JOINT SAU BOARD AUGUST 3, 2026 DRAFT MINUTES.pdf
The Joint School Board accepted resignations from Dr. Jennifer Bent and Laura Kemmett and appointed Shannon Kurze as an Early Childhood Education paraprofessional. A motion authorizing the Superintendent to hire failed 1-11, but a separate motion to authorize the Early Childhood Education paraprofessional hire passed 10-2. The Superintendent was authorized to accept resignations unanimously. The Board accepted a staff member's request to tuition their student to the Early Childhood Education program. Superintendent evaluation was deferred to the next meeting on August 24, 2026, where members are requested to bring goals. The next scheduled meeting is August 24, 2026. Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cjDDZtw0d69CM-169rCMX84HbLYMYbXX/view
SAU13 Joint School Board Special Meeting August 3, 2026 Page 1 of 4 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT 13 Joint School Board Special Meeting Monday, August 3, 2026 5:00 PM Madison Elementary School MINUTES - Draft SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ATTENDING: Devon Ames, Hillary Behr, Jeremy Cox, Jim Curran, Todd Giles, Sarah Groleau, Debra Parsons, Shauna Peterson, Ed Robinson, Cheri Stackpole, Melanie Streeter, Joyce Watson OTHERS ATTENDING: Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Scholand, Business Administrator Heather Sherwood CALL TO ORDER Chair Jim Curran called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance APPROVAL OF AGENDA Superintendent Scholand added the topic of Superintendent Evaluation VOTE: Motion by Todd Giles to accept the amended agenda, seconded by Ed Robinson. The motion passed unanimously. NON-PUBLIC SESSION VOTE: Motion by Todd Giles to enter non-public session to act upon a matter or matters referenced in the following provisions of RSA 91-a: 3, II (a), (b), & (c), seconded by Jim Curran. On a roll call vote the board entered non-public session at 5:02 pm: Devon Ames - aye Hillary Behr - arrived at 5:05 pm Jeremy Cox - arrived at 5:04 pm Jim Curran - aye Todd Giles - aye Sarah Groleau - aye SAU13 Joint School Board Special Meeting August 3, 2026 Page 2 of 4 Debra Parsons - aye Shauna Peterson - aye Ed Robinson - aye Cheri Stackpole - aye Melanie Streeter - aye Joyce Watson - aye The Ayes have it. Others attending: Superintendent Dr. Scholand, Heather Sherwood Personnel Matters RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The motion passed unanimously. The board returned to public session. ACTION AS A RESULT OF NON-PUBLIC SESSION: ● The resignation of Dr. Jennifer Bent, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, was accepted. ● The resignation of Laura Kemmett, Early Childhood Education paraprofessional, was accepted. ● The nomination of Shannon Kurze as Early Childhood Education paraprofessional was accepted. School Board Business Superintendent Hire Authority VOTE: Motion by Todd Giles to authorize the Superintendent to hire, seconded by Joyce Watson. Discussion: ● Sarah Groleau stated that the previous Superintendent was not granted this authority until their second year, and that she prefers the oversight of the Joint Board when a new Superintendent is in their first year in the role ● Todd Giles amended the motion to add language such as “in consultation with Board Chair” ● Past practice has been to bring personnel actions to the Joint Board ● Positions that are open at the SAU: ○ Board Certified Behavior Analyst ○ Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent ○ Early Childhood Education paraprofessional ● A concern was expressed about effort and time to attend brief meetings SAU13 Joint School Board Special Meeting August 3, 2026 Page 3 of 4 ● SAU Joint Board is scheduled to meet on August 24, 2026 ● Inquiry regarding the hiring processes of the open positions ● The previous Superintendent felt it was important for the incoming Superintendent to hire their Administrative Assistant ○ Comment that this position has far reaching impact for the SAU, and Joint Board involvement is important ● Concern expressed about the turnover in the BCBA position The motion failed 1-11-0, with Debra Parsons in favor, and all others voting nay. VOTE: Motion by Sarah Groleau to authorize the Superintendent to accept resignations, seconded by Joyce Watson. The motion passed unanimously. VOTE: Motion by Cheri Stackpole to authorize the Superintendent to hire the Early Childhood Education paraprofessional, seconded by Joyce Watson. The motion passed 10- 2-0 with Todd Giles and Sarah Groleau voting nay. Superintendent Evaluation ● Todd Giles requested that non-emergency topics, such as Superintendent Evaluation, be discussed at the next scheduled SAU Joint Board Meeting on August 24, 2026. ○ Stated a superintendent evaluation process is already in place ● Cheri Stackpole stated that this item was added to the agenda and approved earlier in the meeting ● Superintendent Dr. Scholand stated that Board conversation surrounding goals often occurs in July and August. ○ The Superintendent handed out an informational item ● Chair Jim Curran requested the Board to bring goals to the August 24, 2026 meeting NON-PUBLIC SESSION VOTE: Motion by Todd Giles to enter non-public session to act upon a matter or matters referenced in the following provisions of RSA 91-a: 3, II (a), (b), & (c), seconded by Joyce Watson. On a roll call vote the board entered non-public session at 5:17 pm: Devon Ames - aye Hillary Behr - aye Jeremy Cox - aye Jim Curran - aye SAU13 Joint School Board Special Meeting August 3, 2026 Page 4 of 4 Todd Giles - aye Sarah Groleau - aye Debra Parsons - aye Shauna Peterson - aye Ed Robinson - aye Cheri Stackpole - aye Melanie Streeter - aye Joyce Watson - aye The Ayes have it. Others attending: Superintendent Dr. Scholand, Heather Sherwood Personnel Matters RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION The motion passed unanimously. The board returned to public session at 5:20 pm ACTION AS A RESULT OF NON-PUBLIC SESSION: ● The Board accepted a request of a staff member to tuition their student to the Early Childhood Education program ADJOURNMENT VOTE: Motion by Ed Robinson to adjourn, seconded by Jeremy Cox. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:21 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Jennifer Huckman SAU13 Joint School Board Secretary