N.H. Rev. Stat. § 32:5-f — NH Code / Title III / Chapter 32 / Section 5-f
32:5-f Adoption of School District Budget Cap.
Status: in_force

I. The provisions of RSA 32:5-e may be adopted by any school district in the state whose legislative body raises and appropriates funds through an annual meeting. A 3/5 majority of those voting on the question shall be required to adopt the provisions of RSA 32:5-e. Only votes in the affirmative or negative shall be included in the calculation of the 3/5 majority. II. The question shall be placed on the warrant of the annual or special meeting by the school board or by petition under the procedures set out in RSA 197:2 or 197:6. III. A public hearing shall be held by the school board on the question at least 15 days, but not more than 30 days, before the question is to be voted on. In multi-town school districts, a public hearing shall be held in each town embraced by the district, none of which shall be held on the same day. Notice of the hearing shall be posted in at least 2 public places in the district and at least 2 public places in each town of multi-town districts, and published in a newspaper of general circulation at least 7 days prior to the date of the hearing. IV. If, under RSA 32:5-e, II, a fixed percentage is used for the annual increase for inflation, the wording of the question shall be: "Shall we adopt the provisions of RSA 32:5-e, and implement a budget cap whereby the school board (or budget committee) shall not submit a recommended budget that is higher than _____ dollars per pupil cost times the average daily membership in residence of the school district as of October 1 of the year immediately preceding the proposed budget year plus a _____ percent annual increase for inflation. Requires a 3/5ths majority of the school district." Alternatively, if an annual inflation index is used, the wording of the question shall be: "Shall we adopt the provisions of RSA 32:5-e, and implement a budget cap whereby the school board (or budget committee) shall not submit a recommended budget that is higher than _____ dollars per pupil cost times the average daily membership in residence of the school district as of October 1 of the year immediately preceding the proposed budget year plus an annual increase for inflation using (the index) published by (the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or American City and County) as of October 1. Requires a 3/5ths majority of the school district." V. Voting on the question shall be by ballot, but the question shall not be placed on the official ballot used to elect officers, except in the case of a legislative body that uses an official ballot form of meeting under RSA 40:13 or under a charter adopted pursuant to RSA 49-D. Polls shall remain open and ballots shall be accepted by the moderator for a period of not less than one hour following the completion of discussion on the question. If a 3/5 majority of those voting on the question vote "yes," RSA 32:5-e shall apply within the school district beginning with the following fiscal year and for all subsequent years until it is changed as provided in paragraph V-a or rescinded as provided in paragraph VI. V-a. Any local political subdivision which has adopted RSA 32:5-e may consider adoption of a new school district budget cap, using any method described in RSA 32:5-e, II, in the manner described in paragraphs I through V. If the adoption of a new proposed school district budget cap fails, the existing school district budget cap shall continue to apply. VI. Any school district which has adopted RSA 32:5-e may consider rescinding its action in the manner described in paragraphs I through V. The wording of the question shall be: "Shall we rescind the provisions of RSA 32:5-e, known as the school district budget cap, as adopted by the (school district) on (date of adoption), so that there will no longer be a school district budget cap limit on the amount raised and appropriated?" A 3/5 majority of those voting on the question shall be required to rescind the provisions of this section, except in the case of repeal by charter enactment under RSA 49-D. Only votes in the affirmative or negative shall be included in the calculation of the 3/5 majority.