Laconia board elects new chair after Nick Brennan’s immediate resignation

The Laconia School Board acknowledged the immediate resignation of School Board Chair Nick Brennan and elected a new chair at its Aug. 5 meeting, the board recorded. A board member nominated herself to finish Brennan’s term and the board approved the nomination by a 5-0 vote. The change in leadership arrived alongside procedural clarification about filling the Ward 5 seat left vacant by Brennan’s departure. The board discussed RSA 671:18, New Hampshire guidance and the city charter, and voted to advertise for applicants from Ward 5 and set a submission deadline of Aug. 14. The vacancy will be filled by board appointment until the November election; any appointee who wishes to continue must file during the regular November filing period to be placed on the ballot to complete the remaining term. Board members said they consulted policy and the New Hampshire School Boards Association (NHSBA) for interpretation of the bylaws on consecutive terms and interim service. The board discussed whether to waive the policy restriction that limits a chair to two consecutive terms; the board declined to adopt a waiver and proceeded with the normal nomination/election procedure. The board’s discussion also covered committee reassignments that will be necessary while the seat remains vacant. Formal actions recorded in the meeting minutes show the following outcomes: the board elected a new chair by unanimous roll-call (5-0); it voted 5-0 to advertise the Ward 5 vacancy with an Aug. 14 deadline; and it discussed, without action, committee reassignments pending the appointment. The board instructed staff to coordinate with the City Clerk and city offices to make the vacancy and filing process public and to ensure Ward 5 residents have information about filing and deadlines. The board also noted that if more than one Ward 5 resident seeks appointment, the board will interview candidates in public unless there is a reason to do otherwise under RSA 91-A.