This Wednesday, the Claremont School Board considered three versions of the FY27 budget, and voted to advance two of the options to the Public Hearing on January 20, 2026. These three options represented three unique school configurations: a four school status quo option that would keep the current four school configuration; a four school reconfiguration of grades by school that would split grades in the elementary schools (PreK-2 at Disnard and Grades 3-5 at Maple); and three school reconfiguration that would have a single elementary school, a middle school for Grades 4-6, and a high school for Grades 7-12.

The board voted to advance the two four school options and not move forward with the three-school option. All models provide better student-teacher ratios and class sizes than the state standards.

The budgets being brought to the Public Hearing are compared to the current year here, along with projected tax rates:

 

This year (FY26)

Current Budget: $43,179,564

Tax Rate: $17.45 

 

Status Quo Four School Budget (no changes to school configuration)

FY27 Proposed Budget: $46,844,373

Total $ Change from Current Budget: +$3,032,387

Total % Change from Current Budget:  +7.02%

Tax Rate (Local + State): $19.91

Tax Rate $ Change: +$2.46

Tax Rate % Change from Current Budget: +14.10% 

 

Grade Reconfiguration Four School Budget (realignment of grades)

FY27 Proposed Budget: $44,844,373

Total $ Change from Current Budget: + $1,664,809

Total % Change from Current Budget:  + 3.86%

Tax Rate (Local + State): $18.80

Tax Rate $ Change: + $1.35

Tax Rate % Change from Current Budget: + 7.74%  

 

Over the next several days, we will be sharing more details about the differences in the budgets and the way the schools are structured in each configuration.

Why is the Public Hearing Important?

The school budget’s public hearing is critically important – it is the primary way Claremont residents can directly influence how local education dollars are spent. This is your opportunity as a taxpayer, a parent, and a community member to ask questions, raise concerns, and advocate for the priorities you believe are important to a quality local education system before the budget goes to a final vote. This is the final phase of the budget where it can be changed before the official voting on the budget.

While school board meetings are open to the public and there is opportunity for public comment, the public hearing is different. The public is more than just open to the public, it is FOR the public. Commenting and input has different rules, and there is an even greater opportunity to learn about why decisions and adjustments were made to the budget. At public meetings, you will contribute to short- and long-term planning. You will be able to voice your priorities and goals as a community member. And, when you ask these questions, you can get a better understanding of classroom needs, special education support, transportation, professional development and supports, and more.

When people participate in the public hearing, school boards are more accountable, budgets can better reflect community values, and voters are better informed when it’s time to decide. These hearings help protect transparency, local control, and the future of Claremont’s schools and communities.