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June 19, 2014
A joint meeting of the Berlin and Milan Boards of Education was held in the Berlin High School library beginning at 6:00 p.m. Present for the meeting were Nicole Plourde, Louise Valliere, Donald Labrecque, Lynn Moore, Denise Valerino, Corinne Cascadden, Bryan Lamirande, Paul Bousquet, Pauline Plourde, Amy Huter, Gary Bisson, Dan Record, Roland Pinette, Cheryl Pinette, Patricia Shute, Stephanie Price, Julie King, Sandy Pouliot, Heather Piche, Robert Malloy, Nancy Brannen, Georgia Caron, Lucie Remillard, Wendy Reardon, Michele Lamphere, Peter Donovan, Isyss Remillard, Anne Marie Morin, Claude Morin, Tim Forestall and members of the
press.
ADM SERVICES Paul Bousquet distributed a letter regarding how to form a joint study committee to explore the feasibility of having SAU #3 provide administrative services to the Milan School District and the implementation of Manifest Educational Hardship as defined in Section O of the AREA Agreement. He informed the Board that the issue of forming a joint study committee must be brought as a warrant article at the March Town Meeting before the process could begin. Patricia Shute informed the Boards that she had not heard enough from her constituents to make a decision on this matter.
Corinne Casadden informed them that the Berlin Board of Education would first have to vote whether to bring the item of providing administrative services to Milan, then take to city council to have them vote whether or not to form a study committee and then on an election ballet.
It was decided that this issue would be placed on the agenda of the Milan, Dummer, and Berlin Boards Joint meeting in October 2014.
AREA Board chair Nicole Plourde opened the discussion for AREA and reassignment of students to Gorham based on the agenda. Superintendent Bousquet informed the Berlin Board that Milan Board hired an attorney and will discuss and report that legal opinion upon receipt in writing. After a legal opinion is received by the Milan Board, it will be shared with Berlin, which can then be discussed. A special Milan and Berlin board meeting will be scheduled upon Milan receiving a legal opinion pertaining to Manifest Educational Hardship and Best Interest cases in relation to the AREA agreement. SAU #20 and Milan Board will not discuss the issue at hand until
then. Berlin Board Chair expressed concern that it was disappointing for parents and students who may be left in limbo, as previously discussed with Milan Chair Patricia Shute. Berlin Chair asked if the Milan parents have been made aware that joint board hearings need to take place sooner rather than later in the best interest of the students. Superintendent Bousquet noted that the Milan attorney will need to take all factors into consideration. Berlin Board Member Valerino noted that if each attorney has a different opinion, where does that leave the kids? And does Milan have a different understanding of AREA Exception 195A:4a? Berlin chair expressed that she had a hard time believing that the Berlin opinion on holding
joint reassignment hearings for the fall 2015 school year, would change and doesn’t like leaving the kids dangling until August on a school assignment. Superintendent Bousquet said he never saw that law before, meaning RSA 195A:4a. Superintendent Cascadden explained that Berlin was not aware of the RSA until a legal opinion was sought for decisions made under Manifest Educational Hardship and Best Interest. The legal opinion sought on this was to better inform the Berlin Board once they were faced with hearing a case. The number of 7 reassignments and 1 pending reassignment to Gorham also drew attention and prompted the need to get clarity of the laws. Berlin Board Member Labrecque asked Milan Board what criteria they used to determine Manifest Hardships. Milan chair answered that they use whatever is stated in the RSA on reassignments. Member Labrecque explained that a Hardship case is a student issue that can’t be fixed within a
school, and questioned how students who have never attended Berlin can have a Hardship? Berlin chair questioned how can they justify their cases? Superintendent Bousquet explained that the laws were followed on an individual case by case process. Berlin Board Member Valliere reviewed the district policy on Manifest Education Hardship and pointed out the “current school assignment” is criteria. Milan Board Member Piche said, “Current can also mean later.” Berlin Chair explained that what is fair is to have input from both districts. Superintendent Bousquet said, “The Milan Board is responsible for the Milan students.” Berlin Chair noted that the two districts are at an intersection between RSA 193 and RSA 195. Superintendent Bousquet reiterated that once a legal opinion is received he will determine how Milan will proceed.
COMMENTS Peter Donovan a Milan citizen asked if a mistake was made by the Milan School Board in sending students to Gorham, who will pay the tuition owed to Berlin?
Michele Lamphere was concerned that Milan was getting an attorney so late in the process to find out if they applied Best Interest and Manifest Educational Hardship correctly. In addition how can the Berlin Schools fix a problem if Milan will not let the Berlin School Board know what it is? She is hoping that Milan will not get walloped and have to pay double tuition.
Peter Donovan added that if anything is going to the town for consideration at the March 2015 meeting it must be on the warrant before March.
ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Secretary, Berlin Board of Education
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