Continuation granted in case alleging OR board held illegal meetings regarding superintendent's buyout

As reported in Foster's, the court has granted a continuation of 30 days to gather a response for David Taylor.  This continuation was granted in hopes of avoiding a trial and a response could be gathered as early as next week.

As part of the settlement, Mr. Taylor is requesting all his attorney fees to be paid by the district for bringing this case to court.  This amount was not disclosed.  As a concerned community member, I have to ask how this case - win or lose - is benefiting our students and maximizing our monetary support in the classroom.

DURHAM — A one-month continuation has been given to a Strafford Superior Court matter where an area resident claims the Oyster River School Board illegally held meetings regarding the buyout of the former superintendent.

Durham resident David Taylor issued paperwork at Strafford County Superior Court earlier this year after he said School Board Chair Henry Brackett failed to respond to his request for records. Although Brackett has since complied and sent Taylor the requested e-mails and information, Taylor said he believes there is more information not being released and has continued his petition to the court.

Taylor had requested "all records of communication" from Jan. 1 of this year involving the School Board members, other government officials, school officials and anyone else regarding requests for non-meetings.

Over the last few months, the district has had turnover of three top positions — superintendent, director of instruction and high school principal. At School Board meetings, the board has listened to multiple complaints from community members stating they had an agenda and were not providing open discussion with the community.

Information released indicates Brackett had been holding conversations with lawyers about the termination of former Superintendent Howard Colter as early as March 24. Colter was bought out of his contract in early June.

Taylor claims the board has failed to inform the public of alleged meetings held just before the buyout of the superintendent's contract and said the decision to end former superintendent Howard Colter's contract and then the subsequent hiring of his replacement was done in numerous non-meetings. 

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