Fosters Opinion: ORCSD Numbers

Letter to the editor that appeared in Fosters today.

UPDATE: We have been alerted that the numbers posted are not accurate. It should state the following. For 2010, Krista Butts (1,064) and Ann Wright (1,269). For 2011, John Collins (768)

ORSCD Numbers

To the editor: Since early 2010 there've been many changes in the Oyster River Cooperative School District. The 2010 election resulted in Krista Butts (1,269) and Ann Wright (1,064) defeating David Taylor (605). In October the board OK'd creation of an Advisory Budget Committee, and in December Superintendent Colter announced he had "no interest" in renewing his contract, set to expire in June 2012.

Going into the election of 2010 everyone knew that a new high school principal and new superintendent would need to be found. The 2011 election resulted in Anne Lane (1,089) and Megan Turnbull (962) defeating John Collins (667) and Chandler Hull (667) for at-large seats, and James Kach (898) defeating Susan Willer for the Madbury seat.

After the new board voted not to accept Colter's recommendation for principal, the teaching staff, administration, students, several former board members and some members of the community expressed their dissatisfaction. The board's process to find a principal was thrown into chaos, but in June the board unanimously accepted Colter's nomination of Todd Allen, currently middle school principal, to become interim high school principal.

Last week it was announced that the board and Colter had come to a mutual agreement that his contract would be bought out, and Colter would leave in a few weeks.
Going forward, I believe the majority of taxpayers will support the duly elected board and the volunteer budget committee.

Mike McClurken
Durham