James Bibbo – Bradford Luke Gorman – Springfield Rebecca Harned– Sutton Debbie Reznicek - Warner Winfried Feneberg – New London Tom Schamberg- Wilmot Richard Anderson – New London Larry LeBoeuf – Business Administrator Michael Bessette- Assistant Superintendent John Fortney - Superintendent Zoom: Jesse Evans -Warner, Kristen Schultz - School Board Representative II. Approval of Minutes Mr. Feneberg motioned to approve the minutes of 10/28/25 as submitted. Mr. Schamberg seconded. Motion carried 7/0/0 III. Warrant Articles Warrant Article I - Discussion ● Supt. Fortney stated the proposed operating budget of $56,653,713 is a .73% increase which includes a 7.8% health insurance increase. Including the reduction of 4 Para positions. When combined with the proposed PEAK CBA numbers the increase will be approx. 1.54%. ● Mr. Anderson thanked the Superintendent and staff for the hard work producing the budget. ● Ms. Ketteler asked about the cost of graduation. Supt. Fortney stated that the Board voted on a 10K reduction of the proposed cost. ● Mr. Feneberg asked what if the need for Para Educator positions arise. Supt. Fortney explained that funds are available if needed. Approved 12/9/25 Municipal Budget Committee Minutes of the Public Meeting November 18, 2025 Kearsarge Regional School District ●Mr. Schamberg asked about supplies and are they ordered at a group rate. It was confirmed by Supt. Fortney, yes. ●Ms.Harned asked Supt. Fortney what are the pain points in the budget? Supt. Fortney answered Facilities. ●Citizen, Mag Francis asked for clarification of the Bond repayment . Mr. LeBoeuf responded 1.888 million in 2026-27 ●Ms. Evans, commeneded the Board & Administration also on the budget and expressed concern for future costly issues, such as Facilities. ●Ms. Hearned noted concern exposing a potential district situation that may force to shut down a facility and putting off needed building issues. ●Supt. Fortney explained that the Facilities B Committee was formed to address and assess districtwide Facility needs. ●Continued discussion of Facility needs and increasing Article 3 Trust Fund amount. Also, using end-of-year funds in June that typically are returned to the towns. . Motion to request the School Board raise the amount for Article 3 on the Warrant. To see if the School Board will vote at their next meeting to raise the amount in Article 3 about the School Buildings Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund of the proposed 2026 Warrant from $200,000 to $500,000. Motioned by Mr. Bibbo, Seconded by Mr. Feneberg, (8-0-0) Vote: Proposed KRSD Warrant, 2026 Article 1 – The MBC recommends $56,653,713. Motion Mr. Feneberg, Seconded Mr. Gorman Vote: 7-1 (No Vote: Ketteler Yes Vote: Anderson, Reznieck, Harned, Feneberg, Gorman, Bibbo, Schamberg, Harned Approved 12/9/25 Municipal Budget Committee Minutes of the Public Meeting November 18, 2025 Kearsarge Regional School District Respectfully Submitted, Doreen Salera School District Clerk Article 2 PEAK CBA Article 2 – No vote, MBC will wait until after the School Board meeting and the PEAK Bargaining Unit ratifies the agreement. The MBC will vote on December 9, 2025 Article 3 Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund Article 3, No vote – wait until December 9 meeting, after the School Board has considered the MBC’s request to increase the amount to $500,000 Article 4 Capital Reserve Roof Fund $100,000 as written Article 4 - $100,000 - Motion: Mr. Schamberg Second: Mr. Gorman Vote: 8-0 Article 5 Special Education Expendable Trust Fund, $200,000 Article 5 - $200,000 Motion: Ms. Reznicek Second: Mr. Gorman Vote: 8-0 Meeting Adjourned Motion: Mr. Gorman Second: Mr. Bibbo (8-0-0)