DRAFT 08132026 School Board Minutes.pdf
The White Mountains Regional School Board approved minutes from the July 16, 2026 meeting and the manifest unanimously. The Board appointed James Cromer, Alexandria Karl, Nathan Chipman, Jameson Hayden, Avery Hazelton, Celina Heyliger, and Nancy Knutson to various positions, and also approved substitute coordinators Scott Holmes, Lisa Brooks, and Lori Shearer. Several policies were amended or approved, including religious neutrality, bullying prevention, and vehicle operation. Action items included accepting Jennifer Gray's resignation, approving eligibility certificates for four teachers, and extending certificates for two others. The Board authorized amending the LES Boiler Project expenditure not to exceed $360,000.00 from the Capital Reserve Fund due to rising construction costs. Rescheduled meetings were set for September 10 and September 24, 2026. The Board accepted and appropriated a $3,500.00 Whole Foods Market Foundation grant for the WMRMHS Society of Sustainable Spartans permaculture garden. A Personnel Committee bargaining meeting was scheduled for August 20, 2026. Source: https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2001/Wmrsd/60fd5074-9b1a-4eda-9b92-a7e48f7f0434/DRAFT-08132026-School-Board-Minutes.pdf?disposition=inline
1 | Page School Board Meeting 8/13/2026 School Administrative Unit # 36 School Board Meeting Minutes White Mountains Regional School Board August 13, 2026 White Mountains Regional High School Whitefield, NH 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Board Members Present: A. Adair, J. Akerman C. Fountain, R. Loiacono, B. Jellison, Tardy: None Board Members Absent: T. Giles, K. vanBergen-Buteau Administrators Present - R. Scott, M. Wadsworth, M. Cronin, G. Brown, J. Noyes FLAG SALUTE Consent agenda - Approval of the Minutes Moved by: C. Fountain Seconded by: A. Adair To approve the of Minutes of (7/16/2026) Motion carried-Unanimous Consent agenda - Approval of the Manifest Moved by: B. Jellison Seconded by: C. Fountain Motion carried-Unanimous Public Comment opened at 5:32 pm and will remain open for 30 minutes Superintendent’s Report: Michael Cronin, Director of Student Services, slide show – Mr. Cronin provided background on the Special Education audit and presented findings of the audit (PAGS) to the Board Robert Scott, Superintendent- Mr. Scott had submitted a written report, and he summarized this for the Board. Mr. Scott noted that he has received an intent to bargain from the WMEA Union President. Mr. Scott provided information on the Fair Funding Project. Mr. Scott described the approval process for Special Education IEP service procurement and contract approval. Mr. Scott discussed HB1300. New hires: James Cromer, WMRMHS, Middle School Girls Soccer Coach Alexandria Karl, LES, 3rd Grade Teacher SY 26-27 Nathan Chipman, WMRMHS, Varsity Alpine Skiing Coach 2 | Page School Board Meeting 8/13/2026 Jameson Hayden, WMRMHS, Physical Education Teacher SY 26-27 Avery Hazelton, WES, Physical Education Teacher SY 26-27 Celina Heyliger, WES, Paraprofessional, SY 26-27 Nancy Knutson, WES, Cafeteria Cook, SY 26-27 Director of Finance Report- Melisa Wadsworth- Ms. Wadsworth provided updates on School Financials including budget surplus report, etc. Director of Bldgs & Grounds- Gary Brown- Mr. Brown provided an update on School Facilities, including the Lancaster Elementary School Boiler Project COMMITTEE REPORTS ● Ed. Programming/Curriculum (first meeting of month) (Adair, vanBergen-Buteau) ● Facilities (third Wednesday of the month) (Adair, Akerman, Fountain) ● Personnel (as needed) (Adair, Jellison, Loiacono) – Schedule bargaining meeting for Thursday, August 20, 2026 ● Policy (second meeting of the month) (Giles, Jellison)-Amendments on Agenda ● District Wellness Committee (Fountain, vanBergen-Buteau) UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NEW BUSINESS – Mr. Adair inquired about schedules for the upcoming school year for upper classmen; Mr. Scott provided information about the timing of schedules ACTION AGENDA ITEM 1 Moved by: B. Jellison Seconded by: C. Fountain To approve the following Job Description Amendment: Paraeducator Mentor Discussion by Mr. Scott providing background on the position Motion carried–Unanimous ACTION AGENDA ITEM 2 Moved by: B. Jellison Seconded by: C. Fountain To approve the following policies for amendment: EBCD- Emergency School & District Closings GCCBC- Family and Medical Leave Act IKL- Academic Honesty and Integrity JFABD-Admission of Homeless Children and Unaccompanied Youth JJB- Athletic Policy Handbook JICK- Bullying Prevention - Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention JJJ- Access to Public School Programs by Non-Enrolled Resident Students JLCD- Administering Medication to Students Motion carried– Unanimous Motion to Amend ACTION AGENDA ITEM 3 Moved by: B. Jellison Seconded by: A. Adair To approve the following policies for Second Read and approval: 3 | Page School Board Meeting 8/13/2026 ACD- Religious Neutrality & Religious Accommodations BDFA-Policy Committee EBCF-Pandemic/Epidemic Emergencies Discussion by Mr. Jellison, motion to amend policy BDFA, Section A to include Director of Finance and Human Resource Officer Motion to Amend carried - Unanimous ACTION AGENDA ITEM 3 AS AMENDED Moved by: C. Fountain Seconded by: A. Adair To approve the following policies for Second Read and approval: ACD- Religious Neutrality & Religious Accommodations BDFA-Policy Committee (incl amended language) EBCF-Pandemic/Epidemic Emergencies Motion carried– Unanimous ACTION AGENDA ITEM 4 Moved by: B. Jellison Seconded by: C. Fountain To waive second read and approve the following policy: EEBA- Vehicle Operation Safety Policy Discussion by Adam regarding Team Reach Communications, Mr. Scott provided information regarding these communications Motion carried– Unanimous Motion to Amend ACTION AGENDA ITEM 5 Moved by: B. Jellison Seconded by: A. Adair To accept the following resignation(s): Celina Heyliger, WMRMHS, Middle School Math Teacher, effective July 30, 2026. Jennifer Gray, WES, Cafeteria Cook, effective (pending resignation) Discussion regarding an amendment to the action agenda item by Mr. Scott; amended to remove C. Heyliger who will be transferring roles instead of resigning and include the resignation date of August 12, 2026, for J. Gray Motion to Amend carried- Unanimous ACTION AGENDA ITEM 5 AS AMENDED Moved by: B. Jellison Seconded by: C. Fountain To accept the following resignation(s): Jennifer Gray, WES, Cafeteria Cook, effective August 12, 2026 Motion carried Unanimous 4 | Page School Board Meeting 8/13/2026 ACTION AGENDA ITEM 6 Moved by: C. Fountain Seconded by: B. Jellison To approve the DOE issued, One time (One year) certificate of eligibility for the following employees: Jameson Hayden, WMRMHS, Physical Education Teacher Avery Hazelton, WES, Physical Education Teacher Mackenzie Kingsbury, WES, Kindergarten Teacher Romeu Rodrigues, WMRMHS, Math Teacher Discussion by Ben regarding remaining open positions, Mr. Scott provided that information Motion carried– Unanimous ACTION AGENDA ITEM 7 Moved by: C. Fountain Seconded by: B. Jellison To approve the extension of the One-Year-Certificate of Eligibility issued by the NH DOE for the following employees: Alyssa Fryman, LES, Kindergarten Teacher Maachah Krull, WES, Grade 1 Teacher Discussion by Ben asked if it is typical to extend; Mr. Scott provided background extending a COE Motion carried– Unanimous ACTION AGENDA ITEM 8 Moved by: C. Fountain Seconded by: J. Akerman To approve amending the previously approved (March 26, 2026) expenditure for LES Boiler Project not to exceed the amount of $360,000.00 from the Building and Grounds Capital Reserve Fund, which was approved by the voters during the March 10, 2026 vote. Discussion by Mr. Scott regarding increasing costs of construction Motion carried– Unanimous ACTION AGENDA ITEM 9 Moved by: J. Akerman Seconded by: C. Fountain To approve moving the previously scheduled School Board Meetings as follows: September 3, 2026 to September 10, 2026. September 17, 2026 to September 24, 2026. Discussion regarding conflicts with current meeting dates and length of time between Manifests Motion carried– Unanimous ACTION AGENDA ITEM 10 Moved by: C. Fountain Seconded by: B. Jellison To approve the following Substitute Coordinators for School Year 2026-2027: Scott Holmes, LES Lisa Brooks, WMRMHS Lori Shearer, WES Motion carried– Unanimous 5 | Page School Board Meeting 8/13/2026 ACTION AGENDA ITEM 11 Moved by: B. Jellison Seconded by: C. Fountain To accept and appropriate unanticipated funds in the amount of $3,500.00 awarded to the WMRMHS Society of Sustainable Spartans Group, from the Whole Foods Market Foundation Grant, to be used towards their permaculture garden project. Discussion by Mr. Scott to bring Society of Sustainable Spartans to present to the Board. Motion carried– Unanimous Non-Public Session RSA 91-A:3 II (c) Moved by: B. Jellison Seconded by: J. Akerman Motion to go into non-public- RSA 91-A:3, II (c) at 6:34 pm Motion carried– Unanimous Moved by: J. Akerman Seconded by: C. Fountain Motion to come out of non-public session at 7:33 pm Motion carried– Unanimous Moved by: C Fountain Seconded by: B. Jellison Motion to come seal the minutes indefinitely at 7:35 pm Motion carried– Unanimous Adjournment R. Loiacono, Chair, adjourned the meeting at 7:37 pm. Respectfully submitted, Melisa Wadsworth Director of Finance Clerk for the Day *Minutes include only an abridged record of the business conducted. For complete dialogue, please refer to the video recording