AREA CODE: 603ZIP CODE: 03835

COORDINATES: 43°23 ′23″N 71°03 ′56″W

Farmington, NH

The History of Farmington

It was once a spot for the Abenaki Indians to camp while using the Cocheco River, Mad River, and the Ela River for transportation from Lake Winnipesauke to raid settlements in Dover.

After transforming into a farming and agriculture settlement, Farmington was chartered in 1798 and incorporated in 1799.

The three rivers were used to bring water powered industries into Farmington. This resulted in the development of downtown and the building of a railroad in 1849.

The History of Farmington

Shoe Factory 1915

Opera House 1914

Bird’s eye view in 1877

Farmington Today

Continues to conduct themselves as a town with an elected board of selectman and town meetings.

Routes 11, 153, and 75 intersect the city, providing a stopping point for travelers headed to the Northeast.

Square Miles: 37.5 (37.2 land, .3 water)Population Density: 180/sq. milePopulation: 6,802Registered Voters: 4,025Voters for Last Presidential Elections (’12): 3,053Voters for Last Local Elections(’12): 659 !?!

Farmington Today

Board of Selectman:Seated: Vice Chair Paula Proulx, Chairman Charlie King, Joan Funk Standing: James Horgan, and Gerry McCarthy

Shoe Factory- currently Ye Olde Shoe Shoppe, an antique store.

Opera House today

Farmington Today

Population History: 20oo: 5,774 2010: 6,786 2011: 6,802

Student Enrollment: current: 1,262 2011/12: 1,379 2010/11: 1,423 2009/10: 1,429 2008/9: 1,464

Tax Rate History: 2009: $19.73 2010: $20.26 2011: $ 20.00 2012: $ 21.00

Home of the Tigers

SAU 61 Farmington – Middleton

Three schools account for SAU 61: Valley View Community School (PreK- 3): $12,078.66 Henry Wilson Middle School (4-6) (7-8) Farmington High School (9-12): $11,707.55

Cost Per Student: $11,959.96State Cost Per Student: $13,159.13

Valley View Community School

Students: 374 Staff: 75Free and Reduced Lunch: 52.37%

Henry Wilson Middle School

Students: (4-6) 277 (7-8) 185Staff: (4-6) 53 (7-8) 40Free and Reduced Lunch: 50.46%

Farmington High School

Students: 426Staff: 65Free and Reduced Lunch: 39.64%

Negotiations

Teachers Last Effective Contract: 2008-2011Average Teacher Salary: $43,684The proposed 2013 contract went to

negotiations. The outcome was a contract that the Farmington Teachers’ Association voted down.

Next step- second round of negotiations are due to take place in a week. Fingers crossed!

Revenue for SAU 61

Income Received: ~ Tuition ~ Catastrophic Aid~ Adequacy Aid ~ Transportation~ State Education & Property tax ~ Medicaid~ “Indirect Cost”: Federal ~Grants

Property Taxes: $21.00 Revenue from property tax- County - $2.30 Residential: $8,990,713 Town – School $9.87 School: $5,158,871.12 State – School $2.18 Commercial: $930,555 Town - $6.65 School: $ 533, 952.46

Budget Process

Key players:

The Budget Committee ...and voters!!!

Warrant Articles

Appointing officers Raise and appropriate the new budget (decrease of $80,818 to

18,290) Adopt a new SAU budget (decrease of $8,259) Lease agreement for 2 new buses Purchase of SAU building currently occupying, “as is” for $180,000 Raise and appropriate “up to” $50,000 for the Special Education

Unanticipated Cost Trust Fund Raise and appropriate “up to” $50,000 for the FHS Construction,

Renovation, and Repair Fund Raise and appropriate “up to” $50,000 for the School Technology

Fund Retain any year end general funds up to 2.5% of the budget Interest in looking into privatizing the lunch program

Budget Process

Proposed Budget for 2013-2014: $16,960,170 Default Budget: $16,978,460 Budget Issues:

Taxes being raised Default budget SAU Budget seems untouchable

Community Atmosphere: Those that attend the meetings are hesitant yet understanding. However, its

getting the community out to vote, and more importantly informing them before they do vote.

Attendees seem more in favor of teachers but against the SAU. There has been a community outreach group formed with little gain. Unwilling to pay into a system that is flawed and failing. Potentially losing AREA agreement with Middleton.

Next Step –Voting 3/12/13