School Withdrawal Study Committee – 6/19/24

Uncategorized 07/01/2024 Leave a comment

Pre-K – 8 School Withdrawal Study Committee Notes

6/19/24

Present:  Diana Petrie (Chair), Jo Cowgill, Jean Kobeski, Chas Street, Tom Ronning, Steve Varone

Absent:  Stan Hutchngs

The meeting was called to  order at 6:30 p.m.

Committee members reported on topics they chose to research last week.

Teacher and Staff Interviews:  Jean interviewed staff members from Walpole Middle and N. Walpole Schools. They discussed climate within the school and district, staffing and curriculum challenges, local and district administrative support, the survey distributed to district teachers, and their thoughts on the benefits and concerns associated with the proposed withdrawal from the district. Additional interviews are scheduled for the coming week and Diana will try to schedule a meeting with teachers/or staff from the Primary School.

Financial Ramifications of Walpole Withdrawing from FMRSD and SAU60:  Steve distributed and discussed his preliminary report outlining withdrawal from the district with the three options:

  1. Remaining in SAU 60
  2. Joining a different SAU
  3. Forming our own SAU

The above led to a discussion of the high school, and what happens after our students leave Walpole, Grade 8.  If we tuition them to FMRHS, will our Walpole district have a say in programming, etc. at the high school?  No. The committee brainstormed a fourth option that could possibly benefit all towns and the high school. A lengthy discussion about this idea ensued, ending with Diana asking how to proceed with presenting this fourth option to the Selectboard. Steve and Chas said they would look for RSA 195. Diana and Jean will craft a draft of Option 4. 

The next meeting will be June 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

Action Items:

  1. Diana will try to interview staff from the Primary School.
  2. Steve and Chas will look for RSA 195 as it would pertain to Option 4.
  3. Diana and Jean will create a draft of Option 4.
  4. Diana will ask the Chesterfield Board member the question of how Chesterfield feels about having no say on the Keene School Board.

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