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6.17.26_school_board_meeting_minutes_draft.pdf

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Raymond School Board Meeting 
June 17, 2026 
Raymond High School Media Center 
Minutes Page 1 
DRAFT 
 
 
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.  Present: School Board Members Tony 
Clements, John Harmon, and Joseph Saulnier; Superintendent of Schools Terry Leatherman; Business 
Administrator Marjorie Whitmore.  
 
Proof of Posting: It was noted that the meeting was properly posted. 
 
Pledge of Allegiance: All those in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  
 
Non-Public Session: It was noted that there was no need to enter into a non-public session this 
evening. 
 
Public Input: Public input was opened at 6:01 PM and would be open for 30 minutes. There was no 
public input forthcoming.  
 
Public Hearing: A public hearing was opened for the following: 
 
To consider the expenditure of funds totaling up to $346,864.00 from the Raymond School District 
Equipment, Facilities Maintenance, and Replacement Capital Reserve Fund under RSA 198:20-c; 
$47,741 RHS Security Alarm, $31,502 for SAU Septic Replacement, $267,621 for LRES Control 
Upgrades 
  
And to consider the expenditure of funds totaling up to $120,943.00 from the Raymond School District 
Technology Capital Reserve Fund under RSA 198:20-c; $120,943.00 for District Wide Wireless 
Environment. 
  
And to consider the expenditure of funds totaling up to $30,766 from the Raymond School District Food 
Service Equipment and Replacement Capital Reserve Fund under RSA 198:20-c; $4,244.00 for RHS 
Range, $16,974.00 for RHS Walk-In-Refrigerator, and $9,548.00 for District Wide Purchase of Service 
Terminals. 
  
To consider the acceptance and expenditure of the following unanticipated funds from state, 
federal, and/or private sources under 198:20-b: $688,062.64 Title I, Title IIA, Title 
IVB, IDEA, HQIM Principal and School Leadership, NH Department of Health and Human Services, 
Individual State and Private Grants; $320,986.80 Special Education Aid; $6,916.20 Vocational Tuition 
Aid; $6,737.80 Charter School Aid; $15,194.80 Solar Renewable Energy Certificates; $400,000 NH 
Department of Energy. 
 
There were no comments forthcoming. The public hearing was closed.   
 

Raymond School Board Meeting 
June 17, 2026 
Raymond High School Media Center 
Minutes Page 2 
DRAFT 
 
Student Representative to the School Board Report: The Student Representative to the School Board 
was not in attendance this evening.  
 
Work Study Practices: Mr. Leatherman reviewed the responses from the middle school staff regarding 
the proposed work study practices.  He stated that they feel that the high school work study practices 
would not be easily understood by middle school students, that middle school students are at a different 
time socially and academically than high school students, middle school competencies are still in 
development, and there is some fear that the use of the high school rubric for some grades might cause 
confusion.  Mr. Leatherman stated he’s comfortable with the teachers’ recommendation to stay with the 
middle school work study practices as originally proposed last week, and that they can revisit in a 
couple of years to consider increasing the rigor. Mr. Saulnier suggested that there be a K-5 set of work 
study practices, and a 6-8 set, so that the wording is not as simple as that designed for an elementary 
student.  Mr. Harmon stated that he doesn’t understand why there is concern about students in grades 
6-8 being able to understand the matrix but no concern about the kindergarten understanding what 8th 
grade students are expected to understand.   
 
MOTION: Joseph Saulnier moved, seconded by John Harmon for discussion, to accept the work study 
practices for elementary school, middle school, and high school as presented.  Mr. Clements stated that 
he’s leaning more to Mr. Harmon’s perspective, and that they can do it for now and hopefully work 
toward a smoother transition from middle school to high school. Voted unanimously in the affirmative. 
Mr. Harmon requested that this topic be put on the agenda for spring of next year.  
 
Expenditure of Capital Reserve Funds:   
 
MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to approve the Raymond High School 
intrusion system in the amount of $72,020.29 from Minuteman, to come from the maintenance capital 
reserve fund. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to approve Piedmont Excavation & 
Septic for the SAU septic in the amount of $31,502.00, to be taken from the maintenance capital 
reserve fund. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to approve ENE Systems of New 
Hampshire to do the control upgrade at Lamprey River Elementary School in the amount of 
$267,416.47, to be taken from the maintenance capital reserve fund. Voted unanimously in the 
affirmative.  
 
MOTION: Joseph Saulnier moved, seconded by John Harmon, to approve the E-plus Technologies bid 
for the districtwide wireless environment for $50,627.70, to be taken out of the technology capital 
reserve fund. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 

Raymond School Board Meeting 
June 17, 2026 
Raymond High School Media Center 
Minutes Page 3 
DRAFT 
 
Regarding the process for obtaining quotes for the high school range oven - and whether we specified 
by model or brand, or just price - Mr. Harmon asked if the process for doing so could be included in a 
Friday Memo.  Mr. Leatherman stated that the Safety and Facilities Director is particular about ensuring 
consistency of manufacturers.  Ms. Whitmore stated that it looks like the oven being approved tonight is 
the same brand as what we currently have.  MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph 
Saulnier, to approve the Kam-Tom/Migali in the amount of $4,200 for the high school range, that money 
to come from the food service capital reserve fund. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
MOTION: Joseph Saulnier moved, seconded by John Harmon, to accept the Ray’s Refrigeration bid for 
the high school walk-in refrigerator for $10,637.14, that money to come from the food service 
equipment and replacement capital reserve fund. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
MOTION: Joseph Saulnier moved, seconded by John Harmon, to accept the Mosaic bid for 
point-of-sale terminals for $8,775.00, to be taken out of the food service capital reserve fund. Voted 
unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
Mr. Clements asked what the year-end balance is for unpaid lunch debt. Ms. Whitmore stated she 
doesn’t yet have that, as they’re still closing out the year. Mr. Clements asked for that information in a 
Friday Memo.  
 
Acceptance and Expenditure of Unanticipated Funds/Year-End Budget Options 
 
Public comment was re-opened at 6:34 PM for the acceptance and expenditure of unanticipated funds. 
 
Mr. Clements asked how it came to be that the district was awarded double the amount budgeted for 
Title IVB funds.  Ms. Whitmore stated that is typically a two-year grant, so she’s unsure if that allocation 
was supposed to be for two years and they only used one year, but she will look into that.  
 
Mr. Harmon stated that he feels the $400,000 received for the energy project should be used to pay off 
the lease payment.  Mr. Leatherman stated that it’s his feeling that contingency funds are for 
emergency situations and since we have the money through other avenues to cover expenses, it 
should not be used.  Mr. Harmon stated his agreement.   
 
Mr. Harmon stated that there is now a shortfall of about $66,000. He stated that he thinks they should 
accept the state, federal, and private grants in the amount of $688,062.64 and asked if any of that 
should be used for the $66,000 or if not, where should the $66,000 come from? Ms. Whitmore stated 
she feels it should be taken from unanticipated revenue.  The grant revenue is for specific things. 
Regarding the grant revenue, the Board tonight is approving the revenue and expenditures for the 
grants.   
 

Raymond School Board Meeting 
June 17, 2026 
Raymond High School Media Center 
Minutes Page 4 
DRAFT 
 
MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to accept the 2025-26 federal, state, 
and private grants in the amount of $688,062.64 and to expend them according to the grant 
specifications. Mr. Leatherman stated that in the past they’ve had to pay IDEA out of the general fund 
and then replace that money from IDEA. He stated that the question is if the $400,000 from the energy 
grant is going to cover us or not. Ms. Whitmore stated that the $400,000 grant is not included in any of 
that. She said that if all of the other revenue is approved separate from the grants, they will be okay. 
Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
Mr. Harmon stated that they may next consider a motion so the $400,000 can go toward the lease 
payment. Mr. Leatherman stated that he believes they can only pay up to $250,000 over what the 
original payment is.  This discussion was tabled until later in the meeting. Mr. Leatherman left the 
meeting at 6:48 PM to retrieve the lease agreement from the SAU Office.  
 
Monthly Financial Update:  Ms. Whitmore reviewed the financial update for months ending May 31, 
2026.  During discussion: 
 
●​ Ms. Whitmore is going to check with the auditors the next day about where to place the final 
payment to EEI.  
●​ Mr. Harmon asked how it came to be that the salaries line is over budget, but in the object 
codes like, they’re in the positive. Ms. Whitmore reviewed some items that have not yet been 
encumbered, including districtwide tutors, severance, REA personal time, and substitutes.   
 
Mr. Leatherman returned to the meeting at 7:00 PM.  
 
●​ Mr. Clements stated that he’s happy to see that REA tuitions have been used almost to the limit. 
●​ Mr. Clements asked how much the district receives from the government for the meal program 
that requires the district to abide by federal regulations. Ms. Whitmore stated she budgets 
$200,000 for federal, $7,000 for state, and then commodities for cheaper food products.  She 
stated that the Director of School Nutrition Services Alisa McGowan is working on the Paid 
Lunch Equity tool for school meal price increases next year, and of the surrounding towns, 
Raymond is one of the highest.  Mr. Leatherman stated that Ms. McGowan is putting that 
information together for a presentation to the School Board in July.  
●​ Ms. Whitmore stated that the majority of catering sales were for the after school program, CPR 
classes, Challenge Day, Armed Forces Day, area superintendent’s meeting once per year, 
Raymond Coalition for Youth, districtwide breakfast on opening day, meet and greet with PTO, 
and some teacher training days. 
 
Acceptance and Expenditure of Unanticipated Funds: Mr. Leatherman stated that the agreement for the 
energy projects lease payment states that the lessee will have the option to repay on any payment date 
102% of the remaining balance, and he stated that he believes they can make the additional payment 
as proposed.  

Raymond School Board Meeting 
June 17, 2026 
Raymond High School Media Center 
Minutes Page 5 
DRAFT 
 
MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to accept and expend $400,000 from 
the NH Department of Energy for the purpose of paying the lease for the energy project - an additional 
payment.  Mr. Leatherman stated it would apply to the principal. Mr. Harmon stated he will just say an 
additional payment on the lease this year. Ms. Whitmore stated that she thought the $400,000 was to 
cover the Energy Efficient Investments (EEI) payment.  Mr. Leatherman stated that the $400,000 was to 
go to EEI because they didn’t have the money to cover the lease, so that $400,000 is covering the 
$373,000 shortfall that needed to be made up. Mr. Harmon retracted his motion. Mr. Saulnier retracted 
his second.  
 
After some further discussion, Ms. Whitmore suggested doing the accept and expenditure and saying 
that they’re approving to expend, even if they don’t expend.  She stated that they’ll know they’re only 
spending the $400,000 and the rest will go in the general fund.  
 
MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to accept and expend  
$320,986.80 from Special Education Aid; $6,916.20 from Vocational Tuition Aid; $6,737.80 from 
Charter School Aid; $15,194.80 from Solar Renewable Energy Certificates; and $400,000 from the NH 
Department of Energy. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
Auditor Engagement Letter: Ms. Whitmore reviewed the auditor engagement letter for auditing services 
for the 2025-26 school year. MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to 
authorize the Board Chair to sign the auditor engagement letter for the fiscal year ending 2026.  Voted 
unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
Nominations/Resignations: MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to accept 
the resignation of Rachel Dispoto effective June 30, 2026. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.   
 
2026-2027 Employee Handbook: Mr. Leatherman reviewed the proposed revisions to the employee 
handbook.  MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to approve the 2026-27 
employee handbook as presented.  Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
Data Governance Plan: Mr. Leatherman reviewed the proposed revisions to the Data Governance Plan. 
Mr. Harmon asked for strikeouts and corrections to be noted in the same manner as handbook 
revisions for the future.  MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier for discussion, 
to approve the Data Governance Plan as presented. Mr. Saulnier asked for information in the Friday 
Memo if multifactor authentication is the same for everybody.  Mr. Leatherman stated they have to use 
their phone or the key fob. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
2026-2027 LEAP Handbooks: Mr. Leatherman reviewed the proposed revisions to the LEAP 
handbooks.  MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to approve the LRES 
2026-27 LEAP Handbook. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 

Raymond School Board Meeting 
June 17, 2026 
Raymond High School Media Center 
Minutes Page 6 
DRAFT 
 
MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to approve the IHGMS 2026-27 LEAP 
Handbook. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
Policy Annual Review: The School Board reviewed the following policies: DFA Investments, DFA-R 
Investment of School District Funds, and DFB Post Issuance Tax Compliance.  It was noted that there 
was a typo needing correction on page 5 of policy DFB.  
 
Committee Reports: None. 
 
Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Leatherman stated that the end of the school year was fantastic and that 
field days were outstanding.  He stated that the sawmill outside the high school has not been used in 
several years, so they are looking to sell it.  
 
Correspondence: None.  
 
Manifest Signing: A quorum of the Board signed the manifest.  Accounts Payable total $315,229.79. 
Payroll total $1,561,865.42.  
 
Approval of Minutes: MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to approve the 
public minutes of June 10, 2026. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to approve the non-public minutes of 
June 10, 2026. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
Adjournment: MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to adjourn the meeting. 
Voted unanimously in the affirmative. Meeting adjourned at 7:37 PM.  
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Jennifer Heywood, 
Administrative Assistant