SUPERINTENDENT

John B. Robertson

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

Kathleen C. McCabe, Ph.D.

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

Kathleen Cuddy-Egbert

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR

Mary E. Patry

TELEPHONE (603) 569-1658

FAX (603) 569-6983

E-MAIL sau49@govwentworth.k12.nh.us

www.govwentworth.k12.nh.us

Governor Wentworth Regional School District

Brookfield, Effingham, New Durham, Ossipee, Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro

Post Office Box 190, Wolfeboro Falls, New Hampshire 03896-0190

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Governor Wentworth Regional School District officials learned on Friday evening, February 13, 2009 that the money for Vocational Renovations was not included in the Governor’s preliminary budget. This information came as a surprise to the New Hampshire Department of Education officials who reported the news to GWRSD. Superintendent of Schools John B. Robertson said he was caught off guard when he learned of this situation. “We all listened intently to Governor Lynch’s budget presentation. We were anxious to hear the status of building aid. He never mentioned the vocational renovation money in his delivery of the proposed budget to the people of New Hampshire nor did he declare a moratorium on new building projects. We were pleased to receive word that state building aid was intact.” The State of New Hampshire has not once failed to meet paying its state building aid obligation since the program was adopted in 1955.

“The District seemed to be building momentum around the passage of the Kingswood Complex Renovation and Expansion Project,” said GWRSB Chair Jim Rines. “The momentum began at the Deliberative Session and has been building since then. We are obviously concerned that voters see this as a deal-breaker.”

The Governor Wentworth Regional School Board called an emergency meeting on February 16^th, the first school day after receiving the news. The Board was anxious to make the public aware of the news and assure voters that it is still important to move forward with the project. “The Governor’s budget is a proposal. It is not a final budget,” explained Robertson. “Lawmakers will now begin the process of reviewing the proposal and making final decisions.” Typically the state budget is not finalized until mid or late June. However, that timeframe is well after voters must act on local school budgets.

District officials are continuing with presentations of the renovation and expansion project. The only thing that has changed in the presentation is the emphasis on aid. “It is even more important than ever to pass this project,” Robertson explained to the voters of New Durham Monday night. “If we don’t support it, there is no incentive for the Governor or the Legislature to include the money in their budget.” Moreover, a failed vote will remove Governor Wentworth from its place in the “funding eligibility line” and when the funds become available, they will be given to another school district.

If this sounds like the horns of a dilemma, it might be for other school districts. The Governor Wentworth School District has faced challenges before and consistently does so in an open and forthright manner. “The Board unanimously decided to go forward with our plans. However, it must be understood that voters will only have to support those portions of the project for which state aid is received. Therefore, there will be no greater impact to the taxpayer than what has been presented since the Deliberative Session.”

The Board and Administration have begun talking with various elected state officials who, in turn, have indicated that many legislators support the vocational renovation line item and will back restoration of the money to the capital line item. Superintendent Robertson received support from the Board to write to Governor Lynch and State Senator Lou D’Allesandro. D’Allesandro was the prime sponsor of the recently passed bill that raised the compulsory age of attendance to 18. Steve Guyer, Principal of the Region 9 Vocational-Technical Center points out that the original Kingswood Complex renovation plans expand the Region 9 Vocational Technical Center and allow for the addition of programs in auto body repair and machine tool. “While students of all academic abilities enroll in vocational programs, many students in danger of dropping out tell me that our vocational programs keep them interested in school,” stated Guyer. “The Governor even noted the funding support he gave for the renovation of the career and technical centers in Manchester and Exeter in his press release announcing his signing of this bill” added Robertson. The Governor further stated: “This is the right policy for our state, and more importantly, it is the right policy for our kids. That’s why I made it one of my top priorities.” In spite of challenging economic times, it is difficult for local school officials to understand how a top priority can simply disappear.

School officials are posting contact information for state officials on their web page so that concerned voters can also express their opinion. Letters to our elected officials will help secure these funds which were a high priority just one year ago.