Surry School District Annual Meeting Minutes 2026
Moderator Wayne Hartz called the Surry School District Annual Meeting to order on March 12, 2026. Melinda Garland read election results: Tim Peloquin and Caroll Lothrop won School Board seats with 76 and 75 votes respectively; Jessica Howard was elected Treasurer with 15 votes; and Bruce Smith was elected Clerk with 3 votes. Voters unanimously approved a $2,727,720 main operating budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Attendees noted rising costs due to special education fees, Keene tuition rates, and unused funds. The board cited ADA non-compliance, failing heating, and safety issues requiring renovation. A $100,000 appropriation for the School Building Expendable Trust Fund also passed unanimously to address urgent building repairs and legal compliance. The meeting adjourned following a motion by Jay Croteau. Source: https://surry.nh.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SSD-Annual-Meeting-031226.pdf
Surry School District Annual Meeting March 12, 2026 Meeting called to order at 7 pm by School District and Town moderator Wayne Hartz. Pledge of allegiance The school board meeting is scheduled for 30 minutes, with a town meeting following at 7:30. Tim – it’s a lot of the same things we talk about every year. Melinda Garland read the results of the election. School Board member for three years (vote for two): Caroll Lothrop – 75; Tim Peloquin – 76; Wayne Brown – 1; Kristen Brooks – 1 School District Treasurer for three years (vote for one): Jessica Howard – 15; Bruce Smith – 2; Rebecca Russo – 2 School District Cler for 3 years (vote for one): Caroll Lothrop – 3; Bruce Smith – 3; M Garland – 2; Jessica Howard – 1; Rebecca Russo – 1; Karyn Hagen - 1 Article 1 – Report of the district officers To hear the reports of the District Officers. Caroll Lothrop noted that the report is in the book. Bruce Smith motion to accept the reports. Wayne Brown seconded. No discussion Article 2 – Main operating budget To see if the District will raise and appropriate the sum of $2,727,720 for the support of schools, for the payment of salaries for School District Officers, Officials and Agents, and for the payment of the Statutory Obligations of the District for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year. The School Board and the Budget Committee recommend this appropriation. This article does not include appropriations contained in special or individual articles. Bruce Smith motion. Jay Croteau seconded. Tim noted that 90% of the budget is controlled by the number of children within Surry tuitioned to Keene. Our budget is uncomfortably close to running out before the end of this year. The School Board is also looking at a multi-year project to renovate the existing school building. No major updates have been completed in decades. The building is not ADA compliant, and the heating system is failing. There are also several safety issues that must be addressed. Tim addressed his understanding of where Open Enrollment is heading in the state. Tim also noted that there is an inequity of special ed fees versus the services the town receives for its students. Bruce Smith noted the significant increase between last year’s tax rate versus this year’s because of unused funds spent year over year. Tim said that any funds the School District can carry over to offset future costs. Wayne Brown concurred. Carroll stated that any remaining balance has been returned to the town to offset future costs, but that can be a point of conversation in the future. Jason Contrati asked how many years are left on the School Board’s contract with SAU 29. Tim believed there are four or five years left. Motion passed unanimously. Article 3 – School Building Capital Reserve Fund To see if the Surry School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100,000 to be added to the School Building Expendable Trust Fund previously established by the voters of the district in March 2009. The School Board and the Budget Committee recommend this appropriation Majority vote required Bruce Smith motioned. Judy Lundhal seconded. Tim addressed again several concerns with the Surry school building, particularly ADA compliance issues. Now that it has been publicly acknowledged by building inspectors and attorneys, it exposes the town ethically, morally and legally to deal with the concerns. David Lane asked about the importance of fixing up the building if Surry will never open the school again. He heard that the costs could increase to $2.8 million to renovate the school. Tim responded that it is imperative to make the building safe. If the town wants to bulldoze it, that is an option. But at the moment, it must become ADA compliant. Bruce made a motion to vote. Wayne Brown seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Article 4 – To transact any other business which may legally come before the meeting. Jay Croteau, motion to close meeting. Judy Lundhal, seconded. Motion passed unanimously.