AREA CODE: 603 ZIP CODE: 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 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. mile Population: 6,802 Registered Voters: 4,025 Voters for Last Presidential Elections (’12): 3,053 Voters 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, /11: 1,423  2009/10: 1, /9: 1,464 Tax Rate History:  2009: $19.73  2010: $20.26  2011: $  2012: $ 21.00

Home of the Tigers SAU 61 Farmington – Middleton Three schools account for SAU 61:  Valley View Community School (PreK- 3): $12,  Henry Wilson Middle School (4-6) (7-8)  Farmington High School (9-12): $11, Cost Per Student: $11, State Cost Per Student: $13,159.13

Valley View Community School Students: 374 Staff: 75 Free and Reduced Lunch: 52.37%

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

Farmington High School Students: 426 Staff: 65 Free and Reduced Lunch: 39.64%

Negotiations Teachers Last Effective Contract: Average Teacher Salary: $43,684 The 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,  State – School $2.18 Commercial: $930,555  Town - $6.65 School: $ 533,

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 : $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