The Cornish Question and School Capacity Crunch (Lebanon School Board)

This week, we're breaking down the Lebanon School Board's 9/24/2025 meeting, where finances and student numbers took center stage. The district is in a strong financial position, with a healthy fund balance providing over a million dollars in tax relief. However, this stability is being tested by an unexpected surge in kindergarten enrollment at Hanover Street School, pushing class sizes higher than desired. We explore the board's decision to abandon plans for reconfiguring the elementary schools after a review showed no real savings and significant disruption for families. On the other hand, a major financial opportunity has appeared in the form of a potential tuition agreement with Cornish for grades 5-8, which could bring in roughly $1 million in annual revenue. Plus, we cover a significant new social media policy that creates stricter digital boundaries between staff and students. Key TopicsDistrict Financial Health Update: The 2024-2025 fiscal year-end review shows a strong unassigned fund balance of over $1.06 million, with $1 million available to offset the local tax rate. Elementary Enrollment Squeeze: A late surge of kindergarten registrations at Hanover Street School has pushed class sizes to 17-18 students. A study of reconfiguring the elementary grades found no financial or staffing efficiencies, leading the board to shelve the idea and focus instead on formalizing school boundary lines. The Potential Cornish Tuition Agreement: The district is exploring a tuition agreement to accept K-8 students from Cornish (SAU 100). While there is no capacity in grades K-4, the district could potentially accept about 47 students in grades 5-8, generating an estimated $1 million in annual revenue but requiring up to two new staff members. New Social Media Policy for Staff: The board reviewed a new policy (GBEBD) that prohibits staff from friending, following, or subscribing to the personal social media accounts of current students who are not relatives. This restriction remains in place until after the student graduates. Positions on State-Level Education Issues: The board directed its delegate to oppose statewide mandatory open enrollment legislation due to fiscal concerns and to support resolutions that would lower the voter threshold for school infrastructure bonds and enforce the Federal Gun-Free School Zone Act.