DURHAM — The Oyster River School Board will not release a controversial e-mail chain between former School Board Chair Mark Townsend and attorneys from the district and the New Hampshire School Board Association, according to Superintendent Howard Colter.
Colter said the e-mail exchange was brought on by Townsend seeking a legal opinion about "the proper role of the board and individual members with respect to communication with town officials."
However, there were accusations made at the June 2 School Board meeting, which was public, that Townsend made comments about board member Ann Wright's family and made accusations against the board in the e-mails.
In addition to Foster's, a few district residents have also requested the e-mails, according to Colter. Colter said the board has decided not to release the e-mails at the advice of its attorney.
"It's being treated as privileged correspondence between attorney/client," Colter said.
Townsend resigned from his post on Monday morning. He said the e-mails had nothing to do with his resignation.
Neither Colter nor Townsend would confirm what incident brought on the need for a legal opinion.
Board members do communicate with their respective towns from time to time in order to update them on board business.
More recently, board member Henry Brackett spoke as a private citizen about School Board business to the Lee Board of Selectmen on May 10.
According to meeting minutes, Brackett did express some opinions about how the School Board conducts business, including an exchange about bidding procedures and the way warrant articles are worded.
There was also one exchange with selectmen about transparency on the school board.
"Selectman (Frank) DeRocchi states he would like to work with the other towns to gain transparency. Selectman (James) Griswold asks how we obtain transparency in the School District," according to the meeting minutes. "Mr. Brackett states that it helps that the School Board has recently changed with two members; Krista Butts and Ann Wright, both ask many questions."
Brackett couldn't be reached for comment on Tuesday.
Tonight the School Board will begin the process of choosing a new board chair and addressing the open position on the board, according to Colter.
Colter expressed disappointment over Townsend's resignation on Monday and noted that Townsend was very active on board subcommittees.
"I was sorry to see him step down. I think he was a valuable member of the School Board," he said.
Townsend cited the board not following procedures along with "backroom deals" as reasons for his resignation.
Colter admitted the board has gone through some rough patches this year in regard to following procedure; a fact he said could be attributed to board inexperience.
"I really respect the School Board as a whole," he said. "They're learning their roles as a board and learning each other and I have every confidence they will learn the job and come together as a cohesive team."
Tonight's special meeting of the Oyster River School Board is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Oyster River High School.
So much for transparency. Hopefully Ann Wright will at least get the apology she requested.
ReplyDeleteThis is not a problem with me.
ReplyDeleteIt is a communication between the board and the board's lawyer. It is confidential and protected by the laws of the state of NH.
I don't think Ann will get any apology. Mark took a coward's way out and just quit. Mark just lost his head and seemed all over the map at times. I remember a LONG time ago when he was giving public comments on accountability and during the election, he talked about change and open communication. What a bunch of bull! Once he became chair, everything changed. He talked about unison and the board working together but provided ZERO leadership to accomplish that. How he ran the meetings was a disgrace and embarrassing.
ReplyDeleteMark, if you ever read this, reply to let us all know what happened. I doubt you will. Again, you ran away after you got caught and just couldn't be accountable for that action. You just couldn't say sorry to Ann. Is it above you? You act so pompous and arrogant, I wouldn't be surprised. Whatever you did in those emails....I hope it comes out and ruins your credibility. Oh wait...it's already gone!
Thanks...Turncoat Townsend...for nothing.
Not much of a man, is more like it. Got caught in a lie, slunk off in shame rather than face the music. My five-year-old knows better!
ReplyDeleteTownsend = Jackass
ReplyDeleteColter = The fundamental problem
Thank you Portalupi for sticking us with Colter for another 2 years. Talk about back room deals.
ReplyDeleteI recognize that there is a lot of frustration by members of our community about the issues with the school board. I respectfully suggest that we all hold ourselves to the same standards which we are applying to members of the School Board and administration. There have been many issues that have come before the board and administration where my views (and let's be clear that I am speaking only for myself) have differed from the official positions. However, a certain amount of decorum and respect is called for in all circumstances. I may disagree or agree with many of you about the various members involved, but I do hope that we can bring ourselves back to a place of civility and respect in our discussions. Please do not let the cloak of anonymity allow you to lose sight of what is most important in all of this, the education of our children and the needs of our three towns.
ReplyDeleteRespectfully submitted,
Loren Selig
Thank you Loren.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, it seems that the issues of educating our children and meeting the needs of our children has gotten lost in the shuffle of dynamics on the board. I agree, let's get back to that mission. However, I think sadly there is a feeling of mistrust my many in our communities that will have to be earned back.
ReplyDeleteMuch of the mistrust is caused by the superintendent.
ReplyDeleteI disagree. It is the board and the board chair who set the tone. As other posters have said, the superintendent does what the board directs him to do. The superintendent - no matter who it is - should never tell our board members what to do. What Howard does do well is explain the processes of the policies and make recommendations.
ReplyDeleteMost of you nay-sayers probably need to realize that and realize that he is not an elected individual and is only held accountable to the board - the body that hired him.