The Keene Board of Education held a meeting on February 1, 2025, to discuss the proposed operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The main focus of the meeting was Article I, which seeks to raise and appropriate a total of $79,100,705 for the district's operating budget. This figure represents a 3% increase from the previous year's budget of $76,833,810.

Jacqueline Headings, a board member, emphasized the importance of community participation in the upcoming vote scheduled for March 11, 2025. She urged residents to mark their calendars and consider absentee voting options available at the Central Office on Maple Avenue. Headings highlighted that voter turnout is often low, making each vote crucial for the district's future.

The meeting also addressed the implications of the proposed budget. If Article I is defeated, the district would revert to a default budget of $77,683,980, which includes necessary amendments mandated by law and previous district actions. The board has conducted multiple meetings and a public hearing on January 21 to review the budget in detail, ensuring transparency and community engagement.

In addition to the operating budget, the board discussed the financial impact on property taxes, providing a breakdown of how the budget would affect local taxpayers. The meeting concluded with a summary of expected changes in state and local revenue, noting a decrease in non-property tax revenue by $206,216.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to fiscal responsibility while encouraging community involvement in the decision-making process regarding the school district's budget.