All towns · sau-33

9.2.26_school_board_meeting_minutes_draft.pdf

Document

Raymond School Board Meeting 
September 2, 2026 
Raymond High School Media Center 
Minutes Page 1 
DRAFT 
 
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. Present: School Board Members Stephen 
Scarfo, John Harmon, Kristianne Lemieux, and Joseph Saulnier; Student Representative to the School 
Board Alice Peretti; Superintendent of Schools Terry Leatherman; Raymond High School Assistant 
Principal Theressa Risdal.  
 
Proof of Posting: It was noted that the meeting was properly posted. 
 
Pledge of Allegiance: All those in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  
 
Introduction: Raymond High School Assistant Principal Theressa Risdal was introduced and invited to 
say a few words about her background. The Board welcomed her to Raymond.  
 
Non-Public Session: MOTION:  John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to enter into 
non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (b) “The hiring of any person as a public employee.” Upon the 
Board members being individually polled, the motion was voted in the affirmative by John Harmon, 
Stephen Scarfo, Joseph Saulnier, and Kristianne Lemieux.  The Board entered into non-public session 
at 6:03 PM and resumed public session at 6:11 PM.  Other than the vote to exit this non-public session 
(which was moved by John Harmon, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, and was voted in the affirmative by 
Joseph Saulnier, John Harmon, Stephen Scarfo, and Kristianne Lemieux), no motions were voted 
during this non-public session.  
 
Public Input:  Public input was opened at 6:12 PM and would be open for 30 minutes. There was no 
public input forthcoming.  
 
Student Representative to the School Board Report: Ms. Peretti stated that there has been a good start 
to the fall sports season. Homecoming events are in the planning stages.  The first Site Council 
meeting will be happening the following week.  Picture Day is September 16th and Open House is 
September 17th.   
 
Strategic Plan Update: Mr. Leatherman stated he had not made updates to the strategic plan for this 
meeting, since it was summer, but he can informally discuss a few things with the Board. He reviewed 
the popsicle event at LRES, the RHS senior barbecue, and discussed the Athletic Boosters, Parent 
Core Group, and the PTO, noting strong commitments from everyone.  
 
Nominations/Resolutions: MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to accept the 
nomination of Heather Sweet, SAP Counselor. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Kristianne Lemieux, to accept the nomination of Brian 
Miller, Technology Director. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 

Raymond School Board Meeting 
September 2, 2026 
Raymond High School Media Center 
Minutes Page 2 
DRAFT 
 
Student Support Services Update: Executive Director of Student Support Services Jodi Gutterman had 
provided the Board with an update on student services.  The School Board had the following 
questions/comments for the Superintendent during review of the presentation: 
 
●​ Mr. Harmon asked where the money was coming for the second Leaps & Bounds teacher. Mr. 
Leatherman stated that they are removing a math lab teacher.  
●​ Mr. Harmon asked what options are being considered for a special education teacher at the high 
school. Mr. Leatherman stated that the money is budgeted but it’s an unfilled position. They’re 
looking to do a contracted service but spend within the budget for the position, so it may just be 
a few days a week to help out. They continue to interview.  
●​ Mr. Harmon asked how many paraeducators we have versus how many we are supposed to 
have.  Mr. Leatherman stated that we are short three paraeducators. They’ve hired three 
contracted service paraeducators to cover when other paraeducators are out, to the cost of 
$150,000.  He stated that the State is requiring that they find a way to cover when 
paraeducators are out. Mr. Harmon asked if that requirement is just for paraeducators or other 
positions. Mr. Leatherman stated that it’s for special education - they have to ensure that 
students are getting their services.  
●​ Mr. Leatherman clarified that on slide 7, the providers referenced to in the bubble are speech 
service providers.  
●​ Mr. Harmon asked about the fact that we’re hiring more BCBAs and if we are near hiring 
another one. Mr. Leatherman stated that he will get that information and cost. 
●​ Mr. Harmon asked how much the part-time Boothby speech language pathologist is. Mr. 
Leatherman stated he will get that information.  
●​ Mr. Harmon asked that the Board be provided with opening day enrollment figures for the 
students within the Student Support Services department.  
●​ Mr. Leatherman stated that the fact that teachers are providing accommodations and following a 
student’s IEP now has to be documented.   
 
New/Revised Policies - First Reading: The School Board reviewed the following proposed 
new/revised/rescinded policies for the first of two readings: CFA-R Duties of the Principals (Rescind); 
CFB Building Principal(s) Evaluation (Revised); CHA Development of Regulations (Revised); CHB 
Board Review of Regulations (New); CHD Administration in Policy Absence (New). There were no 
further revisions suggested at this time.  
 
New/Revised Policies - Second Reading: MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph 
Saulnier, to approve policy IKL Academic Honesty and Integrity. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to approve policy JJJ Access to Public 
School Programs by Nonpublic, Charter School and Home Education Pupils. Voted unanimously in the 
affirmative.  
 

Raymond School Board Meeting 
September 2, 2026 
Raymond High School Media Center 
Minutes Page 3 
DRAFT 
 
Committee Reports: Mr. Scarfo stated that the CIP Committee met the previous night and they came up 
with a rough outline to look at the permit fee schedule to include municipal impact fees, which are not 
already in place, as well as school impact fees. During discussion, Mr. Harmon asked that the 
attorney’s advice regarding school collection of impact fees be included in the Friday Memo.  
 
Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Leatherman stated that it was an excellent start to the school year, and 
thanked the Facilities Department for their work preparing the buildings over the summer.  He stated 
that the in-service days have been impactful and engaging.   
 
Mr. Harmon asked if, during the next meeting when they review the year-end budget, they could have 
further explanation on the breakdown of the fund balance. He also asked if the Board could be provided 
with an answer regarding HB1300 and how the potential tax cap affects our other warrant articles.  
 
Mr. Scarfo stated that he had heard that the middle school has athletics transportation. Mr. Leatherman 
stated that we have a few buses.   
 
Ms. Lemieux stated that the email address for the Director of School Nutrition Services on the 
MySchoolBucks website is incorrect.  
 
Correspondence/Other: Mr. Harmon stated that he’s disappointed that the principals were not at this 
meeting to provide their opening day reports.  He stated that the Board took a vote to have them here, 
and then it was decided to not have them here because they wouldn’t have the updates by Friday.  Mr. 
Scarfo stated that they felt that if they came to the next meeting, they’d have more to say. Mr. Harmon 
stated it wasn’t their decision, it was a Board decision.  Mr. Scarfo stated it was more of an oversight. 
Mr. Leatherman stated that he missed that.  
 
Manifest Signing: A quorum of the Board signed the manifest.  Accounts Payable total $ 607,683.61. 
Payroll total $ 492,525.37. 
 
Approval of Minutes: MOTION:  John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to approve the 
minutes of August 19, 2026.  Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  
 
Adjournment: MOTION: John Harmon moved, seconded by Joseph Saulnier, to adjourn the meeting. 
Voted unanimously in the affirmative.  Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM.  
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Jennifer Heywood, 
Administrative Assistant
 

Raymond School Board Meeting 
September 2, 2026 
Raymond High School Media Center 
Minutes Page 4 
DRAFT 
 
 
 
Raymond School Board Non-Public Session 
September 2, 2026 
 
Not voted to be kept confidential. 
 
Present: School Board Members Stephen Scarfo, John Harmon, Kristianne Lemieux, and Joseph 
Saulnier; Superintendent Terry Leatherman.  
 
The Superintendent reviewed this evening’s nominations with the School Board. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Terry Leatherman, 
Superintendent of Schools