School Board Meeting Broadcast 07/16/2026 - 5PM

Speakers are labeled SPEAKER_N. This transcript is machine-generated.

Recording

Thank you for coming. If we could have a
roll call, please. Sir.
>> A. Adair
>> here.
>> J. Aerman.
>> C. Fountain
>> here.
>> T. Giles.
>> Yes.
>> B. Jalison
>> here. Arlo Kono.
>> Yeah.
>> Kay Vanberento.
>> And could you please rise and join in
the pledge to the flag?
>> I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
>> Thank you. and my apologies, but before
we get into the rest of the agenda, I do
need a motion to go into non-public
session in accordance with RSA 91- A 3
section 2 paragraph C.
>> So moved,
>> seconded
>> by Ben, second by Kathleen, and a roll
call, please step.
>> A dair
>> yes. J Aman
>> C Fountain
>> yes
>> T Giles
>> yes
>> C Jalison
>> yes
>> Aron
>> yes
>> Kber
Okay. So, we have
one and we can resume the meeting. First
thing I need is a motion to
come out of non-public session.
>> I motion second it.
>> Kathleen, second by Tara. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Motion is unanimous. I need
a motion to seal the minutes
indefinitely.
>> So moved. Kathleen,
>> I'll second.
>> Second by Tara. All in favor? Any
opposed? The motion carries unanimous.
And moving along.
>> We need to I'm sorry and Steph maybe
already did. Did Did you just add in
there that James came in?
>> I changing my minutes and I will add it
in.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you so much.
>> Sorry I'm late.
>> That's fine.
Uh, need a motion to approve the minutes
from 6:18 2026. So moved by Ben.
>> Second.
>> Second by Kathleen. Any questions?
>> Seeing none. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Unanimous.
And motion to approve the manifest.
>> Motion made.
>> Motion by Kathleen.
>> Second.
>> Yep. Then
any questions on the manifest
three manifest?
Seeing none, all in favor? Any oppose?
The motion carries unanimous. Next is
the public comment period. Is there
anybody that would like to speak to
during the public comment period?
Seeing none at this time, the public
comment period will remain open until
6:15.
Moving along. Uh, superintendent report.
Mr. Scott, that's his first the first
>> meeting as a superintendent. Hey,
>> I felt like I needed to write another
dissertation.
>> Welcome.
>> I was going to mention that it was
fairly lengthy and that we could uh
>> but we we had we had a lot of good work.
Um, so you do have the written report.
>> Uh, we did a DLP summer summit last week
uh where we really took the time to
reflect on the 25 26 school year. um
take a look at everything we are doing
and spending our resources and time and
um allocating people to
>> um
>> I don't think we got it printed just so
you know if anybody's looking for it
>> I think Steph you first
>> superintendent report it's all good
>> I'll add it in
>> I have I read it I was just looking for
it so it was
>> it was a guided a guided process that uh
we followed to really evaluate what we
um value, what we want to improve on,
what we want to kind of put on the back
burner um because we feel like it's in a
good place. Um with all the changes that
are happening, uh we've all vowed to not
to bring up anything new unless it's
required to to have to be done. Um and
through all that work, it led us to
developing uh four draft goals. uh and
they were they're in there. Um the first
one is relative to increasing student
growth and proficiency rates on local
and state accountability measures. Um so
continuing some professional development
uh increasing our knowledge around
professional learning communities,
conducting root cause analysis to
identify the gaps in our resources and
the learning outcomes of our students.
Um
you you folks can kind of go through all
[clears throat] of those items. But then
the second goal is implement and
evaluate the first year of the new White
Mountains Regional Middle High School.
So again, uh having some checks along
the way to see how it goes. Are we
delivering what we said, which includes
um streamlining resources, providing
more opportunities for students, and
ensuring a consistent learning
opportunity for our 78 population.
Third goal is to cultivate a district
culture where students and staff are
constantly are consistently present,
engaged, supported, and safe. Um,
attendance districtwide always starts
out well, but that is a definitely an
area we need kids in our buildings. Um,
so there's going to be some work around
our policies. Uh, we're going to review
some of the changes that might have
occurred with the state legislative
body. um and see what we can do to um
get kids in our building more. And then
finally, the last one is develop a
fiscally responsible budget that
supports the strategic priorities of SEU
36. Uh one of them is continuing to
analyze outside funding sources. Um
completing a staffing study to ensure
proper alignment of district goals and
objectives and evaluate the efficient
and effective use of our district
facilities.
Um, so those are draft goals that we
propose to you. Um, I don't I didn't see
a policy that we have to have you folks
actually vote on these. Um, any feedback
relative to the goals?
>> I think they're a great start. I think
that's a that's a good year's worth of
uh, you know, work ahead of you. Nice
nice job.
>> Thanks.
>> Yep. So the the team did a great job um
just going through everything and that's
you know once we did our brain dump of
our thinking we started to theme things
you know sticky note the oldfashioned
move this here move this here and it
helps narrow you down into four areas
and that's how we were able to develop
these goals when we started looking at
you know what do we want to be good at
and [clears throat] you know what do we
want to be proud of when I'm sitting
here in July of 2027 giving you a
year-end report on the school year. So,
>> who facilitated that, Rob?
>> I did.
>> Oh, nice.
>> Okay. So, and I had, you know, I had
sent it out previously um so that the DT
had it um was able to review it and add
to it. So, um we also went through the
strategic plan as part of this process.
I gave you this is the last known update
to the strategic plan, but I want I gave
it to you so we could take a quick look
at page three. Um, for those folks that
are listening online, it is on the
school district website.
Um, so in the 23 24 and 2425 school
year, our focus areas, especially with
our teachers and our teacher evaluation
model, was instructional design,
classroom environment, and formative
assessment. And the proposal is to
combine instructional design and
formative assessment into one because
you can't you know in our opinion we
feel strongly that they are tied
together permanently. You have to
constantly be assessing to understand
where your instruction needs to go. Um
so we want to tie that. So it would be
instructional design and assessment the
classroom environment and the third
module would be professionalism. We
already evaluate our staff on
professionalism, but we want to bring an
emphasis to that and and um
help them write goals relative to
professionalism in SU36.
And then the last thing is the strategic
pillars. Uh right now they're listed.
Pillar one is structure and finance.
Pillar two is district culture and
wellness. Pillar three is teaching and
learning. We're proposing kind of
reorganizing
the number numbering of those um where
culture and wellness need to go first
because we know our kids and our staff
need to be in a good place when they
walk into our buildings or else learning
is not going to be as effective. So
shifting that up to one, number two
becomes teaching and learning and number
three becomes the structure and the
finance.
Any questions on that?
No,
>> I think we could ask the strategic plan
committee to
>> We're probably going to want to get
together. Yeah.
>> And I think some of the work we're going
to do around these goals with some of
the root analysis and stuff will be some
great information for that committee to
take a look at.
Um,
and then the other big item I put on
there is the ESA summer workshop. So the
uh every
student educational act or something.
Yeah. Educational student.
>> Yep.
>> It's a educational acronym. Um anyways
there that office is who monitors all
our federal grants and we
[clears throat] were monitored last
year. Um, we were told we had to go to
one, we were required to go to one of
their learning series, but we were
making an effort to try to make it to
all of them. Um, so that we learn more
about federal grants and ensure
compliance. So, I never want to have to
turn a penny over for a silly little
mistake. Um, so Melissa, Jen, Tetro, and
I have been a part of that series. You
just have some brief explanations about
policies and then the new hires. Uh
they're listed there, but I I'll read
them out loud. So, uh Megan Little Hale
will be a clinical mental health
clinician districtwide.
Uh Rita Gel, second grade teacher at
Lancaster Elementary. Dominic Barry,
hospitality teacher, White Mountains
Regional Middle High School. Josh
Godshaw, custodian, White Mountains
Regional Middle High School. Lauren
Harris, PAR educator, Whitefield
Elementary. And then Robin Baron McKelp,
Cook at Lancaster Elementary.
Okay. Thank you, Rob. Any questions for
the superintendent? Uh, where are we?
How many openings we have?
>> I have it right here in my notes.
Uh, [clears throat] we're looking for a
you Well, we anticipate you're going to
accept a resignation tonight.
>> Yeah. We're looking for a third grade
teacher at Lancaster still. um a parah
in Whitefield, a wellness staff member
in Whitefield, a physical ed teacher in
Whitefield,
White Mountains Regional Middle School.
We're looking for a PE teacher
um and still waiting on the finalization
of a math candidate.
>> So that's that's where we're at.
>> Need some phys people.
>> Yeah. And um they interviewed someone,
it was promising, and then they took a
job somewhere else.
>> Great. Um, but they have a few other
names that they're uh reaching out to.
>> Um, one that just came in today. So,
>> thank you.
>> Okay.
>> I feel like this is the best we've been
in a long time summerwise.
>> Yeah. Seems a shorter list for the July
meeting.
>> Okay. Thank you. Uh, director of
finance, please.
Um, I will first say thank you for
bearing with me with daff [laughter]
quite long and large and Rob suggested
to break it out as I was building. I was
like, "Yep, that's going to benefit us
greatly. We'll only be able to bring
pieces back when they make up the so
that'll [snorts] be good." Um, and you
have your report, our surplus report.
Um, as you can see, we are in
significantly better shape than we were
the last time you got this report. If
you look in the encumbrance column, you
can thank Vicky Herszog and Steph and
all three of the administrative
assistants for closing all those POS
out. Like again, that's a ton of work
and they made an insane amount of
progress. So, we are in a good spot and
it looks like right now there still
obviously are going to be expenses
trickling in. There's accounting
reconciliations I need to complete. Um,
we would be looking at [clears throat]
buildings and ground being fully funded,
which would be great.
>> That'd be great.
>> When um when do you have to give the
final report to the state? September.
>> Yes.
>> Maybe this will be my first year. I
don't need an extension.
>> All right. Good. Any questions for the
director of finance? And we also have um
Bob and Rob just signed our audit
engagement letter. We're still with
Claude Claudznik and Sanderson for a
third year and then we would decide if
we want to just straight up continue if
we want to go out and see who else is
out there from
>> when does that decision need to be made
in the spring?
>> Yeah.
>> Any other questions? Melissa.
>> Thank you, Melissa.
[clears throat] Okay. [sighs]
Committee reports, ed programming,
curriculum.
Chris isn't here. Adam, you don't have
anything, do you?
>> I don't.
>> Okay. Facilities.
>> Mr. Gary,
>> so I was giving you an update on the
boilers at my elementary. Um, so the the
boilers are all in um in place. The
piping is about 90% done. The welders,
they did a wonderful job getting
[clears throat] that done. Um pumps are
all in. The drives for the uh pumps have
been installed by electricians and the
new um breaker panel for the uh boiler
rooms been installed. They just got to
finish um filling it in. Um we prepped
the pad for the tank farm um this the
first of the week and um Sean McKelps
put his forms up to pour the concrete.
Um [clears throat] so we're hoping to
have that done next week. Then the um
superior can get there and get the tank
farm built. And uh so we're kind we're
pretty much on everything's pretty well
on time there. So we should be all set.
>> How are the rest of your summer projects
going?
>> Um good. I mean the the buildings look
good. Custodians have done a wonderful
job getting stuff done. We got a lot of
um room repairs here at the high school
that we're still working on. Um but
we're we should be ready for school.
>> Tell them about the pavilion, Gary. All
the well yeah the pavilion we started
putting the outb um
>> everything's done except for the roof.
So we started the roof yesterday
>> but with the rain and today we're trying
to get out there but it rained all day
so we've got about an hour on it. So the
roof will probably be done next week.
>> Great.
Project will be finished up.
>> Excellent. Thanks.
>> Thanks Gary.
>> Thank you.
uh personnel and
we have nothing really new to report
other than what was reported in the
public policy.
>> There's long list.
>> Yep, they're in there.
>> And district wellness.
Not yet, right?
>> No, not yet.
>> Any unfinished business?
See none. Any new business?
None. I have a question for the board
and it's to the um
>> the leaders and learners section of the
the Kas County Democrat. [clears throat]
>> Um it's always, you know, it's important
for us to communicate to the public, uh
especially those that don't use social
media that still pick up newspapers and
read it. Um as it's done right now, a
small snippet from each school is done
weekly. Um and then the principal kind
of oversees it and then Jeremy just
chasing people and editing and editing
and editing. Um so an idea tossed around
by DT is could we do a district one,
middle school, high school one,
Lancaster one, Whitefield one and just
rotate them. So the first week of the
month might be the district. Um the
second week of the month would be
Lancaster. So each school or each, you
know, entity would have a, you know,
once a month report to the Kas County
Democrat.
>> You want us to just nod our heads or
>> I mean, what are your thoughts?
>> I mean, it seems like
>> It seems like it would make sense to me,
especially if you It's funny. Bob and I
were talking about the similar topic
before the meeting. I mean, it's it's
something if Jeremy's having to manage
and it's taking away from other things
he should be doing, then we should be
trying to streamline that. So, if this
is a way of streamlining that
>> and [clears throat] and I think it would
be because, you know, you would be on
for the, you know, that first Democrat
and of the month, that's yours, you
know, the second one that's yours. So,
>> Yep.
>> And each school is putting out their own
social media.
>> Yeah.
>> So, that would just be like a
compliment.
>> Yep.
>> Yeah. Okay.
>> It might help make it shorter, too,
because sometimes
>> it's rather long.
>> Yep.
>> And you you lose people, right? Because
there's a lot of words there.
>> But even like on the high school's turn,
right? If they wanted to talk about
expedition um
>> exhibition night,
>> they're they have to do it in under 250
words, you know, and that's a huge night
for them. So they [clears throat] have a
whole section and that be their monthly
topic.
>> The other thing that you could do, Rob,
sorry I'm interrupting.
>> Um is Yes, your suggestion is great, but
then say there's something coming up or
whatnot, just put in a press release. Y
>> just like
>> and they'll put it in.
>> Yeah,
>> sounds good. Thank you. I'll bring that
back to them.
>> Yeah, that's Thank you.
All right.
So, that'll move us to the action agenda
items. And action agenda item number one
to approve the following child rearing
leave requests. Abigail VTO, Whitefield
Elementary School, teacher grade 5 from
August 26, 2026 to October 30, 2026.
>> So moved.
>> Moved by Terara.
>> I'll second it.
>> Second by Ben. Any questions?
Seeing none. All in favor? Any opposed?
Motion carries unanimously.
Action agenda item two to approve the
following policies for amendment. DAFF
administration of federal grants. ECAF
surveillance and other audio or video
recording by the district or district
personnel. EHB [clears throat] data
records retention. GBAM accommodation of
pregnancy childirth. pediatric infant
care and other related conditions.
>> So moved.
>> Moved by Ben, seconded by Kathleen. Any
questions?
Seeing none. All in favor? Any opposed?
Motion carries unanimous.
Action agenda item three to approve the
following policies for first read
[clears throat] Eeba vehicle operation
safety policy. So moved. Second by Ben,
second by Kathleen. Any questions?
See none. All in favor? Any opposed? The
motion carries unanimously.
Action agenda item four to resend the
following policy. EA video and audio
surveillance on school property.
>> So move by second by Ben. Any questions?
All in favor? Any opposed? Motion
carries unanimous. Action agenda item
number five to accept the following
resignations.
Brittany Leonard, Lancaster Elementary
School, third grade teacher, effective
June 30, 2026.
Raina Borbo, Whitefield Elementary
School, fourth grade teacher, effective
July 15, 2026.
>> I'll move it.
>> Moved by Ben.
>> I'll second it.
>> Second by Terara.
>> I'd like to make an amendment to action
agenda item five. Bob.
>> Yeah. like to amend it to read to leave
Britney Leonard as is. Um, but I'd like
to add to Raina Borbo West fourth grade
teacher effective July 15, 2026 that we
would accept it uh contingent upon
finding a replacement at this late date.
>> Okay. Is there a second to that
amendment?
>> Second by Tara. All in favor of the
amendment.
>> Any opposed? The amendment carries. So
the agenda item is as agenda to accept
the following resignation. Britney
Leonard, Lancaster Elementary School,
third grade teacher effective June 30,
2026. Reena Borgo, Whitefield Elementary
School, fourth grade teacher, effective
July 15, 2026. Accepted on condition of
finding a replacement prior to that time
or prior to for the next school year.
All in favor of the new motion.
>> Any opposed? The motion carries
unanimous.
Action agenda item six to accept and
appropriate unanticipated funds in the
amount of $2,800 awarded to the Society
of Sustainable Spartans from the New
England grassroots environment fund
grows
towards the permag
harvesting project at White Mountain
Regional Middle High School. So move by
Kathleen.
>> I'll second it.
>> Second by Ben. Any questions? Did
somebody just fill me in on that?
>> That's what I asked. What's water
harvesting?
>> I mean, I'm all for it, but when
>> Go [clears throat] ahead, Mr. Scott.
>> Yep. So, my understanding cuz he did a
big presentation with the students um in
the fall for a bunch of grants they were
going after is the um collection
barrels. They would be put up by uh
central office on the back side and
they'll have their big garden right
there and it'll allow them to use those
collection barrels when it rains to then
use it to water their garden. So they
got partially funded by the Rotary and
this organization um New England
Grassroots is providing the funding to
finish the project.
>> Cool.
>> Any other questions?
>> Motion was made and seconded. All in
favor? Any opposed? Motion carries
unanimously.
Action agenda item seven to approve the
following coaching nominations provided
the programs are to be offered. Caleb
Murphy, strength and conditioning. Brad
Willie, varsity girls soccer. Chris
Voss, varsity boys soccer. Connor Lewin,
varsity cross country. Braxton Brown,
varsity golf. Matt Bo, JV, girls boys
soccer co- coach. Jared Prince JV girls
boys soccer co- coach Aaron Ford JV
girls boys soccer co- coach Lindseay
Foss JV field hockey Jeffrey Samson bass
fishing and Mackenzie Norman middle
school field hockey
>> boy James second by Ben
>> any questions
>> yeah good question
>> y three coaches for JB boys girls
>> Carrie may be able to expand on that
better I think they did that last year
So I think the three of them kind of
split the positions.
>> It's still one stipen [snorts]
three.
>> Yeah.
>> I think it had to do with the fact that
there were just a lot of kids that were
>> there was a lot of kids.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Could be timing with
[clears throat] work, you know. So just
>> Yeah.
>> Thanks. And we'll be getting more kids
after this year.
>> Any other questions? All in favor? Any
opposed? The motion carries unanimously.
Action agenda item eight to approve the
following fundraising crowdfunding
request with campaign funds to exceed
$2,500.
Varsity boys soccer online campaign to
raise funds to pay summer officials and
purchase team gear.
>> Moved.
>> Moved by Kathleen.
>> I'll second.
>> Second by Tara. Any questions?
None. All in favor? Any opposed? The
motion carries unanimous.
Action agenda item five uh nine to
approve the following building
leadership members of school year 2026
2027.
Katrina Noise, building leadership team
lees. Gail McVetty, building leadership
team lees. Nicole Matson, Building
Leadership Team, LEES. Heidi Vestol,
Building Leadership Team, LEES.
Gina Manga Fiakco,
building Leadership Team, Whitefield
Elementary School. Sam Gross, Building
Leadership Team, Whitefield Elementary
School. Gabby Weatherbe, Building
Leadership Team, Whitefield Elementary
School. Kim Reed, building leadership
team, Whitefield Elementary School. Abby
May, [clears throat] building leadership
team, Whitefield Middle Regional High
School. Molly Carr, Building Leadership
Team, Whitefield M Regional, Whitefield
Mountain Regional Middle High School.
Swap. the break. Start again.
[clears throat]
>> F Lin Building Leadership Team
Whitefield Mountain. Yeah,
>> just read the letters. Just do W.
>> Yeah. What? What? M. Yeah. WMR. MHS.
It's easier to read the name.
>> Where was I? Beth Hopkin, Building
Leadership Team, Middle High School.
Kayla Graham, Building Leadership Team,
Middle High School. Jeff Cardi, Building
Leadership Team, Middle High School.
Bill Klene, Building Leadership Team,
Middle High School. Angie Loy, Building
Leadership Team, Middle High School, and
Christine Stevens, Building Leadership
Team, Middle High School.
>> So moved.
>> Moved by Kathleen.
>> Second.
>> Second by Ben. Any questions?
All in favor? Any opposed? The motion
carries unanimously.
Uh let's see. So
that concludes this meeting. We do need
to go into another non-public session
where we will not have any
um
>> business
>> business to do afterwards. So, we'll
just stay here. There's a couple of
minutes if anybody wanted to make last
minute public comment.
And
if not, I would need a motion to go into
non-public session in accordance with
RSA 91- A column 32,
sub paragraph
A.
>> So moved by Adam,
>> second by Kathleen.
>> Roll call, please step.
>> A Adair,
>> yes.
>> J A
C Fountain,
>> yes.
>> E Giles,
>> yes. B Jealison.
>> Yes.
>> Arlo Kono.
>> Yes.