Newport voters to decide open-enrollment status, $22.7M school budget and board seat

Newport voters will decide whether the district becomes an open‑enrollment district, whether to approve a $22.7 million proposed school budget and who will occupy a three‑year seat on the school board when they vote Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the community center on Meadow Road.

“Voters will be asked whether Newport should become an open enrollment district that puts the percentage of students who can leave the district at zero and the amount Newport will accept at 5% of the district’s enrollment.” That ballot language presents two numeric parameters - zero percent of students allowed to leave and a 5 percent acceptance cap - as the question voters will face.

The budget question pairs a $22.7 million proposed general fund with a stated local tax impact: “The proposed budget is $22.7 million and would add $1.34 to the school tax rate. The default budget is $22.9 million with a $1.69 tax impact. Last year, voters approved a $22.15 million budget.” Voters can approve the proposed figure or allow the default budget to take effect, which the ballot summary ties to a higher $1.69 tax impact.

Separate warrant articles would fund targeted capital and program needs. The warrant includes “$103,353 for a new Public Safety Program at the tech center, $100,000 for a new school bus, $32,000 to pave the Richards Elementary School Parking lot, and $53,600 toward the planned purchase of a new playground at Richards.” Those appropriations appear alongside the general fund total on the district ballot.

School board voters will choose between incumbent Nikki Murphy and challenger Anna O’Hara for the only contested seat this year. “In the only contested race, incumbent Nikki Murphy and Anna O’Hara are seeking a three‑year seat on the school board.” The winner will serve a three‑year term.

Polling for the district ballot opens Tuesday, March 10 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the community center on Meadow Road. Voters should plan to appear during those hours at the community center to cast ballots on the open‑enrollment question, the budget and the school board contest.

A historical Valley News photograph accompanying the ballot preview shows local election workers: “Newport ballot clerks Sandra Cherry, left, and Jacqueline Cote hand ballots to voters on Tuesday, March, 12, 2019 in Newport, N.H. With ballot in hand voter Mark Pitkin is on his way to the voting booth. (Valley News - Jennifer Hauck) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.” Results from the March 10 vote will set district policy on transfers and determine the immediate school tax impact for Newport property owners.