After nearly having school finances cut by 9%, Chichester residents ultimately voted to approve the proposed $8 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year.

Saturday’s annual school meeting drew a crowd of around 170 people – one of the largest turnouts Chichester has seen in years. It took five and a half hours and two votes by secret ballot to pass the budget and most of the warrant articles, with the exception of two petition ones proposed by resident Chris Weir that were ultimately voted down.

While many residents expressed conflicting opinions, a deep commitment to the town of Chichester and concern over rising taxes were expressed by many. Resident and former school board member Paul Twomey said many families move to town because of its school.

“We have a wonderful school that ties us together,” Twomey said. “I understand why people are frustrated about taxes going up, but we should be looking to Concord and Washington D.C. for the real reason the taxes are going up, rather than the school board. It’s a real problem, and something has to be done about it. But beating up on the teachers and students and kids in this community isn’t going to help a single thing, isn’t going to change any of those facts. What it’s going to do is make your houses worth less.”

This year’s operating budget will mean a $0.61 increase in the tax rate for property owners. The school tax rate, with the warrant articles that passed, will be $12.11 per $1,000, meaning $4,844 in property taxes on a $400,000 home.

Dot Richards, with the backing of state Rep. Cyril Aures, proposed an amendment to cut the budget by 9%, or around $720,000. Superintendent Jack Finley said the large cuts would result in around seven members of the staff being laid off since there are other parts of the budget the district cannot alter, like special education. School board member Brianne Stone reminded people about the breadth of services associated with the budget costs.

“Eight million educates children from age three through age 22, so it’s not just the 190-odd kids that are here at Chichester,” Stone said. “It’s anyone receiving special ed preschool, anyone receiving services after high school and everyone at the high school.”

After much back and forth, residents cast secret ballots and blocked the amendment from passing by a vote of 84 to 55. Erin Pollinger, who has children in the district, shared her feelings on budget cuts.

“I have been pretty disappointed to see some of the things that have been put out here,” Pollinger said. “The fact that we’re even considering cutting down this budget to the point where we’re talking about making layoffs with our staff is really disgusting.”

Lifelong Chichester resident Chris Weir brought forth two petition warrant articles – one to establish a budget committee, and the other to make the school administrative unit budget a separate warrant article at the annual school budget meeting. Both articles, while supported by some, received pushback from others.

The school board explained that in past years, they have had an advisory budget committee made up of around five community members to offer feedback on the budget. However, this year, they said only one person applied by the September deadline. While a few residents expressed interest in November, the board said it wasn’t enough to form the committee.

“I feel it’s very important,” Weir said. “I think it’s the right direction for our school. I’ve seen both sides of the story. I personally have read this law hundreds of times. I can’t find a downside.”

Weir wanted a budget committee to make decisions regarding school finances throughout the budget-drafting process. An advisory committee like the one the town previously had and hopes to have in future years – assuming a higher volume of volunteer participation – holds the power to offer feedback rather than make decisions.

“This is not a weapon. It’s a benefit,” Weir told the crowd.

Both articles raised legal questions – the first because a budget committee would need to be voted on by the town in addition to the school and the second because every other district in SAU 53 would have to vote the same regarding the administrative unit’s budget within the year for it to show up as its own warrant article.

More budget decisions will play out in Chichester this week. Town elections will take place on Tuesday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Grange Hall, with Matthew Stolnis running against Stephen MacCleery, chair of the board of selectmen, for the selectman seat. Town meeting will be held Saturday, March 15 at the 9 a.m. at the Chichester Central School. For more information, visit chichesternh.org.

Rachel Wachman can be reached at rwachman@cmonitor.com