The Municipal Budget Committee met for the Kearsarge Regional School District on September 8, 2026. Richard Anderson was elected Chair by a vote of 6-0-0, abstaining from his own nomination. Jim Bibbo was unanimously elected Vice Chair. The election of additional officers was tabled until more members are present.
The committee established its role to ensure long-term sustainability, provide strategic oversight, prioritize essential allocations, maintain transparency, and execute collaborative governance. They reviewed a proposed calendar, noting Anderson's unavailability on September 17.
Legislative impacts on the budget were discussed, specifically HB 1300 regarding property tax caps and HB 1374 concerning school closure authority. The committee reviewed facility needs, including a potential expansion project at Bradford and the evaluation of closing two schools to transition to a two-elementary-school model. Engineering estimates for Warner are pending. The meeting adjourned at 8:45pm.
Source: https://www.kearsarge.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif731/f/pages/mbc_meeting_minutes_9_8_2026_-_draft.pdf
The Municipal Budget Committee met December 9, 2025, and voted 8/0/0 to approve the minutes of November 18, 2025. The committee approved three warrant articles with 8/0/0 votes: Article 2 appropriating $166,972 for the PEAK collective bargaining agreement for 2026-27; Article 3 raising up to $500,000 for the School Buildings Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund; and Article 4 authorizing up to $100,000 for the Capital Reserve Roof Fund. Article 1, proposing a $56,653,713 budget, received a 7-1 School Board recommendation and 7-1 MBC recommendation. Article 5, allocating up to $200,000 to the Special Education Expendable Trust Fund, received a 7-0 School Board recommendation and 8-0 MBC recommendation. The MBC unanimously approved Article 2 and Article 3 as written during voting. The Deliberative Session is set for January 10, 2026, at the Middle School.
Source: https://www.kearsarge.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif731/f/pages/12-9-25_unapproved_minutes.docx_1.pdf
Meeting minutes show Luke Gorman motioned to approve 10/14/25 minutes, seconded by Tom Schamberg, with motion carried 6/0/2. Mr. LeBoeuf presented revenue ins/outs noting potential Croydon revenue and ongoing PEAK negotiations, with Para Educators negotiation outcomes to appear on KRSD 2026 Warrant in March. Discussions addressed Federal funding sources (Title 1, 2A, 3), Unassigned Fund Balance returns to towns, education funding challenges, healthcare and utilities changes, staffing positions, and the percentage return not covering operating costs. School Board continues discussing School Building Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund and Capital Reserve Roof Fund amounts. Next MBC meeting is scheduled November 18th. Meeting adjourned at 7:05 on 6/0/2 vote motioned by Luke Gorman and seconded by Mr. Schamberg.
Source: https://www.kearsarge.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif731/f/pages/11-18-25_agenda.pdf
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
The Municipal Budget Committee approved minutes from the September 11, 2025 meeting by a vote of 6/0/0. Superintendent John Fortney presented the budget book, including data on enrollment, trust funds, and a health care assessment. The district covered an unanticipated School Care billing using prior year funds. The district anticipates receiving new health care cost figures in November. Fortney discussed eliminating the Kearsarge Adult Diploma Program due to low attendance, which would cut approximately $64,000. The committee is currently in paraeducator negotiations. Members reviewed the General Fund, School Fund, and SAU-Special Education structures. Discussions covered surplus returns to towns, absorbing critical facility needs into the budget, and the budget transfer process. Luke Gorman motioned to adjourn at 7:15 PM, seconded by Debbie Reznicek, passing 6/0/0.
Source: https://www.kearsarge.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif731/f/pages/10-23-25.pdf