08-5-2026 Regular Board Minutes.docx.pdf
The Board approved Chrissy Brown's resignation and nominated Clara Valentine as a special education teacher and Leslie McLane as a part-time math teacher. They accepted the CMF Kids Grant for $255,000 and the Food Pantry Memorandum of Understanding. Budget revenue totaled $345,572, including a $50,000 Capital Reserve reallocation and $108,708 from a vacancy. Expenditures included a 7th-grade teacher ($66,683), a music teacher ($96,000), and athletics ($201,564), leaving a $42,176 athletics shortfall. The Board nominated Andrew Szendre as Athletic Director, Maija Lucia as ELA teacher, and Jen Szendre as music teacher. They authorized the Superintendent to request capital reserve interest. A Board retreat is scheduled for August 19, 2026. The next meeting is August 24, 2026. Source: https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1695/Sau_18/d9e3c1b7-0669-442c-a5a5-94d04450fcc7/08-5-2026-Regular-Board-Minutes.docx.pdf?disposition=inline
Franklin School Board: Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE/TIME/LOCATION
AUGUST 5, 2026
6:00 PM
FMS –LIBRARY
MEETING CALLED TO
ORDER BY
Dan LeGallo, Superintendent
TYPE OF MEETING
Public
MINUTES Robinson (School Board Clerk- Pro-temp)
PUBLIC ACCESS THROUGH
U-TUBE click Video of Meeting to view (view part II) (view part III)
BOARD MEMBER
ATTENDEES
Ward I
Ward II
Ward III
Marie Danforth
Liz Cote
Jane Cote
Kayla Morse
Laurie Cass
Michael Lombardo
Jack Finley
Adam Heath
Ruth MaGina
ABSENT BOARD
MEMBERS
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
None
Agenda:
ITEM #1
CALL TO ORDER
5:30 PM
ITEM #1.1
Meeting was called to Order by Liz Cote, Chairperson
ITEM #2
NON- PUBLIC SESSION
5:32 PM
ITEM #2.1
Under the provisions of NH State Law RSA 91-A: 3 paragraph II a, b – regarding Personnel, the
Board required a Non-Public Session.
ACTION ITEM #2.1
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to go into Non-Public Session in accordance with RSA
91-A:3 paragraph II a, b and c regarding Personnel and Student
Matters.
Michael Lombardo
Laurie Cass
Motion Approved by Unanimous Roll Call Vote
Abstentions:
Non-Public Session:
5:58 PM
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SUPERINTENDENT’S OFFICE
Daniel LeGallo,
Superintendent
Jefferson Braman,
Business Administrator
Jule Finley,
Curriculum Director
ADMINISTRATORS
OTHERS
Patrice Brown
David Levesque
Jay Lewis
Franklin School Board: Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE/TIME/LOCATION
AUGUST 5, 2026
6:00 PM
FMS –LIBRARY
ACTION ON ITEM #2.2
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to come out of Non-Public Session
Michael Lombardo
Adam Heath
Motion Approved by Unanimous Roll Call Vote
Abstentions:
No action was taken during the Non-Public Session:
ITEM #3
PUBLIC SESSION
6:00 PM
ITEM #3.1
Meeting was called back to Order by Liz Cote, Chairperson
ITEM #3.2
Those assembled stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
ITEM #3.3
Kim Robinson (Clerk), confirmed that the meeting was posted as required by law.
ITEM #4
INTRODUCTION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL- PATRICE BROWN
ITEM #4.1
Superintendent Dan LeGallo introduced and welcomed Patrice Brown.
DISCUSSION
Patrice took a few minutes to share her background with the Board and what brought her to
Franklin.
ITEM #5
PUBLIC INPUT ON FEDERAL TITLE GRANTS
ITEM #5
Superintendent LeGallo asked for input from stakeholders on Title grants.
DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo explained that the district is required to hold a meeting to solicit public
input from stakeholders on how the district should be using the federal grants. Mr. LeGallo
explained how funding has been handled in past years, remediation in math and reading, teacher
training, and enrichment. There was no public participation in how grant funding should be used.
ITEM #6
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
ITEM #6.1
James Rago, Ward 3 discussed thinking outside the box and discussed budgeting strategies,
specifically using summary versus detailed information. Mr. Rago also offered to volunteer his time
if needed.
Stephanie Wolf, Ward 3 expressed concern for the need to keep extracurricular activities, athletics,
and the arts.
Emily Bieber Harris, Ward 2 shared her thoughts that thriving schools create thriving communities.
She went on to express the need to provide opportunities for the arts and athletics so that the kids
are not carrying the burden of the budget.
DISCUSSION
ITEM #7
APPROVAL OF PRIOR BOARD MINUTES
ITEM #7.1
June 15, 2026, Regular School Board Meeting, June 15, 2026, Non-Public Sessions, was
presented for approval.
DISCUSSION
Minutes were reviewed during non-public session with no amendments.
ACTION ON ITEM #7.1
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to Approve June 15, 2026, Regular minutes and both
Non-Public Sessions as presented and remaining sealed.
Michael Lombardo
Adam Heath
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Franklin School Board: Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE/TIME/LOCATION
AUGUST 5, 2026
6:00 PM
FMS –LIBRARY
Motion Approved by Majority Voice Vote
Abstentions:
Jane Cote
ITEM #8
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM #8
Liz Cote, Chairperson, recognized Dan LeGallo, Superintendent
ITEM #8.1
Resignation
DISCUSSION #8.1
Superintendent LeGallo asked the Board to accept the resignation of Chrissy Brown, behavior
specialist at Franklin Middle School.
ACTION ON ITEM #8.1
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to accept the resignation of Chrissy Brown, with regret
Jane Cote
Laurie Cass
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #8.2
Nominations
#8.2 DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo asked for the nomination of two positions. The first is Clara Valentine as a
special education teacher at Franklin Middle School. The second nomination is Leslie McLane as
a part-time math teacher at the Franklin High School.
ACTION ON ITEM #8.2
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to accept nominations as mentioned
Jack Finley
Michael Lombardo
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #8.3
26-27 Budget Discussion
#8.3 DISCUSSION
Budget Discussion was put on hold so copies of the expenditure and revenue detail sheet could
be distributed to public participants.
ITEM #8.4
Food Pantry Memorandum of Understanding
8.4 DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo shared that the district would like to enter into another one-year
agreement for the Franklin Food Pantry to run their food pantry out of the Franklin Middle School.
The Food Pantry has been using the middle school for the past three years.
ACTION ON ITEM #8.4
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to approve Superintendent LeGallo to sign the MOU for
the food pantry
Laurie Cass
Michael Lombardo
Motion Approved as by Unanimous Voice Vote
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ITEM #8.5
CMF Kids Grant Acceptance
#8.5 DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo asked the Board to approve the acceptance of the special ed consortium
grant in the amount of $255,000. Mr. LeGallo went on to explain the grant will be paid $55,000 for
the first year and $100,000 in years two and year three.
ACTION ON ITEM #8.5
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to Approve the acceptance of the CMF grant for all three
years
Jack Finley
Jane Cote
Franklin School Board: Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE/TIME/LOCATION
AUGUST 5, 2026
6:00 PM
FMS –LIBRARY
ITEM #8.3
26-27 Budget Discussion Resumed from item 8.3
#8.3 DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo shared that the city has allocated $52,300. Instead of the $40,000
suggested for adult education, the district was able to fund it for $37,876, allowing additional
revenue of $2,124, plus the $12,300 allocation. The resignation of the behavior specialist allowed
$108,708 in revenue. Mr. LeGallo also shared the anticipated Capital Reserve Interest reallocation
for an additional $50,000. Mr. LeGallo also shared there was an employee electing to opt out of
health insurance for additional savings of $51,523. The district will also be reallocating funding to
the CSI grant for FMS in the amount of $42,265 and PSS for $18,652, the $60,000 of the Title IV
grant will be used to help fund music. The projected revenue is a total of $345,572.
Superintendent LeGallo went on to break down the anticipated expenditure as such:
Extracurricular $23,501, nomination of a 7th grade teacher $66,683, a part-time athletic director
stipend $15,000, a music teacher for both middle and high school for $96,000, and the cost of
athletics being a total of $201,564, leaving a shortfall in athletics of $42,176.
With the shortfall in athletics, it was suggested that the Booster clubs could help with fundraising to
offset the shortfall.
Chairperson Liz Cote reminded the public and the Board that the reported revenue is not found or
hoarded monies, it is all representative of tradeoffs and active movement to meet the needs that
have been stated for our city.
ACTION ON ITEM #8.3.1
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to Authorize Superintendent LeGallo and Jefferson to
request from the City the capital reserve interest reallocation
balance.
Kayla Morse
Jane Cote
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #8.3.2
Nominations for part-time Athletic Director
DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo asked the Board’s approval for the nomination of Andrew Szendre as the
next athletic director.
ACTION ON ITEM #8.3.2
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to approve the nomination for athletic director
Laurie Cass
Adam Heath
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #8.3.3
Nominations for FMS
DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo asked the Board’s approval for nomination of Maija Lucia as ELA teacher
and Jen Szendre as the middle school and high school music teacher.
ACTION ON ITEM #8.3.3
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to approve the nomination as stated
Jane Cote
Micheal Lombardo
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #8.6
School Board Retreat
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Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
Franklin School Board: Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE/TIME/LOCATION
AUGUST 5, 2026
6:00 PM
FMS –LIBRARY
#8.6 DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo shared that the Board retreat will be August 19, 2026, from 4pm to 8pm
at the FMS library.
ITEM #9
LATE ITEMS/OTHER
ITEM #9.1
LATE ITEMS / OTHER
DISCUSSION
Marie Danforth asked to read her concerns regarding the Board and being the “change” that
needs to happen.
ITEM #10 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
ITEM #10.1
Liz Cote, Chairperson, asked if anyone present wished to address the Board.
DISCUSSION
Victoria Cronin, Ward 2 shared ideas and the willingness to help with fundraising for athletics.
ITEM #11
NON-PUBLIC SESSION
ITEM #11.1
There was no need for a second Non-Public session.
ITEM #12 ADJOURNMENT
7:41 PM
ITEM #12
Liz Cote, Chairperson, accepted a motion for adjournment.
ACTION ON ITEM #12
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to adjourn
Kayla Morse
Micheal Lombardo
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
NEXT MEETING
LOCATION
TIME
Monday, August 24, 2026
FMS Library
6:00 pm
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: KIM ROBINSON, BOARD CLERK PRO-TEMP
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