By Paul Conyers
The Hudson Budget Committee came together for two consecutive meetings on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7 to discuss revenue for Hudson public schools.
Business Administrator, Jennifer Burk, explained that there are a variety of revenue sources, which include property taxes raised through the town, special education aid, vocational aid, and other state revenue sources like ROTC funds. Federal sources include Medicaid and grants, although more requirements have seen a decrease in this revenue stream over the past few years. Some preschool students also pay tuition into the system, while the district has a few investments and athletic fees. Donations and other local sources play a “catch-all” role.
The expiration of federal support from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) and Project AWARE represented an end to what has been a large source of additional funding over the past few years.
“The two substantial programs are coming to an end, are those programs that are normally renewed in the federal budget?” asked Committee member, Shawn Jasper.
Burk responded that these programs were unlikely to be renewed. “We’re not expecting anything further from ESSER, and Project AWARE was a five-year grant program, that is definitely coming to an end.”
Superintendent, Daniel Moulis, gave a general presentation for the revised districtwide budget, which has seen a few cuts since October following suggestions from the Board of Selectmen and the Budget Committee.
“The revised budget shows a $317,381 decrease from the original FY 24 budget,” said Moulis. “The districtwide budget overall shows a decrease of $628,209.”
Despite an overall decrease in spending, some areas, including substitute teachers and benefits to fill some long-term vacancies, will see more funding. There will also be what he called a “merit pool” to give bonuses to support staff based on evaluation results.
Jasper had concerns about the salary for School Board members, who have taken a $1 salary for the past two years, a trend set to continue under the proposed budget.
Committee member, Kevin Walsh, had questions about food service, specifically a $100,000 transfer in the budget.
“I’m just curious, has there been any payout, any transfer to the food services over the past five years,” asked Walsh.
Burk replied that such transfers were common during the pandemic when there was an influx of funding to “cover the program.” Food services cannot legally run a deficit in NH, and transfers from the School Board to cover expenses are not uncommon. She explained that the $100,000 transfer was to cover any possible debt.
Other questions came from the transportation program for students from homeless Hudson families. Registered contractors provide transportation to students who qualify. Burk explained that the “placeholder” budget of $140,000 to cover “the number of homeless students we may see for year-to-year.”
While such a program is legally mandated by the state, Committee members expressed skepticism of the high costs, which could be up to $400 to transport one student according to Burk.
“It would be cheaper for us to rent a home for a homeless family than to pay $400 per day for transportation!” Jasper complained, calling for changes to the program.