Budget writers urged to fund child care, mental health
HOLLY RAMER, Associated Press
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CONCORD, N.H. (AP) The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted a critical need to maintain or boost funding for schools, mental health treatment, child care scholarships and other programs, advocates told House budget writers Tuesday.
In past years, hundreds of members of the public have packed into Representatives’ Hall to offer feedback to House Finance Committee members as they work on the next two-year state budget. Because of the pandemic, they instead offered testimony by phone or video Tuesday, with many opposing proposed cuts they said would hurt already struggling programs and people.
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The vote was 9-4 in favor, with Mayor Joyce Craig among those opposed.
âIn my view, it is unconscionable for the school board to give 5% and 2.1% increases to our highest-paid executives while we are facing a potential $9 million shortfall in the coming budget year, with the real possibility of program reduction, school closures and teacher layoffs,â board member Jim OâConnell said Wednesday of the Nov. 23 vote.
Copies of the contracts were not provided by the school district until Dec. 8.
Board of School Committee members extended the contracts and approved raises for Manchester Superintendent John Goldhardt, assistant superintendents Amy Allen and Jennifer Gillis and Chief Financial Officer Karen DeFrancis.