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Exeter Region Coop School Board elects officers, approves staff and policies and reviews tight special‑ed budget
Summary
At its organization meeting the Exeter Region Coop School District elected Bill Gauthier chair and Melissa Lyons vice chair, approved minutes, certified staff and spring coaches lists, adopted eight policies with an amendment and heard a finance update that flagged special‑education cost pressures.
Bill Gauthier was elected chair of the Exeter Region Cooperative School Board on a voice vote at the board’s organization meeting, and Melissa Lyons was chosen as vice chair, members said.
The actions came early in a meeting that also included routine approvals. The board approved the January 16 minutes and both the public and nonpublic minutes of February 18, then moved and voted to accept the certified staff nomination list for the 2025–26 school year and the spring high‑school coaches nomination list. The superintendent said the certified list ensures all named teachers will receive contracts for next year; the board approved the list without substantive discussion.
Director of finance Molly O’Keefe told the board that the MS‑22 form — the document that finalizes the district’s appropriation after ballot action — was signed and that all ballot items passed. O’Keefe cautioned the board that year‑to‑date remaining expenses are lower than typical for this time of year and that special‑education costs have increased because of recent new students and some out‑of‑district placements. “We may have to go to the special‑ed trust fund,” the superintendent said, adding she hoped not to but may seek approval in May if necessary.
On policy, the board considered eight policies for approval and two policies to withdraw. Members raised minor wording and cross‑reference questions — including language about weekend event notifications and how parents and guardians are informed — and agreed to an amendment before approving the set.
Chair Gauthier announced that the board plans to solicit committee sign‑ups and start work on board goals at the next meeting. The superintendent also flagged a request that the Exeter Junior Baseball & Softball League may bring next month seeking a multiyear field‑use agreement if the league invests in lights; board members asked the league to be prepared to address land‑use requirements and neighborhood notification.
The board voted to enter nonpublic session under RSA 91‑A:3 II(a) to consider personnel matters; after returning the board approved the superintendent’s recommendations that had been reviewed in nonpublic. The meeting adjourned following those votes.
What’s next: The superintendent asked the community and board members to submit questions in advance for the league’s field‑use discussion, and said she may request board approval in May if the district needs to draw on the special‑education trust fund.
