By Noelle Kronberg
EAGLE TIMES EDUCATION CORRESPONDENT
NEWPORT, NH — On Thursday, Sept. 28, the Newport School Board will hold a special meeting to accept $290,380 in additional adequacy aid from the State of New Hampshire.
The funds are a result of an increase in the Adequate Education Grant that the district receives. The increase was part of the state budget adopted in June, after the school budget was set. State law requires local jurisdictions to hold a public hearing on the receipt of unexpected revenues, prior to accepting and allocating them.
Currently, the funds are proposed to go into the general budget and could be used to lower the tax rate. School board and district administrators are discussing potential uses for the funds, which could be spent without raising taxes.
“The board wishes to be as transparent as possible on how [the funds] will be used,” said Board Vice Chair Jenna Darling.
The three projects the board is considering funding with the additional money are: teacher retention, the bus barn and the career-technical education (CTE) building. According to Superintendent Donna Magoon, teacher retention is high on the list but there isn’t a formulated plan for that yet. Both Magoon and Board Chair Steve Morris pointed to the national teacher shortage and importance of keeping the teachers and staff that they currently have.
“The education of students and moving the bar is our top priority as a district,” Magoon said. “You do that with good teachers.”
Morris noted that the bus barn needs a concrete floor and an office space, while the CTE program has some equipment needs.
Magoon said the district will likely be able to fund two projects with the money, but the board and administration will have a strong idea of the intended use after a non-public session as part of this week’s board meeting. She explained a non-public session was needed to discuss the teacher contract with the district’s legal counsel.
The proposal will be brought forward at the Sept. 28 special meeting with an explanation and opportunity for discussion before the board votes. The special meeting will take place at 6 p.m. in the Newport Middle High School gymnasium.
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