The story
The budget has officially been finalized!
Why are we still talking about this?
Everyone’s a little miffed about what the board is choosing to cut, specifically the Memorial school nurse office bathroom addition. But the school board voted on the final budget 4-1, and nothing has changed. Except, people are still looking for some sort of loophole.
Loopholes?
To clarify, there aren’t any. People are just looking for them. For one: a reserve fund. Every year, there is money that the school board doesn’t end up using. Yes, that would come in really handy right about now (cough cough football field). But the school board doesn’t have a reserve fund－taxpayers would have to vote on one. And, after that last election, we’re favoring avoiding taxpayer opinions at all costs right now.
Where the heck does that money go?
Right back to the taxpayers the following year. But it would work out really nicely in situations like these. Think about it, if the board saved up for big expenditures with the surplus money, the whole thing would eventually balance out－the taxpayers would be paying a little every year rather than a lot every few years.
The Runaway
Yes, it sucks, all of the cuts suck, not getting what we want sucks, but this is what happens when only 1/7 of the town feels any motivation to vote.
What to say…
When IB/AP exams are coming up and you have no faith in yourself…
Sounds like the robotics team, which is setting BHS records right now. Next week, they are going to the world championships in Detroit along with 400 other teams around North America. Apparently Canada qualifies it as a “world championship.” We don’t think the Canadians have ever felt more important. They placed 12th in the regional tournament at WPI last week out of 64 teams. And from what we’ve heard, every single person on that team is in disbelief over how well they’re doing, especially since this was their first time going to regionals. But what we’re most excited about? To see how they transport the robot. We’re in favor of buying it a couple of plane seats. We mean, robots are really sub-human, right?
When you’re starting to feel senioritis and you’re not even a senior…
Summer is coming (even though winter came last night). School gets out weirdly early, due to a lack of snow days (looking at you Mr. Fournier), and a change in policy. The school board decided to only have 175 days of school last year, and to only count the first five snow days. Next year? There will be 180 days of school, and we won’t have to make up the first five snow days. We prefer the former, because next year, we’re again starting on August 27, but ending on June 12. Our brains can’t comprehend those four extra days. After one year we’ve officially become used to it. And Governor Sununu’s “save our summers” campaign has not taken off, so we are SOL.
When you’re getting excited for your April vacation…
Shh! Not too loud－we don’t want to make the spring sports that are forced to stay behind feel bad. But at least girls lacrosse and both tennis teams are destroying. Softball is 1-1, and baseball and boys lacrosse…we’re just hoping that they’re going for a really big comeback.
Things to Know
Pathways to Ponies
Remember this? Discussing pathways to graduation? Be on the lookout for the school board survey in the principal’s newsletter in May.
Please Sir, Can I Have Some More?
The robotics team is asking for donations for their trip! Give them some love.