Town meeting approved articles to fund the town’s share of the Manchester‑Essex Regional School District assessment and the related municipal operating appropriation after extended public comment on a scheduled override vote.

The school budget articles (Article 7 and Article 8) were presented as contingent on the ballot vote for an override. A motion by the presenter noted the district’s fiscal pressures — health‑insurance increases, special‑education costs and staffing changes — and described the approved district budget for FY2026 as $32,600,000, a 7.83% increase over the prior year.

Speakers included educators, parents and students who described classroom impacts if the override failed. A Manchester‑Essex high‑school senior, Henry Stevens, said cuts would eliminate elective opportunities that “allowed me to discover my interest in government and law” and urged passage. Teacher Robbie Bilsbury warned that proposed contingency cuts would eliminate positions and extracurricular programming.

Opponents urged caution and expressed concerns about regional budgeting and accountability. Some speakers argued Essex carries disproportionate costs in the regional arrangement and asked for more detailed school‑district data before committing to long term tax increases.

Town counsel and officials explained the sequence if the override fails: the school committee would recertify a budget, towns might hold additional meetings, and if no agreement is reached the matter can proceed to a combined “Super Town Meeting” of both member towns or ultimately be resolved under state procedures. Moderator and counsel emphasized that the contingency budget presented by the superintendent represents the cuts required to stay within Proposition 2½ limits if the override does not pass.

After discussion, town meeting approved the articles to fund the district assessments and related appropriations; voters were reminded to cast ballots on the override question on the upcoming election date.