By Ginger Kozlowski
Staff Writer

Never before have Hooksett voters been asked to take a second vote on the school district's operating budget, but the prospect of having to cut sports, clubs, field trips and more has prompted the Hooksett School Board to ask the town for reconsideration of the March 8 vote that left the district with a default budget.

When voters defeated Warrant Article 5, asking for an operating budget of $21,744,339, they also approved the ability of the school district to have a second vote. If defeated a second time, the default budget will be $21,180,599, more than a halfmillion dollars lower than the current budget - also a default budget. If approved, the budget would amount to a 6.8 percent increase over last year's default budget of $20,357,954.

How desperate are the schools. needs?

According to a letter from school board member Ronald Dion, a default budget will result in cuts to all extracurricular activities including sports, classroom supplies, food service support, field trips, supplies for special education, Project Safeguard, textbooks and more.

There will be a deliberative session for all Hooksett residents who would like more information about the budget on Tuesday, May 3, 7 p.m., at Cawley Middle School. Voting on the budget will take place Tuesday, May 31.