Finance 10-1-2026

The SAU 54 (Rochester, NH) Finance Committee met October 1, 2026, to review district finances, staffing, grants, and upcoming budget planning. The report showed 33.3% of the $78 million appropriation expended or encumbered ($18.8 million spent and $7.1 million encumbered). Most student transportation contracts, including regular, vocational, athletics, and co-curricular services, were fully encumbered; special-education transportation was reported at 6.3%. A separate McKinney-Vento transportation line was created for transportation of students experiencing homelessness. The district also reported using contracted service providers for 16 paraprofessionals and three additional RBTs while continuing to seek district employees for those roles. No new contract awards or procurement approvals were reported. Existing capital-improvement bond and cash balances were identified as available for repairs and emergencies, without a specific project or allocation presented.

The committee discussed 19 open federal grants and reported that the district’s grant-risk standing had improved substantially. Officials also noted approximately $1.3 million in adequacy aid above the budgeted amount; its potential return to the city and effect on the next tax cap remain under discussion. Budget planning will begin from a level-services projection, with salary and benefit estimates and city tax-cap parameters to be reconciled. The committee approved the listed stipends and accepted a donation of $13,034.71 in remaining student activity funds for redistribution to five schools. No vote on a new procurement or capital-spending commitment was identified.