Joint boards extend David Baker as superintendent for another year
The Cornish and Plainfield boards approved removing the “interim” designation from David Baker’s title and extending his superintendent contract for one year.
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Friday, November 13, 2026
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Latest New Hampshire stories
Study committee recommends one K-8 school on the Plainfield site
The Cornish-Plainfield cooperative study committee voted unanimously on Sept. 15, 2026 to recommend a 'One School Model,' with all K-8 classes at 92 Bonner Road, the Plainfield school site. Voters would first be asked in March 2027 to keep the committee working and give it some money. Budget and bond requests could come in March 2028.
Energy drinks banned at school; AI policy being drafted
On Oct. 19, 2026 the board authorized Cornish Elementary to ban energy drinks. It also reviewed sample policies on artificial intelligence, and a draft AI policy will come back to the board. The school has no AI policy yet.
Board hires architect and engineer for school expansion
On October 15, 2026 the board hired Banwell for architecture ($79,580) and Verdantas for civil engineering ($37,000) to design an expansion of Croydon Village School. Voters authorized an expansion paid by grants or reserve funds in March, and the district was earmarked $1.17 million in federal money.
Gilmanton superintendent and principal to leave in June 2027
The board accepted Superintendent Robert Gadomski’s and Principal Julie Couch’s resignations, effective June 30, 2027. The district planned to post the superintendent job in November, aiming to hire in January for a July 1 start; the principal search was planned for late December through January.
Gilmanton adopts a policy governing staff use of generative AI
The board adopted a new policy on generative artificial intelligence and added an annual review requirement. The policy committee described it as setting guidelines for responsible staff use; it said student use was not permitted under existing district rules.
Derry Cooperative School District
Board adopts a district policy on generative AI
The board unanimously adopted a new policy on generative artificial intelligence. Board members noted that it addresses deepfakes and said the fast-changing technology makes periodic policy review important.
District says staffing gaps are preventing it from meeting all special-education needs
Claremont says it cannot currently provide all required special-education services because it lacks enough qualified staff. The superintendent said families were notified and that the district will review each student’s missed services and provide compensatory support when needed.
Ashland Elementary plans a major window and building-envelope upgrade
A $1.334 million Congressionally Directed Spending allocation is designated for Phase 1 of the Net Zero project at Ashland Elementary, with construction planned to begin next year. The work aims to reduce energy loss by improving the building envelope, including replacing exterior windows that currently cause thermal challenges.
More from the news desk
State Board finds Colebrook bullying investigation was not thorough and fair
Colebrook’s September 15 minutes report that the State Board accepted a finding that the bullying investigation was not thorough and fair; the superintendent said State Board-recommended districtwide training was scheduled for the next day. The family also requested $40,000 in attorney fees and warned it may take the matter to Superior Court if denied.
Joint boards vote to move Meadows project forward
The Gilford and Gilmanton boards voted 10-0 to move forward with the Meadows project as outlined in its plan. At the hearing, supporters cited the current shack’s limited space and lack of electricity and running water; the minutes do not state the plan’s scope or cost.
Littleton authorizes FY27 fuel contract as costs rise about $130,000
The board authorized the business administrator to sign a FY27 fuel contract at the best available price. The district said fuel was $5.08 per gallon, up from $2.64 last year, adding about $130,000 to costs compared with the prior year.
Littleton reports a $415,767 FY27 revenue gap
Littleton reported that FY 2026–27 revenue will be $415,767 below budget assumptions: final adequacy aid is $4,099,570, or $215,767 below the estimate, and the district will not return the anticipated $200,000 fund balance to reduce taxes. The minutes attribute the aid decline to lower average daily membership and free/reduced-price counts.
Board approves two Littleton Elementary assistant principal appointments
The board approved one-year Certificates of Eligibility for Sheryl Louis and Kasey Grisham as Littleton Elementary School assistant principals for 2026–27. The certificates are limited to that school year, confer no tenure rights, and are subject to background-check and other district and state requirements.
Board opposes school tax cap question on November ballot
Voters will decide on November 3, 2026 whether to adopt a cap on school taxes under state law HB 1300. On August 27 the school board voted not to support it.
Derry Cooperative School District
Board retains $1.25 million from year-end funds
The board voted 7-0 to retain $1.25 million after reviewing unaudited FY 2026 year-end financials.
Derry Cooperative School District
Board begins planning for possible tax-cap and consolidation votes
The board adopted a 2026-27 goal directing the board and superintendent to develop a position and communications plan for a possible November 2026 school tax-cap vote and a possible vote to reorganize the district as a town department.
Board adopts revised Policy JICK to comply with new NH bullying law
The board approved updated Policy JICK (Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention) to align with revised New Hampshire bullying law requirements effective July 1, including a new 48-hour parent notification requirement after a bullying report and expanded definitions of bullying that increase documentation and investigation burdens on staff.
Board discusses proposed state tax cap (HB 1300) that could impact school budget
The board discussed House Bill 1300, a proposed New Hampshire school district tax cap question that will appear on the November ballot. If approved by three-fifths of voters, the cap would take effect immediately and impact the budget currently being developed, potentially affecting staffing, negotiated agreements, programs, supplies, and athletics.
Board declines to issue letter committing to pay outstanding Prospect Mountain tuition balance
The board voted not to provide a requested letter committing the district to pay an outstanding 2023-2024 manifest educational hardship tuition balance owed to Prospect Mountain High School, pending outcome of a related NH Supreme Court case and further legal guidance.
PFAS chemicals detected in wastewater from school floor-stripping project
The NH Department of Environmental Services detected several PFAS compounds in wastewater generated during a floor-stripping process at Epsom Central School, after the contractor had initially indicated the materials were PFAS-free. DES recommended the wastewater be collected and stored in containers rather than disposed of through the normal wastewater system, with disposal costs estimated at $2,500-$3,500.
Board reverses course, pauses CAES/SAU 7 soft-wash and window-wash project
At its August 18, 2026 meeting, the Colebrook School Board voted (5-2) to reconsider and then halt a previously approved building soft-wash/window-wash contract for CAES and the SAU 7 building, citing concerns about chemical safety near playgrounds so soon after school starts and recent $15,000 seal-coating work. The board directed staff to notify vendors the project will not proceed at this time and to revisit it later after further review, including sending the bidding process to the local policy committee.
Board denies nonresident homeschool student's request to play Colebrook Academy sports
The Colebrook School Board formally addressed a Vermont homeschool student's petition to play athletics at Colebrook Academy, concluding that under NH state law and NHIAA policy the student is ineligible unless enrolled at least 50% of the school day at Colebrook. The board upheld this determination after legal review, effectively denying the family's request while offering enrollment as an alternative path to eligibility.
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