Concord school board approves budget, tax increase to cover most of $5m shortfall

This story was originally produced by the Concord Monitor . NHPR is republishing it in partnership with the Granite State News Collaborative .

Faced with a pair of significant unforeseen expenses, Concord’s Board of Education voted to raise its budget for the year by about $3.5 million over what it had previously approved in the spring.

Board President Pam Walsh said the change was part of a “balanced plan” to ensure residents don’t experience a more significant tax increase next year and the district’s reserve funds remain at healthy levels. The district is also making reductions, withdrawing from trust funds and relying on unexpended money from last year to cover portions of a $5 million shortfall it is facing.

Board members considered a range of options to address the def