Budget Committee trims Gilmanton school budget by $150,000 after debate over unassigned funds

The Budget Committee voted on Jan. 17 to recommend the Gilmanton School District operating budget at $14,467,570 after approving two amendments that together cut $150,000 from the district’s proposed figure.

Member Ron Leclerc initiated debate by pointing to a multi-year pattern of sizable Unassigned Fund Balance (UFB) returns and proposing a $100,000 reduction. Leclerc cited more than $7.6 million returned over eleven years and questioned why recurring surpluses were not reflected as lower tax requests. The motion to reduce the budget by $100,000 passed 4-3.

Superintendent Robert Gadomski acknowledged large returning balances but said much of the most recent surplus was driven by lower tuition costs and unfilled positions; he described budgeting the district with a conservative bottom line to avoid mid-year shortfalls. After additional discussion, the committee approved a further $50,000 reduction (7-0), producing the final recommended total of $14,467,570.

School Board Representative Grace Sisti urged voter education on default-budget mechanics and alignment between the School Board and the Budget Committee so voters understand the consequences of their choices. Chairman Brian Forst urged clearer communication around why previous years produced unspent balances.

What happens next
The Budget Committee’s school recommendation will be presented at the Deliberative Session; if the Proposed Operating Budget is significantly altered there, the committee may reconvene to reconsider its recommendation.