SAU #72

Small enough to create a safe environment that inspires each child to excel! Vol. 5, No. 2 February 2012
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES The Alton School Board generally meets the first and third Monday of each month, September through June in the Music Room at Alton Central School, 41 School Street, Alton. The agenda is posted at the SAU 72 Office, the Alton Post Office and on-line at www.alton.k12.nh.us SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS Terri Noyes, Chair Krista Argiropolis, Vice-Chair Lynda Goossens, Member Jeffrey St. Cyr, Member Sandy Wyatt, Member SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION Kathy Holt, Superintendent kholt@sau72.org Kathy OBlenes, Business Administrator koblenes@sau72.org Sydney Leggett, Principal sleggett@sau72.org Steve Ross, Assistant Principal sross@sau72.org Catherine Dix-Herndon Director of Special Education cdix-herndon@sau72.org Pamela Forbes, Director of Instruction pforbes@sau72.org ALTON SCHOOL DISTRICT SAU #72 252 Suncook Valley Road Alton, NH 03809 (603)875-7890 Fax: (603)875-0391 www.alton.k12.nh.us

FY13 Warrant Articles Remember to Vote on March 13th

Please take the time to exercise your right to vote. Voting on warrant articles and for District Officers takes place on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at Prospect Mountain High School on 242 Suncook Valley Road in Alton. Polls will be open from 7:00 A.M. and remain open until 7:00 P.M. District Officers School Board: For 3 years Vote for Two (2) Terri A. Noyes Stephen Miller Moderator: For 1 year Vote for One (1) Mark A. Northridge School District Clerk: For 1 year Vote for One (1) Linda C. Roy ARTICLE II: To determine and fix the salaries of the School Board and the compensation of any other officers or agents of the District as follows: Moderator $200.00 per meeting; Clerk $200.00 per meeting; Treasurer, $2,000.00; Chairman of the School Board $2,100.00; School Board Members $2,000.00. These cost items are included in the operating budget. (The Alton School Board recommends by vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee does not recommend by a vote of 1-6.)
The salaries of all District officers remain at the same level they have for the past three years. The salaries listed for each position are incorporated into the operating budget, not in addition to Article VII.

ARTICLE VI: A Special Warrant Article To see if the School District will vote to create an expendable trust fund under the provisions of RSA 198:20-c, to be known as the Geothermal Energy Expendable Trust, for the purpose of

contracting and installing a geothermal heating system for the Alton Central School facility. Furthermore, to raise and appropriate the sum of FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($50,000.00) toward this purpose and to name the School Board as agents to expend from this fund. (The Alton School Board recommends $50,000.00 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee does not recommend $50,000.00 by a vote of 1-6.) Funds will be set aside into a trust that will help reduce principal costs for a geothermal heat system to be installed at Alton Central School. As with ones home mortgage, if the District has funds set aside in savings (a down payment) when it gets a bond, the bonds interest rate and the principal will be lower. Geothermal heat has been shown to reduce heating costs over time. ARTICLE VII: To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling THIRTEEN MILLION, TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-SEVEN DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($13,216,497.00). Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $13,113,354.00, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the school district or by law; or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. (This warrant article does not include appropriations in ANY other warrant articles.) (The Alton Budget Committee recommends $13,075,092.00 by a vote of 5-2. The Alton School Board recommends $13,216,497.00 a vote of 5-0.) The operating budget was amended at the Deliberative Session. Total budget is down 1.14%. The Prospect Mountain bond will be paid off in August. There are slight increases in operating budgets at ACS (.30%) and at PMHS

(1.97%). PMHS increased percentage in enrollment accounts for some increase in cost. ARTICLE VIII: To see if the School District will vote to approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Alton School District and the Alton Teachers Association, which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing levels: Year Estimated Increase 2012-2013 2013-2014 $64,990.58 $46,519.59

and further to raise and appropriate the sum of SIXTY-FOUR THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED NINETY DOLLARS AND FIFTY-EIGHT CENTS ($64,990.58) for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits over those of the appropriation at current staffing levels paid in the prior fiscal year in accordance with the most recent collective bargaining agreement. (The Alton School Board recommends $64,990.58 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee recommends $64,990.58 by a vote of 5-2.)
Teachers who are at steps 1-15 on the salary schedule will advance one step each year of the two-year Master Agreement. Teachers at step 16 or above will receive a 3% increase in FY13 and a 1% increase in FY14. The District will no longer support the additional costs for a POS Health Insurance plan. Teachers will increase the amount they pay toward Health Insurance by 1% in FY14. Teachers are no longer eligible for Sabbatical Leave; changed years of service for evaluation period of new teachers.

ARTICLE IX: Shall the School District, if Article VIII is defeated, authorize the governing body to call one special meeting, at its option, to address Article VIII cost items only?
If Article VIII is defeated, the Alton Teachers Association and the Alton School Board would have the opportunity to begin negotiations again and then hold a Special District Meeting to seek voter approval on the cost items of a renegotiated contract.

ARTICLE X: A Special Warrant Article To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($150,000.00) to be added to the existing Building and Grounds Expendable Trust created 3-11-08 under RSA 198:20-c for the purpose of building, repairing, and maintaining school facilities. (The Alton School Board recommends $150,000.00 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee does not recommend $150,000.00 by a vote of 2-5.)
The expendable trust has funds that are available for emergency repairs at Alton Central School as well as being available for rebuilding, renovating, and adding on to ACS. As with Article VI, setting aside funds will reduce the amount the District will need to borrow for rebuilding/renovating/addition. This raises the same amount as last year. Presently, $440,666.60 is in this fund.

Alton Budget Committee $44,000.00 by a vote of 7-0.)

recommends

In 2010, the School District replaced numerous inefficient windows at ACS with high energy efficient windows. $44,000 would be placed in an existing trust, which presently has $1,839.23 remaining, to support replacement of old windows with energy efficient ones in the remainder of the building.

ARTICLE XIII: A Special Warrant Article To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($30,000.00) to be added to the Bathroom Refurbishment Fund previously established in 3-8-05, under the provisions of RSA 35:1, for the purpose of refurbishing the bathrooms at the Alton Central School. (The Alton School Board recommends $30,000.00 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee recommends $30,000.00 by a vote of 4-3.)
The District completed a renovation of the Middle Schools boys and girls bathrooms in summer 2010. Voters approved adding $30,000 to this fund in 2011 increasing this account to $31,103.32. Plans are to renovate bathrooms in the ERC and elementary wing by 2015.

ARTICLE XI: A Special Warrant Article To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($135,000.00) to be added to the Roof Expendable Trust previously established in 3-8-11, under the provisions of RSA 35:1, for the purpose of repairing, replacing and maintaining roofs on school buildings. (The Alton School Board recommends $135,000.00 by a vote of 50. The Alton Budget Committee recommends $135,000.00 by a vote of 6-1.)
When a full renovation is approved, necessary roof repairs will be done at that time. However, as per an engineers report in 2008, repairs to more roof rafters at ACS will need to be done in the next few years if a renovation is not approved. Again, the funds in this account will reduce the amount the District has to borrow and will help improve our bond rating.

ARTICLE XIV: A Special Warrant Article To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($30,000.00) to be added to the Capital Reserve Fund previously established in March 1998, under the provisions of RSA 35:1 for the purpose of installing a Fire Suppression System. (The Alton School Board recommends $30,000.00 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee does not recommend $30,000.00 by a vote of 2-5.) When ACS is renovated, a fire suppression system must be installed. The pipes were installed in 2008 in the Middle School wing when the roof rafters were repaired, but the sprinkler heads were put on hold until the actual system was installed. As with other trusts and capital reserves, setting aside funds in advance will reduce the amount needed to borrow later. This fund has $239,011.33 in the account.

ARTICLE XII: A Special Warrant Article To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($44,000.00) to be added to the Windows Replacement Fund previously established in 3-805, under the provisions of RSA 35:1, for the purpose of replacing the windows at the Alton Central School. (The Alton School Board recommends $44,000.00 by a vote of 5-0. The

ARTICLE XV: A Special Warrant Article To see if the School District will vote to establish a Contingency Fund under the provisions of RSA 198:4-b to meet the cost of unanticipated utilities expenses that may arise during the fiscal year 2013 at Alton School District. Furthermore, to raise and appropriate the sum of SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($60,000.00) toward this purpose and to name the Alton School Board as agents to expend from this fund. A detailed report of all expenditures from the contingency fund shall be made annually by the School Board and published with their report. (Any funds not used will be returned to the Town.) (The Alton School Board recommends $60,000.00 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee recommends $60,000.00 by a vote of 7-0.)
Energy prices have been unpredictable in the past few years making it difficult to determine costs and thus budget more than a year in advance for electricity, oil and propane. Utility costs were reduced within the operating budget with a plan to include monies in this Contingency Fund to provide protection against the possibility of rising rates. All funds not used at the end of the year will be returned to taxpayers.

ARTICLE XVII: To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($15,000.00) to replace the current Facilities Truck with a Truck without plow. (The Alton School Board recommends $15,000.00 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee recommends $15,000.00 by a vote of 7-0.)
While the Town plows the driveway, the present facilities truck plows portions of the schools sidewalks, playground, and areas for delivery of fuel. The truck is 11 years old and has cost over $7,500 in repairs in the past three years. The District will keep the present plow.

ARTICLE XVI: A Special Warrant Article To see if the School District will vote to create an expendable trust fund under the provisions of RSA 198:20-c, to be known as Parking Lot Paving Expendable Trust, for the purpose of repairing, replacing and maintaining parking lots on school properties. Furthermore, to raise and appropriate the sum of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($10,000.00) toward this purpose and to name the School Board as agents to expend from this fund. (The Alton School Board recommends $10,000.00 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee does not recommend $10,000.00 by a vote of 16.)
The parking lots surrounding ACS require routine repairs and maintenance. Repairs are scheduled for 2014 or as part of a renovation. This article establishes a trust fund and sets aside monies for this purpose. This is a new trust so there are no funds in this account.

ARTICLE XVIII: A Special Warrant Article To see if the School District will vote to establish a non-capital, non-lapsing reserve fund known as the Alton Professional Development Fund for the purpose of reimbursing Alton Central School teachers for the costs of professional development, and to raise and appropriate up to the sum of TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($20,000.00) from the June 30 unreserved Fiscal Year 2012 fund balance (surplus) available for transfer on July 1 of this year to be placed in the Fund, and to designate the Alton School Board as agents to expend from the Alton Professional Development Fund. A detailed report of all expenditures from the fund shall be made annually by the School Board and published in their annual report. (The Alton School Board recommends up to $20,000.00 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee recommends up to $20,000.00 by a vote of 7-0.)
The professional staff has access to funds to support their professional improvement through participation in graduate level courses, etc. This article creates a new reserve fund similar to the Prospect Mountain High School Improvement of Instruction Fund (see Article XV below,) which has been funded in the past. This article approves the use of unexpended funds so no new funds are raised under this article.

ARTICLE XIX: A Special Warrant Article To see if the School District will vote to add to a non-capital, non-lapsing reserve fund known as the Improvement of Instruction Fund for the purpose of reimbursing Prospect Mountain High School teachers for the costs of professional

development, and to raise and appropriate up to the sum of Fifteen Thousand, Eight hundred Ten Dollars and No Cents ($15,810.00) from the June 30 unreserved Fiscal Year 2012 fund balance (surplus) available for transfer on July 1 of this year, which is Fifty Two and Seventy Hundredths Percent (52.70%) of the total monies of Thirty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($30,000.00) and further that the additional appropriation shall be contingent upon both the Alton (52.70%) and Barnstead (47.30%) School Districts adopting the article and appropriating and transferring their respective sum of money. The Prospect Mountain High School Board is the designated agent to expend from the Improvement of Instruction Fund. A detailed report of all expenditures from the fund shall be made annually by the respective School Boards of Alton and Barnstead and published in their annual reports. (Recommendations: JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE VOTED 8-0, JMA BOARD VOTED 9-0-0-1) (The Alton School Board recommends $15,810.00 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee recommends $15,810.00 by a vote of 7-0.)
Teachers have access to funds to improve their professional skills each year, but rarely use the full amount of funds that have been budgeted for this purpose. Two years ago, a non-lapsing fund was created using end-of-the-year fund balance (surplus funds) to support teacher professional development without having to fully fund it on an annual basis. Funds going into this account are surplus funds that remain in the PMHS line after June 30th. No new funds are being raised to support this purpose. There is $10,004.60 in this account.

upon both the Alton (52.70%) and Barnstead (47.30%) School Districts adopting this article and raising and appropriating their respective sum of money. The Prospect Mountain High School Board is hereby designated the agent to expend from this contingency fund. A detailed report of all expenditures from the contingency fund shall be made annually by the respective School Boards of Alton and Barnstead and published in their annual reports. (The remaining funds not used will be returned to the district) (Recommendation: JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE VOTED 8-0, JMA BOARD VOTED 9-0-0-1) (The Alton School Board recommends $36,361.69 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee recommends $36,361.69 by a vote of 5-2.)
This article provides for fluctuations in energy costs in electricity, oil and propane at Prospect Mountain High School. Utility costs were kept lower in the Prospect Mountain High School Budget with a plan to include monies in this contingency Fund. All funds not used will be returned to the taxpayers.

ARTICLE XX: A Special Warrant Article To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Six Thousand, Three Hundred Sixty One and Sixty Nine Hundredths Dollars ($36,361.69) to establish a contingency fund under the provisions of RSA 198:4-b (Contingency Fund) to meet the cost of unanticipated utility expenses that may arise at Prospect Mountain High School during the fiscal year 2013, said sum representing Fifty Two and Seventy Hundredths Percent (52.70%) of the total monies, Sixty Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred Ninety Seven Dollars and Fifty One Cents ($68,997.51), (1% of the General Fund), and further that this appropriation shall be contingent

ARTICLE XXI: A Special Warrant Article To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($25,000) to be added to a non-lapsing capital reserve fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1-c known as the Prospect Mountain High School General Maintenance Fund, said fund to be used for the purpose of meeting the cost of unanticipated general maintenance expenses that may arise at Prospect Mountain High School; said sum representing Fifty Percent (50%) of the total monies, FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($50,000.00) and further that this appropriation shall be contingent upon both Alton (50%) and Barnstead (50%) School Districts adopting this article and raising and appropriating their respective sum of money. And further to designate the Prospect Mountain High School Board as the agent to expend from the fund. A detailed report of all expenditures from the general maintenance capital reserve fund shall be made annually by the respective School Boards of Alton and Barnstead and published with their annual reports. (Recommendations: JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE VOTED 8-0, JMA BOARD VOTED 9-0-0-1) (The Alton School

Board recommends $25,000.00 by a vote of 50. The Alton Budget Committee recommends $25,000.00 by a vote of 4-3.)
This article adds $25,000.00 to the existing Capital Reserve Fund for unanticipated general maintenance expenses at PMHS. Presently $70,555.91 is in this fund.

As requested through an amendment by the Alton School Board and the Alton Budget Committee, voters at the Deliberative Session moved Articles III, IV and V to the end of the Warrant and to the end of the Ballot. A misunderstanding by administration of the inclusion of bonds in the allowable 10% cap of expenditures above the total amount approved by the Alton Budget Committee caused a problem with funding all articles placed on the warrant and ballot after the bond articles. The following articles exceed the 10% cap. Please refer to the Districts website at www.alton.k12.nh.us for more information.

Building and Grounds Expendable Trust Fund; with the balance of EIGHTEEN MILLION, FORTY-TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($18,042,000.00) and further to raise and appropriate an additional sum of FOUR HUNDRED TEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX DOLLARS AND SIXTY-SEVEN CENTS ($410,956.67) for the first years interest payment on the Bond. (The Alton School Board recommends $18,800,615.00 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee does not recommend $18,800,615.00 by a vote of 2-5.) The Buildings and Grounds Committee has been working on plans for a renovation/rebuild/ addition to Alton Central School since 2008. (See the insert in this newsletter.) This article seeks to withdraw funds from applicable expendable trusts and capital reserves to reduce the amount of a bond and to seek to bond the remainder of the costs necessary for the project. ARTICLE IV: A Special Warrant Article Should Article III be adopted, shall the Alton School District raise and appropriate the sum of ONE MILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($1,750,000.00) to add geothermal heating and cooling to Alton Central School, including equipment, installation, professional service fees, site development fees and any other items incidental to and/or necessary for said heating and cooling system; to authorize the issuance of not more than ONE MILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($1,750,000.00) of bonds and notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act and authorize the School Board to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon; and further to raise and appropriate an additional sum of THIRTY-NINE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE DOLLARS AND ELEVEN CENTS ($39,861.11) for the first years interest payment on the Bond. This Article is contingent upon approval of Article III. (The Alton School Board recommends $1,750,000.00 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee recommends $1,750,000.00 by a vote of 6-1.)

ARTICLE: III To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of EIGHTEEN MILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED FIFTEEN DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($18,800,615.00) for renovation, reconstruction, repairs and construction of an addition to the Alton Central School and for furnishing and equipping the school, and to authorize the issuance of not more than EIGHTEEN MILLION, FORTY-TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($18,042,000.00) of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the School Board to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon; furthermore, to authorize the withdrawal of $19,832.20 from the Water Heater Capital Reserve Funds, $238,986.59 from the Fire Suppression Capital Reserve Fund, $25,741.22 from the Security/Safety Expendable Trust Fund, $446.18 from the Electrical Service Upgrade Expendable Trust Fund, $31,103.52 from the Bathroom Refurbishment Expendable Trust Fund, $1,839.23 from the Window Replacement Expendable Trust Fund, $440,666.06 from the

Geothermal heat has been used for almost 50 years in cold climates such as Sweden. Installation costs are high, but actual applications have been shown to reduce heating costs by up to 40% in one year and have a payback period from 6 to 19 years depending upon increases in energy costs. For more information, see the Alton School Districts website at www.alton.k12.nh.us ARTICLE V Should Article III be adopted, shall the Alton School District raise and appropriate the sum of TWO MILLION, SEVENTY THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($2,070,555.00) to construct a gymnasium at the Alton Central School, including equipment, professional service fees, site development costs and any other items incidental to and/or necessary for said gymnasium; to authorize the issuance of not more than TWO MILLION, SEVENTY THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($2,070,555.00) of bonds and notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act and authorize the School Board to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon; and further to raise and appropriate an additional sum of FORTYSEVEN THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO DOLLARS AND SIXTY-FOUR CENTS ($47,162.64) for the first years interest payment on the bond. This Article is contingent upon approval of Article III. (The Alton School Board recommends $2,070,555.00 by a vote of 5-0. The Alton Budget Committee does not recommend $2,070,555.00 by a vote of 2-5.) In order to bring the total cost of the building project down, the Buildings and Grounds Committee moved both geothermal heat and the gymnasium into separate warrant articles, not to be included in the main proposal for a renovation/rebuild/addition to Alton Central School. This article would allow ACS to expand the present Food Service kitchen, turn the present gymnasium into a multi-purpose room that would include cafeteria, stage, physical education and assembly functions, and add a new gymnasium that is safer for student athletes and accessible for school activities and more evening functions

by both the schools students and by the community. ARTICLE XXII: To hear reports of any committees, boards, trustees, commissions, officials, agents or concerned voters; and vote to accept the same. Furthermore, to conduct any other business that may legally come before said meeting.

FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR TERRI NOYES The Alton Central School Board along with the administration met last summer to set a vision and update our school board goals. Our goals are a tool we use to foster our school mission, Small enough to create a safe environment that inspires each child to excel. It is our goals and mission statement that guide us in the preparation of the budget and warrant articles presented for your consideration on this years 2012 election ballot. Over the summer and fall, school-wide job descriptions were reviewed and updated. We also reviewed all ACS policy handbooks. The Student/Parent Handbook is now available on the school website. We have been able to accommodate the request by many parents to use less paper and provide appropriate school documents online. The school website address is www.alton.k12.nh.us. The fall 2011 NECAP test score results, which assessed student academic achievement from the 2010-11 school year, were received recently and I am excited to report that the Alton Central School and Prospect Mountain High School showed significant growth in reading, math and writing. We will not know until later in the spring if we made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) status. Thank you to the administration, the teachers, staff, and most of all the students for all their hard work. Sincere thanks go to Chairman, Marilyn Dame and the ACS Buildings and Grounds Committee for their continued dedication and commitment to the ACS Community. Without their hard work and diligence we would not be where we are today in the renovation project.

To the Citizens of Alton:

Under RSA 32:18, commonly known as the 10% rule, the total amount appropriated at any annual meeting shall not exceed by more than 10 percent the total amount recommended by the budget committee The RSA specifies that this 10% is computed on all amounts less bonds, notes and mandatory assessments. The Department of Revenue Administration sets each towns taxes based upon the 10% rule, funding the district with the allowable amount voted in the order in which articles are presented in the Warrant and on the Ballot. Unfortunately, since my earliest days of administration, I have misinterpreted the bonds in this RSA to apply to those on the warrant when in fact, the bonds referred to those already in place, such as the Prospect Mountain High School bond. The allowable amount for SAU 72/Alton School District for FY 13 is $16,743,568 less than the amount requested in Article III for the renovation/rebuild/addition. This meant that if Article III, which requests $18,800,615.00, had been approved by voters on March 13th in their original positions, there would have been insufficient funds to fund the bond and there would have been no funds to support the Districts operating budget or any other articles. For this reason, voters at the First Session (Deliberative Session) were asked to move Articles III, IV and V to the end of the Warrant and to the end of the Ballot to keep the 10% cap from negatively affecting the operating budget (Article VII) and all other articles (except Article VIII, which is specifically excluded from the 10% cap.) Their numbers were not changed but remain as III, IV, and V. These articles cannot be funded this year unless the District seeks and receives approval for a Special District Meeting prior to December 31, 2012. However, the Alton Budget Committee and the Alton School Board wanted to give voters the opportunity to vote on these articles, so moved them at Deliberative Session rather than zeroing them out and eliminating the opportunity to let your voice be heard. Please exercise that right to vote on March 13, 2012 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Prospect Mountain High School. If you have questions regarding what happened at the Deliberative Session or how RSA 32:18 applies (I am well aware of the rules now,) please feel free to give me a call at 875-7890. Kathy Holt, Superintendent

Alton School District - SAU 72 252 Suncook Valley Road Alton, NH 03809

NON-PROFIT BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALTON, NH 03809 PERMIT NO. 6

Please vote on March 13th!

CAR-RT SORT POSTAL CUSTOMER

ALTON BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS PROJECT YOUR INVOLVEMENT MATTERS!

VOTE ON MARCH 13th Follow the project on the Alton Central School website at www.alton.k12.nh.us and Facebook page.

WHY INVEST NOW DESPITE THIS CHALLENGING ECONOMY?

We can take advantage of lower costs for construction labor while providing work for regional employers. Building material costs have increased consistently despite the economic recession and every additional 5% increase will add $350,000 to the rebuilding project. Municipal bond rates are very low so we can save money by financing now. A future increase of 1% in bond rates will result in a 25% increase in the total cost to taxpayers over the life of the bond. Because the bond for Prospect Mountain High School will be retired in August 2012, there is a projected net reduction in the school tax rate beginning in 2015. If all three warrant articles pass, the greatest tax impact of $1.35 will occur in 2014. Given current proposals in the New Hampshire State Legislature, it is unrealistic for the community of Alton to expect significant school building aid now or in the future.

Project Highlights
Replace the 1950 section with a three story wing that will eliminate outdated modular units and bring all of the students and staff into a secure facility. Build a new, central Media Center for use by all ACS students. Consolidate administrative offices near the main entrance. Secure all entrances and exits. Expand the cafeteria and kitchen to create more flexibility in academic scheduling. Upgrade electrical and plumbing fixtures to enhance energy efficiency. Double the number of existing paved parking spaces behind the school and creates a safe pick-up and drop-off area. Grade the athletic fields and install irrigation systems throughout. Install geothermal climate control systems to reduce fossil fuel consumption and to save money in the long run.

GOALS OF THE PROJECT: Create an up-to-date facility that supports current educational practices and the technological infrastructure to
support learning. Two-thirds of the proposed project costs are for renovating the existing facility. Survey results indicate the majority of community members preferred that the school remain in the center of Town. Address safety issues throughout the building. Significant portions of the roof are at or near their life span and leaks are becoming more prevalent. The district has spent $27,139 since 2008 to remove snow from the aging structure as required by an engineers safety inspection. The renovated facility will be protected by an automatic sprinkler system. Enhance security for our students and staff by eliminating modular buildings, relocating administrative offices, and securing all entrances. Only 35% of the proposed project is for new construction. Of the 24 classrooms added via the 3-story addition, 16 will be used to replace existing & modular classrooms, 3 will be filled to accommodate expansion of the cafeteria, and only 5 will remain vacant for future tasking. Enhance efficiency of the building and reduce energy costs by replacing outdated single-pane windows, bringing ventilation systems up to code, and installing updated climate control systems. Geothermal technology may reduce energy costs by as much as 40%, as it has at Kingswood Middle & High Schools and the system is conservatively estimated to pay for itself in less than 15 years. Improve functionality by upgrading plumbing and electrical fixtures. Multiple drain lines in the existing building are not functioning well. Outdated toilets are using 5-6 gallons of water per use, while modern fixtures use 1.2 gallons. Maximizing natural lighting and installing efficient fixtures will reduce electrical consumption.

HOW WILL REBUILDING & RENOVATING ALTON CENTRAL SCHOOL IMPROVE EDUCATION?
Healthy indoor air quality improves the performance of students and staff by increasing stamina and reducing absenteeism. Natural lighting in schools has been linked to an increase in academic performance, better overall health, and improved mental and physical development. Thermal comfort in schools allows students and teachers to focus on work as opposed to the distractions that occur when they are too hot or too cold. Expansion of the cafeteria will reduce the number of lunch periods from 4 to 3, enhancing flexibility in academic scheduling.

COST ESTIMATES:
Renovation: $18,800,615.00 The District will need to bond $18.1 million to renovate and upgrade the existing building, replace the fifth grade section with a new 3-story building that eliminates all of the modular buildings, expand the existing cafeteria, and add a new media center. Geothermal: $1,750,000.00 An additional $1.75 million would be needed to add geothermal heating and cooling to the entire facility. It will not be possible to add this cost-saving system at a later date. This amount is in a separate warrant article. Gymnasium: $2,750,000.00 An additional $2.75 million would be needed to add a new gymnasium to the west side of the facility. It would also include new locker rooms, additional bathrooms and storage. The present gymnasium would be used as a multipurpose room allowing for expansion of the Food Service kitchen, cafeteria and large group learning spaces. This is a separate warrant article.