Synopsis of Work

Cooperative School District Planning Board

From the meetings of

June 17, July23

August 28, September 18

During its first several meetings, the Cooperative School District Planning Board (CSDPB) addressed many organizational details in light of RSA 195 which governs its process.

Purpose: The charge of the CSDPB is outlined in NH State Law RSA 195:18 II. Basically, the CSDPB

must study the advisability of establishing a Cooperative School District in accordance with the standards set forth in the law. If it recommends that a Cooperative School District be established, the Board must draft Articles of Agreement which must be accepted first by the State Board of Education and then approved by the voters of all three towns.

Governance: Officers were elected as follows: Donna Goodrich- Chairperson

Mike Waddell-Clerk/Treasurer.

Process: The Board agreed to make decisions by concensus, believing that it is important for

representatives from each community to agree on the issues. As a legally elected Board, the CSDPB will finalize any offocial decisions by majority vote.

Finances: In March 2003, each town, Gorham, Randolph, and Shelburne, approved $1500.00 to be used by

the Cooperative School District Planning Board. The Board agreed that these funds will not be combined into one account. Rather, the SAU will apportion expenses incurred by the Board and withdraw funds from each town’s allocated monies.

Timing: Given the gravity of the many issues facing Gorham Schools (including accreditation,

curriculum, facilities, and pressure on tax payers), the CSDPB has made a commitment to complete the study process before March 2004. The Board intends to draft Articles of Agreement, with input from the community, to be accepted by the State Board early in 2004 and presented on warrants to voters in Gorham, Randolph, and Shelburne in March, 2004. To that end, the Board has agreed to meet biweekly (alternating Thursdays- see schedule below).

Communication: The Board agreed that it is imperative for the CSDPB to keep Residents and School

Boards from each of the three town communities well informed about its process (A summary of each CSDPB meeting will be generated and distributed). The Board decided to post and publicize its meetings to encourage the Public to become involved.

As the organizational details were resolved, other substantive progress was made by the CSDPB, as well.

Study of Advisability of Establishing a Cooperative School Board :

Though not technically within the purview of the CSDPB’s charge, individual members have

reviewed information regarding other cooperative arrangements (AREA Agreements, Tuition Agreements, and Joint Maintenance Agreements) as well as tuition figures and capacities of other nearby high schools (Whitefield Regional, Berlin, and Tetstar High Schools) in order to

1) determine for themselves whether or not a Cooperative School District is advisable and

2) be able to answer voters’ questions at public meetings.

Articles of Agreement: At a work session on 9/18/03, the CSDPB began a review of the potential

articles which must be addressed, in an effort to see where agreement already exists and to determine which articles will be most difficult to resolve. The Board began to generate a list of questions to ask its legal advisor. The Board has considered creating committees to work on the most difficult articles.

Future meetings have been scheduled for the following dates, but please be alert to the postings in the event that there is a change: October 16, 2003 October 30, 2003 November 13, 2003

Respectfully submitted,

The Members of the Cooperative School District Planning Board