The Claremont School District says its deficit stands at a staggering $5.01 million after its new leadership team completed an extensive internal review of the books.

Interim Superintendent Kerry Kennedy and new business comptroller Matthew Angell announced the revised figure Thursday afternoon, a day after canceling a school board meeting that was scheduled to reveal the numbers.

Kennedy did not respond to NHJournal’s questions on Thursday.

The district nearly delayed the start of the school year after the board learned of the deficit on Aug. 14, when estimates ranged from $1 million to $5 million. Instead, the board cut costs by canceling contracts for 19 new teachers, laying off 20 non-teaching staff, canceling athletics, and securing a $4 million loan. The cuts also forced the closu

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