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Northwood Minutes 2026_0618 Approved.pdf

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APPROVED BY THE BOARD 
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SAU #44 Northwood 
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Northwood School Board 
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Special Public Session 
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June 18, 2026 
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6:30 p.m. 
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School Board Members 
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Brian Winslow, Chair 
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Kendra Berry, Vice Chair 
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Chrissy Vander Hook 
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Scott Bryer  
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Kellen Sawyer  
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Others: 
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Nate Byrne, Superintendent 
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Visitors:  None 
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Call to Order:  
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Mr. Winslow called the June 18, 2026 meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.   
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Roll call: Brian Winslow, Chrissy Vander Hook, Kendra Berry, Kellen Sawyer, Scott Bryer 
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Pledge of Allegiance:   Mr. Robert led the Pledge of Allegiance. 
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As last night’s meeting was adjourned early to attend Graduation, this is a special public session 
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to continue discussion of HB 1610 and HB 1300, as well as SY26 Surplus Spending consideration. 
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Mr. Byrne began discussion with an explanation of HB 1610, referencing Fund Balance 
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Retention.  Northwood passed a warrant article in 2013 allowing the School Board to establish 
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this fund until vote to rescind.  If the bill currently sitting on the Governor’s desk is signed, this 
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fund balance will be eliminated with the balance returned to offset taxes.  The town would 
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have  to vote to re-establish the fund next March.  
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Also discussed, HB 1300, which, also waiting for signature, would mandate a question on the 
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November ballot for every city and town to establish a local tax cap for School budgets.  This 
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would require a 3/5 majority for passage. 
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There are several problems with HB 1300 such as: 
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There is no “Carve-out” for Special Education instruction, services and administration. 
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Many sending school districts have little to no control over tuition rates set by receiving high 
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schools. 
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There is no accounting for long-term contractual costs, such as Teacher and Support Staff 
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contracts.  These are all examples of costs over which the School District has no control, as 
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these examples, if not Federally or State mandated, are necessary to provide an education.   
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If this bill is signed by the Governor, and passes in November, regular education funds would 
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need to cover additional Special Education, tuition and related costs, thus affecting regular ed 
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students.   
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Additionally, questions arise pertaining to SB2.  As an SB2 town, the Board develops both a 
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proposed budget, as well as a Default budget (same as previous year with adjustments due to 
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removal of one-time expenses or additions due to contractual obligations).  If, while cutting 
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expenses to remain under the tax cap, what happens if the default budget is higher?  What is 
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the School Board allowed to do?  There is no mention of this in the proposed HB 1300. 
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Mr. Byrne asked Board permission to read his response (“opinion based on facts”) to the bill. 
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The Board agreed.  Note:  His full letter can be heard on the Northwood School Livestream for 
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6/18/26 meeting!   Discussion continued. 
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Mr. Winslow spoke to now realizing the cap would be based on current tax rate.  As the District 
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has averaged a $400,000 return for several years to reduce taxes, our rate is lower than many 
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other districts.  The Board budgets for known expenses, some of which are also out of their 
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control, such as High School tuition and Special Ed costs.  (Students move into and out of 
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district and/or Special Education needs change, resulting in potential savings which have been 
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returned to reduce the tax rate).  This past practice could hurt us if the bill is signed. 
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Mr. Bryer disagreed with one of Mr. Byrne’s comments regarding local control.  He feels local 
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control is at the ballot box here in Northwood, and the voters have the final say.  He has 
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supported each budget and contract presented to voters during his time on the Board, but will 
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vote against using any surplus funds to be discussed later in the meeting.  Mr. Byrne clarified 
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his comments in that the Tax Cap formula was developed by the State, not developed locally, 
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his issue is with how it has been defined. 
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Ms. Vander Hook asked to clarify HB1610.  Mr. Byrne stated that if signed, funds currently in 
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the retention fund along with the amount previously considered to be added this year would be 
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returned to the town to reduce taxes.  It doesn’t matter that Northwood approved this fund in 
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2013, it would be gone.  The Town can reaffirm the fund each year, but funds would not be 
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available again until 2028. 
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At the Board’s direction, Mr. Byrne presented a list of items and estimated cost for surplus 
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spending consideration.  Discussion continued. 
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Motion:  Mr. Winslow made the motion to approve $346,243 from surplus to cover the 
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elevator project and pre-payment of the second energy lease payment.  Ms. Berry seconded 
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the motion.  Roll call vote: Mr. Winslow – Yes; Ms. Vander Hook – Yes; Ms. Berry – Yes; Mr. 
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Sawyer – Yes;  Mr. Bryer – No.  Vote 4-1 – Yes.  Motion approved. 
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Discussion continued regarding other items under consideration. Items totaling $156,698.78 
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were discussed.  Mr. Winslow suggested coming to a consensus of amount to return to the 
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town.  Discussion continued. 
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Milk Cooler 
 
 
 
2,715.00 
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Air Quality Testing 
 
 
2,788.00 
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Handicap Bathroom Stall 
 
3,500.00 
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Gymnasium Audio Upgrade/Repair    2,761.97 
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Grade 3&4 Chairs replacement 
2,525.81 
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ELA Materials  
 
 
5,000.00  Align State 2027-28 Science of Reading mandate 
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Interactive Displays replacement 
7,800.00  3 aging whiteboard  removed from budget 
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Outdoor Lighting 
 
 
5,870.00  Replace outdated halogen lighting with more 
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                                                                                    efficient LED & Install lights near lower BB courts 
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                                     Total                $32,960.78 
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Motion:  Mr. Winslow made the motion to spend $32,960.78 from surplus  to cover the cost of 
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the items listed above.  Ms. Vander Hook seconded the motion. Roll Call:  Mr. Winslow – Yes; 
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Ms. Berry – Yes;  Ms. Vander Hook – Yes; Mr. Bryer – Yes;  Mr. Sawyer – Yes.  Vote 5-0 – Yes.  
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Motion approved. 
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Closing Public Comment:  
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Ms. Dole spoke to the Board congratulating most of the Board for the decisions made tonight.  I 
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want to remind people that the voters don’t get upset because you haven’t returned a bunch of 
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money, they get upset when you do return a bunch of money and you didn’t do some of the 
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things you could have done, so next year you’re behind the eight-ball.  We all know the reason 
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for the surplus is the Board plans for what you need, but numbers fluctuate; students move in, 
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move out, things change.  It is irresponsible in my mind to not utilize some of those funds that 
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voters have already approved for student needs and return it to reduce the tax rate to make 
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people happy.  They’ll only be happy for a short time, but they won’t stay happy once they 
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realize you didn’t plan ahead, use the funds you had, and the budget goes up the next year. As 
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for all of these bills,  I really wish the people in Concord who are voting on these bills, that they 
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would consider all the pros and cons before they vote and it goes to the Governor. 
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Mr. Winslow stated he did not like having to hold this meeting tonight. He found himself 
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between the two positions and trying to strike a balance.  Difficult to read the tea leaves 
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between the Governor and town residents, as well as a November election.  He thanked Mr. 
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Byrne and fellow Board members for the information provided and the  respectful conversation 
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tonight. 
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Ms. Vander Hook added her thanks to all for the conversation this evening. 
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Mr. Bryer added that he has the greatest respect for everyone present, and these were tough 
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decisions.  He also thanked everyone for tonight. 
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Mr. Byrne apologized for putting the Board in this difficult position tonight, but his role is to 
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inform the Board of the impact of any potential outcomes that could take place.  He believes 
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it’s his responsibility to inform those not following potential legislation to understand the 
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impact if the legislation is passed. 
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Motion:  Mr. Winslow made the motion to adjourn:  Ms. Vander Hook seconded the motion.  
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Roll Call:  Mr. Winslow – Yes; Ms. Vander Hook – Yes; Ms. Berry – Yes;  Mr. Sawyer – Yes; Mr. 
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Bryer – Yes.   Vote 5-0  – Yes.  Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. 
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Respectfully Submitted, 
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Ginger Dole 
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