SPEAKER_1 postponed approval of NHSBA resolutions to the October 14 meeting. They tabled the retainage discussion until a future special meeting. Brett Derek reported special education out-of-district placements are projected to exceed the budget, partly due to one unbudgeted student placement. The district has a special education reserve fund of just over $300,000.
Board members discussed two retainage options for the tax rate: applying $980,000 to offset taxes (7.48% increase, $99 per $1,000) or returning $1.1 million to taxpayers (7.12% increase, $96 per $1,000). No vote was taken. Ben and Carrie were appointed as AP approvers starting October 1. The board entered non-public session at 8:20 p.m. and adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
The board and staff discussed a potential third pre-K session to address high demand. SPEAKER_7 stated a committee formed pre-K teachers and volunteered parents to study costs and enrollment, aiming to present findings at the first budget meeting. The PTO reported achieving independent nonprofit status in August and receiving released funds from SAU 70. Regarding the 2027 budget, a district-wide strategic alignment meeting is set for September 17, with SAU budget meetings starting immediately. The board discussed but did not vote on a Memorandum of Understanding for a Norwich Finance Committee, noting the Select Board will review it September 9. Whitsons School Nutrition now manages food services district-wide after the resignation of the RMS manager. The board authorized a voting delegate for the upcoming VSBA annual meeting and approved entering executive session to discuss a grievance. The next regular meeting is October 7.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgNNqW-Eg7I
The Dresden School Board entered non-public session at 9:07 p.m. under RSA 91-A:3-II (B, C, and L) by a unanimous roll call vote (Odell, Sullivan, Done, Nelson, Tanton, Christy, Rose, Russell, McConnell, and Keany all voting yes). The board returned to public session at 10:25 p.m. appointing new hires accepted by Superintendent Steiner, including John Larbara as RMS interventionist/504 coordinator and Case Hathaway Zapita as a 0.5 FTE art teacher, along with changes for Jennifer Groves, Sylvia Hullman, and Nicole Fitzgerald. This appointment motion passed unanimously. The board approved a one-year contract with Witson's for food service management at Richmond Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year by unanimous vote. Agenda item 9 C regarding an ML tuition agreement was removed for a future meeting. The meeting adjourned at 10:27 p.m. to September 22nd.
The SAU 70 Board accepted a $15,000 donation from the Byrne Foundation for the sustainability coordinator position. The Board also held a second reading of policy EEAEA regarding school bus drivers and contracted carriers. The Board plans to hold future meetings with board members to review the capital improvement plan, with Tara, Lisa, and Jim volunteering to participate. The budget committee scheduled a meeting for September 3rd, led by Deb, Jim, and Michael. The superintendent reported the SAU office is fully staffed. The SAU ended the fiscal year with a $19,641 positive balance in operations. The Board discussed forming a committee regarding HB 1300 and agreed to arrange a non-public session on cybersecurity at a future meeting. A roll call vote to adjorn at 9:01 p.m. passed unanimously.
The Dresden School Board met on August 18, 2026. The board voted unanimously to postpone the remainder of their meeting until after the conclusion of the SAU meeting. Business administrator Teresa requested a vote to approve a one-year food service management contract for Richmond Middle School with Whitsons to replace the previous in-house service. Policy EEAEA, regarding drug and alcohol testing for drivers to comply with a 2021 law change, had its first reading. Policy IBIHBH, concerning extended learning opportunities, underwent a first reading with feedback to define acronyms and correct grammatical errors in the document. The board confirmed the primary election date is September 8th.