From the Londonderry Times
Alex Malm
October 25, 2026
Front Page, Londonderry, News, NH
Londonderry school officials outlined the potential impacts of the Taxpayer Protection Act during a recent School Board meeting, explaining that approval of the proposed tax cap could require approximately $2 million in budget reductions to maintain current services.
The legislation, also known as HB 1300, was approved earlier this year and requires communities to place a tax cap question on the November ballot.
School officials emphasized that the proposal is not a spending cap that limits the total school budget. Instead, it would limit how much the school district’s property tax levy could increase from year to year.
The district provided a copy of the ballot language, which is prescribed by state law.
Officials noted that if approved by voters, the tax cap would remain in effect for two years before requiring another vote in November 2028. The cap would take effect July 1, 2027, unless later overridden by voters.
At the most recent School Board meeting, Business Administrator Amity Small said the school district’s 2026 property tax levy is approximately $73 million.
Small explained that, if approved, the tax levy could not increase beyond the prior year’s amount adjusted for inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, plus new construction growth.
Using a Consumer Price Index increase of 3.6 percent, Small said the district would still face approximately $2 million in cuts to maintain current services because of rising costs associated with contracts, utilities and salaries.
“Just to maintain the level of service that we already offer,” Small said.
Small said the second portion of the ballot question would limit SAU central office spending growth to no more than 6 percent annually.
According to Small, the district has historically remained below that threshold, typically operating in the three to four percent range.
The third provision excludes bonded capital costs from the tax cap calculations.
“If you vote yes, all three of those things would become true,” Small said.
School officials identified several areas where reductions could be considered if the district were required to make significant budget cuts.
Under transportation, officials said the district could consider eliminating bus service for K-9 students living within a two-mile radius of school. Transportation for high school students, including athletics and co-curricular activities, could also face reductions or possible elimination.
Under academics and technology, officials said the district could reduce Advanced Placement course offerings at the high school, scale back laptop distribution for students in grades K-5, and reduce career and vocational education opportunities.
Potential reductions in arts and athletics could include smaller team budgets, reduced field maintenance, cuts to freshman and middle school sports programs, and reductions to music and theater programs.
Officials also said lower-enrollment after-school clubs could be eliminated.
Additional reductions could include fewer secondary elective courses, fewer field trips and assemblies, and reductions in administrative staffing, professional development and facility maintenance.
School officials stressed that the discussion intended to explain the potential impact of the ballot question and what areas could be affected if future budget reductions became necessary.