In a recent school board meeting in New Hampshire, community members expressed growing concerns over school budget transparency and efficiency. A resident highlighted that the district spends over $25,000 per student, yet only achieves a proficiency rate of around 50%. In contrast, charter schools reportedly spend less than $10,000 per student while maintaining higher proficiency rates, leading to a 35% increase in charter school enrollments.

John Downey, another attendee, raised questions about the school district's surplus, which has reportedly fluctuated from $10 million to $17 million in recent months. He criticized the school board for not returning the entire surplus to taxpayers as previously pledged, noting that only $13.5 million would be returned. Downey urged the board to utilize unexpected state revenue to pay off lease payments, which could save the district $1.4 million in interest over 20 years.

Peter Turosian, chair of the Atkinson Town Municipal Budget Committee, echoed Downey's concerns, questioning the reliability of the school district's financial audits and suggesting a need for a new auditor if issues persist. He emphasized the importance of returning surplus funds to taxpayers promptly.

Other residents voiced their frustrations regarding the lack of accountability and transparency in the district's financial management. One parent expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the junior varsity cheer team, arguing that the decision was unjustified and detrimental to students' engagement and development.

Overall, the meeting underscored a significant demand for improved financial oversight and communication from the school board, as community members seek clarity on budget allocations and the handling of surplus funds.