By CECILY WEISBURGH for SentinelSource

School officials will choose a new computer bookkeeping system for Keene-based N.H. School Administrative Unit 29 in the next three months to replace one that can't keep up with simple tasks.

Unit 29 needs the new computer package because its current financial system, Amase, can't perform even the most basic functions, such as printing W-2 forms, school officials said. To make matter worse, the supplier, Atlantic TurnKey of Amherst, offers no technical support.
 A new system will likely cost between $200,000 and $225,000, plus annual maintenance payments of $30,000 to $35,000.

Payments will be spread over three years. Next year's share will be about $45,000 for interest and principal. Using roughly $80,000 in surplus funds from last year's budget will help pay for the new system.

By taking a thorough look at new software, Unit 29 officials hope to avoid getting burned on another trouble-plagued system.

Unit 29 -- which comprises Chesterfield, Harrisville, Keene, Marlborough, Marlow, Nelson and Westmoreland -- leased Amase in 1999 to replace software that was vulnerable to Y2K computer problems.

The system's cost has been a major driver in the 2003-04 budget proposal that the Unit 29 board decided Monday to send to a public hearing without any tweaks. The hearing is set for Dec. 2.

The proposed budget is $1,914,387, up $108,014 or 6 percent from the current budget. Of that, the seven districts in Unit 29 would pay a total of $1,831,681, an increase of $143,823, or 8.5 percent; the rest of the revenue comes from other sources.

Most years, the surplus -- now being tapped for the replacement system and Unit 29 office furniture -- is carried over to the next year to help keep down general budget increases.

Other major drivers in the proposed budget: a projected 15 percent medical-insurance increase and a 4 percent increase in salaries.

Unit 29, which has offices at 34 West St., provides the administration for the seven school districts. The budget pays for expenses they share, such as the superintendent and assistants.

Sentinel Source

-- Anonymous, November 20, 2002