Keene Daily Briefing: School Budget Vote, Ice & Snow Festival, Council Updates

School budget heads to March ballot

Keene voters will see an $82.4 million operating budget for the 2026–27 school year on the March 10 ballot, after a brief but well‑attended deliberative session Saturday morning.

District officials outlined a 3.4% spending increase over the current year, driven largely by staffing and program costs. If approved, the education portion of the local tax rate would rise from $17.50 to $19.72 per $1,000 of assessed value, an increase of 12.74%. For a home assessed at $300,000, that would mean roughly $665 more per year in school taxes.

The warrant also includes an article on an open enrollment plan within the district. Supporters say it would give families more flexibility in choosing schools, while officials emphasized that the change would still be managed to avoid overcrowding and protect existing programs.

Downtown hosts Ice & Snow Festival

Downtown Keene filled with families today for the Ice & Snow Festival, running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Main Street and Central Square. The free event features live ice carving, kids’ activities, train rides, face painting, and plenty of hot treats to help everyone stay warm.

Local businesses are leaning into the celebration with sidewalk specials and warm‑up spots, offering a welcome mid‑winter boost for shops and restaurants that depend heavily on weekend traffic. City staff and volunteers are on hand to help manage crowds and keep walkways clear after the week’s snow.

Council meeting and winter prep

The City Council held its regular meeting Thursday night at City Hall, continuing work on policy, infrastructure and planning issues outlined in its posted agenda. Residents can review the full packet and follow up on specific items, including public hearings and referrals to committees, through the city’s website.

As winter weather continues, the city is reminding drivers to watch for overnight parking bans on key streets so plow crews can safely clear snow. Officials are also urging people to use warming spaces and check on neighbors as temperatures dip, part of a broader push to keep Keene “winter‑ready” during the current cold snap.

Sources

Keene School District 2026–27 Budget Advances to Ballot, Includes Tax Increase and Open Enrollment Vote

https://www.visitnh.gov/things-to-do/events-calendar/keene-ice-snow-festival

https://keenenh.gov/news/02-05-2026-city-council-meeting/

City of Keene