YourNeighborhoodNews.com: The Hooksett Banner

Most of the country views November as election time, but in this area, March is the big month. All the towns covered by the Banner have elections and voting on warrant articles discussed in February on March 8, or Town Meetings and School District Meetings this month.

We urge you to become familiar with the issues and cast your ballot, both at the meetings and in the voting booth. The last presidential election showed how good turnout can be when people are interested in voting. It’s always a puzzle to us how residents generally don’t seem to be as involved in the decisions that more directly affect their wallets and day-to-day lives made at these local elections.

Allenstown and Epsom are both looking at school additions and renovations. We hope they pass. Allenstown schools are in particularly dire need of improvement, and it appears this is the year the most state aid will be available to help. Hooksett voters also have a chance to take $1 million saved from the school construction projects to put toward Underhill School and the SAU. Seems like prudent use of the money to us, as these repairs will need to be paid for somehow sometime soon. Of course, Candia still has time to discuss school fixes at the School District Meeting on March 12, but it also needs attention.

It will be interesting as well to see if Allenstown abandons SB2 voting or Pembroke adopts it. We will be surprised if either happens, but we must again endorse official ballot voting, despite its flaws, as the best way to allow the largest number of citizens to have a say in the way their money is spent and their government is run.

See you at the polls on March 8.

-Ginger Kozlowski, Editor

Gordon Ellis has worked to meet the needs of the town in a positive and fiscally responsible way, attended classes at the University of New Hampshire Roads Scholar program, communicated with abutters to road projects and has the town’s best interest at heart.

Our neighboring towns of Auburn, Deerfield, Hooksett and Raymond (plus 89 other New Hampshire towns) already have budget committees. This year, Candia’s combined operating budget for school and town is approaching $10 million, with an additional $9 million of bonds.

All of this spending is overseen by just eight elected officials: three selectmen and five school board members. Town and school budgets are now prepared by the respective boards with no consideration of the combined impact.

A budget committee would review both budgets, evaluating and recommending the mostneeded projects and services. An elected budget committee would broaden community involvement and responsibility in preparing these budgets.

The actual costs of a budget committee are small: secretarial time to prepare meeting minutes and budget forms, public hearing notices and photocopying. The potential savings are large because the committee promotes effective and efficient government through the prudent appropriation of public funds.

On Tuesday, March 8, the voters of Epsom will be faced with voting yes or no on proposed double-digit increases in both town and school spending. Considering that there have been two default school budgets in the last four election cycles, one wonders whether these proposed increases are realistic. The school increase of 15 percent does not include the separate warrant article for the school renovation and expansion with an additional price of $6,955,541.

Some may have a philosophy that just as it is not a house that makes a home, so it is not a building that makes an education.

Those from previous generations, many of whom were well educated in simple school buildings, went on to college and earned degrees geared toward professional careers. They had the motivation to pursue a better life, often fostered by the love and support of strong families and citizen involvement.

Those with the philosophy that many important facets of education include learning outside of school, such as in our homes, churches, and through mentoring from model citizens in our communities, still believe strongly in the importance of education. The belief that living simply and within one’s means grounds each individual with a healthy concern for all inhabitants, including those of all ages who may have fixed or lower incomes yet desire to keep their own homes, which is not an unreasonable belief to adhere to.

Let us vote with care and be grateful that, despite coming from different perspectives, we have the right to make a decision based on which side of the issue we see things.

The plan includes adding eight classrooms, upgrading the library and resource center, adding space for administrative and special education services, enlarging the antiquated cafeteria, creating a main entrance for security control, replacing the old heating system and incorporating sprinklers for the entire school as required by state safety codes. The plan also includes improving the safety for bus “drop-off and pick-up,” and replacing the old underground fuel storage tank.

The school district has the opportunity to capitalize on the unprecedented 40 percent matching state building aid and a low bond rate of approximately 4.5 percent. The highest tax impact by the bond will increase your tax rate $3.89 per $1,000 assessed value.

If we do not approve the bond this year, the cost will rise significantly next year for the same proposal. It is likely that the state building aid will be reduced to 30 percent due to the complicated formula used. If you combine this reduction in building aid with a potential 1 percent increase in the bond rate to 5.5 percent, the cost for the same expansion will rise by more than $1 million. Now is the time to act!

Please support the children of Epsom by approving the building expansion with a yes vote for school district Warrant No. 1, on Tuesday, March 8. Thank you.

Based upon what we read, it seemed the majority of the renovation was for a larger gymnasium. Although a larger gymnasium would be useful, it did not strike us as a necessity. Since that time, we have had the opportunity to ask many questions and even tour Moore School.

Within the first few minutes of our tour with the principal, Michelle Carvalho, it was clear to us that improvements needed to be made at the Moore School. There are many differences among the classrooms in terms of size and aesthetics. I found myself scrutinizing which classroom I would prefer my own children to be in and which I would be disappointed to see them in, not based upon what the teacher had done to make the classroom attractive and engaging but based upon the actual facility itself.

In addition to the classrooms, we were shocked by the space provided for the school nurse and the Title 1 programs. The Title 1 reading program room, which was photographed in the October 14, 2004, edition of The Hooksett Banner, seemed small in the newspaper, but when we actually saw the room in person it struck us as even smaller. We do not know how the students are learning in that environment.

At the 2003 annual School District Meeting, a proposal to install a double–wide modular classroom unit on school grounds failed. One of the reasons I recall for its failure was how it would look and a desire not to become a “trailer park” school.

After my tour of Moore School, I realize that what was voted down in 2003 was what was already happening on the inside, the carving up of space here and there until you have what I saw to be a very cluttered school. I walked away from the tour seeing that they do a lot with what they have, but feeling very claustrophobic in regard to the spaces that they utilize.

There is a great deal more I could say about what I saw at Moore School, but instead I will strongly urge everyone to tour the school and have all of your questions, complaints, etc. addressed before making your final decision.

As I said at the onset of this letter, my husband and I were initially opposed to this project, but after our tour, we are very much behind it. The tour was a very large part of that turn around, not because of anything Ms. Carvalho said but because we could see for ourselves what the facility offered.

Let me first state that while not on a fixed income, mine is not a wealthy family. With two children and a mortgage, one could snap our tight budget the same as many other families in town. The proposal, if passed, would affect us financially to some degree. More importantly, it not passed, it is the education of all students, present and future, that will be affected.

The elements in question are well-known, and yet I find it incredible that there are those still unwilling to accept that theh proposed changes are necessary. First-graders should not have a classroom they must enter through the gym, that same gym being used as a cafeteria. A library that is shamefully small in size and contents, yet forced to also share space with the computer area.

A school program where there is a wonderful music class, but no opportunity for students to take music lessons – not everyone can afford private ones. There is no stage for any type of student productions, yet one could easily be incorporated into the design of the gym.

The present parking area is deplorable and dangerous, forcing many parents (many of us with infants and toddlers) to park one to two blocks away for dropoff and pick-up.

Although a completely new building would be wonderful, I believe we need to begin with what is reasonable and possible. And with 60 percent state funding offered, how can anyone turn a blind eye to the needs of our schools, teachers and children? While everyone who votes is doing so as a citizen, aren’t we also voting for our youngest citizens who haven’t the opportunity to vote, yet do have the most to lose or gain?

Hopefully, our present programs and small class sizes will be allowed to continue, as I believe the students thrive on them and are able to learn at a better rate, due to the ratio of students to teacher.

We have a truly amazing group of teachers and staff at our schools. They, and our equally amazing children, deserve a facility where everyone can achieve their best.

Now, all of this can change. There is Warrant Article 6 on the school ballot to change the date of the election to the second Tuesday in April. This is step one.

Step two is to get the town to back up its vote from May to April. On the town ballot, in May, Warrant Article 3 does just that. So, for the first time in years, the voters in Hooksett can vote on the school district budget and the town operating budget on the same day, the second Tuesday in April.

There is a second warrant article on the school ballot made possible by the New Hampshire Legislature last year, which is to adopt the provision of RSA 40:14-b, which would delegate the determination of the default budget to the budget committee, which has been adopted under RSA 32:14. One of the most fundamental principles of good solid government is that there should always be checks and balances between different branches of government. The State Legislature in last year’s session made this possible, and voting yes on Warrant Article 7 accomplishes just that!

Both of these warrants were submitted by petition, and are not recommended by the school board. However, at the school district’s deliberative session held Feb. 11, voters overwhelmingly supported both of these important warrant articles, and I urge you also to vote yes on Warrant Articles 6 and 7 on Tuesday, March 8. Go to the polls next Tuesday, vote yes on Articles 6 and 7, and make your voice for sound government heard.

Article 13 proposes to limit the use change tax funds that would be available for conservation commission projects. The conservation commission has been working to develop boat launches and public access to the Merrimack and Suncook rivers. The Allenstown residents ranked these river projects as a priority in both the master plan and the capital improvement plan. Yet, without use change tax funds, these projects will not be possible. Riverfront land is expensive and opportunities for acquiring access are slipping away. Allenstown could take advantage of state and federal grants if use change tax funds were available for match.

Therefore, if you are supportive of these river access projects, please vote against Article 13 on March 8. Thank you.

After serving in the United States Army, Pete worked at Pratt Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut. He returned to Epsom to the Pickard Farm his father purchased in 1938. He helped on the dairy farm and also took a position in the New Hampshire Highway Department where he became a foreman and became responsible for all the state roads that go through Epsom and Chichester.

Pete has served for six years as an Epsom selectman, where he focused on the Epsom roads. He knows all the roads and their problems. He is a fiscal conservative. However, he states that nearly every person in Epsom has to drive to work and nearly all the Epsom school children and their teachers have to use the roads every day. The roads have to be safe and properly maintained. They must have proper foundations and drainage and then a good surface.

Pete is a good citizen and dedicated to Epsom, and I urge you to vote for him on Election Day, Tuesday, March 8.

Tom has served as chairman of the planning board and has volunteered for numerous other organizations in town. In these capacities, Tom has served Allenstown excellently.

Tom is a college educated, financial professional and therefore has the skills to manage the complexities of town administration.

Vote yes on Article 11 to increase previously adopted credit for service connected total disability from $1,400 to $1,800 per RSA 72:35 I-a. Suggested by Avitar Association. Recommended by selectmen and budget committee.

Vote yes on Article 14 to increase the existing adopted veterans residential property tax credit from $100 to $500 per RSA 72:28 II and IV.

These men and woman served us proudly in the defense of our nation. Let us not forget them with this small token of our appreciation for their dedicated service.

Let me clear the air. I am not running a write-in campaign for selectman (so Pete, you can relax). If voters in town want to write my name in, that is their right and privilege as a voter. When and if I decide to run for the position, I will visit the town clerk’s office, pay my dollar and get my name on the ballot.

Thank you, for those who have come to me, for having confidence in my ability to serve on the board. I believe it is a privilege to serve the citizens as a selectman, and do not take that responsibility lightly. Therefore, if I decide to run for the position in the future, I will work for the benefit of all citizens in town.

Thank you. Thank you for the excellent, personal, courteous, professional service – attention accorded by your staff to your clients.

If I were in charge of the world, I would extend weekends, veto bullies, make popcorn a vitamin, zooming to the moon an aerobic exercise.

If you have been to the Henry Moore School building during school hours, you are well aware of why renovations are being proposed. Teaching children in corridors, stairwells and closets on any basis is usually prohibited due to fire safety egress codes. Our kindergarten classrooms are mixed in with the eighth-grade classroom wing. Sports programs are usually not allowed home games because the small size of the gymnasium poses a safety hazard to the players and spectators. Not only is educational and community space an issue but also child safety.

Recently we had indoor air quality testing performed. The results indicated inadequate ventilation to most parts of the building which results in high carbon dioxide levels, elevated levels of dust and mold spores and unhealthy conditions. Don’t look now but as space needs continue to increase we will be on our way to portable classrooms.

Also, why are we suggesting putting special education in the computer lab and using classroom laptops – where will the network and Internet connections for these laptops be? This is not only an elementary school facility, but is also a middle school – what are we offering these students? How much money do we spend band-aiding bits and pieces of the building to get by then when a renovation is finally voted in all those improvements are thrown away.

As the maintenance director of a nearby school district, I face this issue daily. Unfortunately this problem is not going to go away. The problem will get worse and more expensive. If $30 per month is going to cut into your pocket now, what will the cost of the renovation be in another five years – $50, $80 per month? Every resident in this community young or old has an obligation to see that the children of Candia receive a good and updated education to prepare them for the future. For the average resident in Candia, $30 will not pay any one of these monthly bills – electric bill, telephone bill, cell phone bill or cable bill nor will $30 fill your gas tank.

Thirty dollars per month will, however, finance a safer learning environment with expanded and updated curriculum for the children of our community to prepare them for the future.

Candia School District Meeting is Saturday, March 12, at 10 a.m. Let’s put a little back into the community.

I may not be able to experience the benefits, but my younger sisters will. They will enjoy coming to school and not having to be crammed in the cafeteria, gym and auditorium all in one. We cannot play basketball games in our school because of the size gym we have. We can also not all particpate in the gym for gym for the unified art as a class. We do not have proper labs for the seventh and eighth grade to do efficient science experiments.

“The plan” consists of a new, full-size gym, more classrooms, a new music room, much needed special education rooms, offices and much more needed storage space in the school. We only have about 450 children in our school; let’s try to make it the best for them.

For all you who don’t like this plan because your kids are all grown up and think that it is a waste of time and money, please reconsider. This money will not go down the tubes.

It is very important that we build our community based on the foundation of education as the best way to strengthen and enhance opportunities for the children of Candia. This upgrade in my school will promote that idea.

Students do not have a voting option in the upcoming meeting. We depend on our parents and the citizens of our community to vote for what is best for us as students and the future of our town.

You are completely wrong if you vote no to this plan. Please spend a day in our school and follow a child around the school. You would be amazed at how little we have and how we manage. We now have only two eighth-grade classes adding up to 50. For those who do not want to approve “the plan,” what was your eighth-grade class?

It is unfair to have a school that I go to 180 days out of the year and not have what I need to learn all that I can because our school is so limited.

I am just one of the people in Henry W. Moore School who thinks this plan in necessary.

Candia is a rather small town. Let’s make the potential things inside it better for our students!

There is no doubt in my mind that this school is in dire need of additional space and major upgrading to help facilitate the needs of our children. I could not believe how many specialneeds children there are in this district and how demanding many of the students are because of their inability to learn.

I cannot understand why Mrs. Boutin or anyone who has worked in the school system would have such negativity towards allowing our children the best education possible. Her comments on the square footage of an empty classroom should have nothing to do with the betterment of our school. I wish our town could afford to tear the whole thing down and build a school these teachers and students are so deserving of.

Many of your tax dollars have been saved in your refusal to send our special-needs children out of district where they can get the help they need. Instead they are in regular classrooms, learning what we are most capable of teaching them.

I was appalled at the amount of disrespect our children have and the physical abuse these teachers have to contend with. There is only so much our teachers can do, and ,considering how low our pay scale is in comparison to other towns, I think the least we can do to help support our school system is allow them the things they need to give our children the kind of education they deserve.

Keep in mind, most of you had children in the school system at one time and taxpayers could not afford an increase at that time either, but someone had to pay for their education.

Hopefully we can count on your vote on March 8 for the addition to our school. Remember these children are our future. Don’t forget to vote on March 8. We’re counting on you.

In reading all of the negative articles against the school addition for the Allenstown Elementary School, I myself question if Mrs. and Mr. Boutin have in fact lost touch with what is really important – the children.

Every article written has spoken of square footage, teacher/ student ratios, and of course the effect on taxes. However, in presenting the building facts, the Boutins have failed to mention some rather important factors.

When listing classroom size according to square feet, it would have been more accurate had it been mentioned that those numbers are based on empty room perimeter measurements only. What about the desks, bookshelves, working areas and computers that take up quite a bit of space? The smallest classroom is not 867 square feet. In fact it happens to be my firstgrade classroom, which is a whopping 600 square feet. Again, that is the measurement of an empty room. Add the furniture, closets, cubbies and work areas to that and there is nothing close to 36 square feet per student.

As far as state ratios saying that classrooms can have 20+ children with numbers that increase due to grade level, that would be in a perfect world. Allenstown Elementary has a special education population that fluctuates between 16 and 18 percent. These needs vary from academic disabilities to behavioral, emotional and physical disabilities. Due to the IDEA (Individuals With Disabilities Education Act) and the Least Restrictive Environment laws, these children are mainstreamed into the regular classroom. Smaller class sizes are what make it possible for teachers to meet every student’s individual needs so that they may be successful in their education. Take into consideration our President’s “No Child Left Behind Act” and tell me how we can meet these goals with large class sizes and varying special needs.

There will also be a growth to our town’s population. Currently for 2005 there are 36 homes scheduled to be built. The Boutins may have been correct in the fact that the town does not show plans for new sewer hook-ups. However, they failed to mention that these homes are being built up in the Bear Brook State Park area, where homes have private wells and septic systems.

Many of you have noticed the modular that currently resides at the Armand R. Dupont School, which houses two fifth-grade classrooms. This modular is costing our taxpayers $40,000 per year to lease. An addition at AES will eliminate this modular and bring the fifth-graders back to AES. Our children are unable to benefit from special programs such as health education and humanities. Our middle school has no music program other than a voluntary chorus. We cannot offer these programs because we do not have the space availability to support them. Shouldn’t the children of Allenstown be offered programs that almost every other town has?

An addition to AES would also eliminate the dangerous parking areas that we have. Currently there is no specific student drop-off area, which means that students are walking where there is constant traffic flow during arrival and dismissal from school. Along with an addition to AES, there will be a new parking lot that will hold 44 vehicles, eliminating any current concerns for the children's safety.

Voters, please remember that the state of New Hampshire has approved and guaranteed 60 percent funding of this much needed addition. After this year that could be flat lined to 30 percent, leaving us responsible for 70 perent of the funding. Imagine the tax increase then.

Our children of Allenstown are our future. Let’s support their needs for a fair and proper education. Please vote yes for the addition on March 8 at Allenstown Elementary School. Thank you.

• This proposal is a mixture of need and wants.
• We have a stable student population, little changed in 10 years.
• The state forecasts 40 percent population growth within 10 years.
• We will still be repaying this proposed bond for 20 years.
• As population increases, we will need more regular classrooms before this bond is paid off.
• The 1996 construction project connected the two buildings, added new classrooms, a music room and new offices.
• That bond has not yet been paid off.
• The “renovation” will tear out the music room and office, then rebuild them.
• The office was built to provide clear visibility of the front door to ensure student and staff safety.
• The music room was placed along an outside wall to minmize noise disruption. The “renovation” puts it in the middle of the school.
• When the middle school wing was built, a science lab was part of the project. Why isn’t it being used as such?
• Spending $6 million will not move our school into the top 10 percent of academically achieving schools.
• Our regular classrooms work well. Renovation essentially benefits special education and specialists.
• The $6 million cost does not include increased operating and staffing costs (addition of the gym), which would be an additional increase to future yearly budgets.
• State building aid does not reduce the $6 million cost – it essentially pays the interest we have to pay to borrow $6 million.
• When the school board discussed this proposal, I asked it to be split into two warrant articles, one for the gym and one for the renovations, so that residents would have a choice. The board refused.

The proposed Hooksett Master Plan, its strengths and weaknesses, were at the heart of the discussion. It was a relief to hear from Mr. Korzyniowski that his recommendation to the planning board will be to remove the proposed bridge and west side “Industrial Valley” from the Master Plan until further study is completed. Continued discussion will be necessary, but the pace will allow for required research and more comprehensive input from the town.

The townspeople will see a warrant article on the ballot in May regarding growth management. The members of the Hookett citizens/taxpayer volunteers were able to obtain the necessary interest and signatures for this in less than 48 hours. This certainly denotes a strong community interest in the topic. It’s not a perfect document, but it’s a start for a community with unbridled and disproportionate development.

It’s no surprise that a town allowing for the development of hundreds and hundreds of highpriced homes in the course of a year is pushed toward sacrificing their open space, wetlands and rural foundation. I understand the basic concept of balanced growth, and I don’t see it in Hooksett.

Surrounding towns have made the commitment to controlled growth with great success. We are a minority in having no device in place to manage development.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Mr. Watson had also presented an interim growth management ordinance to the planning committee for their consideration. Given his position and insight, it would be imprudent not to act on his recommendations.

As the popular song goes, let’s not “pave paradise to put up a parking lot.”

Since when does a “bond” not use tax money as collateral? When we borrow money, it has to be paid back by us. Not going through the state for the bond is a curious strategy.

FEE is a three letter word, like TAX. The only difference is that taxes are voted on, fees are not. We are a captive audience in that area. That’s why fees are so endeared by governments. Those of us, that’s most of us, have seen the increases in our water and sewer bills already. How much more will we be charged so that Boston, oops again, Manchester Sand, Gravel and Cement Co. can build their very profitable developments for the rich folks wanting to take over our town? Why don’t the developers pay for the sewer expansion projects, considering they are the beneficiaries?

Why are we being told to rush town hall into the Village School? They haven’t even been able maintain it properly. Pardon my paranoia, but I have seen this tactic before: Create a crisis, start demolition and get to the point of no turning back. We gave them money to maintain the building, only. What has this money been spent on? Who paid for the sign? That isn’t “maintenance.” The PR effort to push their plan isn’t either. I’m not the only one watching.

Maybe our town officials need some computer training. The number of document pages that can be saved on a single DVD, and then printed when needed, is over one million! How many pages fill a file cabinet? Far less than that, I’m sure. Again, most companies use “document storage facilities” for archival files. There is one, just minutes away. As far as the messy conditions described, maybe they should organize their desks better, to avoid “important stuff” spilling onto the floor.

Town hall is part of our history, and should remain intact, like the Village School should. There are better, more efficient answers than those being foisted upon us. C’mon Mr. Planner, let’s see some planning that benefits current residents.

He should have also mentioned that this toxic poison, when ingested, becomes accumulative in the body and cannot be neutralized.

Rusczek has continually promoted the use of hydrofluorisilic aicd to fluoridate everyone’s water supply, but he never bothered to tell parents of our children or the hospitals (maternity wards and clinics) that the chemical contains 15 toxic poisons, including lead and arsenic.

Rusczek likes to give medical advice in violation of state law (RSA Chapter 329), which requires such a person to be medically licensed by the state.

Rusczek is not a licensed physician, and on Sept. 30, 2004, was issued a cease and desist order by the attorney general for concealing his identity on political advertising promoting “medical” fluroidation.

I believe it’s time for Manchester to get a new health officer who is both properly licensed, knowledgeable and qualified to protect the health and safety of the public. Lloyd G. Basinow

The volunteer drop-off recycling program benefits the town by saving trash disposal fees. The raffle for recycling bins was a great success bringing in new recyclers. We hope to have another raffle soon. The winner of the recycling bins was Stanley Drewniak. Congratulations, Stanley.

We are strongly in favor of increasing usable space to meet the special education needs of Candia’s children. The school’s heating and electrical systems need to be updated (this problem was highlighted recently when a power outage left our school without telephone communication or heat). It is clear (even to our more conservative school board members) that a new gymnasium/cafeteria is a necessary and valuable future asset to our community. It would provide our town with a large public space that would be used to host town meetings, charitable events, voting and provide our town with an emergency shelter.

Many of us sit on the side lines and wait for others to do the work so that we can shoot it down based on the latest “sound bite” from a neighbor or friend. We as a community are once again being given an opportunity to address the learning needs of our children, their safety while in school and the betterment of our public assembly space.

If you vote no to this proposal, will you be willing to be part of the next committee? Will you volunteer to give up a year or more of your family time, your evenings and weekends? It is clear that something needs to be and should be done; how long will it take Candia to do it?

Please take the time to learn more so that you can support this important issue in our community, but more importantly please don’t vote it down without fully understanding what you’re saying no to.

We urge you to join us and vote yes to the Moore School renovations project on March 12.

I am dedicated to the success of the Hooksett School District. I have the experience to contribute to its future. I look at the issues through three perspectives. First, I am a concerned parent. I have two young sons who will enter the school system very soon. Second, I have the perspective of an educator from my undergraduate degree in education and years of substitute teaching. And I have the perspective of a business administrator. I have worked for over five years in the financial industry and will be receiving an MBAand certification in School Business Administration in June from SNHU.

A school district’s prosperity relies on the same factors as any other organization.

All parties must cooperate to keep an organization moving forward. Open lines of communication between the administration, board and public are critical. Just listening to the public’s concerns is not enough. The board needs to take appropriate action as quickly as possible. The public, and especially parents, need to be part of the process. If their ideas are not taken seriously, a lack of trust develops and the process breaks down and becomes confrontational. The spirit of teamwork between the community and board must strong.

Intelligent decision-making is always necessary. Most decisions involve spending money and that money belongs to the community. Intensive research should be done before making decisions.

Hooksett faces several challenges in the future, including the rapid community growth and federal No Child Left Behind standards. I will dedicate myself to the continued success of our children, schools and community if elected to the school board.

Please give me your vote on March 8. If you would like more information on my views, please visit my family’s Web site at www.schwartzfamily.org or call 627-6812. Thank you.

Despite differing individual positions, it is important that the community be active and positive when addressing challenges that involve the community. I additionally wanted to thank The Hooksett Banner for its involvement in passing the word regarding the candidates within the area. I urge those who have not read the Feb. 24 edition of The Hooksett Banner to do so and be aware of who the candidates are and their positions.

Finally, I am writing to thank Bi-Wise Market, Blue Jean’s, Pizza Market, Allenstown Laundromat & Dry Cleaners, Country Traditions, Rite Aid, Diane's Beauty Boutique, and Family Dollar for allowing me to post my signs. It is nice to know that local businesses are active within the community.

This past November, Hooksett had an incredible turnout of voters for the presidential election. Yet Hooksett’s normal turnout for a school vote is just a fraction of that turnout. There are many in town who do exercise their right to vote at all the school ballots. They should be commended.

However, many of those that regularly vote choose not to support the school budget, and, as a result, we have ended up with default budgets. The sad part is that the largest portion of voters who do not vote are those who are directly affected by the vote – those with kids in the school system.

There seems to be a fairly consistent pool of 700 to 750 voters who vote no on the school budget. To overcome this, we need a voter turnout of at least 2,000 voters. Last year’s school vote saw just over 1,300 voters cast ballots for the budget (747 no to 565 yes). Yet, in November, over 6,400 cast ballots for the presidential election. Surely, getting one third of that number to care enough to vote on school issues is not too much to ask. It is time for the voters to get out and ask their neighbors to join them at the polls on March 8.

I encourage all readers to support this year’s budget and vote for it. It does not address all the programs and needs of our school, but it comes much closer than a default budget, and this is not a year for sending a message. If you have concerns about the buses being too crowded, about the use of technology in our schools, about having the adequate ratio of teachers to students, about the overall quality of the education your kids are receiving then you need to get out and vote for the school budget.

I also would encourage voters to vote no on School Warrant Article 7. This is the article which would give the determination of a default school budget to the budget committee, rather than keeping it with the school board. I personally believe that we elect a school board to manage our schools. We elect a budget committee to ask tough questions and offer a check on both our school board and town council as they present their budgets. Giving the power to determine the default budget, which is dictated (not debatable) by often complex education laws, to the budget committee undermines that distinct division of duties. It tips the balance in the check and balance system that should be in place when you have both a school board and a budget committee. The school board is in the best position to interpret the laws and calculate the default budget.

So get out and vote on Tuesday. Encourage your neighbors to vote on Tuesday. Vote yes on the school budget. Vote no on Article 7.

Like with most projects this size, there are several perspectives on the proposed solution. Some would have you wait until the school is bursting at the seams. Currently, we have three classrooms in portables so some would say we are already there.

I prefer to focus on the issue of the timing as we stand to lose a considerable financial advantage if we do not support this warrant this year. There is a good chance that next year, the cost for the identical project will be more than a million dollars more (that is if the contractor agrees to hold his price which I believe is unlikely). This is due to two factors specifically; the favorable bond rate of 4.5 percent and the state guaranteed building aide set at 40 percent.

These favorable elements combine to provide us with a tax-rate impact for this project that is not far from the tax rate impact from the prior project approved by the town in 1993.

So, if you would like to save the town a million dollars, I would ask you to focus on this issue when determining how you are going to vote on March 8, and to support school warrant 1.

It is once again time to come forward and be counted! Or more importantly to “count!” Please support the hard work of the Epsom School Building Committee and vote yes to the renovation/addition warrant for our school.

In voting yes, you are providing for our school district needs. The needs of our school do come with a price tag, but thanks to resourcefulness of our committee volunteers, they have created an effective solution with a guarantee that the state will provide for 40 percent of the cost. More space and much needed renovation of a building that has served town our well, and, with the approval of the project, will continue to serve our needs.

The proposal will address outdated electrical, mechanical and plumbing issues and improve air quality, energy efficiency and safety. The additional space that will be created is to accomodate the current space needs of our district.

I also ask for support of our current road agent, Gordon Ellis. If you drive the roads of Epsom, you already know how well he does the job.

Further, when pondering your long, wordy SB2 ballot. Look to see the recommendations of your budget committee. They are our elected “watch dogs” on our town and school expenditures. These are the folks who study for months each line item that makes up our warrant articles and understand the responsibilities of the taxpayer to fund the needs of our community.