Claremont voters will decide whether to cap school-budget growth

What happened

A Nov. 3 ballot question would cap growth in the Claremont School District budget for two years and limit central-office spending to 6% of the district appropriation. Both limits are bundled into one yes-or-no vote; the growth ceiling would use the prior year's levy, Northeast CPI inflation and net new construction.

Why it matters to families

If approved, future budgets above the growth cap would require a three-fifths voter supermajority. Superintendent Broadrick estimated central-office spending is currently about 5.5% of the district budget, below the proposed 6% limit.

The evidence

At the Oct. 21 information forum, Superintendent Broadrick described a two-year cap on budget growth, calculated from the prior year's levy, Northeast CPI and net new construction, plus a 6% central-office spending limit. He said budgets above the cap could still be proposed but would require three-fifths voter approval; Chair Crawford clarified the two limits were combined in one yes-or-no ballot question. Transcript 2:10–11:00 and 11:35–13:08.

The source