Gov. Kelly Ayotte said state education officials were offering support to Claremont in dealing with a school budget deficit, but she stopped well short this week of endorsing any financial bailout for the cash-starved school district.

“Clearly there has been some serious financial mismanagement at the local level,” Ayotte said.

Gov. Ayotte made the comments Wednesday after a meeting of the Executive Council and hours before Claremont school officials confirmed that the Claremont Savings Bank had agreed to extend a $4 million loan to the school district so that it can begin the school year without further restrictions.

The school board announced last Monday that it was cutting $1.25 million in staff. Officials also plan to reduce costs by canceling all non-required extracurricular activi

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