Why combine the districts?
By combining the districts of LCS, Wilton (FRES) and WLC, students and taxpayers may expect benefits. Students will benefit by increasing the ease with which curriculum may be aligned and by allowing greater access to (shared) resources. Taxpayers will benefit from improved (cost) efficiency under a more centralized governing structure.
Why is a more centralized governing structure more cost effective? Aren’t costs based on the number of students?
Yes and No. At the building level, costs are determined to some degree by the number of students, although not completely since certain services must be provided irrespective of the number of students. SAU services required for each district are defined in RSA 194-C:4 (Appendix A to the Consolidation Study Report, January 2008).
Except for SPED services, many of the key SAU support services must be performed regardless of the number of students. These include leadership, state and federal grant coordination and administration, business services (payroll, accounting, audit responses), curriculum coordination/implementation, assuring state/federal statutory compliance, student achievement assessment, on-going district assessments, insurance, hearings (including teacher/staff contract negotiations), litigation and court issues, school board operations, and annual budget/warrant article preparation.
How will the departure of the Mascenic district affect SAU 63 operations?
As indicated in the Consolidation Study Report (January, 2008), the Mascenic district funded 58.5% of the SAU office costs. With the departure of Mascenic from SAU 63 and because Mason (formerly of the Mascenic district) will continue to be a part of SAU 63, virtually all of the same (non-SPED related) services will be needed.
Could the Mascenic split have been avoided?
Perhaps. If the districts of LCS, FRES, and WLC had been organized in a more efficient way (consolidated into one district) then it’s likely that Mascenic representatives would have considered the arrangement more equitable and might not have sought their own stand-alone SAU.
How will combining districts affect the control I have over my elementary school district?
Board access will not change, but the board make-up may, depending upon the final agreed Articles of Agreement for the Cooperative. Currently, the cooperative district posts board meeting minutes on-line for easy access and welcomes public participation.
Why do the Articles of Agreement for the coop need to be modified?
Currently the coop is set up for grades 7-12 only and so must be modified if any of the (pre-existing) elementary districts wish to join. This is also an excellent opportunity to verify that the funding formula (currently based on 100 percent ADM) will ensure long-term fairness.
What would happen if the districts do not combine?
The districts would continue to operate as they have for many years. Taxpayers in Lyndeborough and Wilton may experience an increase related to the Mascenic withdrawal even though steps are underway to increase efficiencies within the SAU. Efficiencies envisioned under a consolidated district, with corresponding cost savings would not be realized unless the districts are combined. Curriculum alignment for our students, in critical need among the districts would likely be delayed.
How do other SAU districts manage?
SAU 63 is unique in that it is one of the few multi-districts of our size in the state (serving four districts). Further, SAU organizations that serve 2-3 districts of similar sizes maintain a larger number of SAU staff (see Consolidation Report, January 2008).
What’s the process for consolidating the districts of LCS, FRES and WLC?
First the districts of LCS and FRES petition WLC to consider taking them into the cooperative. After approval by the WLC school board, an amended set of governing articles (Articles of Agreement) are developed by a planning board with membership from each of the two towns. The modified articles are then provided to the NH State board of education for approval. Upon approval, the articles may be voted on at either a special meeting or the annual district meeting.
