9/3
The Epping School Board met on September 3, 2026. The board approved Policy IKF - High School Graduation Policy and Policy JJJ - Access to Public School Programs by Nonpublic, Charter School, and Home Educated Pupils. Both motions passed 5-0. Financial matters included the approval of the August 28, 2026 payroll totaling $382,504.24. The specific amounts were $291,424.30, $88,307.26, $722.63, and $2,050.05. The vote to approve these expenses was 5-0. Superintendent Furbush reported on HB 564 and HB 1300, legislation that restricts school spending, referencing New Hampshire's ranking as 4th in the U.S. for public schools despite 50th in spending. No appointments or public hearing outcomes were recorded. The board discussed cancelling meetings with light agendas. The next meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2026, at 5:30pm. Source: https://www.sau14.org/school-board/files/26-27%20MINUTES/26-27%20POLICIES/APPROVED%20PUBLIC%20MEETING%20MINUTES%209-3-2026.pdf
APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, September 3, 2026, 6:00 PM
EPPING SCHOOL BOARD
EES Media Center/Epping TV Channel 22
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Ben Leavitt called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm with the pledge of allegiance.
In attendance: Chair Ben Leavitt, Vice Chair Robin O’Day, Member Matt Puglielli, Member
Courtney Dodge, Member Julie Knight, Business Administrator Christine Vayda, and
Superintendent Furbush
Absent: Student Lucy Vigliotti
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jen Anderson spoke about her support for Policy IKF. She feels that this policy matches
what is being told to students regarding consequences for breaking the rules. She thanked
everyone for taking the public feedback into consideration when revising the policy.
SCHEDULED TOPICS
None
REPORTS
a. Principal’s Reports
EMHS - Principal Mazzone spoke about the success of the opening week of school. He
also spoke about the student representatives, the hosting of a celebration of life for Kevin
O’Connell, the upcoming freshman orientation, and other upcoming events.
EES - Principal Sousa spoke about the success of the opening week of school. He also
spoke about the welcome back breakfast, the summer workbook challenge, new progress
monitoring software, and other happenings around the school.
There was discussion about the positive changes in the District and also about the
expectations around the “No Bikes” etc. signs.
a. Superintendent Report
Superintendent Furbush thanked Principal Sousa for facilitating the celebration of life for
Kevin O’Connell.
He also reminded everyone of the committee meeting invites that they should be
receiving. The joint School Board meeting with Fremont will be next meeting before the
regularly scheduled meeting. He spoke about the report released in which New Hampshire public
schools have been ranked 4th in the United States despite being the state that spends the least
(ranked 50th) on public schooling. He discussed the implications of the newly passed HB 564
which will restrict spending further, and also HB 1300 which will do the same if passed. There
was further discussion about HB 564 and HB 1300.
POLICY
a. IKF - High School Graduation Policy - 3rd Read
Superintendent Furbush spoke about the changes to the policy. There was discussion
about the policy language.
Member Matt Puglielli made a motion to approve Policy IKF - High School
Graduation Policy. Seconded by Member Julie Knight. VOTE: 5-0. Motion carries.
b. JJJ - Access to Public School Programs by Nonpublic, Charter School, and Home Educated
Pupils - 2nd Read
Superintendent Furbush spoke about the policy.
Vice Chair Robin O’Day made a motion to approve Policy JJJ - Access to Public
School Programs by Nonpublic, Charter School, and Home Educated Pupils.
Seconded by Member Matt Puglielli. VOTE: 5-0. Motion carries.
PERSONNEL
None
FINANCIAL BUSINESS & DISTRICT SERVICES
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None
MANIFEST
a. Payroll deposited August 28, 2026
Member Courtney Dodge made a motion to approve Payroll deposited August 28,
2026 in the amounts of $291,424.30, $88,307.26, $722.63, and $2,050.05. Seconded by
Member Matt Puglielli. VOTE: 5-0. Motion carries.
BOARD COMMENTS/OTHER
a. Board Comments
Julie discussed the meeting schedule with the Board. There was further discussion about
cancelling meetings when there is a very light agenda with items that do not require immediate
attention, and being more flexible with the Board meeting calendar.
Ben thanked everyone for the thoughtful and respectful conversations.
NEXT MEETING TO BE SCHEDULED
a. September 17, 2026 (starting at 5:30pm)
NONPUBLIC SESSION: RSA 91-A:3, II Non-Public Meeting is not scheduled for September
3rd, 2026.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Member Matt Puglielli to adjourn at 8:10pm. Seconded by
Member Julie Knight
Respectfully submitted,
Dagny Wilkins
School Board Secretary