Candia residents who have been embroiled in a long battle over school spending plan to go another round tonight.

A group of residents is expected to present a letter to the town’s Budget Committee members asking them to rein in school spending. But the school’s $8.2 million default budget for the upcoming year has already been approved, and any recommendations to streamline school spending will probably have to wait until the next budget season.

Budget Committee member Carla Penfield said it has been a difficult budget year, with residents hoping for some tax relief butting heads with school advocates who feel the town needs to invest more in its school system.

“I haven’t seen the letter, but I believe it is from a group of frustrated voters who feel they are not being heard,” she said.

Nicole Laflame, vice chairwoman of the School Board, said she hadn’t heard about the letter, but members will be at the meeting to hear from the group.

“I can say that the school board and administration are focused on providing a top-notch education for children in the town,” said LaFlame who added that she believes any opposition is from a relatively small group of residents.

Penfield said some residents feel school officials have ignored their opinions, and their votes. A ballot question asking voters to approve an expansion of the town’s kindergarten to a full-day program was defeated last March. But because the question was mistakenly placed on the municipal ballot rather than the school ballot, school officials argued the vote was non-binding, and the district moved ahead with a full-day program.

LaFlame added that the wording of the ballot question was confusing.

“Full-day kindergarten is a fiscally responsible thing to do,” said LaFlame who added it will cut out extra services needed for children as they enter elementary school. “It’s the best thing we can do for taxpayers and they will understand that as we go along.”

Penfield said residents have also raised questions about a school budget surplus but Sharon DeWitt who heads up the Candia PTO said the money left in school accounts at the end of the year was actually earmarked for specific expenses such as tuition for students attending high school in Manchester.

“That surplus was never really a surplus,” said DeWitt. “And that was made clear to Carla Penfield and the Budget Committee.”

Still Penfield said there are residents in town who feel they have no real way to slow down the growth of school spending.

“From what I understand the letter is saying we want you to reduce school spending,” said Penfield. “But what it is really saying is we want you to look at the 2013 budget.”

According to Penfield, the Budget Committee will be tracking school spending month by month over the upcoming year.

Although the debate over school spending has been divisive, Penfield believes there is a silver lining. She said the conflicts have highlighted the need for more open discussion about the school budget and educational goals among officials and residents.

She also said she believes residents have a better understanding of the importance of turning out for Town Meeting to have their opinions heard and understood.

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Barbara Taormina may be reached at btaormina@newstote.com.