Chatham board accepts retirements and welcomes Dr. Audra Berger as new supervisor

The School District of the Chathams Board of Education voted 9-0 on March 17 to approve agenda items A1–A23, a slate that included multiple retirements and the hire of Dr. Audra Berger as supervisor of literacy and technology education.

Board members and community speakers singled out several long-serving staff for praise, including Karen Leister, Kim Lanza, Phyllis LaPenta, Debbie Connan, Mary Anne Costa and Linda Gallart. Trustees described those staff members as longtime contributors to student services and school operations.

At the meeting the board formally welcomed Dr. Audra Berger, who addressed the board and attendees and said she was “incredibly excited to join the School District of the Chathams.” Trustees had noted Berger had been sought by district leaders for several years and said they expect her to begin work in the new supervisory role soon.

The motion to approve the personnel slate was moved by Miss Weber and seconded from the floor; the roll call vote on A1–A23 was unanimous, 9-0. The agenda packet and addendum included a correction to item A22; the board approved that correction as part of the package.

Several retirees were acknowledged publicly during the personnel discussion and in public remarks: the meeting recorded gratitude from trustees and community members for the retirees’ years of service. The board did not tie specific replacement hires to all the retirements during the meeting; personnel replacements and transitions will be managed through the district’s personnel processes.

The board’s personnel committee said the district is remaining largely staffing-neutral in the 2025–26 budget process and is updating hiring procedures to improve consistency and documentation.