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2026.09.09 School Board Minutes

Document

September 9, 2026 
 
 
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Pelham School Board Meeting 
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Sherburne Hall 
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September 9, 2026 
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6:30 p.m.  
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School Board Members:  
Greg Smith, Chair; Garrett Abare, Vice-Chair; Rebecca Cummings; Krista Garcia; and 
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Laurie Paradis 
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Superintendent:   
 
Chip McGee  
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Assistant Superintendent:   
Sarah Marandos 
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Director of Finance: 
 
Brian Krueger 
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Student Representatives: 
Ellie Kerrigan and Adriana Picanco 
 
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Absent:     
 
 
None  
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Also in Attendance:  
 
Jennifer Donovan, School Nutrition Director; Tara MacDonald, Director of Student 
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Services; and Keith Lord, Director of Technology. 
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I.  Public Session:  
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A.  Call to Order: 
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6:31 p.m. - Chair Greg Smith called the meeting to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.   
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II.  
Public Input @ 6:32 p.m. 
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The Board encourages public participation. Our approach is based on Policy BEDH, which includes these 
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guidelines: 
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a. 
Public comments are limited to 3 minutes per person.  
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b. Please give your name, address, and the group, if any, that is represented. 
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c. 
We welcome comments on our school operations and programs in public sessions; however, the Board 
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will not hear personal complaints from school personnel or complaints against any person connected 
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with the school system.  
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d. We appreciate that speakers will conduct themselves civilly.  
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A. None 
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Public Input closed at 6:33 p.m. 
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III. Opening Remarks: 
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A. Student Representative: 
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Ellie reported that the students enjoyed the extended Labor Day weekend. Upcoming athletic events include: 
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a. 
Boys Varsity Soccer at home against Monadnock on Friday at 4:00 p.m.  
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b. Football will host the New Hampshire Tackles Hunger Game against John Stark at 7:00 p.m. on Harris 
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Field.  
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c. 
On Tuesday, Girls Varsity Soccer will play Belmont at 4:00 p.m. 
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d. Volleyball will host Milford in the gym, with JV beginning at 5:00 p.m. and varsity at 6:30 p.m. 
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B. Superintendent: 
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September 9, 2026 
 
 
2 
 
Superintendent McGee thanked the community, particularly the volleyball team, for moving its Thursday game 
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from the high school to the middle school so the high school gym could be prepared for the New Hampshire 
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Primary Election. The election proceeded smoothly, and the Board recognized the town moderator and election 
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team for their efforts. 
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He also reminded families that Pelham Memorial School Parent Information Night would be held the following 
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evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The event was noted as a valuable opportunity for parents, particularly those 
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preparing for their children's transition to middle school, to obtain information and resources. 
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C. Chairman: 
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Mr. Smith expressed appreciation to everyone involved in conducting the election, noting the efficient process and 
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strong community participation.  
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IV.  Presentations: 
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A. None 
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V.  Main Issues:  
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A. FY 2026 Budget Presentation – School Budgets 
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a. 
PSD Nutrition Budget – Jennifer Donovan 
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Jennifer Donovan, Director of Nutrition, reviewed the food service budget and thanked the nutrition managers, 
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assistants, families, and students for their support. She stated that her goals for the upcoming school year are to 
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closely monitor expenditures, increase revenue to meet expenses, and maintain strong family participation. She 
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noted that the program has faced staffing challenges and increased food and supply costs in recent years. 
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Ms. Donovan reviewed the proposed changes to the Food Service budget. District 5, line 430, increased by 
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$18,500 due to consolidating maintenance costs from the individual schools into the district-wide budget. The 
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change is intended to provide funding for day-to-day maintenance and repairs. 
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Ms. Donovan explained that maintaining ageing equipment is important to avoid premature replacement and that 
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cleaning expenses are required for compliance. Line 531 reflects a $574.17 decrease. Line 631 represents the 
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actual cost of commodities purchased through the USDA program, including discounted and fresh produce. A 
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modest increase was anticipated, although the final amount will not be known until the end of the school year. 
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The District-wide food service operation was projected to increase by approximately $19,307.83. 
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Elementary School Food Service Budget 
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Ms. Donovan reviewed the PES Food Service budget. Approximately $9,000 in Maintenance funding was 
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mentioned for transfer to the District-wide Supplies. 
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Ms. Donovan requested removal of the $30,000 budgeted for equipment replacement because the funds had not 
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been used for several years and the program had been unable to replace equipment. Mr. Smith asked whether the 
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equipment replacement allocation should remain available for future needs. Ms. Donovan explained that the focus 
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would instead be on preventive maintenance and extending the useful life of existing equipment. 
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Mr. Smith asked whether eliminating the equipment replacement allocation could leave the program without 
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sufficient funds if major equipment failed. Ms. Donovan explained that the program has a five-year equipment 
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replacement plan but has not used the allocated funds during her approximately five years with the district. She 
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stated that preventative maintenance could help extend the life of the aging equipment. 
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Mr. Abare expressed concern that removing $30,000 from the budget while the Food Service Program remained 
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approximately $74,000 in the deficit could increase financial risk if an unexpected equipment failure occurred. 
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September 9, 2026 
 
 
3 
 
Ms. Donovan stated that she anticipated the recent price increases, increased participation, and closer monitoring 
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of expenditures would substantially narrow the deficit and potentially bring the program to break even. She noted 
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that the Board would have an opportunity to evaluate the results in November after sufficient sales data were 
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available. 
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The Board emphasized that the proposed reduction should not leave the Food Service Program without adequate 
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resources to address unexpected equipment repairs.  
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Pelham Elementary School 
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The proposed food service budget for Pelham Elementary School reflected a total reduction of $39,000. The 
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changes included transferring repair and maintenance costs to the district-wide budget and adjusting supplies 
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and food expenditures based on actual spending. 
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Pelham Memorial School 
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For Pelham Memorial School, $3,000 in Repair and Maintenance costs was moved to the District-wide budget. 
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Supplies were reduced by $2,000 based on actual fiscal year 2026 spending and projected needs. Food expenses 
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were reduced by $5,000, also based on actual spending. 
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The total proposed reduction for Pelham Memorial School was $10,000. 
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Pelham High School 
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For Pelham High School, repair and maintenance funding was adjusted as part of the district-wide consolidation, 
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with an increase of $1,000 based on prior-year expenditures. 
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Mr. Smith discussed whether moving expenses from individual schools to a district-wide account would affect the 
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overall SAU budget, particularly in relation to HB 1300. Mr. Krueger stated that the SAU and its legal counsel had 
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been working to determine which expenses properly belong to the SAU budget and that these food service 
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expenses would not be included in that calculation. 
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Additional Food Service expenditures were reduced based on actual spending, with enrollment expected to 
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remain close to the budgeted level. 
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Overall Food Service Budget 
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After reviewing the proposed changes across the district, the food service budget reflected an overall proposed 
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reduction of $40,692.17.  
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The Board continued its discussion regarding expenditures, equipment maintenance and replacement, fund 
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balance, meal pricing, participation, and the need to monitor the program's financial performance during the 
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school year. 
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The Board thanked Ms. Donovan for her effort in preparing the budget and for the discussion.  
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b. PSD Special Services Budget – Tara MacDonald 
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Tara MacDonald, the Director of Student Services, thanked the School Board, community, and families for their 
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continued support. She also recognized Kristen Rodrigue, Assistant Director of Student Services, for helping 
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during the transition.  
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Ms. MacDonald stated that the priority for FY 2027-28 is to strengthen district services for the District’s most 
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vulnerable and complex learners through staff training, specialized consultation, necessary equipment and 
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materials, and investment in programs and staff. These efforts will support individualized, IEP-driven services 
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while keeping students connected to their schools, peers, and community. 
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September 9, 2026 
 
 
4 
 
Ms. MacDonald reviewed enrollment information from 2024-25 through the current year, along with projected 
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enrollment for 2027-28, noting that the figures remain subject to change. Out-of-District (OOD) enrollment is 
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beginning to decrease, and the District is encouraging students to receive services within the District whenever 
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appropriate. The focus remains on strengthening in-district programs and supports to address increasingly 
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complex educational and medical needs. Additional resources and staffing may be required. Preschool enrollment 
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remains an estimate and may change throughout the year based on student enrollment and the IEP process. 
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Special Services 
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Pre-K 
PES 
PMS 
PHS 
OOD 
Charter 
Private 
Total 
2024-25 
35 
127 
69 
62 
16 
17 
6 
332 
2025-26 
35 
134 
63 
69 
16 
17 
6 
340 
2026-27 
25 
142 
65 
76 
76 
16 
4 
344 
2027-28* 
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150 
72 
79 
79 
16 
4 
363 
 
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Ms. MacDonald identified several significant budget drivers for FY 2027-28, including Out-of-District (OOD) 
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placements, Contracted Services, Specialized Equipment, and Transportation. The District considers Out-of-
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District (OOD) placements only when a student's individual needs cannot be adequately met within the District 
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and a specialized school can provide the required services and expertise. Because these placements are more 
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restrictive and separate students from their peers and community, we consider them carefully after exploring less 
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restrictive options. Placements are regularly reviewed based on student progress and changing needs, to return 
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students to district schools and the community whenever appropriate. 
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Contracted Services have increased due to the evolving and specialized needs of students within the District and 
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charter schools. These services may include Specialized Medical and Educational Supports when district staff are 
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unavailable or lack the capacity to provide them. Ms. MacDonald emphasized that individual student needs drive 
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Contracted Services and are necessary to fulfill educational requirements and legal obligations under students' 
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IEPs. As student needs change, the budget must remain responsive to ensure students receive the services to 
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which they are entitled. 
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Transportation also remains a significant budget driver, primarily because of students attending Out-of-District 
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(OOD) placements. Transportation is also used in programs such as the STEPS program at PHS to help students 
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develop vocational, life, community-based, and independent living skills in preparation for post-secondary 
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transitions. 
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Ms. MacDonald emphasized that budget decisions are 100% student-centered and IEP-driven. She reviewed 
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specific budget line items, noting that the District now has an in-district BCBA, reducing the need for Contracted 
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Services. The District continues to contract with Boothby for Medicaid training and support because Medicaid 
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requirements for schools continue to change. This assistance helps the District maintain compliance and 
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maximize Medicaid reimbursement. 
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A significant Professional Services expense is a Registered Nurse for a 1:1 student. The nurse is required during 
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bus transportation because the student’s IEP requires nursing support due to the possibility of seizures. The 
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nurse also provides 1:1 support to a preschool student with medical needs. The Director noted that the students’ 
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IEPs require these services. 
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The budget also includes projected Translation Services. The District must now budget for these Translation 
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Services on its own. The Department of Education used to translate the IEPs, and it no longer offers translation 
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because of budgetary costs. Districts are now required to add the service to their budget. 
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Tutoring services have also increased because new students attending charter schools require services the 
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District must provide. 
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Budget Increases and Enrollment Changes 
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September 9, 2026 
 
 
5 
 
Ms. Garcia questioned the increase of approximately $70,000-$75,000 in the identified budget areas and asked 
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where the additional costs were reflected. Ms. MacDonald explained that some of the increase is attributable to 
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transition services and additional services required for students attending charter schools. These needs were not 
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anticipated when students were previously enrolled in district schools. 
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Ms. MacDonald also noted that several students with visual and hearing impairments have required additional 
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services. Three students underwent hearing evaluations over the summer and now require contracted specialized 
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instruction because the District lacks staff with the necessary expertise. 
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Ms. Garcia questioned the significant difference between prior-year actual expenditures and the proposed budget, 
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including the increase from approximately $367,000 in actual expenditures to nearly $500,000 in projected 
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expenditures. Ms. MacDonald explained that Special Education expenditures fluctuate based on student 
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enrollment and individual student needs. A new student moving into the District may require substantially more 
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services than anticipated, while students moving out of the District can reduce expenditures. 
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The Board discussed whether the District could budget for cancellations or other reductions in anticipated 
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services. Ms. MacDonald explained that although some students may move out of the District, the District remains 
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responsible for providing the services required under existing IEPs. She stated that budgeting conservatively is 
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necessary because the District is mandated to meet those obligations. 
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Special Education and Fund Balance 
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The Board discussed the potential effect of Special Education expenditures on the District’s year-end surplus and 
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unassigned fund balance. Mr. Krueger stated that Special Education expenditures have fluctuated significantly 
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over the years, noting that spending differed by approximately $1 million between 2024 and 2025. 
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Ms. MacDonald stressed that, theoretically, if all projected services were required, the District would have to 
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spend the budgeted funds because those services are legally mandated. 
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Mr. Abare asked about the proposed $5.1 million Special Education budget and how closely the actual 
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expenditures would align with the proposed budget. Ms. MacDonald stated the numbers would be close, but 
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added that this was her first year serving as Director and that she could not provide a specific estimate because 
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student enrollment and needs can change unexpectedly. 
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Dr. McGee explained that, based on the practice followed over the previous six years, He noted that Ms. MacDonald 
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has been asked to budget for the services identified in students’ IEPs because that represents the best available 
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information and provides a conservative budget. He added that the District frequently does not spend the full 
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amount budgeted for Special Education, leaving a portion of the funds in the unassigned fund balance. 
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Dr. McGee noted that a significant portion of the District’s unassigned fund balance could result from unspent 
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Special Education funds. He explained that the District budgets conservatively to ensure it can meet all IEP 
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obligations, including unexpected expenses that may arise during the year. 
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Ms. Garcia asked what percentage of the FY 2026 unassigned fund balance is attributable to Special Education. Mr. 
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Krueger indicated that from the previous five years, approximately 45% of the balance was associated with 
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Special Education. Dr. McGee clarified that the Special Education budget figures under discussion represent only 
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the non-salary and non-benefit portion of Special Education expenditures and do not include Special Education 
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salaries and benefits. 
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Ms. Garcia asked whether state Special Education reimbursement is included in the actual expenditure figures. Dr. 
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McGee clarified that the figures represent expenditures only; state reimbursement is recorded as revenue and is 
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not included in the expenditure amount. Reimbursement is available only after qualifying expenditures have 
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occurred and is received approximately two years in arrears. 
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September 9, 2026 
 
 
6 
 
Budget Risk and IEP Requirements 
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The Board discussed the potential consequences of under-budgeting Special Education. Members acknowledged 
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that significantly reducing the allocation could leave the District unable to fulfill mandated services by students' 
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IEPs, potentially resulting in substantially greater costs and legal exposure. 
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Mr. Smith explained that while staff can make reasonable projections for currently enrolled students, the District 
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cannot predict the needs of students who may move into the District. A student requiring nursing services, 
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specialized transportation, or other intensive support can significantly increase costs in a short period. 
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Mr. Smith recognized the importance of maintaining appropriate Special Education funding and discussed the 
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existing Capital Reserve fund established by voters as a resource that may help the District manage these future 
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obligations. 
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Special Education Budget 
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Mr. Smith noted that greater detail regarding changes between budget years would improve its ability to 
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understand significant increases and requested continued detailed reporting. 
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Under line 335 – Required Legal Services, the proposed increase reflects the position's first year and the need to 
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access legal counsel as appropriate.  
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Line 430 includes funding for a classroom identification system. The District currently has 15 students requiring 
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audiology services, and maintaining current identification systems is necessary to ensure students have 
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appropriate access to education. During the summer, three students received hearing evaluations, with at least 
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one requiring an identification system. 
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Under line 561 – Tuition for Other LEAs, the expenditure has been eliminated because students who previously 
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required these services have moved to other placements.  
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Line 564 – Tuition for Private Schools reflects anticipated increases in tuition rates. The private schools serve 
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students with Specialized Educational, medical, or combined educational and medical needs and are primarily 
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Special Education placements. 
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Ms. MacDonald discussed the Monarch School, where tuition includes most services. Physical therapy services are 
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now billed separately as individual consultations, changing the associated budget figures. She also discussed the 
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Merrimac Heights Academy because a student will complete the current program and require a different 
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placement. The District has budgeted for a comparable placement. NorthStar represents a new Out-of-District 
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(OOD) placement for the current school year. 
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The Special Education budget also includes funding for transitional services, including services provided through 
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Easter Seals, as well as two legal agreements. The District has budgeted for two anticipated day placements, one of 
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which may be needed during the current school year, to ensure sufficient funds are available if a placement 
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becomes necessary. 
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Residential Placements 
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The District included funding for an anticipated residential placement that was removed from the prior year's 
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budget. Ms. MacDonald explained that a student currently placed in a day program could require residential 
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placement if the current program is unsuccessful. The District avoided a residential placement this year when 
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another day program agreed to accept the student. If residential placement becomes necessary, the anticipated 
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funding could be used for that student or another student requiring residential services. 
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Ms. MacDonald reduced certain Out-of-District (OOD) and director-related expenses based on actual utilization 
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and reported no other significant changes in the remaining Special Education budget areas. 
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September 9, 2026 
 
 
7 
 
Specialized Equipment and Services 
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Line 734 – ADA/Disability Act Equipment includes student-specific equipment for a young student whose needs 
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are expected to continue for approximately 19 years. As the student grows, equipment will need to be modified or 
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replaced, potentially including wheelchairs and ramps. 
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The Board discussed the need for specialized equipment (AED) at the SAU/preschool building. The preschool 
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serves medically fragile students, including students with seizure disorders, and currently does not have the 
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necessary equipment on site. The elementary school has previously transferred equipment as needed. Ms. 
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MacDonald noted an increase in students with seizure-related needs and indicated that the equipment would 
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specifically support preschool students. 
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The budget also includes funding for device and accessory replacements needed to keep testing equipment 
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current. Under line 890, funding was included for a chaperone associated with an 830 DC trip because of the 
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needs of a particular student. 
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327 
Extended School Year Services 
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Ms. MacDonald reviewed Extended School Year (ESY) expenditures. Summer costs increased because the District 
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needed to contract with speech-language pathologists while in-district providers had existing summer 
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commitments. She expects outside providers to be used less if in-district staff are available for future summer 
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services. 
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Line 561 – ESY Tuition for Other LEAs reflects a previously discussed student placement. 
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335 
Line 564 includes students who have historically attended other districts for ESY services. The budget also 
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includes new Out-of-District (OOD) placements, additional summer services, anticipated day and residential 
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placements, and ESY supplies. 
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Ms. MacDonald and the school nurse reviewed available supplies to ensure appropriate materials are reused when 
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possible while maintaining student safety and service requirements. 
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The Board discussed the length and structure of ESY services and whether students remain in their year-round 
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placements during the summer. Ms. MacDonald clarified that students generally continue receiving services 
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through their established programs, depending on the individual placement. 
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Transitional Services and Contracted Services 
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Mr. Smith asked about transitional services provided through certain schools. Ms. MacDonald explained that these 
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programs may include community-based services, employment-related support, and other transition activities 
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designed to help students develop skills for life beyond school. 
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Ms. MacDonald also reviewed contracted speech and hearing-related services. Increased funding reflects 
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contracted specialists who provide services to students using FM systems and other specialized hearing 
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equipment necessary to access their education. The District has also modified Contracted Services for 
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communication devices and related supports for students requiring those services. She noted that the District is 
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changing some of its Contracted Service providers. 
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Special Education Budget Review 
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Ms. MacDonald reviewed the District-wide Speech Services budget, noting that the services had been reviewed 
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previously and were reflected on page 13. She then reviewed district-wide Physical Therapy (PT) Services. 
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Because PT needs are limited, the District contracts for these services rather than employing a full-time physical 
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therapist. Individual schools maintain their own PT services. 
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Occupational Therapy Services 
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September 9, 2026 
 
 
8 
 
Ms. MacDonald reviewed district-wide Occupational Therapy (OT) Services on page 14. The budget reflects 
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reduced OT service needs at the District’s charter schools and for primary-district students. The proposed budget 
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was adjusted to reflect the lower service level. She also reviewed the equipment replacement line for OT, noting 
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that some funding had moved to the ADA line, while other amounts were adjusted to reflect reduced OT services. 
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Special Education and Transportation 
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Ms. MacDonald reviewed the remaining Special Education, administrative, and related service lines, including 
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pages 15, 16, and 19. She also reviewed the Transportation budget, including a 20% increase. She noted that 
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district transportation costs are significant, particularly for Monarch, which requires additional mileage because 
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of its distance from the District. The Special Education budget was presented as a comprehensive budget rather 
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than as separate school-level budgets. 
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BCBA Position and Contract Services 
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Mr. Smith asked whether the successful hiring of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) was reflected in the 
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budget and whether the position would reduce contracted services. Ms. MacDonald confirmed that hiring a BCBA 
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would allow the District to reduce or eliminate related Contract Services. The corresponding savings would be 
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reflected in the salary and benefits section of the budget. She agreed to identify the specific Contracted Services 
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line affected and provide that information to the Board. 
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The Board thanked Ms. MacDonald for her effort in preparing the budget and for the discussion.  
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c. 
PSD Technology Budget – Keith Lord 
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Technology Director Keith Lord presented the District’s updated Technology budget and planning documents. The 
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District has completed its equipment migration, and all equipment is now on-site and operational. The migration 
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also provides an opportunity to re-engineer and improve the District’s technology environment. 
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Mr. Lord explained that the Technology budget forecast had been affected primarily by increased 
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VMware/Broadcom pricing, which was not known when the original forecast was developed. Hardware costs have 
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also changed since the District created the original plan. The District continues to review opportunities to manage 
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costs and smooth expenditures across fiscal years. 
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Enrollment and Technology Replacement Planning 
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Mr. Lord reviewed the enrollment progression and supporting technology planning documents. The Technology 
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and Budget Forecast Schedule tracks anticipated expenditures and distributes costs more evenly across fiscal 
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years. The Student Chromebook Replacement Plan projects equipment needs by grade level. 
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Enrollment - Technology 
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October 1 Enrollments 
Actual 
Projected 
Grade Level 
2024-25 
2025-26 
2026-27 
2027-28 
3 
134 
110 
128 
105 
5 
113 
106 
139 
112 
9 
102 
105 
103 
112 
 
402 
Chromebooks are generally retained for four years. Students receive new devices in Grade 5 and Grade 9, allowing 
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the same device to follow them throughout their education. The District leases Chromebooks for three years and 
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operates them for an additional year after the lease period. 
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The District updated the replacement plan to reflect changes made for FY 2027. The District reallocated 
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equipment originally purchased for first grade between kindergarten and first grade to continue meeting 
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assessment and instructional needs while maintaining an appropriate repair cycle. 
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September 9, 2026 
 
 
9 
 
 
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FY 2028 Technology Budget 
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Mr. Lord reviewed several significant technology budget items. A previously scheduled equipment replacement 
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was deferred following a substantial pricing increase identified during the District’s RFP process. The item is now 
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included in the FY 2028 budget at $96,900 and was also presented during the elementary school budget 
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discussion. 
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The District is also planning to purchase replacement Chromebooks. Mr. Lord explained that the District has 
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historically reassigned well-used Chromebooks to IAs when appropriate and is evaluating a change to that 
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practice while maintaining the same general device size and functionality. 
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Video Management System 
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Mr. Lord discussed replacing the District’s existing video management system. With the current hardware being 
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sunsetted, the District will need to transition to a new video management system while continuing to work with 
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the existing camera infrastructure. 
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The project was previously projected at approximately $50,000. The current conservative estimate is 
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approximately $40,000–$45,000. The District will follow the appropriate procurement process and coordinate 
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with its existing camera vendor during the transition. 
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431 
Equipment Support and Service Tickets 
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The Board discussed the importance of tracking equipment problems and identifying performance issues before 
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equipment fails. Mr. Lord reported that the District has implemented a full-service ticketing system, similar to the 
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system used by Facilities, to track technology-related requests. 
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Technology staff continue to accept service requests by email, which automatically generates tickets in the system 
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and makes it easier for staff to report issues. However, Mr. Lord noted that email-based reporting can make it 
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more difficult to obtain detailed, consistent data for analysis. 
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Mr. Lord also discussed the difficulty of establishing meaningful equipment-performance metrics when many 
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issues are resolved quickly. Staff is working to improve the level of detail captured in service records so the 
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District can better identify trends, performance declines, and equipment replacement needs. 
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Technology Budget Review 
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September 9, 2026 
 
 
10 
 
The Board discussed the District’s Technology budget and the need for additional information to support 
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proposed equipment replacement cycles. Members noted that technology hardware represents a relatively small 
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portion of the overall budget compared with salaries, benefits, and Special Education.  
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The Board emphasized the importance of establishing a four- or five-year replacement cycle for laptops, tablets, 
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and other hardware and maintaining data to justify future purchases. Mr. Smith explained that the ticketing 
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system is intended to provide the necessary usage and replacement data. The Board agreed that providing 
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additional information and projected costs would help support the budget discussion. 
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Middle School Computer Technology 
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Mr. Lord reviewed Middle School Computer Technology (line 738) and discussed how to allocate technology 
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purchases. Mr. Smith acknowledged the rationale for standardizing technology platforms within individual 
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buildings but also asked Mr. Smith to provide numbers for different replacement options. The Board indicated that 
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understanding the costs of replacing technology throughout an entire school in a single year, compared with 
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spreading purchases across multiple years, would help evaluate the budget. 
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District-Wide Technology Services 
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Mr. Lord reviewed the technology-related budget lines under district-wide services. Professional Services, line 
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330, reflects an overall increase of $5,000. He also reviewed Technology Services - Software and noted that one 
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technology line is reduced by $25,000, primarily due to adjustments to district-wide expenditures and licensing. 
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The final line in the section reflects approval of new central licensing. 
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Technology Equipment Replacement 
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Mr. Lord reviewed Equipment Additional, line 734, which includes the technology purchases discussed earlier in 
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the presentation. Mr. Lord explained that these purchases have historically not been specifically allocated to the 
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elementary schools. Line 738 includes additional devices being purchased for staff, with the equipment based on a 
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four-year life expectancy. 
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Technology Use and Instruction 
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Ms. Garcia discussed whether the District is using technology as effectively as possible, particularly in the 
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elementary grades. She raised the possibility of reducing the number of individual laptops and returning younger 
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students to centralized computer labs. The discussion recognized that administrators, instructional coaches, and 
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teachers with appropriate expertise should inform decisions about curriculum and instructional technology. 
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The Board discussed the appropriate balance between technology use and traditional instructional methods, 
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particularly for younger students. Members acknowledged that technology requirements and instructional 
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practices continue to change rapidly and that the District must remain responsive while ensuring technology is 
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used effectively and securely. 
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Student-to-Device Ratios 
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Mr. Lord clarified the technology ratios for the elementary grades. Kindergarten and first grade currently operate 
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at a 2-to-1 student-to-device ratio. Mr. Abare discussed the goal for second, third, and fourth grades in connection 
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with potentially reducing the number of laptops. He continued to consider whether fewer devices for younger 
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students could provide value while still meeting instructional and assessment needs. 
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d. Security Camera Memo 
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Mr. Lord said that a memo was submitted following up on questions raised during the August 26 School Board 
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meeting regarding security cameras. The memo addressed recent news coverage concerning so-called “flock 
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cameras” and clarified that the District has cameras on its campuses. The District also maintains a data-retention 
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policy governing camera footage. 
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The Board thanked Mr. Lord for his effort in preparing the budget and for the discussion.  
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September 9, 2026 
 
 
11 
 
 
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VI.  Policy Review: 
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a. 
First Reading: 
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i. None 
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b.  Second Reading:  
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i. None 
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VII. Other:  
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A. None 
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VIII. 
Board Member Reports:  
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A. Ms. Garcia stated that her family is very excited that the school year has started. She noted that both her 
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daughters had a great first week of school.   
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IX. Consent Agenda:  
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A. Adoption of Minutes 
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a.  September 2, 2026  – Draft Public Minutes 
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b. 
September 2, 2026  – Draft Non-Public Minutes 
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Vendor and Payroll Manifests  
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a. 
AP090926 
$503,426.53 
b. 
DU090926 
$655.00 
 
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C.  Correspondence & Information  
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a.  None 
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526 
D. Enrollment Report 
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a.  None 
528 
 
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E. Staffing Updates 
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a. 
Leaves: 
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i. 
None 
 
 
 
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b. 
Resignations:  
533 
i. 
None 
 
 
  
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c.  Retirements:  
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i. 
None 
 
 
 
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d. 
Nominations: 
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i. 
None 
 
 
 
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Ms. Garcia moved to approve the Consent Agenda without the reading list. Ms. Cummings seconded the motion, which 
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passed (5-0-0).  
540 
 
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X. Future Agenda Planning:  
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A. Discussion on IT ticketing system.  
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B. Discussion on limiting the hours that Chromebooks are used.   
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September 9, 2026 
 
 
12 
 
C. Ms. Paradis asked that the Student Representatives add more academic updates.  
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XI.  Future Meetings:   
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A. September 16, 2026 
 
– 6:30 p.m.  
School Board Meeting @ Hal Lynde Meeting Room 
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B. September 30, 2026 
 
– 6:30 p.m.  
School Board Meeting @ Hal Lynde Meeting Room 
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XII.  Non-Public:   
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Ms. Garcia moved to enter non-public session at 8:22 p.m. under RSA 91-A:3, II (j) – Confidential Commercial Matter. 
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Ms. Paradis seconded the motion, which passed (5-0-0).  
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XIII. Reconvened:  
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8:48 p.m. 
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XIV. Adjournment: 
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Ms. Garcia moved to adjourn the School Board Meeting at 8:50 p.m. Ms. Cummings seconded the motion, which passed 
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(5-0-0).  
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Respectfully submitted,  
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Matthew Sullivan  
569 
School Board Recording Secretary 
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