Regional School District 13 elects chair by coin toss after tied ballots; public raises transparency concerns

After two tied ballots for board chair on Dec. 8, Regional School District 13 resolved its leadership election by a coin toss in public view, awarding the chair to Christine Cowan.

The board first heard two‑minute interest statements from candidates. Bob Moore highlighted continuity for the district’s $76 million memorial school project and daytime availability for construction matters; Christine Cowan spoke about her advocacy background and her family’s ties to the district. A secret ballot produced a 5–5 tie; after a recess and a second tied ballot, the board followed its tie‑breaking procedure and conducted a coin toss in front of the district’s attorney. Cowan called the toss and won.

Following the chair selection, the board elected Linda Darcy as vice chair by voice vote, nominated and elected Nick Constantino as secretary, and approved a treasurer position filled by Christine Cowan; those officer votes were recorded by voice and carried without roll‑call tallies recorded in the transcript.

The meeting also produced several routine approvals: two high‑school field trips (Kagan Regional High School to Spain and France, and an annual Washington trip) passed; the board approved a package of policies on a second reading, including curriculum (6140) and graduation (5127); and the board ratified a tentative successor collective bargaining agreement with the teachers association and authorized the chair to sign it on the district’s behalf.

Public comment after the reorganization was strongly focused on leadership and transparency. Amanda Betty of Durham told the board she was "disappointed that the board's decision to retain most of the current officers" and urged "meaningful actions to repair its relationships with the community." Rhonda Riggett Stevens later pressed for documentation related to the board’s indemnification decision and asked whether indemnification complied with statute 10‑235, saying she had not found meeting minutes, directives or records that authorized the former chair to act on the board’s behalf in the matter underlying the legal claim.

Administration briefed the public on the district’s insurance response to an ongoing lawsuit, stating that the claim was never denied and outlining the claims timeline: suit filed June 16, 2025; notice to agent June 23; counsel assigned Aug. 4; formal claim acceptance Oct. 22, 2025. District staff said legal fees have been applied against a $5,000 deductible under the educators’ legal liability coverage.

Board members acknowledged community frustration during public comment and said procedural rules governed the tie‑breaking method used. There was no motion at the meeting to revisit the coin‑toss outcome. The board then proceeded to an executive session later in the agenda for a confidential transportation hearing and, afterward, affirmed administration’s transportation determination.