001Who's controlling? >> Are you ready? >> Right. I'm going to call to order this meeting of the Keen Board of Education for Tuesday, August uh hang on, August 12th, 2025. We were just saying most of us haven't turned on our Chromebooks in so long that they all gave us security alerts for turning on our Chromebooks because we take July off. Um, we got a couple important things to get through tonight. Uh, let's open. Uh, please join me for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance 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. Can I have a motion to approve? Wait, public input. Sorry, we do open with public input. Uh 6:33 now.
002So, we'll keep public input open until 7:05. Does anybody have any input they'd like to share this evening to start the meeting? All right. As stated, we will keep that open until 7:05. Uh public input can also be submitted in writing. Uh care of the superintendent's office. Uh address that to spelky sau9.org. Uh attention superintendent or schoolboard. Can I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any concerns? Any documents people want removed? All those in favor? Any opposed? Carries. 8 Z. First item of business is our board vacancy. As most people watching know, uh Rebecca Lancaster had to resign from the board last spring. Uh she has taken a science teaching position at our middle school, which is excellent news for our students over at the middle school.
003Uh we have five candidates candidates uh for the vacant position. We will be appointing one of them as an interim member uh for the remainder of this year until the March elections. Uh in the March elections, the remaining two years of that seat will be voted on by uh the citizens of Keen. Uh the format for this um I hope this has been shared with all the candidates, but I will briefly run through it. Um we will have the five of you go into u that back room off where Mr. Campell is standing at this time. We'll bring you in one at a time to introduce yourselves and answer a short series of questions from the superintendent. Uh, and we will cycle through the five of you. Um, and then we'll have you hang out
004just because it's faster. We'll have you hang out in that back room while we go through the somewhat tedious voting process and we'll bring you in and let you know who will be the interim uh position for the remainder of this term. Uh so if the uh candidates could go into that back room there >> actually Rob do you want to ask one of them to remain >> Yep. sit at that table and you got to turn on the microphone for us please. all the technology. Congratulations. >> You want to go ahead and introduce yourself? >> Good morning or good afternoon, evening. My name is Scott Antsan Allen. I I'm here to offer my services to help out with the six-month vacancy that you have open. As I noted in the information shared with the
005superintendent, I have six years experience. I think that's definitely helpful for folks that are coming on for such a short period of time as it takes three sometimes four months to get going. So I feel I can help and contribute in that way. I've served on many of the different committees within with the exception of policy and and finance. I think it is. I don't know. At least policy. I haven't done those kinds of things and I am a believer in public education. So I really want to make sure this continues in the vein for the city of Keen and the communities served that we're having quality education and folks that are focused on quality education serving on this board. Hence, I would rather step forward, put my experience out there and allow somebody to
006run for a three-year open spot and get their experience and their commitment seen. So, those are the pieces that I have out there. Oh, my tagline, Cheshire Career Center is the is the future of this community and we need to have focus on that as many of our students will go off to college and may not get back here for a number of years until they're ready to raise a family. But I believe in the importance of that in the Cheshire Career Center. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. and you may have answered some of the questions, but I'm gonna ask them again anyway so that we're consistent with all five candidates. >> Sounds great. >> Um, first question, why are you interested in the open position on the Keen Board of Education? >> Do we
007think we covered that or you want me to go? >> Okay. Uh, I'm interested in public education in state New Hampshire. It's important to have a focus on that. In addition, I have six years experience working in your positions in the past, and I believe that somebody filling a six-month vacancy is really going to take a good three months to get settled in unless they have previous experience. Besides that, Ken is a great place to live. Appreciate that. Um, could you please describe your view on the role of public education? >> We should have public education. I believe that firmly. Um I think there's challenges right now with shifting to charter schools and other agendas. Hence all the good work going on within the Keen school system and the and the surrounding towns. It's important
008you know it's time to transition. Number five. Thank you, Scott. Um could you please describe this is going to be redundant again any relevant experience you have with public education related issues >> public education well for my entire career I've worked in higher education and I think there's some correlation there my kids have all hey there it goes uh my kids are all almost all one's still going to be a senior this year are products of keen school system and the things that go on there. Enough said. What do you see as the two greatest challenges facing the Keen School District and what would you do as a school board member to help address those challenges? >> I would say challenge number one is coming back to the Cheshire Career Center is really focusing on
009not that it hasn't been focused on. I'm not taking anything away from that. It's hard to fill the trades. And as I talk to my kids' friends that are getting ready to go go off to college, go to trades, needing to take a a gap time as they wait for something to open up. One of them was sharing with me this weekend how how dis disheartened he was that he had started so strong with some great teachers that just couldn't afford to continue with the being the trade teacher in in the school on a couple of occasion and hence he his one regret was not being a completer and receiving the recognition in the cords for that um and he wasn't taking a swipe at Keen school system for that but I think that that
010area and finding other creative solutions even though hands can be tied a bit on that be out there. Uh the other piece I would say the second piece is keeping the schools you know very much within the fact that we are community schools and appreciating the fact that we have control over the school system and we have a voice in doing that because there's a lot of places in this country that don't necessarily have that type of representation. That's important for me and I think important for the community that we all live in and the values that we serve to see that continue onward. >> Thank you. Is there an issue you wish to advocate for if appointed as a member of the Keen Board of Education? >> I would say definitely the Cheshure Career
011Center. Uh but also I think in addition Cheshure Career Center and the high school, one of the big challenges I see coming is the fact that the Winchester students are going to be departing over the next sequence of years. I know that you all work very hard on that and I'm sure that there's a lot going on, but that's a reduction of 10% of the students attending Keen High School. So Keen High School is going to be redefining itself. that may help in some areas where had some attrition. I don't know what folks have been doing about retirement and how that's been going on. But within that, it's that fine balance and being there to be supportive as I can in a six-month position to allowing that departure with dignity and also the right sizing
012of Keen High School to the new reality of I'm guessing it's about 1,200 now. So about 11 1050 somewhere in there. I think that's going to be a big piece. >> Last question. How much of a time commitment are you willing or able to offer as a member of the Keen Board of Ed? >> I can offer couple of Tuesdays a month. I can offer I know during budget times we need to be there a bit longer. I know what the background is. You know, I'm I'm here. I'm ready. Yeah. >> Do you need more clarity than that? I know anybody. >> Okay. >> I I don't think so. Um those are all the questions that we had and so we'll ask you to go back with the rest of the group and if Tim
013you'd be kind enough to ask um Deb Frile Hunter. >> Good evening everyone. That is not a baby. You're up here. Hello. >> If you could just give a brief introduction. The mic's still on, right? Yes. >> Okay, great. Hi. >> Well, thanks for welcoming me here today. I'm Heather Gilligan. I am a resident of Keen and a homeowner for 15 years right here in town. Uh the parent of an eighth grader, the spouse of a teacher and coach within the district, and a faculty member in the music department at King State College. I grew up in an educator household. My parents were both public school teachers. They were strong advocates for public education throughout my childhood. That sense of advocacy advocacy helped shape my own life choices and it has fed my desire to
014advocate and speak for what I believe in. Can you all hear me? I have an array of experience that I believe will bring new perspectives to the board and that will help to inform my work as a school board member. I have held leadership roles such as the chair of my department and the chair of important faculty committees at Keen State. I have taken on roles that required organizational skills such as the writing of our 337page self-study for accreditation which gave me a breath of knowledge about budgeting and hiring processes and the inner workings of a complex educational institution. I have gravitated towards organizational advocacy such as my time spent on the college planning council and the strategic advisory team and I am just starting new terms on the boards of the Keen Endowment Association
015and the KSC Education Association. I have been an advocate for public education and other issues that support fairness and opportunity within our state. I have testified inside and rallied in front of the state house. I know that collectively my testimony and my presence at rallies contributes to effective change at the state level and I will continue to speak out but it's not quite enough. I want to be involved in the con conversations that are taking place right here in Keen and I want to help shape the policies and decisions that will lead to successful educational experiences in our district. So this is why I am stepping up to become a member of the school board. I hope to bring to this role my unique experience, my perspective as an educator and a parent, and my
016strong commitment to public service. >> Thank you, Heather. I've got a few questions. They're going to be redundant with some of the the background that you just provided, but we're going to be consistent and ask all the questions to all the candidates. Okay? So, forgive me if you're like, I already answered that. Yeah, I I get it, but I want to make sure the process >> not to say that >> the same. So, um, first question. Why are you interested in the open position on the Keen Board of Education? >> Well, I really advocacy is important to me. Well, you know, this is good that you're asking it because you can tell I was reading my intro and now I'll say it without reading. So, it's my my live my live words around it. Um,
017I have chosen advocacy in everything that I do. So I I said that I teach in the music department at King State College. I'm a composer. I write a lot of pieces that speak to what's happening and what's relevant in our lives. Social justice issues. I've traveled um to other areas of the country where those issues were relevant and had those pieces performed. So there's always um an inclination to advocate for the right things. The things that I believe in equity um and at the top of that list is education, particularly funding for education. It's what's drawn me to start going to conquered every couple of months to have my voice heard. And so, I have begun to feel like all of those are sort of passive roots to advocacy. And I want to start
018putting myself in a situation where I can have conversation about policy and I can help to shape that policy and make decisions that are relevant to our community and to my family. I have an eighth grader. Um my daughter's about to start eighth grade at the middle school. I've always been in public education myself. I grew up in it and so it's important to me that we get this right. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. Could you please describe your view on the role of public education? >> Well, I think public education is the foundation of a successful society. Uh, you know, it's a little like realizing that the roads you drive on are, you know, public roads that are built by the taxes that your community members have contributed, right? We all play a role
019in building a successful society. Well, education is at the heart of all of that. So, um, public education is a human right. We should be educating all of our citizens and I've always believed so firmly in the importance of public education. Um, and so I would like to help support that. Um, it's not public education available, but it's also having robust public education that's well funded. It's um supporting the whole student. Uh not just thinking academically, but thinking about um a wider breath of support for students. Um supporting the whole student so that they can become active and engaged citizens. Um thinking about mentoring and advising them, you know, helping them to build time management skills and and gain test taking techniques and you know navigating personal challenges that might be hindering their education. The
020breadth of services and supports that we can provide to our students is wide and it's up to us to figure out how to make that successful and how to make it successful for everyone and equitable and fair so that everybody has that opportunity. >> Thank you. I know you've touched this one too, but uh could you please describe any relative experience you have with public education related issues? >> Right. Well, Keen State is public, but it's higher ed, right? And so I have a lot of experience at the higher ed level. And um at the same time, we take a lot of students from from the K through2 system. You know, in the Keen public schools and um neighboring school districts, a lot of our students are are products of New Hampshire public education. And
021so, you know, I also was a piano teacher before I moved to Keen to start a life at Keen State. And so, I've t taught many ages. I taught my youngest was four. I think my oldest was maybe 82. So I have also thought a lot about um ways to educate different ages of students and to accommodate different needs of students. And so I think that my my experience uh at at the level of higher ed with Keen State could be an asset to the board here because we could think about um ways to bridge students into success in the university system and that's really important. And then I also think that my own teaching experience and my awareness of the vast and varied needs of our students um would also be quite relevant. >>
022Thank you. Um, what do you see as the two greatest challenges facing the Keen School District and what would you do as a school board member to help address those challenges? >> Well, I think it all comes back to money. So, you know, you could break that into a few different challenges. So, one major challenge is lower student populations. So, demographics are shifting. So, um I know that we have 45,000 fewer students now than we had 20 years ago in the public education system in New Hampshire and that New Hampshire has sustained the largest percentage decline in its child population of any state in the union between 2010 and 2020. Those are real statistics and um it's something that we can't control, but it does have to do with um you know, challenges in funding
023public education. Um and then another kind of obvious one that I've been advocating for is that, you know, we've had diminishing support at the state and federal levels. So, um In 2022, New Hampshire spent the least amount of state funds on its public K through2 schools as a percentage of total revenue of any state in the country at 29%. Our neighbors right next door, Vermont, they came in first at 87%. This is this is a major gap. It's true at Keen State as well. We're last in the country in terms of state funding and allocation. And so this is where my own advocacy has begun. I've been trying to speak out about the importance of education, of public education. Um I I think that it's our duty to educate the public, to be transparent about
024what the successes are within the school, within the school district. Um what is it that we really need in order to make our citizens be successful? and we want to build active citizens, engaged citizens within our state. Uh, you know, we're kind of hamstringing our own economy if we don't do that. And so I think that these these issues all come back to uh challenges with funding and the importance of that advocacy and therefore the importance of this role. >> Thank you, Heather. Um, is there an issue you wish to advocate for if appointed as a member of the Keen Board of Education? >> Well, how do you boil it down to one? Are there issues plural? Yeah, there are a lot of issues that I think are coming through the state house right now.
025Um there is a trend towards um maybe a skepticism towards public education or the value of education. Um some of the legislation that's coming through is essentially taking the power away from local school boards and putting it at the state level. And uh this is where my advocacy I think has been important. But advocacy of a board like this is critical to educate the public to hold hearings to to really try to change the tide of public opinion so that there is a mutual support for the value and support of public education, but also an understanding of some of these specific issues like of the bills that are coming through and um freedom of speech issues and uh autonomy to teach our children about topics and history of our state and our nation and the
026world. Um so you know ironically state funding is diminishing and sort of being sent to the local u citizenry and yet local control is going in the other direction. Right? And so control of curriculum and decisions around around what school boards can can do in their schools and how they can shape policies is being sent to the state level. And I think that those two should be reversed. It should go in the other direction. Right? So we need more states funding, but we also need more autonomy to be able to make decisions for our own community so that we can respond to the needs of our students. And so I would work really hard to find ways to help put a dent in that. and you know uh find solutions to that. Yeah, >> appreciate
027that. Last question. How much of a time commitment are you willing or able to offer as a member of the Keen Board of Education? >> Well, it's like the old adage, if you want something done, ask a busy person. Um I I'm aware of the time commitment and I am totally on board 100%. Um at Keen State we have a service um requirement as basically one-third of our position teaching scholarship and service and I have tried to have my service side be to shape the community and opportunity for the students in ways that reflect the advocacy that I've been doing. I'm already going in that direction. And so I've been uh consciously trying to shape my service um in ways that will give me a voice and a platform to to help with this effort.
028And so um you know I do consider it to be part of what I should be doing as a faculty member at Keen State, right? So it's not like it's going to be a separate wing and oh I have to go off campus and do this other work. I consider it part of the service work that I'm contributing to the college and to the community around the college. Um just on a local level, my semester this this semester is a little bit light for me. So it's a perfect time for me to step in and learn the ropes. Um I know that I don't have any commitments on the nights that there are commitments for this. And so, you know, for me, the schedule has worked out really well and I'm ready to step up
029and have that time commitment. >> Thank you, Heather. I'm going to ask you to go back into the room and Deb, >> thank you. Hi. >> Hey, Deb. If you give a quick introduction for yourself and then Rob will ask you some questions. >> Sure. I'm Deb Hunter. Um, I put Deborah Friselle Hunter because that was on my resume. So, that's where how that happened. But, uh, my dad was very confused. Um, he thought I was using Friselle as my middle name. Tried to explain to him. But, um, so I, um, I guess I should start by saying that before I was in education or an educational leader, I um, was a strawberry picker um, on family farm. My mom was a um immigrated from Chile. She u my dad went to Chile on a
030farm youth exchange program and met my mother and then she came back um and worked on the farm with my dad and needed to do something. So, she started a pick your own strawberry business that's still going now. It's Peach Blow Farm in Charletown. I don't know if you know it, but um and in the field in the strawberry field is where I learned most everything I needed to know, right? to be um a good human um and I think some of the qualities that you need as a board member. So hard work of course. Some sometimes it was well adaptability. Um there were ethical problems. Sometimes I had a cousin who would steal strawberries from you're supposed to sit stay in the field and and pick your your basket and you put your basket
031behind you and then um someone comes and picks it up but you get paid per basket. But my cousin used to hop over take the baskets and put them behind her and then keep going and time. Um, it took a long time for them to figure out that how she was doing that. But, um, so I, um, so that's how I became who I am today. But, um, I wanted to share to share this with you because that's really the the why I'm think that I'm a good fit for the school board now. Um, I'm Friday is my last day at the Cheshire Medical Center. actually technically from Bright Horizons because they I announced my retirement about eight months ago and my replacement is a whole company we have to so Bright Horizons is coming
032in and um they're going to manage the childcare center um that I have been director at for 20 years um which is why they need a a company um it's got it's a lot um but a lot of the um skills that I use as director Also, there are lots of constituents like you on the school board, the families, the students, the the teachers, the um community. Um so, uh I've been doing that for 20 years and I think it's time for a change and not sure what else I'm going to do, but I want to stay in the education field. And so, when I heard on the radio that there was a vacancy, I thought it's a good opportunity to see. Um, I was also on the West Women's School board for five years,
033I think, chairman for I think four out of five. Um, and children and then, um, I put my priorities on the on here because of course students are first, but supporting students and I would say families with that, too. Um, empowering educators and community partners. >> Awesome. Some of the questions that I'm going to ask, you already have touched on, but I'm just to be consistent going to ask them anyway. So, you can reward, rephrase, and reanswer however you see fit. First question, why are you interested in the open position on the Keen Board of Education? I feel like I would be a good um a good fit because or um it might be valuable because I have experience in early childhood which I'm sure everybody has some experience there. Um but my focus has
034really been in early childhood but I also have I've taught in elementary schools. Um I have um three children who went through the high school all different paths but all very successful adults. Um, and then I also teach at River Valley Community College. So I have student I've interacted with families and students of all um ages and so I think that would be helpful. Um, so then and I want to stay in the field just not I'm going to keep teaching at River Valley and I'm not sure what else I'm do but >> thank you. Could you please describe your view on the role of public education? >> Well, I um I feel like it's u it's our the our job or our duty to engage families in the wanting to be in the public
035schools um and making it a community that they want to be a part of. I know you've answered this a little bit, but could you please describe any relative experience you have with public education related issues? >> Yeah, I mentioned I was a director for 28 years. I've been the director. Um, and there's um that has has really given me a um lots of I'm much more comfortable with um conflict resolution or problem solving. When I given all the experience I've had, I've learned so much about how to build relationships, positive relationships right from the beginning. That's the foundation, right? and then you can build trust from there. So, um, and the constituents, like I said, are are very similar. We've got I've got the children, the the families, the community. What do you see
036as the two greatest challenges facing the Keen School District? And what would you do as a school board member to help address those challenges? Um are they true? Um I think um I think and it's probably general not just it's not just keen of course but um parents are scared I think about their children being successful in school. They're worried about their children and their experience. And so I think um one issue is is the how to build that small community in a in a large district. Um because that's what's going to connections are going to help with that. Um I think there I think maybe some um some kind of a um mentor. I know that you all have represent that you represent a a school. So you sort of adopt a school, but
037maybe it's more of a mentorship or a place where um Social emotional competence can be stressed for students and families. Is there an issue you wish to advocate for if appointed as a member of the Keen Board of Education? >> I don't have anything. Um I mean I I I hear about issues through the um like the teachers at the at the childcare center that I've been at um they're they're parents of students and so I hear issues that way but I think I'd rather I'd rather hear them as they're happening. I don't have anything that I'm that I'm except for we need more focus on early childhood because that's really the foundation. So I guess there yes I would push for that because that's where it really starts. And last question, how much of
038a time commitment are you willing or able to offer as a member of the Keen Board of Education? >> Yeah, that's why I wanted to take advantage of um the opening now because last day is Friday. got things to I've got things in the works to do. But um but now is a good time in my life to um and my children are adults adults and so they're all out of the house and so would say I have all the time in the world but I don't have all the time but I feel like I I do have the time to commit now. >> Thanks Deb. We're gonna ask you to go back and um Mr. Phillips is next. Yeah, >> this is also the close of our public input. Did anybody want to give
039public input before we close that? >> All right. >> Hey, Brian, if you could uh >> Good evening. give a quick introduction for yourself and then Mr. Miller will ask you some questions. >> Great. So, uh, my name is Brian Phillips. I've been a Keen resident for 26 years now. Um, I taught in the Keen school system for many years from 2001 till I retired two years ago. Also retired from the military, active duty, then finished up my career in the National Guard. Um, I put it my um description of my goals and my qualifications, but I like to be involved in my community. Um, I'm a Scout Master X Scout troop currently and Ward Selectman was asked to be in our church beacon council. So, I stepped to do that. Um, I know this
040is a seven-month position. I know you have a vacancy to fill and I'd like to be involved in my community and contribute to it. As a scout master, there's required merit patches and I'm a counselor for quite a few of them 10 of them. Four of them are citizenship in society, citizenship in community, citizenship in the nation, and citizenship in the world. And those are probably the most important ones to me. Um I tell that to the to the voice. Um And I think I want to put that into action and that's why I like to stay involved. I don't have goals to come into this position with. I basically want to be a part of the board and help the board be you know functional and support the students in Keen and the families
041in Keen. So, so that's that in a nutshell and I'm ready for questions. Sure. Some of them you might have touched, but I'm gonna just be consistent with asking all of the questions to all of the candidates. Um, first question, why are you interested in the open position on the Keen Board of Education? I saw that uh opening post and thought I thought long and hard about it because I know it's a commitment. Um, I know there's time involved and I know Um, it's a pretty visible commitment too sometimes. So, I thought, do I want to do that? And then I answered yes. Um, I care about the school district because I've been a member of it for a long time and four of my children went through the King school system and I want
042to see it continue to support the children the best way it can. Um, that worked. Thank you. Could you please describe your view on the role of public education? >> I'm a strong believer in public education. I think it serves a community and everyone benefits from it, whether you even have children or not. You are a member of a community and we all benefit from people being educated to make good decisions to having careers to helping maintain healthy economy and to even just the civility of being exposed to multiple viewpoints, different ideas, people from different backgrounds. I think you gain that from a public education and that's really important to me. Thank you. Could you please describe any relevant experience you have with public education related issues? I graduated my MST in teaching in 1998.
043Um, I've seen changes in that time span, retiring two years ago as a elementary school teacher. Um, I've seen a greater need of support services in our schools due to changes in family dynamics um, and other issues. So, I've seen the role of educators at my level having to be a stable influence in children's lives. I've seen school having to be sometimes sadly the the stability part of their life as opposed to home. So, um I think that's important to make sure that we can do the best we can to care for them. Sometimes the things they they come to school not even in a position to learn yet. You have to like take care of their issues, feel safe, accommodated, then you can start the learning process. And I've seen that issue grow throughout
044the years. Um don't have the answer to it. Um but I think that's one that needs to be supported. >> Thank you. What do you see as the two greatest challenges facing the Keen School District? And what would you do as a school board member to help address those challenges? I see challenges that are above the schoolboard district level, so I don't that counts. Um, I've been following the whole um tuition waiver issue and I know that concerns me but I know I think that's above the key schoolboard level. Okay. Um so I think funding for schools is going to be even harder in the future due to resources. Um so maintaining the quality programs we have and I don't know what the answer is but um helping to you know protect our programs for
045our students and our educators to do the best they can um I think is going to be more challenging in the future. Is there an issue you wish to advocate for if appointed as a member of the Keen board of education? I don't have a specific issue that I say this is what I have on my agenda to bring forward to the school board. Um I'm coming to you as someone who wants to help and work out and help with an agenda. And last question, how much of a time commitment are you willing or able to offer as a member of the Keen Board of Education? From what I understand, you meet once a month and then there's like probably two other Tuesday night meetings a month based on subcommittees you'll be on and I
046assume there'll have to be like preparatory work for that like reading information so you can make informed decisions. Um, so I know it's not one meeting a month. I totally understand it. I've done work in other volunteer groups and in other groups that you know it's much bigger. So, but now I have the time on my hands now. Now I get to choose to do what I want to do. So, luckily I'm in a position to offer that. Thank you, Brian. Appreciate your responses. And we'll have you go back, Mr. Washer, please. and Jason, if you could give a brief introduction and then Mr. Mle will ask you some questions. >> Uh, sure. I wrote down an introduction if that's okay. Um, my name is Jason Washer. I grew up in Keen and attended Keen
047schools and now my three kids go to Keen schools. Uh Julia is in third grade at Simons, Adam's in seventh at the middle school and Max is entering high school as a freshman this year. Um I have a deep and heartfelt commitment to ensuring that our schools remain great not only not only for my kids but for all the children who do and will attend them. Um if I'm chosen to serve on the school board, I will work alongside you to ensure that the interests of our students are at the center of every decision uh we make. In my recent campaign for school board, I emphasized priorities that I still hold firmly to. Um creating safe, inclusive school environments for all students, strengthening communication between the districts, the district and the families and ensuring um
048excellent schools and responsible budgeting. Uh we can have great schools and well-paid teachers and be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Above all, I believe in putting students first in every decision we make. Uh, professionally, I bring a broad and practical background to the table. I'm a veteran of the US Navy, which taught me discipline, service, and teamwork. Um, following my service as a medical corman in the Navy, I went on to work as a mental health worker for mentally ill adolescence. Um, I then spent time in management at a half dozen Home Depot, leading large and diverse teams, um, and building consensus around goals and values. For the past 15 years, I've successfully run my own business, which has required innovation. perseverance and hard work. Um, if chosen, I promise to bring that same innovation,
049perseverance, and hard work to my role on the school board. These experience have helped have helped, excuse me, these experiences have helped me develop leadership, problem solving skills, and budget management skills um that I believe would serve the board well. I understand the importance of making strategic financial decisions that prioritize student outcomes while still respecting taxpayer contributions. Um, for more than a year and a half now, I've followed the issues facing uh the district in this board closely. Um, I've attended most board meetings and many, many committee meetings. Um, I've spoken up when I had something to contribute and listen carefully when I did not. Um, I'm well informed on the current issues facing the board and if I'm chosen to serve alongside you, I'm ready to step in tonight and begin. If I'm given
050the opportunity, I'd be honored to support the district's mission in a way that always centers children and their needs. Um, and thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to your questions. >> Thank you, Jason. Some of them you've already answered in your introduction. >> Yeah, I wasn't sure how long to go. >> No, but it's good. I'm going to ask them anyway so that you have a second chance to answer them again. Um, and that way I've been consistent with all of the candidates. So, first question, why are you interested in the open position on the Keen Board of Education? Um, well, I like I like I said, I've been following the the goings on with the board for about a year and a half now. Um, initially because of a
051particular issue of the school school lunch program. Um, but as time went on and after that issue got resolved, I found myself very interested in the functioning of the board um and um and how how I might be able to help serve on the board. Um, sorry, I lost my train of thought there. Um yeah, so I I initially became interested because of the school lunch program and then I um then I realized that I might have something to contribute. So I've been following the meetings closely. I ran last time as you know. I lost last time as you know. Um but I think I have something to contribute. I think um putting kids first in all the decisions that the board makes is uh important and probably um something that I would um be
052good at helping with. Um I'm a team player um and uh I'm I'm looking forward to your next question. >> Thank you. Um please describe your view on the role of public education. Um, I think public education is critical. I think um, as as you know, I attended these schools in Keen. My kids all attend the schools in Keen. Um, my family has had nothing but positive experiences with the with the schools at Simons and Middle School. We haven't been through the high school yet for my son, but I'm sure that'll be good, too. Um, I think it's I think public education is key to preparing kids for the future, for ensuring democracy by teaching them civics and um, educating them about critical thinking and things of that nature. Um, yeah, I'm I'm a big
053believer in public school. Thank you. Please describe any relative experience you have with public education related issues. Um, sure. Well, as I said, I've got my my kids going through the school. I went through the school schools. Um, the when I found out about the school lunch issue back, it was about a year and a half ago, um, and I attended, as as many of you probably remember, I attended a lot of meetings and, um, gradually over time, the board decided to vote and changed that that uh, changed that policy, which from my perspective, I think was a good decision. And I appreciate that the decision was made. Um, and but my experience with that is that it showed me that I could have some positive impact on the community and on the kids in
054our schools. Um, and that's why I'm here again. >> Sure. What do you see as the two greatest challenges facing the Keen School District and what would you do as a school board member to help address those challenges? >> Um, It's an interesting question. There's I think there's more than two. I think I think one of them certainly is is bullying um amongst the kids and also the in the in the current climate we're living in. There's a lot of attacks on diversity and equity and things like that in uh society as a whole and in schools in particular. Um, I think all of this kind of ties together and I think finding a way to continue to care for those teachers and staff and teachers who who might not feel safe in the schools
055is important. Um, and I I think that's a a key issue. And I think that all ties into the bullying, too. Um, I think I said this during the campaign that I don't know what the solution is to the bullying problem. I do think it needs to be continue to be talked about. I think that um I think that less in terms of dealing with the families, maybe less legal jargon would be helpful in more direct straightforward communication um for the families. Um so that's that's one challenge. Um the other challenge facing schools, I know the test scores are um could use a little bit of work. I think that there's some room for improvement there. I'd be um happy to to to be on any committee that might look at how to improve those
056scores and um lift those up for um all of the kids and that's okay. Thank you. Is there an issue you wish to advocate for if appointed as a member of the King Board of Education? Um, you know, there there is not um the main the main reason I want to be in this board is I feel like I could help I think I think I'm a I think I could help the board in in a few ways, but my main goal on being the board, being on the board would be centering all the decisions that I make anyways on what's best for the students. What you know, if a dollar is spent in the budget, how does that impact um the students? If if if a policy committee changes a policy, how does that
057impact the students as the the first and last question to all answers? Um what was the rest of the question? I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. It was just if there was an issue you wish to advocate for. >> Yeah. No, no, I don't have any agenda other than doing whatever is best for the kids in the schools. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh last question. How much of a time commitment are you willing or able to offer as a member of the Keen Board of Education? >> Um, I can certainly do Tuesdays. I can I can give my Tuesdays without question. Um, I have um I'm self-employed. I set my own schedule so I can work when and where is needed. Um, and I'm willing to work uh very hard for the school board and I'm
058prepared to do that regardless of the hours that might take. >> Perfect. Thank you. I'm gonna have you go back into the room and the board's going to begin their deliberation. >> All right. Thank you. All right. I apologize in advance. This process is ridiculous. Um, the voting process in our policy, as best I can tell, was designed to prevent the actuality or the appearance of the board stacking uh with their favorite people in the event of a vacancy. Um, the voting is by roll call. Um, and Jen, when you do it, the chair will be last like we do when we go into non-public. When you are called, you state the last name of your preferred candidate. If you don't think any of the five are qualified, then you state no. The lowest vote
059total or multiple if there is a tie are eliminated. We repeat that procedure until we have only two candidates. Uh and then we do a final vote. The winning candidate must receive a majority of votes. So there's eight of us. So that would be five votes. Um, if after two votes we cannot break a tie or we cannot achieve five votes for any one candidate, then we have to repost the position. You guys get all that. All right, first vote. Jennifer, can you do a roll call? >> Mr. >> Miss Freriedman. Mr. Germana >> Gilligan >> Miss Hedings >> Miss Gilligan >> Mr. Omar >> Anan Allen >> Mr. Roberts >> Gilligan Miss Walker, >> Gilligan, >> Mr. Downing, >> and Allen. That shortens things because that immediately has a three-way tie for last lowest.
060Thank you. Um, so then we only have to do one round with the two candidates. So, the final two candidates are Heather Gilligan and Scott Anivan Allen. John, if you could do the roll call a second time. >> Mr. Fio, >> Miss Freriedman, >> Mr. Germana, >> Gilligan, >> Miss Hedings, >> Gilligan, >> Mr. Mr. Omar >> An Allen >> Mr. Roberts >> Miss Walker >> Gilligan Mr. Downing >> As promised I will not put us into a tie situation. Gilligan. So that means the interim candidate will be Heather Gill. Interim appointment will be Heather Gilligan. Tim, you want to bring them in? >> What's that? >> Invite them back in and announce it. Yes. Yes, >> absolutely. So to our to our five candidates, I I want to say thank you. Um because what
061you did was you made the decision, you know, not easy for the board. And that's always a wonderful thing to experience that we've got members in our community who are willing to raise their hand and and step up in a time of need. And I know that the board appreciates having the wonderful presentations that we had. So, just wanted to say take a quick moment to say thank you to all five of our candidates. Really happy that you all answered the call. Um hopefully we can continue to work with all five of you. Um maybe not in the role as a member of the Keen Board of Education, but maybe in another manner or another fashion as well. So, with that, I'm going to turn it over to the chair to announce the outcome. >>
062And after multiple rounds of voting, the interim appointment will be Heather Gilligan. And as Rob said, thank you all for coming in, for putting your names forward. Um, this was five excellent candidates. I can't recall an interim situation like this where any of you could have admirably served on the board. So, thank you very much. Um, Heather, uh, you could come up. We need to administer the oath of office. [Applause] You have a seat next to Dylan. Dylan, turn on that mic. >> Ready. >> I meant. >> All right. Repeat after me. >> I state your name. I, Heather Gilligan, >> do solemnly swear >> that I will bear faith and true allegiance >> that I will bear faith and true allegiance >> to the United States of America >> and the state of New
063Hampshire >> and will support the Constitution thereof >> and will support the Constitution thereof. >> So help me God. >> I state your name. I, Heather Gilligan, >> do solemnly and sincerely swear and affirm >> do solemnly sincerely swear and affirm >> that I will faithfully and impartially discharge >> that I will faith faithfully and impartially discharge >> and perform all duties incumbent on me >> as a schoolboard member >> according to the best of my abilities >> agreeably to the rules and regulations of this constitution agreeably to the rules and regulations of this constitution >> and the laws of the state of New Hampshire >> and the laws of the state of New Hampshire. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Uh we'll take a fivem minute recess. All right, we should come back
064to order. We're not even halfway through the agenda, believe it or not. Close all of these links about interim members. All right. You ready, Jen? Okay. >> All right. Up next is report of the board chair. Obviously, this is our first meeting back after our summer recess. Um, and so, welcome back, uh, everybody involved in the board. The administration obviously has already been back um, for a while uh, getting ready for the coming year. Our buildings are starting to get ready for the coming year. Uh parents are starting to get those emails with the first week of school schedule. Um the orientations for new students, for students moving into new buildings, etc., etc. Uh everybody is hard at work in the district. We're still working on paving some of the roads. Uh we all had
065to park out front of this building instead of the normal parking lot because the the Jonathan Daniels building was the latest one to get resurfaced. Uh we are going to be facing a lot of challenges from the state this year. Uh I hope policy committee is ready for that. Uh we got the preliminary report from the New Hampshire School Board Association on policies affected by last year's legisl legislative action. And as you might expect, there is an awful lot of stuff that we're going to have to wade through uh and do our best to keep it from impacting our teachers and our students too badly, but that will kick into gear next month. Uh there are still no more committee meetings this month. Uh several committees are getting together with their administrative connection to kind
066of map out a road plan for the coming year. Uh but as far as regular meetings uh with the public input and whatnot, those won't be happening. We do have as a board a special meeting next Tuesday at uh 5:30 that will be here in this room. Uh we did have uh a quorum so at least five of you are already committed to that. Uh Shaina sent out the agenda for that today. Heather will get you that information as well. Our next regular meeting will be September 9th at 6:30. Uh and we start our regular committee meeting schedule next month as well. Facilities and finance on the 2nd, personnel on the 9th, education on the 16th and policy on the 23rd. Uh and Heather will have to get you on a couple of committees and
067I'll have that um might be able to do that by the end of tonight. We'll see. All right. Uh that's really all I have. So we'll move on to report of the superintendent, Mr. Malay. >> Uh thank you, George. You said administrators are already back. I would counter and say we never left. Um the only thing that's back is the tie. It's the first tie that I've put on since the Keem Middle School ceremony uh back in June. So um it's it's been a wonderful summer. Very productive. You touched on some of the things, the renovations. You saw the parking lot out front was completely redone of this building. They've done the back parking lot. They finished the striping in the front. They're targeting next week to finish a striping in the back. Um so
068that we'll have line spaces and it's not kind of a free-for-all as as we knew it last year. So be a little bit more structure and have traffic flow. Um with all of the activities from the pickle ball to the taekwond do that come in at night. Um just having that structure will make it a little bit more um I don't know what I want to say there. may be civil because I've heard some wonderful phrases come out of people's car windows. Um the other big project is continuing to move forward is over at Fuller. Um Tim goes over there every day. He checks in every day. He continues to make sure that we're going to be ready for the opening of the school year. Um I went over last week to take a look
069myself. Um, and I'll be very honest, I'm not an expert in construction or renovation projects. Um, but you know, I know the timeline's going to be tight, but I'm very confident that we're going to get there and be ready for the first day of school when students come back. Um, those were the biggest projects that we had going on in our buildings, um, in our facilities, in our grounds. I know the summer grounds teams and the indoor teams have been moving around from sight to sight, making sure they're doing the summer maintenance, clean up, um floor, ceiling to floor, um getting it ready for the new school year. Um I know I've got two people under my roof that have been doing that um over the course of the summer as well. And they told
070us today, they told me today, they're like, "Yeah, we're on the tail end right now. I don't know if we're going to be working after next week. So I was like, well that's the plan. So um good. Um some other quick updates. The portrait of an educator has been finalized and we are rolling that out to staff and we'll continue to do that throughout the opening of the school year. There are four main pillars in the pillar um in the portrait of an educator. That's integrity, engagement, connections, and teamwork. They're built out a lot more than that. Um and we'll get you more of a visual so that you can follow um along a little bit more depth on that. But just to give you an update on that, we talked about that toward the
071end of the school year about finalizing it. It is finalized and it is being rolled out. Um, we're sharing it with coaches as they get on board, with teachers as they come back, with other staff as they come in, and making it a pillar of of what it is we expect from people when they come and they work for us and work with our kids. So, very excited about that. Likewise, the communication plan that we talked about in the spring has been finalized and shared out with the administrators. It'll be further rolled out with the staff as they come back into the buildings for the start of the new school year. than the expectations for that. We'll get that public um document put on the website um in relatively short order. Um but we wanted
072to give the administrators a little bit of an opportunity to roll it out to their staff before we just put it up on the website. You know, folks don't tend to like that very much when they find it on the website and no one told them about it. So, we'll get it up there in due time. Just ask your patience on that. um mass communication finally over the finish line. Um some of you who are parents might have received a email today regarding um personal technology for students. You know, somebody give me a nod by their head that they saw that. Okay, good. That was the very first email that went out with our new system. So, I know that it works. I check other sources as well throughout the day just to see if
073they got it. Um, so excited that we were able to finally get that over the finish line and now it's just a matter of people becoming more familiar, those who have to send those mass messages becoming more familiar with how to use that and it is a lot slicker than what we were using. Um, I played around with it sending myself messages for about three or four days before we sent that one out today. Um I'm pretty happy with that and look forward we're meeting with principles and other administrators on Thursday. So we'll be able to share in a little bit more detail what the capabilities are of that. Sticking with mass communication um the next steps is to get the app ready for launching. Um the big holdup has and continues to be Apple
074and meeting their security requirements. Our guys are on it. Um, I check in every every day basically and they're like, "Nothing's changed since yesterday." I'm like, "Well, please tell me you're sending an email and getting updates." And they are. Um, and they forward the emails that they're sending out. Um, that is going to come in really handy with two-way communication. So that's the that using that app will allow teachers to be able to communicate to the families of their classes or the advisor to be able to communicate to the parents of the students in their club or organization or on their sports team. Um so that it's not sending direct messages between adults and our children, our students, right? So, it'll all be run through that, which is a little bit better in terms of
075security and safety. Um, having that um we're just waiting on Apple. So, I'm told I am told that we are anticipating that it will all be ready um prior to the opening of the school year. Once Apple's done, then it goes to Android. So the turnaround time for Android is like 48 hours where we've been waiting months for Apple to get this across their finish line, but I'm told and I've been reassured even as early or as recent as today that we'll have it before the school year opens. Don't you worry. And I'm like, "Okay, all right." So I'm just got to continue to up, you know, get updates on that. Sticking kind of with the communication, you're all aware that um as a trailer to the budget bill um from the legislature, there is
076a belltoell ban on personal techn technology devices which aren't just cell phones, but even watches and headphones and things like that. The message that went out today basically reminded parents and students and teachers and staff that students are prohibited by law from using these devices from the time the first bell rings to the time the last bell rings. There are exceptions, so we can get into the nuances if we need to, but we wrote consistent messaging that will go into all the handbooks. So, all of our building principles have that message, have that language so that there is consistency whether they're at Keen High School or at John Perkins out in Marlo or at Franklin or wherever the case might be, that messaging will all be the same and consistent. Um, it's important because as
077kids move from one grade level to another that the message is the same. It's not like, well, now I get to go to the high school and they're not they don't have a cell phone ban policy. Well, yes, we do. It's in all schools. Um, and we'll continue to get that messaging out. So, the next step is that principles are going to send it to their school community. So, it's not coming from me. they're actually following up with a followup and so we feel pretty comfortable about that. Recently, we implemented a a new learning management platform that covers us for all of the mandatory training that we're required to do by um state law. Uh we've also launched a platform for our coaches as well so that they're receiving similar but also unique stuff that
078apply to sports such as concussions, being aware what to look for, that sort of thing for the coaches. That's not in the one that we're asking our our um music teachers to do, right? Um, I suppose someone could fall off a riser and bump their head, but we're we're not I saw you and I thought a music teacher, so it's your fault. Um, it's a pretty robust training. Um, folks will get to work at it at their own pace. They'll all get the same messaging. And when we bring staff on at different points of time in the school year because sometimes we have vacancies that we fill like in later months, we'll be able to put them through it. So every single employee will all get the same mandatory training um through that system. So
079very excited about that. Andy Straoud, our new HR director, has spearheaded that and has done a great job of getting it into into action. Quite frankly, I took the course. I finished the course. I got a 90% on quiz two. I'm really mad I got one question wrong. Um, it had to do with antifilaxa shock and I just I rushed. That was my fault. Um, the other thing that's kind of exciting and Ben can go into greater detail if anyone needs it, we did subscribe to a new a new newsletter building platform that every staff member will have access to. So, you know, from central office to the building principles to the classroom teachers to the director of food services, the director of building and grounds to um student services office, everybody will have access
080to this platform to put together user friendly, reader friendly newsletters that are are not just done on a Google doc. And um people like, "Oh my god, that's way too much to read." Um so we're hopeful that the communication effort through the communication plan and the mass communication um platforms that we've put into place will really help alleviate uncertainties and make sure folks are aware of all the things that are going on. Um those are the quick updates that I did prepare. If you have questions on anything else or would like further detail on anything, I'm more than happy to direct it to one of the persons that are here from central office. questions for the superintendent. Raleigh >> Rob, could you review the first day of school when that when that starts? >> Yes,
081thank you. Um, I did skip over that and it was my note that I hand wrote. Um, first date for students is August 27th. First day for staff. Actually, we have a new staff orientation um, next week, Wednesday, August 20th. We're doing it a lot differently this year than we've done it in years past. The new staff orientation has been like a two hour straight shot with just different people coming up and presenting and so basically shoving a fire hose into their mouth saying take all this in and don't forget it. Um through the work of Brian Campbell and Ben and Tim and Kate and Bob Milikin and Andy Strad they redesigned it and it'll be a lot more interactive. We're actually working with our partners from High-5 to kind of launch into a team
082building activity for all the new faces that are coming into our not just the Keen School District, but any of the SAU districts um to get things started on the right foot. And so that's August 20th. Students are back on August 27th. Good question. I'm sorry I forgot. >> Other questions? >> I have a couple. um newsletter building tool. The board have access to that. >> Yeah, I believe I'm going to defer to the point person on that, but I believe that we can have access to >> Yeah. So, we one thing that Rob um alluded to was the access piece. We anyone who has an SAU email will essentially have access. That means that teachers can use it with their families. They can use it with their students and there's no reason why board
083members would not be able to use their SAU email to also have access to it. Um so if the board members if you feel you would like we can try to set up some type of opportunity for training with our partner. >> We'll probably have to figure out a point person for that. And I'm thinking that might start solving some of our how do we get information out at least to families um as opposed to saying hey go read our minutes because that's a super boring thing to do. Um the bell-to-bell ban um are you able to talk about enforcement yet or is that still being worked out? And I ask, hang on. I ask because the concern I hear from educators is the difficulty and at enforcing when kids are so ingrained, especially at
084the high school level, to constantly be connected. Um, and really hoping to not be put in the role of police basically. um feeling that that can harm the relationships that they're trying to build with the students if they're constantly having to chase kids down for phone use. Well, that's fair point and and I appreciate that, but you know, when they're in the classroom, it's obviously the first line is going to be the teachers has to be. I don't have enough people to be in every room across the entire district without the teachers um to double down on that. And so realistically, what folks are looking at is all right, the first time you get a warning and maybe some counseling if we've got to bring in the counselor about how to disconnect, how to, you
085know, put it down, how to turn it off, that sort of thing. And it sort of escalates from there to the point where um students will have to come in, surrender their phone at the beginning of the day and then pick it up on on their way out at the end of the day if they can't demonstrate they can be responsible and keep it away from the morning bell to the afternoon bell. It is going to be it is going to be pretty hectic for the first couple months. I recognize that. I think our administrators recognize that. I think our teachers recognize that too. But what will make that first couple of months extend even longer is if we're inconsistent. And so the real value in trying to get ahead of this is to be
086diligent, be consistent. Don't say, "Well, yeah, you know what? Last 15 minutes, pull your phones out if you want to. It's got to be we've got to stay consistent with bell-to-bell." Um students students that I've seen around and have talked to, they're like, "Yeah, that's all right. I'll just do it between classes." No, you can't do it. You know, and that's more of our hall monitors. That's more of our administrators. It's really more of anybody who's in the hallway that sees it. I talked to central office and sometimes members of our team at central office are out in the schools and reaffirm that if you're in a building and you see someone on their phone, you can't turn a blind eye to that either. You have got to, you know, help be consistent with that
087bell-to-bell messaging. It just can't be put on anybody. This is going to be a huge effort. >> Yeah, I do think um passing time uh lunchtime um and study hall are going to be your biggest challenges. The middle school effectively has a bell-to-bell ban and has for years. Um so most of your students are familiar with this and I do agree. I think the classrooms will probably with the exception of some frequent flyer students the classrooms will come around pretty quickly. >> Yeah. Really the ones that I'm most concerned with are sophomores, juniors, and seniors. >> Yeah. >> Because the ninth graders, they're all coming in from schools where there was a bell to bell anyway. >> All right. Any other questions for the superintendent? >> All right. Um, reports of the standing committees. Uh,
088some of these will be really short because we took July off. Uh, ancillary services, Mr. Filio. >> Yeah, real short. >> Yep. Um, one thing I will be addressing a little bit, uh, having spent or lived the last two months at Alumni Field, as I talked to Rob a little bit about that, I will be forwarding some recommendations for repairers out there since it's getting heavy use, but that's something for down the road for the the facilities committee to take care of. Um, but no, nothing nothing new to report, but uh, you know, hopefully there won't be a lot to report either. Well, Fuller School, obviously, >> right? >> I'm sure we'll be talking to Fuller here next next time around. >> Yeah. So that's um peripherally we should offer congratulations to the Swamp Bats.
089Um those of you who have been around this summer know that they set a personal record for wins in a season. They tied the NECBL record for wins in a season and they won I believe their sixth. Does that sound right? >> Uh championship uh undefeated in the postseason. All of their home games take place at our alumni field which is what Ry's alluding to right there. They get heavy use. Yeah, heavy use. Um, education committee, Miss Freedman. >> Um, we have three field trips uh that we need to approve tonight. So, I will jump right into those. Um, the first one is a trip to Greece scheduled for June of 2027. Uh the students will be seeing historic Athens um all of the ancient ruins, the Acropolis, the temple of Zeus. Um that will
090tie into ancient civilization and world history. Um along with Greece being the the cradle of democracy. So, um, Athens has a lot to recommend it for a for a field trip, um, or a a trip. Uh, they will also be cruising through the Aian Sea, um, and stopping at several Greek islands. Uh, and, uh, it sounded like a wonderful trip. Um, and they have plenty of time between now and then to do the fundraising for it. So uh it was um recommended by the education committee um with one it was three to one. Um Mr. Jamanna had some concerns about uh the geopolitical situations uh in that part of the world. Uh we were assured by Cindy um Gallagher that there are, you know, uh guard rails in place that should it be unsafe for
091the students to go, um there's insurance and there are ways to stop the stop the trip from going. So, uh let's see. >> That's the motion sheet I just gave you right there. >> Oh, okay. Yeah, I was >> They are out of order. Okay. I move on behalf of the education committee to approve the uh KHS field trip request to Greece. >> Second. Any questions for education committee or for the administration? Dylan, >> I just had comments kind of yeah just expanding on what um Miss Freriedman had talked about where my doubts or my kind of concern about this trip really comes from how close it is to the war zone of Iran and Israel. Um, and instead of having a backup option just be a refund, I I think it would just be
092a better course of action to plan a trip to a different destination that isn't that close to where missile strikes are coming at, even American bases now. >> Thanks, Jen. What was the date again roughly? Was it this next summer or is it >> June 2027? >> It's a year and a half from now. Okay. Almost two years from now. Okay. All right. Um, all those in favor opposed, you can vote, too. >> Our Yeah, our rules of order don't allow abstensions. Yeah. >> Yeah. Except in cases of um conflict of interest. Uh, so we'll uh revote a second time. Those in favor? Opposed? Uh, carries 8 to one. The instructions we frequently give is if you really aren't sure about whether you should vote for something, then you should go ahead and vote no
093so you're not approving something that you don't know what you're approving. Okay. I move on behalf of the education committee to approve the Keen High School field trip request to Canada. >> Second. Uh the Canada trip is scheduled for this coming October of October 9th through 12th. Uh it will be the Keen High School Voices group. Uh they are traveling to perform three concerts, one in Portsouth, two up in New Brunswick. Uh they will be performing with local musicians in St. Andrews, New Brunswick as well as Grand Manan. Grand Manan Island. I might not be pronouncing >> Grand Manan. >> It It's Grand Manan. My wife is from that area. So, >> we're really excited. >> Thank you. Um uh they are also going to have time to fit in some whale watching and uh
094they'll be taking a ferry, you know, across to the island. Uh it's, you know, it it won't be a very expensive trip. The they're taking a bus up there. There's a $15 per uh person ferry crossing fee. Uh but that is being taken care of out of the music student activity line and the kids will bring money for their own food and they're being housed by their hosts in um hostels. So uh it'll be a wonderful opportunity for them to um sing with the local musicians in the Maritimes. >> Questions for the education committee? This is I'm really excited for this one. This is um Dr. Lee, our um coral director at the high school um has an awful lot of contacts in the music world and uh this is one of uh the opportunities
095afforded from that. This is he and uh his partner go up and perform in this area of the world uh every summer um at a fairly well-known uh music festival and that's what this opportunity came out of. Um, so it should be a good trip for the kids, a good opportunity for them. All those in favor? Any opposed? Carries. 90. >> One more. I move on behalf of the education committee to approve the Keen High School field trip request to Puerto Rico. >> Second. >> So, this is a really interesting trip. Um it is a combination of the health sciences group and the Spanish club and they have joined forces to offer uh a healthcare oriented service learning trip where the students will be working in the community and utilizing Spanish um to communicate with
096the people that they're working with. Um they'll be volunteering at a nursing home, an orphanage for special needs students, and within a local community um at another location. Um they will also be obviously practicing their Spanish as they'll be working with um members of the community. And uh they'll also be doing some sightseeing in the rainforest and bioluminescent bay and probably visiting a beach or two. So um that sounds like a wonderful opportunity for them. Uh it was recommended um four to zero uh in favor by the committee by the committee. Do we know if this field trip substitutes out the current field trip that the Spanish club takes to Puerto Rico? For at least the last six years, we've had two groups from the high school go to Puerto Rico. Uh, one is the
097Spanish club and one is the Interact Club. >> Okay. So this >> So this presumably is just an expansion of what was just the Spanish club previously to add the health. >> Yeah. And now it just new health focus on it. Okay. I was just a little worried about sending three groups of kids to Puerto Rico. Raleigh. >> I'm wondering is this the repurposed trip that was originally going to go to Panama? >> Yes, it is. >> And we raised some safety concerns. So >> I was really excited about the combined um faculties working on this. So I'm really really happy to hear that this is a going to happen now. >> All right. Anyone else? All those in favor? Any opposed? Carries 90. >> That's what you got for us. >> That's it. >>
098All right. Um finance committee Miss Edings. >> Good evening. in our drive. We've got two budget transfers that came in um beginning of the month. Obviously, finance committee, none of our committees met this month. So, this is we're all seeing this um this evening. The first uh item or the first budget transfer, I should say, that's in the drive is coming from the middle school. This is a transfer um for $22,500. This is to support uh for the 2526 school year our behavioral analytic services position um because we do not have any grant funding. Um so with that said uh Keen board of ed uh I'll make a motion uh to approve the Keen Middle School budget transfer for $22,500 as presented. >> Second. >> Any questions, concerns? All those in favor? Opposed carries 90.
099>> Second item in our drive is coming from Fuller Elementary School. Um this is a small dollar amount in comparison um in the amount of $152.78 and uh if I've understood the transfer correctly, this was uh taken out of the professional development line and it was to um support a new uh staff person in a grant that was part of summer school. Have I understood that correctly? because there is a detail in there that mentions summer salary or is it that they've just come on board? It wasn't part of the summer school. >> That would make sense based on the dollar amount. Yeah, >> very good. Thanks for the clarification. So, with that said, I'll make a motion um for the King Board of Education to approve the Fuller budget transfer in the amount of
100$152.78. >> Second. >> Questions, concerns? All those in favor? Any opposed? Here's 90. >> And then our last item um for this evening for finance committee. Um, we've received a generous gift um from the Fitzpatrick Media Group in the amount of $750 um to uh offset the purchase of uniforms for our Keen High School football program. Um, so with that said, uh, I'll make a motion that the Keen Board of Ed accept with gratitude and appreciation, uh, a gift in the amount of $750 from the Fitzpatrick Media Group to Keen High School football program to offset the purchase of uniforms. >> Second. >> And go ahead, Rob. >> Just just quick clarification. Right. There were two checks. That's the second of the two checks >> there. There's a note on the bottom. >> Yes. Thank
101you, Rob. Good catch. Yeah, in in total, the Fitzpatrick Media Group um gifted uh the football program $1,925. >> So, this was um the the second check totaling altogether, $1,925. Very generous. We're very appreciative of that gift. >> Questions? All those in favor? Any opposed? Carries 90. And that is it for finance. >> Thank you, Jacqueline. Personnel, Chris, anything? >> All right. Policy does have a couple things um left over from the very last week of June. Um so for a second read so for approval um move on behalf of the policy committee that the Keen board of education approve policy JICK pupil safety and violence prevention and bullying uh as amended. >> Uh second. >> All right. This actually got worked over quite a bit in the last three months of last year primarily
102due to legislative changes. Um there was a number of changes um clarifying both the uh administration's responsibilities and the accused responsibilities in the event of an bullying accusation. Um it went through um Adam our legal council worked through this a number of times. We brought in Dr. Gallagher uh and went over it in terms of um both the legal ramifications and um the clarity for parents trying to work through the policy because it is something like a 20page policy when you include all of the references and whatnot. Uh it's not an easy thing to follow. So we are trying to make it a little bit easier to families to to digest if they have to experience it. questions, concerns, all those in favor? Any opposed? >> Go ahead. >> Having not read it, I'll just
103oppose. >> That's fine. Uh, carries 81. That's the safe thing to do because it is an important policy. So, you're not on the hook if it comes up and it was horrible. All right. Um in your drive for first read is policy ACA procedural safeguards non-discrimination on the basis of handicap disability. Um please take a look at that. If you have um concerns about this uh contact someone on the policy committee and we will discuss it at our next meeting. Um the version in the drive has the uh proposed edits to the uh standard policy. All right. School liaison. Um, I did indicate when I sent this out, uh, as a note that, uh, it's perfectly possible that most of you don't have liaison reports this month. Um, because it's obviously schedules will not have
104lined up and there's not a lot, uh, for the buildings to report on. U, we could probably just straight up say all of the buildings are working really hard to get ready for the students on the 27th or the 26th for orientation type stuff, but I'll run down the list in case any of you have stuff to add. Keen High School, Mr. nothing. >> Career center, Miss Freriedman, >> nothing. >> Middle school, Miss Walker. >> Uh, I'm just going to mention that, uh, Mr. Smith, the principal, is looking to come out with a level two for classes within the middle school, which is interesting. I don't know much about it yet. This was back in July that I met with him. >> Yeah. Oh, and they >> I met with him in July, so it
105hasn't like officially been launched. >> Oh, >> specifically. Okay. A level two. I don't That's not what he's calling it. >> What he's calling it. >> Um I was told that it was sort of across the board, I think, is what I understand. But okay. Yeah, reading math. >> It's not called level two. Yeah, but you're gonna have to get yourself a mic. >> So through um the two testing are basically our universal screener which is Ames web plus and through the SAS we identified a number of students who are significantly below um proficiency. Um so working with Mike and Ryan and Megan and now um our new um assistant principal um we talked about how we can close those gaps but also maintain their progress their grade level progress on grade level indicators. So
106um really it's going to it's going to be a two-fold function. one, it's going to serve as their regular English and math class. They're working on grade level work, but it's also functioning as a tier three intervention. So, it'll be the opportunity, the gateway to potentially, if they're not making progress by mid year, a special ed evaluation if they're not already special ed. But it's a regular English and math class with a tier three intervention built in. So more personalization, more individualization to help close the gaps of those kids who are significantly behind. >> Thank you. Um he was also excited Mike Smith was also excited that uh they I think I'm going to say this right no longer have to calculate manually for honor role. they've now got it sort of a system able
107to calculate that which was exciting for I think all of the teachers. Uh and then finally uh the eighth one of the eighth grade science teachers resigned at the end of the year and they have filled that position. >> All right. Thank you Franklin. Miss headings. >> Nothing at this time. Wanted to let them be and be getting focused and getting ready. Fuller, Mr. Fillio. >> Uh, nope. Just putting the school back together. >> Yep. Um, Simons just did release the uh times and date for uh new student orientation and for classroom meetups the day before school starts. Wheelock, Mr. Germana, >> nothing. >> Right. And Jonathan Daniels, community education. Mr. Roberts, >> nothing. >> All right. NHSVA. Um, you'll note that that says TBD. because we do still need um a liaison for that
108page. I was wondering if that's something you would be interested in or if that's too much of a time commitment. >> Yes. With a caveat, I don't I want to understand the time commitment. >> All right. I will connect with you offline and and we'll talk it through. >> Okay. >> All right. Um >> October 4th. >> Yeah, I think so. Is the delegate convention? Yes. >> Yes. All right. Um, and their trainings are not out yet, but I am expecting their training schedule to be out soon. Um, and they do have a new board member training. Um, I am planning to attend the right to know law trainings this year because there's been changes in right to know laws that affect us. So, I figure I should probably know them, too. Um, they also
109have financial trainings, um, a law conference, a couple other things, um, which we are all eligible to attend uh at no charge. So we will get that training schedule to you. Uh Heather, the New Hampshire School Board Association, their primary role um is to advocate for member districts at the legislative legisl legislative level. I don't know why I can't say that word today. That's the third time. Um but they also provide uh support to local boards in terms of training uh as well as a lot of policy review work. uh they'll get into the changes from the state legislature and look through and and see how that affects our local policies. Kind of gives us a road map to work with. All right, SAU 29. Uh there's not a lot going on uh for you
110guys' level. U we did complete the superintendent's evaluation shortly after we broke for the summer. Um we will get a list of his goals out to everybody. Uh but it's not anything surprising. Primate Rob's primary goal this year is implementing the uh or continuing to implement the strategic plan. Um and the other major one was the uh the communications platform which is uh what probably 85% done at this point. Yeah. All right. Um, we are going to be getting an ad hoc committee together um to look at the evaluation tool and hopefully have something more user friendly as well as more uh useful uh when we get to that point in the spring. Old business. Uh we have none on the agenda. Does anyone have any old business? All right, new business negotiations. We've already
111received uh the intent to negotiate letter from the classroom assistants. Uh so we do need to put um a team together. Uh Paige and Chris have agreed to do that. Uh so we will connect them uh with Andy and Andy Strad and HR um to uh work out details and uh contact Rachel and Shannon. Not Shannon. Who's the Andrea? Thank you. Uh my neighbor. um about starting negotiations uh which they would like to get going uh as soon as possible. So, we'll have to get our side of it done quickly. Uh board manual is on here. Um yet again, this will be probably the third time that it's been on here since I've been on the board. Um there are some changes that uh Raleigh noticed that we're really lacking in. Um there's some stuff
112that I've noticed that we're really lacking in lately. um partly regarding rules of order um also regarding uh conflicts of interest um I forget some of the other areas we were going to look at but there was a number um and we were going to direct this to the policy committee but then the policy committee was going to turn around and immediately direct the administration to put together an ad hoc committee so we're going to skip the policy committee step um and go directly to asking the superintendent to put together a committee to uh look at the board manual and we'll get you a couple people for that. >> Yeah, if you're interested in working through that um Zap George and I an email so that we're both in the know on that. We'll get
113it going. >> Do you want us Do you want us to look at the um board vacancy policy in conjunction with that? >> That's a separate thing. Um we could do that there. >> We might. We did talk about um BBBE the board uh board vacancy is called something else but um we discussed looking at that after we went through this process which we just went through. Um so we would have first of all Heather's experience for having just gone through it. Um as well as everybody else's experience for having sat on this side of it. Um yeah, I guess it makes sense to look at that with the manual. So yeah, we'll do that. All right, Rob. Region 13 CTE agreement. >> Yeah. So, um, Jen, I think you're aware of the region 13
114agreement with Cheshire Career Center. I know George is also aware. Um, Richard Town has done an incredible job of putting that forward. Ben, it's in the drive if you wouldn't mind um, just throwing it up on the screen. Um, basically it's the language that we agree to for the students that attend our CTE courses from Keen High School, from Manatnock Regional High School, and from Fall Mountain Regional High School. Um, we've incorporated all of the new requirements for law, including conflict days. We've um met a few times to go through it with the superintendent of both Ball Mountain and Manadnok and board members uh chairs have been there or if it wasn't the chair it was their their appointee to be there as well as the principles of the three buildings and we think we
115believe well this is the final version. So what it required would require is an authorization of this board to authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the Keen board of education in support of the it's taken probably 15 months I think to get this to where it's ready now. So um we'd like to get this signed by all three boards and turned into the state of New Hampshire to say we're done. Uh, we've gone through tons of revisions and and meetings to get it here. >> I feel like it's been more than 15 months. >> Yeah, it actually could be closer to 18. >> Yeah. All right. Can I have what? Do we need a motion to direct the chair? >> We authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the King Board of
116Education. >> Thank you. >> All right. And I was in on most of these meetings. Um Jen, I don't know if you've been in in any of these or not, but >> No, but you were in the um update meetings, >> right? Exactly. >> Yeah. Not the actual work sessions, but you were in the update meetings. >> Yeah. There was a lot of work by um the three career center um administrators, Richard Town and his counterparts from Fall Mountain and Manadnok. Uh there's a lot of language in here about um aligning calendars um about seat aotments um and that represents a lot of work behind the scenes to make the three buildings work uh more smoothly together and you're starting to see that in enrollment numbers at the career center already. um they've made some
117big strides in terms of working together. Uh which honestly that's actually bigger for our students than this agreement itself is um that the the three groups are working together much better than they were even four or five years ago. Um other than that there was some changes required by law. The document itself is a little bit shorter than it used to be. Um, it was an annoying process because under Frank Adeloop, the direction basically was, uh, we're eliminating all previous career center agreements that existed and you just have to start from scratch and we're not giving you any guidance and off we went. So, um, I I can't say enough about how happy I am that we're getting a new commissioner of education. Anyway, uh, that's enough. That's um this is the document you have
118in front of you. Rob or I can probably answer any questions that you have if you have any. All right. Seeing none, all those in favor? Any opposed? That carries 90. >> All right. That's any other new business before the board. Rob has something. >> Well, only because you brought it up. We do have a new commissioner of education who was sworn in a couple weeks ago. Caitlyn Davis, who has been with the Department of Education for about 15 years. So, pre-commissioner Edelblau through Commissioner Edelblue has been um appointed and approved and sworn in and will be our new commissioner of education. um very optimistic um having worked closely with Caitlyn on a couple of different committees and task force um that she'll keep the the the best interest of public schools at heart. I
119I honestly believe that um you know until I see otherwise you know that's how I feel about that. Um I did go I did testify in support of her nomination um and So, look forward to that. And then the only other um you know, because you recognize the swamp bats, I do want to give a shout out to our law enforcement um as they've been dealing with quite an ordeal today. I don't know the outcome of the ordeal or any of the details of the ordeal, but um thankful that they're there to to address those situations to keep all of us safe in the city of Keen and and surrounding towns. So, I appreciate the work, the hard work that they're doing and dealing with those issues. I'm sure we'll learn more about it. I'm
120not going to start rumors and spread things that I'm really not, you know, that knowledgeable about. I'm just grateful that we have them. So, thank you to our law enforcement partners. >> All right. Thank you, Rob. Um, I know we have non-public for negotiations. Do we have a staff or a student? >> Yes. >> All right. Can I both? All right. All right. Can I have a motion to go into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91A3 for staff and student personnel and negotiations? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. Jennifer >> yes. All right, we'll take five minute