Dear SAU 39 Board Members, Mr. Chamberlin and SAU Staff;

There are so many kudos that should be called out to the board members and administration for their performance. However, there remains a lot of work to be done. The memorandum of August 17 by Mr. Chamberlin to the board’s chair, Mr. O’Keefe and SAU 39 board members is in itself quite revealing to SAU 39 board meeting attendees. Thank you, Mr. Chamberlin for including the memorandum.

After reading the agenda for this meeting I became aware of several items that have effects on our community. The items to which I refer to are the following: communication to all residents (broad casting), and Policies BCEK, BEDG and GADA for board input.

Communication has been spoken of, yet no concrete progress has been made. Clearly a few members regard the issue mandatory, offering a few suggestions. Quite to the contrary to what many in the SAU believe, there are copious residents who have little if any understanding as to how the SAU conducts itself and its finances (Federal grants and covid monies specifically) an issue reflected in voting last year and referred to in this meeting, pages 73-97. Technology and meetings fulfill little substance to residents; therefore, more concrete communication must be provided. Paper docs must be available to those disenfranchised residents. Direct mail to all taxpayers is a necessity, and according to one SAU employee, it can be done at a minimal cost. This task is a responsibility of the district. (At SAU meetings, throughout the school year, teachers, directors and supporting staff report to the boards.) Only good can come from the transparency afforded to all citizens.

Statistics are relied upon as garnered evidence within “Educator Effectiveness” program. A committee responsible, met to work with those mentioned in the Executive Summary in Mr. Chamberlin’s Memorandum. Within the same document, Mr. Chamberlin noted that “Thoughtful Classroom” is an anchor program for teacher evaluation. How many residents know the documents, can find them on the internet (having access to technology) detailing the programs aforementioned? Are the program’s detailed and published to all residents? How cost effective and data proven effective are they?

Over the past year, a school board member has been under “investigation” and as a resident I have not seen any conclusion to the matter. Policy GADA assert that when on the agenda a non-public session is to be held, it must state a clear reason for it. Heretofore, that has not been recorded on agendas within the SAU. Policy GADA notes that in an investigation the board can meet in non-public, and the meeting minutes will be sealed until it is determined that no liable or defamation would befall any person, when voting by the board to be unsealed. My concern is that of rumors that were circulated. When was there a conclusion or when will there be one? (As noted, missing from non-public on each agenda.) Also in the policy, is a time frame for review of sealed minutes, 3 years. What is the evidence for 3 years and not at the conclusion of the school year or at the end of the fiscal year? I suggest an earnest conversation by the policy committee and responsible parties resulting in trustworthy partnership, board and community.

Policy BEDG, notes that the public, for all meeting minutes as drafts and ones approved must be published/provided to the residents (noting days to do so), is definitely not followed as many residents do not have technical resources. Yes, as noted in the previous meeting of August 1st, a resident can obtain technical assistance at the library where computers are at their disposal. Contrary to the board’s assumption, not all residents have mobility necessary to secure safe and assisted mobility. Hence, the need for direct mail to accomplish fair and equitable communication.

Many thanks go to Mr. Chamberlin, for guidance, to the SAU board members volunteering, and to the employees behind the curtain. I sincerely wish that the comments within are received in a positive note, giving the SAU fodder for progress.

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