By Ashley Varese
Staff writer

LONDONDERRY -- School Board members are gearing up for a meeting with about 10 neighboring districts to discuss school funding and their collective disappointment with House Bill 616.

The bill, which was approved by the House almost two weeks ago, cuts Londonderry's state school aid by $3.6 million. While Londonderry would be one of the biggest losers, towns such as Pelham, Salem and Windham would also see their aid slashed.

Londonderry School Board Chairman Steve Young said those attending the May 10 meeting will include local officials from Pelham and Windham, as well as Auburn, Bedford, Hooksett, Hudson, Litchfield, Merrimack, Nashua and the Timberlane Regional School District, which includes the towns of Atkinson, Danville, Plaistow and Sandown.

Salem officials have expressed their support of the group but have a regularly scheduled School Board meeting the same night.

Young said he was pleased with the response and said state representatives, senators and town officials are also invited.

"Nashua's a big city, and for them to have this much interest in it, I'm very pleased," Young said.

Young said the meeting should make for an "interesting discussion," especially with officials from Auburn, the hometown of bill supporters Reps. James Headd and Paul Smith, who represent Auburn and Londonderry.

According to Londonderry Superintendent Nathan Greenberg, the meeting's purpose is to identify common areas of interest and concern.

"We will also be asking the Senate to get an advisory ruling on the constitutionality on any educational funding bill before it becomes a law," he said.

That way, questions regarding constitutionality wouldn't arise after the law has been passed.

"I want to see the funding issue put to bed," Greenberg said.

Young agreed that the bill's turnaround time is a serious flaw.

"The voters already voted for the budget (in March)," he said. "We're going with what we have."

Greenberg also said the group will discuss their support of the senators and representatives.

"We want them to know we're behind them to pass a bill that's fair and equitable to all parties concerned," he said.

Young said the meeting wasn't about "grandstanding."

"We're looking for solutions," he said. "The key is that it's important that we agree to keep it positive in nature and work toward solutions. Look at how to provide (necessary) funding. Not grabbing at our own slices of the pie."

Greenberg hopes that by uniting with other districts, they will be able to impact the legislative process.

"(State) representatives are invited, and we're looking forward to hearing what they have to say and the suggestions they may have," he said.

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