The proposed operating budget for the Keene Board of Education stands at $82.4 million, which is expected to result in nearly a 13 percent rise in school property taxes. This budget reflects an increase of approximately 4 percent, or $3.3 million, from the $79.1 million budget approved by voters last year.

A substantial portion of the budget, around $55.7 million, is allocated for staff salaries and benefits. Due to collective bargaining agreements ratified by voters, these expenses are fixed and cannot be decreased, contributing to the overall financial requirements of the district.

A public hearing regarding the budget proposal took place on Tuesday, sparking discussions about the factors behind the impending tax increase. The rise in expenses is attributed to escalating salary and health insurance costs, as well as spending for services provided to students outside the school district. Additionally, the district has been facing a reduction in state funding linked to a decrease in student enrollment.

In an effort to meet budgetary constraints, the plan entails the elimination of several educational positions. Specifically, nine full-time teachers and two part-time teachers will be cut, along with three full-time and three part-time staff members.

Details of the cuts include:

• At elementary schools: Two full-time teaching roles, one school resource officer, and a part-time social worker will be removed.
• At Keene Middle School: The elimination of a part-time world language instructor and a full-time school adjustment counselor and reading interventionist, in addition to a currently unfilled school resource officer position.
• At Keene High School: The cuts will involve a physical education teacher, an English teacher, a special education teacher, a science teacher, and a media paraeducator.
• The Cheshire Career Center will eliminate a full-time IT network teacher and a TV studio instructor, along with a part-time criminal justice teacher.

Conversely, the budget plan also includes some additions. The district aims to hire two more paraeducators and four classroom assistants at the elementary level, while a new social studies teacher is slated for Keene High School.

The community will have the opportunity to discuss and suggest revisions to the budget during the deliberative session scheduled for February 7 at Keene High School, beginning at 9 a.m.