Ian Hart praised the Hopkinton School Board and budget committee for their efforts to tame the budget increase, pointing out that the $27.4 million spending plan had only risen by 2.29% despite the pressures of inflation.

But, Hart didn’t hide his dissatisfaction with the state’s tax structure, saying that local residents often feel powerless over decisions made at the State House, much like what’s happening in the federal government.

“The property tax form of taxation in the state and our town is unjust. However, we do not have control over that tax structure,” said Hart. “You may not have a Department of Education at this time next year, which will have unknown impacts on our students here.”

He wasn’t alone. Frustration over New Hampshire’s tax system and education funding dominated discussions at the annual school district meeting Saturday.

The primary reason for the increase in the school’s operating budget was the rise in special education costs, which add $777,869 to the total.

Rob Nadeau, a member of the school board, pointed out that if special education costs hadn’t spiked, the budget could have actually seen a reduction of about half a percent.

Transportation for special education alone will cost the school district over $200,000 next year, and that’s just for three students.

Nadeau said area school superintendents have discussed potentially creating a more regionalized special education service system.

The idea is to establish a shared location where schools can benefit from economies of scale, though concerns remain about building enough capacity and the liabilities that could come with it.

“This is a conversation that needs to happen at the state level,” said Nadeau. “It would be a far more appropriate conversation for the state Department of Education to have if it truly wants to help reduce impacts on public schools versus other things that it seems to be more focused on.”

The $27.4 million operating budget, which passed in a ballot vote with 420 in favor and 129 opposed, will result in a $0.44 tax increase. This means the tax bill for a property assessed at $400,000 would increase by $236 next year.

Two contracts were approved – one for teachers and specialists by ballot vote and another for custodians by voice vote.

 All other warrant articles were approved except the proposal to switch to the SB2 form of government, which was rejected with only 291 voting in favor and 436 against it.

767 voters attended the meeting which is a 23% increase in turnout compared to last year.  

Hopkinton residents took to the microphone, saying the state of New Hampshire must boost funding for schools and explore alternative forms of taxation to ease the burden on towns while still supporting public education.

Anne Chehade called the state’s education funding system “completely dysfunctional.”

“Our state government has completely abdicated their role, leaving the unfair burden of subsidizing our education to the towns,” said Chehade.

She also proposed that the state consider implementing an income tax.

“That way the people who aren’t bringing money would have minimal to no income tax and have reasonable property taxes,” said Chehade.