SAU 29 Board 5-13-26 UNOFFICIAL MINUTES
Ege Cordell was elected Board Chair and George Downing Vice Chair, both unanimously. The board approved March 25 minutes and the financial report, which showed a net available balance of $63,868. The budget relies on $400,000 of surplus, though next year's surplus will be lower, requiring increased district contributions. The report noted overages in equipment due to a new copier and chairs. Unanimously, the board authorized the Superintendent and CFO to sign contracts and grants, reaffirmed existing policies, appointed legal counsel, and appointed James Carley as Treasurer. A finalist was selected for Student Services Director, with a candidate presentation scheduled for Friday. A search for an assistant superintendent will open soon. The board is planning a retreat for the fall to develop an SAU Board level manual and discuss procedures. Individual boards are submitting Superintendent evaluations. Source: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xbyZPr0poeYZXCfhGd2xsibvb8yCWuSS2VGjC505TlY/edit
Unofficial
New Hampshire School Administrative Unit 29
SAU 29 School Board Meeting Minutes
Date: May 13, 2026
Called to Order: 5:30pm
Time Adjourned: 6:40pm
Location: Jonathan Daniels PD Center, 227 Maple Ave Keene, NH 03431
In Attendance
Ege Cordell, Chesterfield, Chair
Claire Gargan, Harrisville
Brian Clark, Westmoreland
Russell Denney, Keene
Rich Popovic, Nelson
Christie Smith, Marlow
Jeff Miller, Harrisville
Paige Walker, Keene
Robert Malay, Superintendent
Tim Ruehr, Chief Financial Officer
Called to Order
Superintendent Robert Malay called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
Election of SAU Officers 2026-2027
Ms. Walker nominated Ege Cordell as Board Chair. Ms. Gargan seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Walker nominated George Downing as Vice Chair. Mr. Popovic seconded the motion. Motion
passed unanimously.
The board discussed the tradition of nominating chairs and vice chairs representing Keene and the
towns.
Ms. Walker spoke about the structure of how all the boards interact, particularly with new board
members. This can be a topic of discussion for the upcoming board retreat.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Miller moved to approve the minutes of March 25, 2026 (R)(NP). Ms. Gargan seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously.
Financial Report
Mr. Miller moved to accept the financial report. Mr. Popovic second.
CFO Tim Ruehr presented the financial report. Next year’s budget is based on $400,000 of surplus, and if
all of that is returned, it means there will be more contributions from the district share to make up the
difference. For a few years, there were larger surpluses because it was harder to fill vacant positions. This
year, the SAU was mostly fully staffed. Positions that vacated also left with vacation buyouts.
The HVAC system work found the AC portion was obsolete, and will be at least a week’s worth of labor to
update the minisplits with the new coolants. The minisplits that were installed were obsolete because
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Unofficial
New Hampshire School Administrative Unit 29
they no longer can the current type of coolants. Engineers were working with the CFO for two years on
this project and the hope was to get out of using minisplits altogether as the problem with them
becoming obsolete would continue. Another option would be to install an outside AC unit and use coils
to blow the cool air in the rooms. Other solutions were being investigated with the intention of settling
on a system that would last 20-25 years.
The financial report was in the positive. In the salaries and benefits line, it was down due to overtime
and vacation buyouts when people left. The legal fees line was showing a surplus. The equipment and
furniture line was over budget due to the purchase of a new copier and office chairs. Dues and fees are
over for principals and SAU members, this will be addressed at budget time.
The surplus will be lower next year than in the current budget, and the difference will need to be made
up in district distributions.
The net available balance was $63,868.
Motion passed unanimously.
New Business
Authorization for Superintendent of Schools or Chief Financial Officer to Sign Any and All Contracts,
Grants-in-Aid, etc.
This was an annual motion made to help get qualified candidates hired in the timely manner. Contracts
were signed all throughout the year. The authorization also assists in making hires over the summer
before the board gets together again.
Reaffirmation of Existing Policies
Appointment of Legal Counsel for SAU 29
Appointment of NHSAU 29 Treasurer
Mr. Miller moved to authorize the Superintendent of Schools or Chief Financial Officer to Sign Any and
All Contracts, Grants-in-Aid, etc. on behalf of SAU 29, Reaffirmation of Existing Policies, Appoint the
Legal Counsel for SAU 29, and Appoint James Carley as the NHSAU 29 Treasurer. Ms. Smith seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
Updates
Student Services Director Search Update
The committee is down to a finalist for the Student Services Director search. There will be a
meeting with the candidate with special educators and with the Keene special education
administrators, and then will give a presentation. Mr. Ruehr explained the approach of the
hiring committee and process for recommendations for hire.
Board members were invited to the candidate presentation this Friday.
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Unofficial
New Hampshire School Administrative Unit 29
Superintendent Malay provided an update on personnel changes. A search will soon open for an
assistant superintendent position.
Legislative updates were provided to the board. The Superintendent shared concerns with the
Governor during a meeting. Updates were provided on surrounding districts and SAUs, and
some struggles they are experiencing with declining enrollment.
Old Business
SAU Board Retreat Planning
The retreat will spend time talking about success and challenges, and how to learn from one
another. There were talks about having an SAU Board level manual with procedures. The hope
was to at least have all chairs present at the retreat, but other board members were also
encouraged to attend.
A survey will be sent out to see what dates may work for most board members. There is already
an SAU-wide professional development day, and Mr. Malay suggested this could provide an
opportunity to include SAU board members as well. There could be a session held that day for
just board members.
Ms. Smith also recommended adding more of these discussion topics to SAU board meetings.
More feedback will be collected from board members. The retreat may be scheduled in the fall
and would be at least a few hours long.
Superintendent Evaluation
The individual boards were submitting the evaluations.
Non-Public Session
None.
Meeting adjourned at 6:40pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer Samperisi, Stenographer
APPROVED:
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