ANDOVER — The Andover School Board would like to share important information about our school budget for the coming year. Our top priority is providing excellent education for all our students while being fiscally responsible with your tax dollars.

We’re committed to meeting all state and federal requirements, including transportation for every student and support for those with special needs. These are not just legal obligations. They reflect our community’s values and dedication to our children’s success.

Initially, the School Board faced a challenging 14.4 percent budget increase, primarily driven by several key factors. These factors include special education costs, which rose by $848,000, reflecting our commitment and our legal obligation to supporting students with diverse learning needs. Additionally, we experienced a 22.2 percent increase in health insurance premiums, totaling $94,933, and saw higher transportation expenses of $93,618. 

These increases, while necessary, and required from a legal and/or contractual perspective, presented a significant financial challenge. The School Board knew that this increase would be too much for our taxpayers. So, we worked with our administrative team at AE/MS to find savings. 

By restructuring after an expected retirement and making other adjustments, we’ve reduced the increase to 8.32 percent. This will save about $100,000, while still maintaining a quality learning environment, as well as meeting required legal obligations.

There has been much discussion on social media regarding tax impacts for the town and, as a result, the School Board wanted to share the information contained in this article, with a goal to help reduce as much confusion or misinformation as possible. In summary, while our budget (the School Board’s budget) isn’t growing by 25 percent, the Town of Andover’s tax effort as a whole is increasing. From a School Board perspective, we are seeing increases because AE/MS (as well as all New Hampshire public schools) is continuing to receive less and less state funding, as well as grant funding — both of which are currently factors outside our direct control.

The School Board understands that any tax increase is difficult, especially given recent inflation. We’re committed to being transparent and making the best decisions for both our students and taxpayers. We are committed to reducing budget increases as much as possible, with the factors that are within our control, while providing excellent education for our school-age children.

If you have questions, please attend our next Board meeting or reach out to us directly.