May 2026 School Board Activity At a Glance

(Highlighting important actions from the May 12, 2026, and May 26, 2026, meetings)

Motions & Approvals

The Board reached several milestones in May, finalizing major infrastructure bids, adjusting enrollment to accommodate students at their neighborhood schools, and setting the schedule for the next academic term.

• South Range Elementary Roof Project Awarded: The Board awarded the contract for the South Range Elementary School roofing project to North Star Roofing for $2,776,750. The project scope was expanded to include comprehensive structural remediation to meet current codes while the roof is open, which is expected to result in a multi-phase construction effort over the summer months.
• Maintenance Trust Fund Withdrawal Approved: Following a Public Hearing, the Board authorized the withdrawal of up to $375,000 from the Maintenance and Repair Expendable Trust Fund for district-wide flooring replacement. The project will replace aging rolled carpet (a tripping hazard) with 2-foot carpet tiles and perform asbestos abatement in six classrooms.
• Intercom System Upgrade: The Board approved a bid from Telephone Network Technologies (TNT) for $85,884 to upgrade mass notification and intercom systems across all six district schools. This safety improvement allows for synchronized, district-wide announcements from the SAU office and provides school-wide coverage for emergencies.
• Kindergarten Enrollment Adjustment: To address capacity issues at East Derry Memorial Elementary School, the Board moved one Kindergarten teaching position from Grinnell Elementary to East Derry. This shift aims to reduce the number of students assigned to overflow schools and ensure more families can attend their local elementary school.
• 2026-2027 Meeting Schedule Adopted: The Board approved the meeting calendar for the upcoming school year, which introduces a break from meetings in July and an additional meeting in December to improve administrative workflow.

Financial Approval Notes:

The Manifest for May 12 totaled $6,020,699.01, which included $4.05M in general payroll and $1.96M in general expenses.

The Manifest for May 26 totaled $2,555,330.43, covering $1.33M in general payroll and $1.21M in general expenses.

Policies: Readings & Status Updates

The Board continued its systematic policy review to ensure alignment with recent state legislative changes.

First Readings (May 26, 2026):

• Policy ADC/GBED/JICG: Tobacco and Nicotine Products (re-titled for compliance and updated to include specific bans on modern nicotine products like Zyn).
• Policy JCA: Change of School Assignment (aligned with new RSA 193:3 laws regarding Best Interest and Manifest Educational Hardship).

Committee Activity Highlights

Committee	Meeting Date(s)	Key Activity Highlights
Facilities Committee	May 11, 2026	Reviewed final roofing bids for South Range and confirmed that current bond projects are tracking approximately $2 million under budget overall.
Curriculum & Assessment Committee	May 21, 2026	Finalized the Three-Year Rolling Review Cycle protocol to ensure standards-aligned learning. Confirmed "Educational Guides" for families will be ready for the website in the fall.
Legislative Task Force	May 2026 (reported)	Monitored HB 1331, which could enable the Town Council to incorporate the school district as a town department. The bill moved out of the Senate committee with a "ought to pass" recommendation.

Administrative & Strategic Updates

Strategic Planning & Facilities

• Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): The district completed its partnership with UMass Lowell to produce a 10-year Capital Improvement Plan, projecting facility needs and costs through 2033 for every building in the district.
• Safety Mapping: Through a state-funded grant, the district will begin developing high-resolution safety maps for all school facilities to assist police, fire, and EMS personnel during emergencies.
• SAU Relocation: Renovations at the Derry Village School property are nearing completion, with the facilities crew recently installing new flooring and HVAC systems in preparation for a June/July move-in.

Personnel & Enrollment

• Leadership Transitions: The Board accepted the resignation of Jason MacLeod as District Treasurer. Dr. Carrie Sindoni began transition activities as the incoming Assistant Superintendent, meeting with staff to discuss future 5th-6th grade sports programming.
• Assistant Superintendent Search: Superintendent Flynn reported receiving 19 high-quality applications for the Assistant Superintendent vacancy, narrowing the field to eight candidates for final interviews.

Student & Community Engagement

• DEEP & NJHS Collaboration: Students from the Derry Early Education Program (DEEP) presented posters to the National Junior Honor Society students at Hood Middle School to thank them for their ongoing mentorship and support during school events.
• Principals' EOY Reports: Principals from across the district shared growth milestones, including South Range’s "Ubuntu" theme, Barka’s focus on curiosity and kindness, and West Running Brook’s successful mural project unveiling.
• Teacher of the Year: The district celebrated teacher Amy Landry (East Derry Memorial), who was named as one of the top 11 semi-finalists for New Hampshire Teacher of the Year.

April 2026 School Board Activity At a Glance

(Highlighting important actions from the April 14, 2026, meeting)

Motions & Approvals

The Board reached significant milestones in April, finalizing school schedules for two years and restructuring internal governance for the upcoming term.

• School Start Times Adjusted for 2026-2027: Following months of study and 1,400 survey responses, the Board approved shifting start times to improve transportation efficiency and student wellness. Elementary schools will shift 15 minutes later (8:50 a.m.–3:10 p.m.), while Intermediate and Middle schools will shift 40 minutes later (8:00 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. starts, respectively). This change allows for three dedicated bus routes and eliminates long wait times for students at Pinkerton Academy.
• Last Day of School Finalized: The Board officially set the last day of school for students as Wednesday, June 17, 2026, which will be a half-day. This schedule ensures the district meets all state-mandated instructional hour requirements.
• Impact Bargaining Agreements: The Board unanimously approved Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Derry Education Association (DEA) and AFSCME. These agreements address the impact of the new school start times on faculty and staff working hours.
• 2026-2027 Board Committees Appointed: Chairman Thiele appointed members to five standing committees (Communications, Curriculum & Assessment, Facilities, Finance, and Policy) and various liaison positions for the upcoming school year.
• Personnel Actions: The Board approved the nomination of Eric Cobelens as a Special Education Teacher at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School and Kathy Kennedy as the School District Deputy Treasurer. The Board also elected all returning professional staff for the 2026/2027 school year.

Financial Approval Notes:

The Consent Agenda for April 14 included the Manifest in the amount of $13,661,415.80, covering significant general expenses ($9.4M) and general payroll ($4.2M).

Policies: Second Readings & Status Updates

The Board completed the adoption process for a key safety-related policy.

• Adopted Policy: Policy EBBB, Accident Reports, was adopted following its Second Reading. The updated policy simplifies reporting language, shifting the focus from "possibility of death" to "serious injury" to better align with practical insurance and liability needs.

Committee Activity Highlights

Committee	Meeting Date(s)	Key Activity Highlights
Curriculum & Assessment Committee	March 26, 2026 (reported)	Developed a three-phase rolling curriculum review protocol to ensure standards-aligned learning. Finalized "public-facing guides" for K-8 content areas to be published on the district website.
Finance Committee	April 14, 2026 (reported)	Confirmed completion of the FY25 Full and Single Audits (focused on IDEA and ESSER funds). Reported that interest earned on the facilities bond has reached $584,000.
Communications Committee	March 20, 2026 (reported)	Analyzed election communication strategies and planned the May district newsletter. Addressed and corrected outdated items on the district website.
Next Charter School Liaison	April 14, 2026 (reported)	Reported significant flood damage at the Hood facility following a pipe leak; however, the new expansion remained untouched. Highlighted a new student quilting program donating blankets to senior citizens.

Administrative & Strategic Updates

Enrollment & Operations

• Pinkerton Enrollment: Projections show the district is now only nine students away from the original budget (down from a 40-student difference earlier in the year). This trend is attributed to relocations and students switching to homeschooling or HiSET programs.
• Kindergarten Registration: Enrollment for next year is strong, with 216 students already registered. Ernest P. Barka Elementary is currently at its highest enrollment ever (90 students), while East Derry Memorial is nearing capacity at 70 students.
• 5-6 Grade Sports Advocacy: Community member Derick Anderson advocated for a hybrid intramural/scholastic sports program at WRBIS. Superintendent Flynn noted that moving toward NHIAA rules would provide more flexibility for such a program and is currently being investigated.

Finance & Facilities

• Audit Success: Business Administrator Jane Simard thanked the finance department for a successful audit season with no significant findings in the federally focused Single Audit.
• Infrastructure Repairs: Crews are addressing significant water damage at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School following a pipe leak that impacted three floors. The district is working with insurance (Primex) and Servpro on remediation.
• SAU Relocation: Following voter approval, the district is proceeding with the sale of the 18 South Main Street building and coordinating the move to the Derry Village School property.

Student & Community Engagement

• Student Presentations: East Derry Memorial Elementary students presented their Student Council initiatives, sharing a slideshow of their leadership activities and school highlights.
• Pinkerton Astrothon: Anthony Henry reported that Pinkerton students raised $39,319.47 for Boston Children’s Hospital during their annual overnight fundraiser.

March 2026 School Board Activity At a Glance

(Highlighting important actions from the March 9, 2026, and March 24, 2026, meetings)

Motions & Approvals

The Board took several significant actions in March, following the results of the School District election, focusing on leadership reorganization, school safety, and facility management.

• School District Election Results: Voters approved all warrant articles, including the 2026/2027 Operating Budget ($113,427,524), the transfer of $500,000 to the Maintenance and Repair Trust Fund, the appropriation of $700,000 in bond interest for capital improvements, and the authorization to sell the SAU offices at 18 South Main Street. Michael Thiele and David Clapp were re-elected to three-year terms.
• Board Reorganization: Following the election, the Board reorganized for the upcoming year, unanimously electing Michael Thiele as Chair, Jennifer Theroux as Vice-Chair, and Jenna Paradise as Secretary.
• Key Personnel Appointments: The Board approved the nomination of Dr. Carrie Sindoni as the new Assistant Superintendent. Additionally, Jason MacLeod was appointed as the new School Board Treasurer.
• Security Action for Education (SAFE) Grants: The Board unanimously accepted approximately $260,000 in SAFE grants. These funds will be used for security upgrades, including additional cameras and rekeying systems, across all six district schools.
• South Range HVAC Affirmation: The Board affirmed the contract with Honeywell for the South Range HVAC replacement project. Reaffirming this partnership ensures consistency with previous engineering specs and utilizes existing equipment designs to maintain project timelines.

Financial Approval Notes:

The Consent Agenda for March 9 included the Manifest in the amount of $5,015,313.72.

The Consent Agenda for March 24 included the Manifest in the amount of $4,533,894.92.

Policies: Readings & Status Updates

The Board continued its work updating the district policy manual to ensure alignment with state regulations and current practices.

Adopted Policies: Three policies were adopted following their second reading on March 9, 2026:

• Policy IC: School Year/School Calendar (providing flexibility in using instructional hours).
• Policy BBA: School Board Powers and Duties.
• Policy BK: School Board Membership.

Policy in Progress: Policy EBBB, Accident Reports, was presented for a First Reading. The update proposes changing the reporting language from "possibility of death" to "serious injury" to better align with liability and insurance standards.

Committee Activity Highlights

Committee	Meeting Date(s)	Key Activity Highlights
Curriculum & Assessment Committee	February 19 & March 26, 2026 (reported)	Developed "Public-Facing Guides" for K-8 content areas to be published on the district website. Finalized the three-phase rolling curriculum review protocol to ensure standards-aligned, data-driven learning.
Facilities Committee	March 19, 2026	Focused on the prioritization of projects at South Range Elementary, coordinating roof, mechanical, and facade work. Reported that bond projects at all schools are currently tracking under budget.
Communications Committee	March 20, 2026	Evaluated election communication strategies, including the success of informational videos. Began planning the May district newsletter and addressed outdated content on the district website.
Finance Committee	March 24, 2026 (reported)	Noted a decrease in Special Education enrollment (down to 222 students) and reported the completion of the 2024/2025 full and single audits.

Administrative & Strategic Updates

Student & School Presentations

• Unified Basketball: Students and staff from Gilbert H. Hood Middle School presented on their inaugural Unified Basketball Team, which has successfully fostered a culture of empathy and inclusion within the school community.
• Mural Mosaic Project: West Running Brook Intermediate School (WRBIS) students shared their progress on a school-wide mural project involving every student, with a scheduled ribbon-cutting ceremony in May.
• Literacy Activities: Grinnell Elementary first-graders demonstrated their ELA Focus Block activities, including Book Clubs and Reader’s Theatre, highlighting strong growth in phonics skills.

Operations & Facilities

• Infrastructure Issues: A significant water leak at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School impacted three floors, causing substantial damage to offices and the basement area occupied by Next Charter School. Remediation efforts are underway with insurance and Servpro.
• Bond Interest: Interest earned on the facilities bond has reached $578,000, with a projected year-end total of $846,000 to be reinvested into capital projects.
• Electric Bus Progress: The district is finalizing infrastructure plans to support the delivery of 25 electric school buses acquired through a federal grant.

Strategic Planning & Community

• SAU Relocation: Following voter approval, the district is moving forward with the sale of the current SAU building. Preparation for the move to Derry Village School has begun, with staff performing painting and flooring work in-house to control costs.
• Kindergarten Registration: The new registration process has seen strong engagement, with 216 students already signed up. The district is monitoring capacity at East Derry Memorial Elementary to manage potential overflow.

February 2026 School Board Activity At a Glance

(Highlighting important actions from the February 10, 2026, meeting and the February 17, 2026, Joint Workshop)

Motions & Approvals

The Board reached several major milestones in February, focusing on long-term facility improvements, leadership transitions, and future academic planning.

• Major Facility Bids Approved: The Board awarded contracts for two critical bond projects. Tech Roofing was awarded the East Derry Memorial Roof Replacement for $740,000, maintaining a long-standing district relationship. Eckman Construction was selected for the South Range Elementary Facade replacement at $2,090,350. This bid was particularly notable as it combined the facade, window, and door projects into one summer phase, yielding significant savings compared to original estimates.
• South Range HVAC Finalized: Final subcontractor pricing for the South Range HVAC replacement was set at $3,258,415.85. The project will include a full boiler system replacement to ensure consistent operations during winter months.
• 2026-2027 School Calendar Adopted: The Board approved the new school calendar, which reduces the number of early release days from four to two in response to family feedback. It also introduces Teacher Workshop (TW) days and designated Half Days (HD) to maximize instructional hours while maintaining attendance.
• Leadership Changes: The Board accepted the resignation of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Joe Crawford, effective June 30, 2026, after 26 years of service to the district. Additionally, Dr. Kristie Napolitano was appointed as the new School Board Recording Secretary.

Financial Approval Notes:

The Consent Agenda for February 10 included the Manifest in the amount of $9,751,484.04, covering $2,289,895.88 in payroll and $7,461,588.17 in general expenses.

Policies: Second Readings & Status Updates

The Board continued its systematic policy manual update to ensure compliance with current state laws and district needs.

Adopted Policies (Second Reading):

• Policy IMGB: Therapy Animals in Schools (amended for flexible daily movement).
• Policy BBAA: School Board Member Authority.
• Policy CHD: Administration in Policy Absence.

Policies in Progress (First Reading):

• Policy IC: School Year/School Calendar (updated to reflect flexibility in instructional hours vs. days).
• Policy BBA: School Board Powers and Duties.
• Policy BK: School Board Membership.

Committee Activity Highlights

Committee	Meeting Date(s)	Key Activity Highlights
Finance Committee	February 10, 2026 (reported)	Finalized informational posters for the community detailing 10-year cost-per-pupil data, teacher salary averages with inflation, and current administrative salaries to ensure transparency.
Facilities Committee	February 10, 2026 (reported)	Evaluated the feasibility of completing the South Range facade and HVAC projects concurrently. Reported that current bond projects are tracking under budget overall.
Curriculum & Assessment Committee	February 5, 2026	Focused on the three-year rolling curriculum review. The goal is to establish a systematic process for reviewing and implementing standards-aligned learning experiences across all schools.
Joint Workshop (Town/School)	February 17, 2026	Discussed shared goals, including future town development (Exit 4A) and legislative concerns regarding HB 1331, which explores the possibility of the Town absorbing the School District as a department.

Administrative & Strategic Updates

Deliberative Session & Budget Information

• Public Engagement: Following the February 7 Deliberative Session, the Communications Committee is producing videos and inserts for the Derry News to explain the impact of various warrant articles before the March 10 vote.
• Warrant Article Clarity: Superintendent Flynn emphasized that Warrant Article #3 (transferring $500,000 to the Maintenance Trust) involves no new taxes, as the funds are pulled from the existing year-end surplus.

Operations & Student Wellness

• Food Service Accounts: Unpaid lunch balances have reached approximately $20,000. The Board is reviewing management policies to ensure families are supported with payment plans while maintaining the self-funded status of the food service program.
• Pinkerton Enrollment: Current tracking shows the district is "upside down" by 30 students compared to the original budget. This trend is being monitored closely to understand the impact of Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) on high school enrollment.
• Next Charter School: Reported high participation in the breakfast program, serving 165 meals in January, a significant increase due to improved coordination between staff and students.

Student Presentations

• Spanish Club: Students from Ernest P. Barka Elementary demonstrated their vocabulary skills alongside Pinkerton Academy student mentors. This 17-year-old partnership helps prepare elementary students for world language studies in higher grades.

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January 2026 School Board Activity At a Glance

(Highlighting important actions from the January 13, 2026, and January 27, 2026, meetings)

Motions & Approvals

The Board took critical steps in January to finalize the district's financial and operational plans for the upcoming fiscal year.

• 2026-2027 Proposed Budget Approved: The Board unanimously approved the proposed operating budget of $113,427,524. This proposal is notably lower than the $113,765,475 default budget, maintaining class size goals and all current teaching positions while supporting 1:1 technology and specialized student programs.
• Warrant Articles Recommended: The Board voted to recommend several key warrant articles for the March election, including Article 3 (transferring $500,000 from the year-end fund balance to the Maintenance and Repair Trust Fund), Article 4 (appropriating $700,000 in bond interest for facility improvements), and Article 5 (authorizing the sale of the current SAU offices at 18 South Main Street).
• Personnel Action: The Board accepted the resignation of Tamara Lampes as the School Board’s Recording Secretary, effective February 1, 2026.

Financial Approval Notes:

The Consent Agenda for January 13 included the Manifest in the amount of $5,587,808.11.

The Consent Agenda for January 27 included the Manifest in the amount of $2,425,327.60.

Policies: First Readings & Status Updates

The Board continues its systematic review of the district policy manual to ensure alignment with current laws and practices.

First Readings: Three policies were presented for a First Reading on January 27, 2026:

• Policy IMGB, Therapy Animals in Schools.
• Policy BBAA, School Board Member Authority.
• Policy CHD, Administration in Policy Absence.

Committee Activity Highlights

Committee	Meeting Date(s)	Key Activity Highlights
Finance Committee	January 13, 2026 (reported)	Reported that $3.4 million has been expended from the maintenance bond for roofing and structural projects. Noted significant interest earnings: $95,765 in the General Fund and $346,000 in the Bond account.
Facilities Committee	January 13 & 27, 2026 (reported)	Focused on the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) development and a partnership with UMASS Lowell for planning initiatives. Discussed ongoing bidding for the East Derry Memorial roof and South Range Elementary projects.
Curriculum & Assessment Committee	January 15, 2026	Reviewed and provided feedback on "Public Facing Guides." These guides are being developed for all grade levels and content areas to help families understand academic expectations and curriculum.
Communications Committee	January 16, 2026	Released the second district newsletter on January 8, which included a video from the Board Chair. Discussed expanding social media presence and planned the next issue to focus on the budget.
Technology & Transportation	January 13, 2026 (reported)	Announced the First View bus app is fully operational with over 630 students being tracked by parents/guardians.

Administrative & Strategic Updates

2026 Election & Deliberative Session

• Filing Period: The filing period for School District offices (including two School Board seats for 3-year terms) runs from January 21 through January 30, 2026.
• Deliberative Session: Scheduled for February 7, 2026, at West Running Brook Intermediate School at 10:00 a.m.
• Budget Transparency: Superintendent Flynn emphasized efforts to clarify Warrant Articles #3 and #4, noting that the $500,000 request for the Maintenance Trust comes from the surplus fund balance and represents no new taxes.

Derry Village School & SAU Relocation

• Strategic Shift: Following the Advisory Committee’s recommendation, the Board is moving forward with plans to sell the SAU building at 18 South Main Street. Relocating staff to the newer 2000 addition at Derry Village School is expected to address long-standing structural issues and save on maintenance costs.

Student & Community Engagement

• School Presentation: South Range Elementary Principal Michelle Cremone and students demonstrated the Morning Meeting process, highlighting community-building activities like "greetings" and "lift-ups."
• Next Charter School: Board members attended an Open House for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the school's new expansion, noting student excitement regarding the increased space.
• Pinkerton Academy: Enrollment course selection for the 2026-2027 year is scheduled to run from February 2 through February 13, 2026.

December 2025 School Board Activity At a Glance

(Highlighting important actions from the December 9, 2025, meeting)

Motions & Approvals

The Board took significant action during December to finalize the funding for the district's administrative relocation and to approve key personnel.

• Contingency Fund Withdrawal for SAU Relocation: Following a Public Hearing, the Board unanimously approved a withdrawal not to exceed $400,000 from the Contingency Fund. These funds are designated for expenses related to relocating the District (SAU) offices to the 2001 addition of the Derry Village School. This move addresses the failing structural, HVAC, and foundational issues of the current SAU building at 18 South Main Street while utilizing an unoccupied district asset to save on annual maintenance costs.
• Personnel Nominations: The Board approved the nomination of Christina Tetreault as a Special Education Teacher for the Derry Early Education Program (DEEP).

Financial Approval Notes:

The Consent Agenda for December 9 included the Manifest in the amount of $3,597,036.18, covering general payroll ($2,850,278.19) and general expenses ($746,757.99).

Policies: Second Readings & Status Updates

The Board officially adopted four policies during their second reading to maintain an up-to-date and compliant policy manual.

Adopted Policies:

• Policy BAAA, School Board Policies and Administrative Procedures.
• Policy DA, Fiscal Management Goals.
• Policy IC, School Year/School Calendar.
• Policy JLID, Student Bicycle Use.

Committee Activity Highlights

Committee	Meeting Date(s)	Key Activity Highlights
Curriculum & Assessment Committee	December 4, 2025	Reviewed the K-8 Wellness Curriculum and CARES instruction (including Fly Five and Morning Meetings). Progressed on "public-facing guides" to help families understand grade-level expectations.
Facilities Committee	December 4, 2025	Focused on South Range Elementary structural engineering proposals from Lincoln/Haney Engineering Associates. Reviewed resource coordination and pending Honeywell estimates for HVAC upgrades.
Legislative Task Force	December 2025 (reported)	Engaged in discussions regarding new state legislation affecting school districts, specifically highlighting HB 765 and HB 1331.

Administrative & Strategic Updates

Next Charter School

• Expansion Progress: The expansion project is moving smoothly and is scheduled to open in mid-January 2026. Students recently participated in career exploration activities, including a Parkland Medical Expo and a tour of Manchester Community College.

Budget & Finance

• 2026/2027 Proposed Budget: Superintendent Flynn reported that the proposed budget is currently $337,000 under the default budget. Efforts to evaluate salary and benefit lines, along with hiring practices, have contributed to these savings to ensure predictability for taxpayers.
• Deliberative Session: The session has been scheduled for February 7, 2026, to ensure appropriate coverage with legal counsel.

Community & Student Engagement

• Derry Early Education Program: Students from the program performed "Jingle Bells" for the Board during the meeting.
• Holiday Concerts: The Board recognized the hard work of district music teachers and students currently in their winter concert season.

November 2025 School Board Activity At a Glance

(Highlighting important actions from the November 13, 2025, and November 24, 2025, meetings)

Motions & Approvals

The Board took several key actions in November to finalize facility recommendations, address personnel needs, and update district governance.

• Derry Village School Relocation Affirmed: The Board unanimously affirmed the recommendation of the Derry Village School Advisory Committee to relocate the SAU administrative offices to the Derry Village School property. This plan includes selling the current SAU building at 18 South Main Street, which was noted to be in poor condition compared to the 2000 addition at Derry Village. This action will require a Warrant Article for voter approval.
• Personnel Nominations: The Board approved the nomination of Erin Boyko as a Special Education Teacher at South Range Elementary School.
• Maintenance and Repair Trust: Discussions continued regarding a proposal to raise and appropriate $500,000 for the Maintenance and Repair Expendable Trust Fund, intended to stabilize the tax rate by funding future facility needs from the year-end surplus.

Financial Approval Notes:

The Consent Agenda for November 13 included the Manifest in the amount of $4,166,007.45.

The Consent Agenda for November 24 included the Manifest in the amount of $2,052,941.50.

Policies: Second Readings & Status Updates

The Board successfully moved several policies through their second readings to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.

Adopted Policies (November 13, 2025):

• Policy DJE, Bidding Procedures.
• Policy GBEBB, Staff Conduct with Students.
• Policy IKB, Homework.
• Policy BEDG, Minutes.

Adopted Policies (November 24, 2025):

• Policy BBBC, School Board Member Resignation.
• Policy DAF-3, Procurement (Federal Funds).
• Policy DFC, Acceptance of Credit Card Electronic Payment.
• Policy JH, Attendance, Tardiness and Truancy.

Committee Activity Highlights

Committee	Meeting Date(s)	Key Activity Highlights
Facilities Committee	November 6, 2025	Reviewed a comprehensive structural report for South Range Elementary School. The committee recommended a "100% fix" approach, prioritizing structural integrity before proceeding with roofing, HVAC, and façade work.
Finance Committee	November 13, 2025 (reported)	Began discussions on 2026/2027 Warrant Articles and identified the need for an Assistant Treasurer (stipend position) to support the Treasurer.
Curriculum & Assessment Committee	November 6 & 20, 2025	Conducted systematic overviews of Science (K-8) and Social Studies (K-8). Highlights included the implementation of Next Generation Science Standards and the integration of Social Studies into K-4 ELA curriculum.
Communications Committee	November 21, 2025	Reviewed feedback from the first district newsletter released on October 30. Discussed expanding social media presence beyond Facebook and planned future newsletter topics.

Pinkerton Academy 2026-2027 Budget & Tuition

Pinkerton Academy leadership presented their projected budget and tuition rates for the 2026-2027 school year, driven largely by salary/benefit increases and the addition of new positions to support rising enrollment.

• General Education Tuition: $17,910 (a 3.97% rate increase).
• Resource Program Tuition: $9,900 (a 1.1% increase).
• PASSES Program Tuition: $29,736 (a 15.04% increase).
• ACT Program Tuition: $38,160 (a 9.96% increase).

Administrative & Strategic Updates

Curriculum & Instruction

• Student Presentations: Gilbert H. Hood Middle School students demonstrated creative projects from their Modern Music class, while Barka Elementary 4th graders performed a chorus selection, "This is our Wish."
• NH's Kid Governor: The district officially launched this civics program for 5th-grade students to encourage community engagement.

Finance & Audits

• Lawsuit Settlement: The district received a $29,000 check as reimbursement for legal fees related to a long-standing educational lawsuit. These funds were directed to the Unanticipated Revenue account.
• Single Audit: The Finance Department was notified of an upcoming single audit focused on ESSER and IDEA federal funds.
• Donations: The district received generous donations, including 1,671 boxes of crayons from a local Walmart and funds from the Derry Village Rotary Club and Verani Realty to support the McKinney-Vento Program for homeless students.

Strategic Planning

• Derry Village School (DVS): Following the relocation approval, a public hearing was scheduled for December to authorize the withdrawal of up to $400,000 from the Contingency Fund to cover moving and renovation expenses.

Community Events

• Veterans Day Breakfast: Held on November 7 at West Running Brook Intermediate School, the event saw a turnout of over 200 people and featured a keynote address from Lt. Jon Breen of the Derry Police Department.

October 2025 School Board Activity At a Glance

(Highlighting important actions from the October 14, 2025, meeting)

Motions & Approvals

The Board took several unanimous actions during October to address student wellness, staffing, and regional representation.

• School Start Times Advisory Committee Formed: The Board voted unanimously to establish an advisory committee to study the impact of school start times on student wellness and transportation logistics. The committee aims to address stressors caused by intermediate and middle schools starting simultaneously with Pinkerton Academy, as well as the early 7:25 a.m. start time for 5th and 6th graders. Jennifer Theroux and Jenna Paradise were nominated to represent the Board on this committee.
• NHSBA Delegate Assembly Nominations: The Board nominated Karen Rand as the voting delegate and Jenna Paradise as the alternate for the annual New Hampshire School Boards Association (NHSBA) Delegate Assembly. The Board also reviewed and voted on various resolutions to guide their delegate’s voting.
• Personnel Nominations: The Board approved the nomination of Michael Koski as a 6th-grade Science/Social Studies teacher at West Running Brook Intermediate School.

Financial Approval Notes:

The Consent Agenda for October 14 included the Manifest in the amount of $21,884,790.31, which covered both general payroll and expenses.

Policies: Second Readings & Status Updates

The Board continues its work to ensure all policies are compliant with current state laws and reflect consistent language.

Adopted Policies: Four policies were adopted following their Second Reading on October 14, 2025:

• Policy AB, New Hampshire Parental Bill of Rights (adopted as amended for consistency).
• Policy JICJ, Unauthorized Communication Devices.
• Policy JICL, Acceptable Use-Student.
• Policy BEA, Regular Board Meetings.

Policy in Progress: Policy CH, Policy Implementation, was presented for a First Reading.

Committee Activity Highlights

Committee	Meeting Date(s)	Key Activity Highlights
Facilities Committee	October 4, 2025	Reviewed South Range Elementary façade designs (75% complete). Discussed structural concerns regarding snow loads and targeted the Honeywell bid package for early November.
Technology & Transportation Committee	October 14, 2025 (reported)	Moving forward with the First View app, which will allow parents to track buses online. Distributed a ParentSquare survey to recruit volunteers for the Start Time Advisory Committee.
Finance Committee	October 14, 2025 (reported)	Discussed the $149,746.10 refund/rebate from Pinkerton Academy for the 2024/2025 year. Analyzed budgeting projections for charter and homeschool enrollment.
Curriculum & Assessment Committee	October 2, 2025	Focused on creating public-facing guides for grade-level curriculum expectations. Planned a systematic review of curriculum, starting with significant changes in Math over the last two years.

Administrative & Strategic Updates

Curriculum & Instruction

• Holiday Card Drive: The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), led by student advisor Russ Manchester, launched a district-wide initiative to collect 4,000 holiday cards for U.S. service members stationed worldwide.
• Professional Development: A district-wide Professional Development training took place on October 10, focusing on personalized learning sessions.

Food Service & Finance

• Audits: The 2023/2024 General Audit was submitted, and the district celebrated a successful audit with only one minor finding.
• Free & Reduced Meals: 86 families had not yet renewed their applications as of October 8; the department is actively reaching out via phone and email to encourage reappointment.
• Pinkerton Refund: The $149,746.10 refund from Pinkerton Academy was utilized as a credit for the district.

Strategic Planning

• Derry Village School Advisory Committee: The committee has met twice and conducted walkthroughs of both Derry Village and the current SAU building; a formal recommendation is expected in November.
• Budget Transparency: Superintendent Flynn is working with the leadership team to develop user-friendly budget documents to help the community better understand financial allocations and value.

Community Events

• Veterans Day Breakfast: Scheduled for November 7 at West Running Brook Intermediate School to honor local veterans.

September 2025 School Board Activity At a Glance

(Highlighting important actions from the September 9, 2025, and September 23, 2025, meetings)

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Motions & Approvals

The Board approved several key items unanimously during September, ensuring operational and personnel needs were met, and setting strategic direction.

• Superintendent’s Goals Approved: The Board unanimously approved the Superintendent's Goals for the 2025/2026 School Year. These goals are directly connected to the District Strategic Plan and its five pillars, and will be posted on the District Website to inform the community that the District is driven by goals and actions. The goals consist of eight key areas: Communications, Curriculum and Assessment, Facilities, Finance, Policy Review, Derry Village School, Monitor & Reporting, and Personal Goals & Growth.
• Derry Village School Advisory Committee Formed: The Board voted unanimously to form the Derry Village School Advisory Committee, tasked with studying options for the future of the school and property and producing a report by the end of the calendar year. The Board later unanimously approved the full list of nominations for this committee, which includes three Board members (Brenda Willis, Karen Rand, and Jason MacLeod), administration (Superintendent Flynn, Dr. Crawford, Ms. Simard, and Mr. Lamothe), town representatives (Beverly Donovan and Erin Spencer), and three community members (Elizabeth Corcoran, Tom Cardon, and Ben Cone).
• Personnel Nominations: The Board accepted the nomination of Kristen Mitchell as Assistant Director of Student Services. Additionally, the Consent Agenda approved the nominations of Melodee Hodges (Special Education Teacher, East Derry Memorial Elementary School) and Katherine Smith (Occupational Therapist, District).

Financial Approval Notes:

• The Consent Agenda for September 23 included the Manifest in the amount of $2,293,919.51.
• The Consent Agenda for September 9 included the Manifest in the amount of $2,799,947.35.

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Policies: First Readings & Status Updates

The Policy Committee has begun establishing a method to update 25% of policies to ensure the District remains compliant with new laws.

• First Readings: Four policies were presented for a First Reading on September 23, 2025:
  • Policy AB, NH Parental Bill of Rights
  • Policy JICJ, Unauthorized Communication Devices
  • Policy JICL, Acceptable Use-Student
  • Policy BEA, Regular Board Meetings
• Cell Phone Policy (Policy JICL): There was discussion regarding cell phone use, noting that Pinkerton Academy has implemented a "bell-to-bell" ban on campus, which is working well. The District currently has a cell phone policy (Policy JICL) stating devices should be turned off and put away during school hours unless instructed by staff. The District received a final technical advisory from the State to help structure the policy alignment with the new Bill (Senate Bill 206).

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Committee Activity Highlights

Reports from various committees summarized meetings held throughout September:

Committee	Meeting Date(s)	Key Activity Highlights
Facilities Committee	September 9, 2025; September 18, 2025	Continued work on South Range Elementary School projects, including finalizing HVAC designs and discussing options for roofing. Discussed installing a second boiler unit. Began developing a Capital Improvement Plan. Identified cracked bricks at West Running Brook Intermediate School for repair.
Technology & Transportation Committee	September 11, 2025	Discussed adding a new bus stop to Beaver Lake Road. Reported on the formation of a School Start Times Task Force to study options and operational impacts. Discussed a new "opt-in" policy for utilizing YouTube for classroom assignments.
Communications Committee	September 19, 2025	Discussed methods for effectively communicating District happenings and how to interface with other committees. Focused on ensuring the District Website is routinely updated by gathering highlights from committees and department chairs. Discussed developing a quarterly School Board Newsletter.
Finance Committee	(Met earlier on September 23, 2025)	Discussed options for warrant articles and the possibility of establishing trusts for fluctuating funding (e.g., Special Education). Decided to share the Annual Budget twice per year, in July and again in December. Emphasized the assurance of integrity provided by consistent rolling audits.
Emergency Management Team	(First Meeting of the Year)	Reviewed the emergency operations plan, which is due to the State of New Hampshire by October 15, 2025. Each building has its own individual plan.
Curriculum & Assessment Committee	September 9, 2025	Reviewed the District vision and five pillars. Began planning actionable steps for curriculum review, programming, and identifying gaps while considering the budget.

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Administrative & Strategic Updates

Curriculum & Instruction

• The District is implementing new practices and expectations related to the new English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum for grades 5-8, including checkpoints and requiring teachers to post grades every two weeks.
• The District is launching the NH’s Kid Governor Civics Program for fifth-grade students.
• The Educator Institute, a three-year orientation onboarding program for new educators, was reviewed.

Food Service & Finance

• The DOE-25 (District expenses and revenue report) is due to the State by September 30, 2025.
• Families must reapply annually for Free & Reduced Lunch prior to mid-October. An informational video about the application process, sent via ParentSquare, received 4,216 opens.
• The District has been actively monitoring funds, noting that in a recent 30-day period, the District earned $19,126.91 in interest in its general Citizens Bank account.

Technology & Transportation

• New MacBook Airs were distributed to teachers as laptop upgrades.
• New Chromebooks were rolled out to grade 5 students.
• Improved afternoon bus runs were reported, and Pinkerton Academy’s dismissal flow improved with four buses this year (up from three last year).

Pinkerton Academy & Community

• Pinkerton Academy is leading Londonderry 2 to 1 in the ongoing Mack Plaque competition.
• 4th Grade State House Visits are scheduled for October 21, 2025, for East Derry Memorial Elementary School students.
• Chairman Thiele led a moment of silence to honor the passing of Kathleen Murphy, former Assistant Superintendent and longtime teacher of the District.

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August 2025 School Board Activity At a Glance

(Highlighting important actions, goals, and start-of-year preparations from the August 12, 2025, and August 26, 2025, meetings)

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Strategic Planning & Goal Setting

The Board formally adopted its guiding goals for the school year, providing clarity and direction for all District initiatives.

2025/2026 School Board Goals Adopted

The Board adopted six specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely (S.M.A.R.T.) goals for the 2025/2026 school year. These goals were developed based on discussions held in May and input gathered individually from Board members.

1. Communications: Develop a plan for communication of the Board and the District's goals, initiatives, budgets, and projects.
2. Curriculum & Assessment: Create a regular schedule for review of curriculum materials and facilitate the creation of materials to educate the public on learning expectations and student progress measurement.
3. Facilities: Facilitate the development of the schedule for anticipated future capital improvements and develop a plan to fund a capital reserve for those improvements.
4. Finance: Develop a transparent, easy-to-understand process for creating the District's annual budget.
5. Policy Review: Review and update the District's Policy Manual to match current laws and practices, and explore options for creating an online police database.
6. Derry Village School: Create an Advisory Committee tasked with exploring all options for the Derry Village School property, building, and its contents and making a recommendation to the School Board.

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Motions & Financial Actions

The Board made key financial decisions regarding the year-end fund balance and approved new personnel nominations ahead of the school year start.

• Return to Taxpayers: The Board voted unanimously to return $2,519,686 of the estimated FY25 year-end fund balance to taxpayers.
• Contingency Fund Retention: The Board voted unanimously to retain $2,109,612 in the Contingency Fund, which is the maximum allowable balance under RSA 198:4/B.
• Key Personnel Approvals: The Board unanimously approved the nomination of Patricia Thomas as the Secondary Learning Coordinator, District. Kristen Mitchell was nominated as Assistant Director of Student Services.
• Bond Investment Strategy: District Treasurer David Clapp presented the recommendation to invest the $24.6 Million bond proceeds in the New Hampshire Public Deposit Investment Pool (NHPDIP) due to its higher yield (4.3% as of August 11, 2025) compared to Citizens Bank (3.33%). This strategy is estimated to earn roughly $600,000 in interest over the 2-to-3-year time frame of expending these funds.

Financial Overview (Manifest Approvals)

• Manifest approved August 12: $3,899,648.86.
• Manifest approved August 26: $2,152,809.28.

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District Structure & Committee Appointments

Superintendent Flynn initiated changes to the administrative structure and formally appointed co-chairs for the School Board committees.

• Administrative Structure Change: The Director of Facilities, Jeremy Lamothe, will now report directly to Superintendent Flynn.
• Committee Formalization: The Board formalized the structure for Board committees, confirming that each committee will include three directors or administrators, with one identified as an administrative Co-chair.
• Administrative Co-Chairs Appointed:
  • Communications Committee: Joseph Crawford (Assistant Superintendent) and Jamie Carreau (Board Member).
  • Curriculum & Assessment Committee: Kim Conant (Director of Curriculum) and Jen Theroux (Board Member).
  • Facilities Committee: Jeremy Lamothe (Director of Facilities) and Jason MacLeod (Board Member).
  • Finance Committee: Jane Simard (Business Administrator) and Jenna Paradise (Board Member).
  • Policy Review Committee: Michael Flynn (Superintendent) and Brenda Willis (Board Member).
  • Technology and Transportation: Clif Dancy (Director of Information Services) and Karen Rand (Board Member).

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Start-of-School Updates & Facilities Projects

Administrative & School Highlights

• First Day of School: Students in grades K-8 began school on August 25, 2025. Overall attendance for the first day was 97%.
• New Curriculum Launch: The District Curriculum Team worked extensively over the summer to prepare for the launch of the new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum for grades 5 through 8.
• Middle School Focus: Gilbert H. Hood Middle School adopted a new motto, "Husky Strong," focusing on working hard, making good choices, and being kind. They also implemented a new schedule allowing for updated Morning Meetings, Intervention Blocks, and the addition of a second Wellness teacher, Digital Literacy, and Modern Music.
• Audit Preparations: Preparation for the fiscal year 2024/2025 audit began on August 25, 2025. The Single Audit for FY 2023/2024 (covering Food Service and ESSER Funds) began the week of August 26, 2025.
• Transportation: Pinkerton Academy's dismissal flow improved with the use of four buses this year, up from three last year.

Capital Improvement Bond Status

Significant progress was reported on capital projects funded by the bond.

• West Running Brook Intermediate School: The Banding Replacement project was reported as 99% completed by the first day of school (August 25, 2025).
• Roofing Projects: The roof replacements at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School and Grinnell Elementary School were expected to be 100% completed by the end of August 2025. Chimney repair at Grinnell Elementary School was 100% complete.
• South Range Elementary School: Gale Associates submitted the 35% schematic design submission for review. The roof design is complete, with anticipation for bidding in January/February of 2026.

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In Memoriam

Moments of silence were held to recognize former students and the transition of District leadership.

• A moment of silence was observed for the passing of former student, Cayden Candage.
• A moment of silence was observed for the passing of student, Youness Kraouch.

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July 2025 School Board Activity At a Glance

(Highlighting the start of the new administrative cycle based on available meeting context, July 22, 2025)

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Administrative Transition & Strategic Focus

The July meeting marked a period of formal transition and the initiation of strategic planning for the 2025/2026 school year.

• New Superintendent Welcomed: The July 22, 2025, meeting was the first scheduled School Board meeting where the new Superintendent, Michael Flynn, was welcomed.
• Goals Presentation Initiated: Superintendent Flynn was scheduled to synthesize and summarize the potential Board goals—developed from individual input shared prior to July 1—and present them to the Board at the July 22 meeting for review and discussion. These goals would later be tied to the District Strategic Plan and used to set administrative standards for the year.
• Financial Planning Review: The Board’s Finance Committee had previously discussed providing an update on the Unreserved Fund Balance, with a plan to provide discussion during the first meeting in August (August 12, 2025), following the July meeting.
• Bond Status: The bond sale was scheduled to take place on July 16, 2025, with the closing scheduled for early August (August 6 or 7, 2025). The Business Administrator had completed and submitted all required documentation to the New Hampshire Bond Bank.

Financial Approvals (Manifests)

Manifests (financial expenditure approvals) for the July 22 meeting were approved during the subsequent August meetings.

• Note: Specific Manifest amount for July 22 is not detailed in the sources, as this meeting's minutes were not provided.

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Important Context: Superintendent Retirement

Prior to the July transition, the Board spent time honoring the previous Superintendent's service:

• Retirement of Dr. Garofalo: Outgoing Superintendent Dr. Garofalo thanked the Board, administration, staff, and students for their partnership and work during his 21 years with the District, expressing confidence in the future of the District as he retired.