CLAREMONT, N.H. – At the Wednesday, Nov. 5, Claremont School Board meeting, Vice Chair Michael Petrin moved to reinstate Frank Sprague to the school board.
A former board member who resigned in August amidst the district shakeup, Sprague recently sent a letter advocating reclaiming his seat, reportedly following a conversation with Board Chair Heather Whitney.
The board worried about setting a bad precedent by allowing a former member who had voluntarily resigned to return to their position. Many citizens at the meeting agreed.
Board member Arlene Hawkins suggested the board reopen the application process.
Loren Howard disagreed, calling the suggestion “a timewaster.”
Petrin reiterated Sprague had been duly elected. “Mr. Sprague has the experience that we need to move forward, at least through [the March election].”
Whitney noted the unprecedented position the board is faced with currently, admitting that she would prefer to let the voters decide. However, in the case of Sprague, a majority of voters had voted for him in previous elections, and currently he is the only viable candidate expressing interest in filling the seat.
Member Candace Crawford confessed that she had been “disappointed in Mr. Sprague for resigning at that time. Additionally,” Crawford continued, “he’s made some comments in the public since he’s been off the board…that I don’t think are supportive of the Claremont School Board. I would recommend that we do nothing and wait until the voters vote – until someone applies in January and is elected in March.”
After further debate, and hearing concerns from citizens in attendance, the board took a revote on the two candidates considered previously, Don Lavalette and Kevin Tyson, who were present at the meeting. Again, the vote ended in a 3-3 tie.
Ultimately, the board voted to reinstate Sprague. Howard chose to abstain, leading to Sprague’s reappointment by a vote of 3-2.
Senior comptroller and interim business administrator Matt Angell updated the board on the district’s finances.
At the board’s previous meeting, Angell reported that the town’s final tax rate calculations were pending the state’s response to his inquiry regarding a large discrepancy in special education costs. The state’s reply is still forthcoming.
Angell and the board tried to clarify the increase in tax rates Claremont residents will see next year. “The tax rate is based upon what the voters voted for in March, minus the estimated revenues, and in the past those estimates were set artificially high,” explained Angell. Due to previous, inaccurate reporting of estimated revenues, there had to be adjustments made.
One response to the appearance of misconduct within the previous administration was announced by Angell. “I’m speaking with law enforcement, specifically about stipends,” he said. “Lt. Eaton [of the New Hampshire State Police] has asked the school board to hire a forensic auditor. I would like to get permission from the school board to hire one.”
The board authorized the audit.
Near the conclusion of the meeting, Petrin advocated for the board to consider holding one meeting dedicated to addressing the financial crisis in basic terms, so the public can better understand what happened. He suggested that residents reach out to the board ahead of the meeting to offer feedback, voice concerns, and ask questions, giving the board time to address specific issues.
Angell said he needed more time. “My schedule is pretty aggressive. The audits have been scheduled to begin the week after next. I’m not ready.” Claremont will be audited for years 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The Claremont School Board meets the first and third Wednesday of each month, at 6:30 p.m., at the Sugar River Valley Technical Center.