The state Department of Education just released the latest state adequacy aid figures, but local superintendents say there are no surprises.
They already know New Hampshire's new education funding formula will end the large fluctuations in state aid that made budgeting extremely difficult in the past. Some also know the new formula would allow them to restore programs and staff they were forced to cut earlier in the year.
For Londonderry school Superintendent Nate Greenberg, it means restoring 18 positions put on hold earlier this year. But 86 other district employees are still losing their jobs and funding for many programs was cut, he said.
Under the funding formula adopted by the Legislature in June, school districts will receive the same amount of money for fiscal 2012 as they did in fiscal 2011. The state Department of Education released the figures Friday.
Londonderry was to receive $13.3 million in state adequate education aid, but will now get $14.6 million. Other local school districts, such as Salem, lose money under the new formula.
Londonderry is using most of the additional $1.2 million it receives to offset a loss in the state's share of employer retirement costs.
A deliberative session is scheduled for Aug. 23 and a special district meeting set for Oct. 11 for voters to approve the transfer.
In Derry, a public hearing is scheduled for tonight on the district's plan to ask voters to restore $2.5 million to the school budget. A special school district meeting will be also be scheduled.
The district will receive $27.1 million in fiscal 2012, compared to $18.5 million.
Superintendent Mary Ellen Hannon has said it would be a relief to get money back under the new plan, proposed by Sen. James Rausch, R-Derry. She had been waiting to hear exactly how much her district would receive.
The Derry School District was forced to cut 60 jobs for fiscal 2012. In March, voters approved a $76.6 million budget, with $4.5 million in reductions from the previous year.
Adam Steele, business administrator for the Windham and Pelham school districts, said the latest aid numbers were no surprise and the two districts were able to plan accordingly. No severe budget cuts were needed, he said.
Windham is receiving $2.3 million instead of the $3.9 million it would have gotten under the previous formula. Pelham is receiving $3.5 million instead of $4.9 million.
Salem, which would have gotten $8.3 million under the old formula, will receive $5.3 million in fiscal 2012.
Salem Superintendent Michael Delahanty, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, has widely criticized the state's education funding system for placing too much burden on taxpayers.
Although the new formula avoids large fluctuations in aid, the funding system remains seriously flawed, he said in June.
"The bottom line for me is that the money the state contributes is certainly just minimal," he said. "I think something needs to be done to alleviate the pressures that local property taxpayers face."
Officials from the Department of Education and the Timberlane and Sanborn regional school districts could not be reached yesterday for comment.
Staff writer Julie Huss contributed to this report.
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School adequacy aid
TownOld formulaNew formula
Atkinson$1,861,345$1,047,436
Danville$2,609,039$3,691,842
Derry$18,526,414$27,194,827
Hampstead$3,421,395$3,435,071
Kingston$2,064,720$1,684,883
Londonderry$13,347,398$14,646,530
Newton$1,926,427$2,023,518
Pelham$4,909,026$3,589,850
Plaistow$2,909,696$2,141,546
Salem$8,345,760$5,317,323
Sandown$3,341,842$4,739,561
Windham$3,913,574$2,393,584
