Some towns in New Hampshire battle over school board or town council seats. In Merrimack, the most hotly contested race is easily for the School District Budget Committee.
Not only that, two of the biggest ballot questions in Tuesday’s Merrimack town and school election center on whether there should even be a School District Budget Committee, and if so, should it control the school district’s default budget.
Six residents are running for four seats on the School District Budget Committee, which has been the center of must-see weekly meetings and controversial debates. Things came to a head during the district’s deliberative session last month when more than 60 people spoke passionately from all corners of the political spectrum and nearly 400 voters turned out to weigh school spending and a large group hit back at budget committee members who had suggested the town put up a “no vacancy” sign for special education students.
Although no parties are indicated on the ballot, the race appears to be split into four candidates supported by progressives and two conservative candidates. Republicans are backing incumbent Jennifer McCormack and Barry “BK” Kendall (who is also running for the School Board). Democrats are backing Ashley dePreaux, Joanne Grobecker, Heather Robitaille and Shayne Albuquerque for the budget committee.
Two related warrant articles ask voters to decide if the School District Budget Committee should determine the default budget instead of the School Board and administration, and if there should be a budget committee at all.
A petitioned warrant article on the town side could potentially remake Merrimack’s electoral map for the New Hampshire House of Representatives. The ballot referendum calls for establishing a Redistricting Commission to “divide the town into 2 or more districts for the purpose of electing representatives to the General Court.” Merrimack, a town of nearly 29,000, has three voting wards, but chooses all eight of its representatives to Concord via an at-large or town-wide vote.
Petitioners point to the town’s 8.6% growth since the 2020 Census and the differences in social, economic and even geographic parts of town. They said not everyone is equally represented in Concord. Opponents said the town should not opt for city-like wards and the town has five Republicans and three Democrats in the N.H. House, which gives residents on both sides proportional representation.
A simple majority of voters would create the Redistricting Commission, which would then be filled through appointments by town councilors. Then, if the commission recommends changes, voters would decide in the next municipal election.
School budget, articles
School Board and School District Budget Committee members recommended an operating budget of $96.8 million for 2025-26, a 3.78% increase from the current fiscal year. If the proposed budget is defeated, the district’s default budget for next year would be $95.8 million.
The tax impact of the proposed school budget is 71 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value — or a tax hike of $354 for the owner of a home assessed at $500,000. The default budget would raise property taxes 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value — or about $250 for a home valued at $500,000.
There’s a separate $823,230 proposal to replace the roof at the Mastricola school complex. The new roof for the two adjoined schools would cost taxpayers 17 cents per $1,000, raising the tax bill for a home valued at $500,000 by $85 if approved.
Town budget, articles
The proposed municipal operating budget for 2025-26 is $42.9 million, a little more than $2 million higher than the default budget, which would be adopted if voters reject the new budget. If the proposed budget passes, it would raise taxes by 31 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value or about a $155 increase for a $500,000 home.
School Board race
Three candidates are running for two spots on the Merrimack School Board — incumbent Naomi Halter, Rachel Paepke and Kendall. Democrats are supporting Halter and Paepke.
Town Council races
Three candidates are running for three seats on the Town Council with incumbents Peter Albert and Jennifer Jobin the only names on the ballot for two three-year terms, and Tom Thornton running for one two-year term.
Where to vote
Merrimack voters will cast ballots Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at three locations -– James Mastricola Upper Elementary School (Ward 1), Merrimack Middle School (Ward 2) and St. John Neumann Church (Ward 3).
For more election information or to find your polling location, visit merrimacknh.gov/elections-voting.
For the town voter’s guide and sample ballot, visit merrimacknh.gov,
For the school district voter’s guide and sample ballot, visit sau26.org.