OR School Board to discuss principal, retirement plans

By RONI REINO
rreino@fosters.com
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

DURHAM — Oyster River School Board members are scheduled tonight to discuss plans to fill the pending high school principal vacancy after denying a nomination earlier this month.

For two months, 15 members of the high school principal search committee sifted through 44 applications and by early April, had narrowed the field down to two final candidates, Justin Campbell and Robert Thompson.

Superintendent Howard Colter had nominated Campbell, but a 4-3 vote against the nomination left the district without a plan on how to fill the vacancy that current principal Laura Rogers will leave at the end of the year. Members James Kach, Megan Turnbull, Ann Lane and Jocelyn O'Quinn were in the majority during the vote.

"I anticipate the major topic of the evening will be about the failed nomination of Justin Campbell," Colter said.

An e-mail dated April 20 from Board Chair Henry Brackett and Vice Chair Ann Wright said the board would ensure a principal would be in place for the 2011/2012 school year.

Also on the meeting's agenda is a proposal for a retirement incentive for staff who have been with the district for 10 or more years, which Colter said should save the district money.

The district would offer a one-time payment of $20,000 for 20 or more years of service in the Oyster River School District, or $15,000 for those who have served 10 to 19 years. A set amount would be placed in a fund and it would be a first-come, first-serve offering.

Colter said by hiring less expensive staff to replace retired staff, the district would still save money.

The School Board meets tonight at 7 p.m. in the auditorium, non-public is at 6:30 p.m..