08-24-2026 Regular Board Minutes.pdf
The Franklin School Board met August 24, 2026, and appointed Kate Lefebvre as Occupational Therapist and Maura Veilleux as Science Teacher. The Board approved fall coaches and updated student and faculty handbooks. Financial reports showed revenues $152,477 above estimates, but the projected fund balance is approximately $55,000-$60,000, short of the $150,000 budgeted. The Board accepted three donations: $1,500 for staff t-shirts, $10,000 from Southern New Hampshire University for career readiness, and $2,149.83 from the Congregational Church for lunch debt. Policy JICK (Bullying Prevention) was fast-tracked. A public forum on the bullying policy is scheduled for September 22 at 6:00 PM. The resignation of Paul Child’s, Alternative Education Coordinator, was accepted. The next meeting is September 21 at 6:00 PM. Source: https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1695/Sau_18/a28927ca-2ca9-4016-94a1-8562b2d88dcd/08-24-2026-Regular-Board-Minutes.pdf?disposition=inline
Franklin School Board: Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE/TIME/LOCATION
AUGUST 24, 2026
6:00 PM
FMS –LIBRARY
1
MEETING CALLED TO
ORDER BY
Liz Cote, Chairperson
TYPE OF MEETING Public
MINUTES Stacie Hubble (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
Agenda:
ITEM #1
CALL TO ORDER
5:31 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 and c – regarding Personnel.
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 Matters.
Michael Lombardo
Adam Heath
Motion Approved by Unanimous Roll Call Vote
Abstentions:
Non-Public Session:
6:00 PM
ACTION ON ITEM #2.2
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to come out of Non-Public Session
Michael Lombardo
Jane Cote
Motion Approved by Unanimous Roll Call Vote
Abstentions:
No action was taken during the Non-Public Session:
SUPERINTENDENT’S OFFICE
Daniel LeGallo,
Superintendent
Jefferson Braman,
Business Administrator
Jule Finley,
Curriculum Director
ADMINISTRATORS
OTHERS
Christine Dzujna
Franklin School Board: Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE/TIME/LOCATION
AUGUST 24, 2026
6:00 PM
FMS –LIBRARY
2
ITEM #3
PUBLIC SESSION
6:04 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
Stacie Hubble (Clerk), confirmed that the meeting was posted as required by law.
ITEM #4
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
ITEM #4.1
Liz Cote, Chairperson, asked if there were any members of the public wishing to speak.
DISCUSSION
Christine Dzuina (Ward I) spoke about the upcoming Mom Prom event that the Peabody
Place Auxiliary hosts every year. The Mom Prom will take place at the Elks Club on October
3rd from 5-10pm.
ITEM #5
RECOGNITIONS
ITEM #5
Liz Cote, Chairperson asked if there were any recognitions.
DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo thanked Steve Kruse from Steve Kruse Roofing for donating a lift used
for window washing at each school.
Ruth MaGina thanked Mike Lombardo for his donation to the PTSO at the August Farmers
Market.
ITEM #6
FHS STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT
ITEM #6.1
There was no Student Representative Report
ITEM #7
APPROVAL OF PRIOR BOARD MINUTES
ITEM #7.1
July 20, 2026, Regular School Board Meeting, and August 5, 2026 Regular; August 5, 2026 Non-
Public Sessions were presented for approval.
DISCUSSION
Minutes were reviewed during non-public session with one amendment. A spelling error was
caught in the August 5,2026 minutes and fixed.
ACTION ON ITEM #7.1
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to Approve July 20, 2026, Regular School Board Meeting,
and August 5, 2026 Regular; August 5, 2026 Non-Public
Sessions were presented for approval and August 5, 2026 Non-
Public Sessions as presented and remain unsealed.
Michael Lombardo
Jane Cote
Motion Approved by Majority Voice Vote
Abstentions: Ruth MaGina
ITEM #8
FINANCIAL REPORT
ITEM #8.1
Liz Cote, Chairperson, recognized Jefferson Braman, Business Administrator
DISCUSSION
Jefferson reported that the district is still in a preliminary situation with finances. The
reconciliation has taken longer this year since the SAU office has lost staffing. An extension
request was filed with the Department of Education for the DOE 25.
Revenues have come in $152,47.00 above the estimate in the general fund. We have at this
point eliminated any deficit that we had but the amount of money that we have left at this point
is not looking like we will be close to what we are budgeting for a fund balance. Jefferson is
projecting approximately $55,000 to $60,000 of a fund balance which we have projected
$150,000 for the budget.
Franklin School Board: Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE/TIME/LOCATION
AUGUST 24, 2026
6:00 PM
FMS –LIBRARY
3
One thing Jefferson pointed out was that if the fund balance is at that level that means the
district would be using some of the unanticipated revenue because everything above our
budget amount, that $152,47.00 is considered unanticipated revenue. The district will then
have to go to the city and ask them if we can use that unanticipated revenue to cover the
appropriation side of the budget.
ITEM #9
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ITEM #9
Liz Cote, Chairperson, asked for reports from committees.
9.1
GOALS
Goals committee met on August 6th and approved the minutes from the April 14th meeting.
Goals were reviewed for the past year and the committee felt they met their maintenance goal
of increased School Board community engagement. The committee also feels like they met
the priority goal to develop regular consistent distribution channels to get school district
information out into the community.
The lofty goal of increased advocacy on behalf of Franklin public schools regarding public
school funding on multiple levels as measured by community per and post survey and
increased communication in the form of deliverables was met but not in the way the
committee had originally intended. The committee reached out at the state level to Maggie
Hassan and other state legislators, inviting them to attend meetings but it was made clear that
they weren’t interested in discussing state level funding.
The committee also talked about Goal ideas for the Board retreat which they will discuss on
8/25.
Goals Committee will meet on Wednesday September 16th at 4:30 at the SAU.
9.2
FINANCE
The Finance Committee had not met since the last School Board meeting. Finance will meet
on Wednesday September 2nd @ 5:30 at the SAU.
9.3
POLICY
The Policy Committee met on 8/17/26 and were able to finish the priority required by law
spring policy updates that the NHSBA put forth. There are several policies that are
recommended that were updated in the spring but we’re at the recommended or optional so
the committee will be going over those at the next meeting. The committee was able to
discuss two policies that were an emergency summer update, one of those will need to be
fast tracked at tonight’s meeting due to needing to be in place by the start of the school year.
Next month the committee will work on reviewing, updating and finalizing the annual
evaluation process to hopefully make things more meaningful, streamlined, and efficient.
The next meeting will ne on Tuesday September 22nd @ 6:30pm at the SAU.
There will be a bullying forum at 6pm on 9/22/26 @ the SAU office. The policy JICK is the one
being fast tracked at tonight’s meeting and will be discussed at this forum.
9.4
SAFETY
The Safety committee met on 8/17/26 and discussed the safety handbook updates. There
were some corrections/questions so the committee sent the handbook back to Jefferson and
he will bring it back to the committee.
They talked about NIMS training and how that will be pushed back due to budget issues.
They talked about how the Homeland Security Safety Evaluation review and what kind of drills
will happen throughout the year will be on the next meeting’s agenda
The next meeting will be September 15th @ 5:30 at the Franklin Middle School.
9.5
I2
The I2 meeting was canceled. It has been rescheduled to September 23rd @ 5pm at the SAU
office.
Franklin School Board: Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE/TIME/LOCATION
AUGUST 24, 2026
6:00 PM
FMS –LIBRARY
4
9.6
JOINT FINANCE
The Joint Finance Committee has not met since the last School Board meeting. The next
meeting will be held on Wednesday September 16th @ 6pm at the Franklin Public Library.
ITEM #10 NEW BUSINESS
ITEM #10
Liz Cote, Chairperson, recognized Dan LeGallo, Superintendent
ITEM #10.1
FY 27 Budget Update:
DISCUSSION
#10.1
Superintendent LeGallo updated the Board on the budget the City Council passed on Friday 8/14.
The city did pass the budget for the city and the schools. The district received the tax cap budget
of $19,351,084 which included the $52,300 that was moved over from the city budget to the
school budget.
ITEM #10.2
NOMINATION
#10.2
DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo nominated Kate Lefebvre, as the new Occupational Therapist and Maura
Veilleux, as the new Science Teacher at Franklin High School for Board approval.
ACTION ON ITEM #10.2
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to Approve Kate Lefebvre, as the new Occupational
Therapist and Maura Veilleux, as the new Science Teacher at
Franklin High School
Michael Lombardo
Laurie Cass
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #10.3
FALL COACH NOMINATIONS
#10.3
DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo nominated the coaches for the fall season for Franklin High School and
Franklin Middle School
ACTION ON ITEM #10.3
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to Approve Fall Coach Nominations for FHS
Laurie Cass
Jane Cote
Motion Approved by Majority Voice Vote
Abstentions: Adam Heath
ACTION ON ITEM #10.3
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to Approve Fall Coach Nominations for FMS
Laurie Cass
Michael Lombardo
Motion Approved by Majority Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #10.4
STUDENT HANDBOOK APPROVAL 26-27
#10.4
DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo asked the Board to approve the updated student handbooks for each
school.
ACTION ON ITEM #10.4
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to approve the updated student handbooks for each
school.
Michael Lombardo Ruth MaGina
Motion Approved as by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #10.5
FACULTY HANDBOOK APPROVAL 26-27
#10.5
DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo asked the Board to approve the updated faculty handbooks for each
school
ACTION ON ITEM #10.5
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Franklin School Board: Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE/TIME/LOCATION
AUGUST 24, 2026
6:00 PM
FMS –LIBRARY
5
Motion to approve the updated faculty handbooks for each
school.
Jane Cote
Marie Danforth
Motion Approved as by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #10.6
TEE SHIRT DONATION
#10.6
DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo asked the Board to accept a $1,500 anonymous donation for the district to
purchase opening day t-shirts for the staff.
ACTION ON ITEM #10.6
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to accept the anonymous donation for the district to
purchase opening day t-shirts for all staff
Michael Lombardo Ruth MaGina
Motion Approved as by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #10.7
SNHU DONATION ACCEPTANCE
#10.7
DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo asked to accept a $10,000 donation from Southern New Hampshire
University to the high school to use for College and Career Readiness initiatives.
ACTION ON ITEM #10.7
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to accept a $10,000 donation from Southern New
Hampshire University to the high school to use for College and
Career Readiness initiatives.
Marie Danforth Jane Cote
Motion Approved as by Majority Voice Vote
Abstentions:
Liz Cote/Laurie
Cass
ITEM #10.8
WEIGHT ROOM EXPANSION PROJECT/DONATION
#10.8
DISCUSSION
Principal Levesque discussed the weight room expansion project, the donor willing to fund the
project and the dedication/naming of the new space.
ACTION ON ITEM #10.8
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to dedicate the weight room to Bill Hayte.
Michael Lombardo
Adam Heath
Motion Approved as by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #10.9
BULLYING POLICY PUBLIC FORUM
#10.9
DISCUSSION
The district will be hosting a public forum on the new Bullying policy with the public on September
22 at 6:00 in the high school cafeteria to receive public input on the bullying policy. This is required
by new state law, HB131, that went into effect this legislative session.
ITEM #10.10
SAU RETREAT
#10.10
DISCUSSION
The SAU retreat will be held on August 25th from 4-8 in the Middle School Library.
ITEM #11 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
ITEM #11.1
Liz Cote, Chairperson, regarding legislative updates.
DISCUSSION
Liz spoke about two education-related bills that were part of the veto override. They have
implications for education but are not directly threatening our district. House bill 1817 allows
students who are receiving EFA’s to also have access to district curricular programs and co-
extracurricular activities at no cost.
Franklin School Board: Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE/TIME/LOCATION
AUGUST 24, 2026
6:00 PM
FMS –LIBRARY
6
ITEM #12 POLICY
ACTION ITEM #12.1
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
ITEM #12.1
Liz Cote, Chairperson, presented the following policies for 1st read:
EBCA
Crisis Prevention and Emergency Response Plans
EHB
Data/Records Retention and Destruction
ECFA
Surveillance and Other Audio and Video Recording by the District
JLCD
Administering Medications to Students
JICK
Bullying Prevention-Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention
JJJ
Access to Public School Programs by Non-Enrolled Resident
AC
Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Anti-Discrimination Plan
ACA
Discrimination and Harassment Grievance Procedure
DAF
Administration of Federal Grant Funds
DFA
Investment
JFABD
Admission of Homeless Children and Unaccompanied Youth
ACTION ON ITEM #12.1
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to move from first read to second read.
Kayla Morse
Jane Cote
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ACTION ON ITEM #12.1
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to fast-track policy JICK
Kayla Morse
Mike Lombardo
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #12.3
Liz Cote, Chairperson, presented the following policies for Rescinds:
EEAA
Video and Audio Surveillance on School Property
Motion to rescind the policies as listed.
Jane Cote
Marie Danforth
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #13 LATE ITEMS/OTHER
ITEM #13.1
LATE ITEMS / OTHER
DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo recognized a donation from the Congregational Church in Franklin. The
church donated $2,149.83 to pay off some of the lunch debt.
Action item #13.1
Motion made by
seconded by
Motion to acknowledge the donation from the Congregational
Church
Laurie Cass
Ruth Magina
Motion Approved by Majority Voice Vote
Abstentions:
Jane Cote
ITEM #13.2
LATE ITEMS / OTHER
Franklin School Board: Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE/TIME/LOCATION
AUGUST 24, 2026
6:00 PM
FMS –LIBRARY
7
DISCUSSION
Superintendent LeGallo spoke about the resignation he received from Paul Child’s Alternative
Education Coordinator at Franklin High School.
ACTION ON ITEM #13.2
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to accept the resignation of Paul Child’s Alternative
Education Coordinator at Franklin High School with regret.
Michael Lombardo Jane Cote
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #13.3
LATE ITEMS / OTHER
DISCUSSION
Liz Cote spoke about an invitation to partner with the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness
Project. Their entire focus is on New Hampshire public school funding, and they are doing a
county tour where they will listen and learn from the community about funding issues. They would
like Franklin to be the host site for Merrimack County.
Action item #13.3
Motion made by
seconded by
Motion to allow the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness
Project to use the district facilities for a one-night informational
session for the Merrimack County community.
Michael Lombardo Kayla Morse
Motion Approved by Majority Voice Vote
Abstentions:
Jane Cote
ITEM #14 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
ITEM #14.1
Liz Cote, Chairperson, asked if anyone present wished to address the Board.
DISCUSSION
Kaityln Nash (Ward I) announced that they are putting together podcast telethon fundraiser. A
team will put together a series of videos called challenge week. The team will be hosting several
interviews and celebrating all the members of the community in relation to the school. The goal is
to raise $100,000.00.
ITEM #15 SEAL NON-PUBLIC
ACTION ON ITEM #15.1
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to Seal August 24, 2026, Non-Public minutes.
Jane Cote
Michael Lombardo
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
ITEM #16 ADJOURNMENT
7:23 PM
ITEM #17
Liz Cote, Chairperson, accepted a motion for adjournment.
ACTION ON ITEM #17
MOTION MADE BY
SECONDED BY
Motion to adjourn
Kayla Morse
Michael Lombardo
Motion Approved by Unanimous Voice Vote
Abstentions:
NEXT MEETING
LOCATION
TIME
Monday, September 21, 2026
FMS Library
6:00 pm
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: STACIE HUBBLR, BOARD CLERK PRO-TEMP