The Walpolean

Pickleball Clinic, presented by Mike Hayes

Wednesday, July 10, 2024. 6-8 pm

Whitcomb Park Recreation Center

Have you ever wondered:

Was that ball mine or yours? Where do I stand when receiving the ball? Who has middle? Do I stay back or move up?

Get answers to these questions and more this Wednesday! 

Players are asked to wear a bright-colored knee sock on the leg opposite their dominant hand.

REMINDER:

“GREAT DECISIONS” MEETS TONIGHT

Join us tonight at 6:00 in the Walpole Town Library for “NATO at a Strategic Crossroads,” moderated by Adrian Basora, former United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. This promises to be a highly informative look at NATO’s evolution over the past 75 years, the Alliance’s original purpose, its structure, present challenges and options for the future.

Adrian Basora is a trustee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute and chairs its Eurasia Program. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is on the international advisory board of the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities. During his 33 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, Adrian served in former Soviet Bloc countries and helped develop America’s programs in support of their transition to democracy while serving at the National Security Council (1989–91).

As NATO’s 32 members – along with leaders from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea – meet this week in Washington to celebrate the Alliance’s 75th anniversary and grapple with threats to global security, we will consider NATO’s relevance and future role in a changing world.  

We look forward to seeing you either in person or via Zoom. If you are joining via Zoom, please log on at 6:20, after the Foreign Policy Association’s Master Class video, which we are not permitted to show on Zoom. For the Zoom link, contact Jane Malmberg in advance of the meeting: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org.

Sue Kibbe

The Board of Directors of CPCNH that buys power for Walpole Community Power voted 6/27/24 to establish rates for the period 8/1/24 through 1/31/25.

Current rates from 2/1/24 through 7/31/24

Granite Basic.     .081 per KWH

Granite Plus.       .084 per KWh

Clean 50.             .094 per KWh

Clean 100.           .124 per KWh

New rates from 8/1/24 through 1/31/25

Granite Basic.   .086 per KWh

Granite plus.      .093 per KWh

Clean 50.           .100 per KWh

Clean 100.         .120 per KWh

Liberty default rates for the same period are going up .012, to .10976 up from .09758 vs Walpole Community power rate of .086, while up from .081 is still a savings of .02376 or  about 20%. 

Thank you

Walpole community Power Committee

Pre-K – 8 Withdrawal Study Committee Notes

6/26/24

Present: Jo Cowgill, Stan Hutchings, Jean Kobeski, Chas Street, Tom Ronning, Steve Varone

Absent:  Diana Petrie

The meeting commenced at 6:28 p.m. 

Steve provided copies of RSA:16-a Increase or Decrease in Grades, which is relevant to the committee’s “Option 4” idea. A lengthy discussion about this option ensued, including Steve’s explanation of the financial ramifications, should the district go in that direction.  

Tom summarized where the committee is so far with our research and our recommendation for the Selectboard. The next step is for Diana and Jean to draft a summary of the pros and cons of withdrawal and our recommendation.  It will then be reviewed by the committee. Once approved, it will be sent to the Selectboard, along with our Option 4 idea. Steve reminded us that, if the Selectboard decides to write a warrant article to proceed with the study to withdraw, it would need 50% of the vote to pass. The next study committee would be made up of the Selectboard and School Board.

Though not charged with making decisions about the high school, the committee discussed high school options for students if Walpole withdraws and forms its own district. Finances, programming, and location were considered.

Jo presented a copy of a letter, which could potentially be a letter to the editor, for the committee to review. She based this on the fact that no one from Walpole ran for the school board this year.  Are we becoming complacent? It was suggested that the reason is, people are discontent with the collective model; they are frustrated. Committee members offered thoughts on the letter and decided to send it on to Diana for her opinion of how to proceed with it. It was suggested that the thoughts expressed in the letter could be included in the list of pros and cons we are compiling.

Stan said he has had some difficulty getting information from Central Office about resources in our facilities. The Superintendent needs to grant permission for the release of information;  that hasn’t happened yet. The committee then discussed what effect Walpole withdrawal would have on Central Office staff. 

 Action Items:

1. Diana and Jean will write a draft summary of the pros and cons of each of the three withdrawal options.
2. Diana and Jean will write an explanation of the committee’s idea for Option 4.
3. Stan will pursue getting the information about the resources in our facilities.

The meeting ended at 7:50 p.m.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 10, at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

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.

Now open to anyone in our community!

Upstairs at the Walpole Town Hall tomorrow (Monday, July 1st) between 1 and 3 PM.

Mascots, costumes, uniforms, dresses, suits, kids’ items, shoes and so much more!!

By donation, please!

And, REMEMBER, on-line we are in FULL COLOR wherever possible. Summer is upon us, the 4th just days away. Extreme weather, serious rains and flooding elsewhere – but here in Walpole we continue to be blessed with a quiet “corner of the world.”

To see the July CLARION – Click this Link – or on the front page below. Have a great summer, stay safe and well, Have a safe but fun holiday. yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher