Francestown board advances SAU withdrawal preparations, appoints committees and authorizes community outreach

The Francestown Independent School District Board on June 3 voted to advance preparations for withdrawing from the ConVal School Administrative Unit, appoint key committee members and authorize public outreach as it works toward independent operations by July 1, 2027.

Board Chair Laura Mafera presided at the meeting held at Francestown Elementary School Library. The Board approved allowing remote participation for Trustee Pat Troy and unanimously confirmed three committee appointments: Kevin Pobst to the SAU Withdrawal Research Committee, Susan Kane to the Communications and Community Engagement Committee, and Charlie Pyle to the Negotiations Committee (Pyle accepted by email). The appointments passed on roll call votes.

Why it matters: Board members and administrators described a list of operational tasks the district must complete to be ready for standalone operation, including setting a budget for a special district meeting, coordinating with the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) to open an online portal for warrant and budget submissions, obtaining an Employer Identification Number, and resolving communications and phone-system choices to avoid costly migration after withdrawal.

Superintendent Dr. Ann Forrest told the Board that statutory requirements for open meetings and minutes align with RSA 91-A and that "minutes must capture all motions and required elements." Neil Cass, SAU business administrator, said DRA has been contacted and recommended following standard special meeting procedures; he advised that no superior court approval is required under the withdrawal statute. The Board discussed the need to confirm a budget amount by about June 15 to meet the State Board of Education's July meeting schedule.

On technology and operations, the Board reviewed three phone-system options: retain the existing NEC system (which requires a compatible vendor), integrate into ConVal's new system (which would depend on ConVal fiber and could be costly if the district later withdraws), or upgrade hardware for future standalone operation (which would need its own internet connection and incur ongoing SIP trunk costs). The Board agreed options 1 and 3 better match a district planning withdrawal; Trustee Pat Troy agreed to contact ConVal technology director Mark Schaub for further cost information.

Outreach and communications: The Board authorized the Communications and Community Engagement Committee to publish a community survey targeted to Francestown families with school-age children, recommending distribution via postcard with a short web link because student email addresses are not directory information. The Superintendent reported current enrollment at 141 students (6 preschool, 40 elementary, 48 middle school, 47 high school). The Board also voted to establish an independent Google Site for FISD, to be managed by the Communications Committee, so the district would not need to migrate content after withdrawal; the motion passed unanimously. Dr. Forrest recommended creating a generic district email account not tied to an individual or PTO.

Policy and governance: The Board approved two amendments to its Public Meeting Procedures Policy: sworn-in committee members may participate in Board meetings consistent with their assigned responsibilities (but may not vote), and the Chair's role description was revised to remove a formal requirement to "recognize speakers," emphasizing instead that the Chair shall preside, maintain decorum and ensure members have an opportunity to participate.

Votes at a glance: The Board approved remote participation for Pat Troy (roll call: Stahlin Yes; Mafera Yes; Troy Yes); approved the May 21 minutes (Stahlin Yes; Mafera Yes; Troy Abstain); approved adding prior action-item review to the agenda (Stahlin Yes; Mafera Yes; Troy Abstain); appointed Kevin Pobst, Susan Kane and Charlie Pyle to committees (each appointment passed by roll call); authorized the Communications Committee to publish the community survey (Stahlin Yes; Mafera Yes; Troy Yes); approved the revisions to the Public Meeting Procedures Policy (Mafera Yes; Troy Yes); and approved establishing a Google Site for FISD (unanimous).

What comes next: Board members were advised to consult legal counsel about appointing a pro tem clerk or moderator for a special district meeting and to confirm a budget figure by roughly June 15 so DRA and the State Board timelines can be met. Dr. Forrest will compile an initial operational-readiness spreadsheet and Susan Kane and Pat Troy will evaluate project-management tools to track tasks and timelines.

The Board adjourned at 8:50 PM.