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Meeting report · Exeter Region Cooperative School Board
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Exeter Region Cooperative School Board — May 19, 2026

The meeting was largely procedural and productive, with most contentious items (like pricing and governance) being addressed through requests for more information or corrective motions rather than heated debate.

Date Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Duration 1.5h Speakers 1 Public comments 2 Decisions 13 Routine
▶ Video

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01

Food Service Price Increases

Potential increase in daily cost of school meals. Affected: Students and families within the school district.
fee change
02

HVAC Controls RFP Award

Significant contract award (noted as $800,000 less than the competitor). Affected: Taxpayers (due to large capital expenditure).
other high impact

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Open public hearing for the SST truck donation.
Motion made to open the public hearing at 6:00 p.m.
Passed
Accept the donation of the 2019 Sierra truck to SST.
The truck is for student use in the automotive shop and cannot be sold or registered for road use.
Passed
Close the public hearing.
Motion made to close the hearing at 6:02 p.m.
Passed
Approval of April 21st meeting minutes.
Standard approval of public minutes.
Passed
Approval of April 21st non-public meeting minutes.
Standard approval of non-public minutes.
Passed
Approve SST overnight field trip requests for -1.
Pre-approval of annual trips to ensure readiness for qualifying national competitions.
Unanimous
Join the amicus brief and associated costs.
Motion to support the brief alongside the ACLU and NEA.
Passed
Accept RFP proposal for HVAC controls from Control Technologies Industries.
The proposal was chosen because it is approximately $800,000 less than the competitor and is non-proprietary.
Passed
Accept nominations for three new employees: Kira Rogers, Abby Dunigan, and Dave McKenzie.
Hires include a speech pathologist, a special education case manager, and an SST electric teacher.
Passed
Accept resignation of Director of Facilities, Brian Sans.
Resignation accepted due to the director accepting a position in his hometown.
Passed
Authorize the Superintendent to hire staff over the summer period.
Grants authority to fill essential positions through the August/September board meeting following standard vetting.
Passed
Accept amendments to four listed policies.
Includes updates to JICJ regarding personal devices and additions for CPR training.
Passed
Re-establish Curriculum, Facilities, and Finance committees.
Motion to reform these three specific committees to improve information flow and vetting.
Passed

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 01:50 SST Truck Donation

Discussion regarding the acceptance of a 2019 Sierra truck donated to the SST automotive program after they won a competition. The truck is valued over $20,000 and must be used for student learning purposes only.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Dr. Andriski, Dr. Carr
▶ 04:28 CMS Student Update

A presentation covering recent and upcoming activities at the Creed Middle School (CMS), including sports, field trips, student assemblies on equity, and end-of-year celebrations.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 10:53 EHS Student Update

A presentation covering academic achievements, language exam successes, the new road bike team, and upcoming graduation events at Exeter High School (EHS).

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 15:08 Public Input: School Waste Reduction

EHS student Lachlan McCauley presented a proposal to reduce lunchroom waste through composting and the implementation of beverage dispensers with reusable cups.

Speakers: Lachlan McCauley, Unidentified speaker
▶ 31:00 Financial and Food Service Reports

Review of current year financials and a proposal to increase food service prices. The board requested more detailed data before approving any price increases.

Speakers: Molly, Unidentified speaker, Eric Miller, Erin Garcia de Paredes Petta, Amy Ransom
▶ 31:01 Capstone Project: Autism Awareness

CMS student Willow Robertson delivered an educational presentation on autism, neurodivergence, and the importance of listening to autistic individuals.

Speakers: Willow Robertson, Unidentified speaker
▶ 41:01 SST Overnight Field Trip Request

Review and approval of the annual slate of overnight field trips for the SST program for the -1 school year.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 44:10 Amicus Brief Support

Discussion regarding the district joining an amicus brief alongside the ACLU and NEA to support teacher equity and protect state funding from vague compliance regulations.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 47:30 Facilities Report

Update on water damage repairs at the Morgan Center, gym floor restoration, and a recommendation for an HVAC controls vendor.

Speakers: Chris, Unidentified speaker
▶ 51:49 Facilities Update: CMS Gym Floor

Discussion regarding the restoration of the CMS gym floor following a leak; repairs are expected to be completed by the start of the school year.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 53:34 Capacity Report

A full report regarding district capacity, including room usage at SST and CMS, will be provided in June.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 56:07 HVAC Controls RFP

Review of the Request for Proposals for HVAC controls, recommending Control Technologies Industries over Seaman's due to cost and non-proprietary benefits.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Amy Ransom
▶ 57:57 Personnel Updates

Introduction of three new hires and the announcement of the resignation of the Director of Facilities, Brian Sans.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:02:00 Policy Amendments

Review of revisions to existing policies, including updates to personal device usage (JICJ) and CPR training requirements.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:04:12 SST Enrollment and Legislative Update

Discussion on positive enrollment trends at SST and the impact of a newly passed law regarding Educational Funding Accounts (EFA) on district reimbursement.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:10:43 Board Governance and Committee Reformation

Discussion on the perceived loss of information and transparency since dissolving standing committees, leading to a motion to re-establish them.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Erin Garcia de Paredes

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

Amicus Brief Support

The district is joining the ACLU and NEA in a legal effort regarding teacher equity and state funding. Such legal actions involving national advocacy groups can be polarizing for community members with differing views on education policy and political alignment.
Board position: The board voted to support the brief to protect state funding against vague compliance regulations.
low concern
02

Board Governance and Committee Reformation

There is an internal acknowledgment that dissolving standing committees resulted in a perceived loss of transparency and information flow within the district.
Board position: The board voted to re-establish the Curriculum, Facilities, and Finance committees to improve vetting and transparency.
medium concern

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Work on publishing financial statements to the website in a more accessible format.
Assigned: Molly / Admin Assistant
Prepare a presentation for the June meeting regarding food service price increases, including participation rates, revenue projections, and qualifying student data.
Assigned: Food Service Director (Dalia) · Due: June 16
Provide the board with the final draft of the amicus brief including requested addendums.
Assigned: a speaker / Administration · Due: 2026-05-22
Notify Control Technologies Industries of the RFP award.
Assigned: a speaker (Administration) · Due: Tomorrow (relative to meeting date)
Send emails to board members regarding graduation attendance schedules.
Assigned: a speaker (Chair)
Provide a written rationale, purpose, and timeline for the newly formed committees to the board.
Assigned: a speaker (Administration) · Due: June 16th
Post board packets/background materials online alongside the agenda.
Assigned: a speaker (Administration) · Due: Ongoing

Notable ⁠statements

Proposed composting and reusable beverage dispensers to reduce waste at EHS. — Lachlan McCauley · Student presentation on environmental sustainability. ▶ 15:08
Requested that food service price increases be tabled until detailed data is provided, noting the importance of not increasing prices without clear necessity. — Erin Garcia de Paredes Petta · Board discussion on food service budget. ▶ 35:46
Emphasized the need for the education system to listen to and accept autistic students rather than focusing solely on 'cures' or stereotypes. — Willow Robertson · Student Capstone presentation on autism. ▶ 31:01
Argued the lawsuit is an effort to preserve state funding against vague and undefinable conduct regulations. — Speaker A (regarding amicus brief) · Discussion of the legal implications of the amicus brief. ▶ 45:50
Being proactive with our control system... is really important [because] you are always at the burden if your building ages and you do not do something with it. — Speaker A (Administration) · Justifying the HVAC control system upgrade. ▶ 59:00
I think that we're missing information because of what we've taken away [the committees]. — Erin Garcia de Paredes · Arguing for the re-establishment of standing committees. ▶ 1:11:43

Member ⁠positions

12 issues · 0 explicit · 63 inferred
Present
SST Truck Donation YES ~
Supported the donation of the 2019 Sierra truck.
SST Overnight Field Trip Request YES ~
Approved annual SST overnight field trips.
Amicus Brief Support YES ~
Supported joining the amicus brief.
HVAC Controls RFP YES ~
Accepted the RFP proposal from Control Technologies Industries.
Personnel Updates YES ~
Accepted the three new employee nominations.
Policy Amendments YES ~
Accepted amendments to four listed policies.
Board Governance and Committee Reformation YES ~
Supported re-establishing standing committees.
Present
SST Truck Donation YES ~
Supported the donation of the 2019 Sierra truck.
SST Overnight Field Trip Request YES ~
Approved annual SST overnight field trips.
Amicus Brief Support YES ~
Supported joining the amicus brief.
HVAC Controls RFP YES ~
Accepted the RFP proposal from Control Technologies Industries.
Personnel Updates YES ~
Accepted the three new employee nominations.
Policy Amendments YES ~
Accepted amendments to four listed policies.
Board Governance and Committee Reformation YES ~
Supported re-establishing standing committees.
Present
SST Truck Donation YES ~
Supported the donation of the 2019 Sierra truck.
SST Overnight Field Trip Request YES ~
Approved annual SST overnight field trips.
Amicus Brief Support YES ~
Supported joining the amicus brief.
HVAC Controls RFP YES ~
Accepted the RFP proposal from Control Technologies Industries.
Personnel Updates YES ~
Accepted the three new employee nominations.
Policy Amendments YES ~
Accepted amendments to four listed policies.
Board Governance and Committee Reformation YES ~
Supported re-establishing standing committees.
Present
SST Truck Donation YES ~
Supported the donation of the 2019 Sierra truck.
SST Overnight Field Trip Request YES ~
Approved annual SST overnight field trips.
Amicus Brief Support YES ~
Supported joining the amicus brief.
HVAC Controls RFP YES ~
Accepted the RFP proposal from Control Technologies Industries.
Personnel Updates YES ~
Accepted the three new employee nominations.
Policy Amendments YES ~
Accepted amendments to four listed policies.
Board Governance and Committee Reformation YES ~
Supported re-establishing standing committees.
Financial and Food Service Reports ✓
Requested more data before approving food service price increases.
Board Governance and Committee Reformation YES ✓
Argued for re-establishing committees to improve information flow.
Present
SST Truck Donation YES ~
Supported the donation of the 2019 Sierra truck.
SST Overnight Field Trip Request YES ~
Approved annual SST overnight field trips.
Amicus Brief Support YES ~
Supported joining the amicus brief.
HVAC Controls RFP YES ~
Accepted the RFP proposal from Control Technologies Industries.
Personnel Updates YES ~
Accepted the three new employee nominations.
Policy Amendments YES ~
Accepted amendments to four listed policies.
Board Governance and Committee Reformation YES ~
Supported re-establishing standing committees.
Present
SST Truck Donation YES ~
Supported the donation of the 2019 Sierra truck.
SST Overnight Field Trip Request YES ~
Approved annual SST overnight field trips.
Amicus Brief Support YES ~
Supported joining the amicus brief.
HVAC Controls RFP YES ~
Accepted the RFP proposal from Control Technologies Industries.
Personnel Updates YES ~
Accepted the three new employee nominations.
Policy Amendments YES ~
Accepted amendments to four listed policies.
Board Governance and Committee Reformation YES ~
Supported re-establishing standing committees.
Present
Financial and Food Service Reports ✓
Participated in discussion regarding food service reports.
HVAC Controls RFP YES ✓
Supported the HVAC controls RFP decision.
Present
Financial and Food Service Reports ✓
Participated in discussion regarding food service reports.

Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
2
Total speakers
2
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Lachlan McCauley
▶ 15:00
Addressed
Lachlan presented a proposal to reduce waste in the EHS lunchroom. He suggested implementing composting services and installing beverage dispensers with reusable cups to replace single-use milk cartons. Key concern
Reducing environmental waste and single-use plastics/cartons in the high school cafeteria.
Board response
A board member offered resources regarding a sustainability committee and milk dispensers used in another district. The board advised him to work directly with the principal to conduct further research and cost analysis.
The board provided practical resources and a clear pathway (working with the principal) for him to proceed with his research and implementation.
Willow Robertson
▶ 19:00
Addressed
Willow delivered an educational presentation on autism, explaining neurological differences, the concept of 'masking,' and the importance of neurodiversity. She shared personal experiences regarding the challenges of the education system and the impact of bullying. Key concern
Increasing understanding and acceptance of autistic individuals and reducing bullying/stigmatization in schools.
Board response
Board members praised the presentation for its excellence, bravery, and informative content. They asked follow-up questions regarding her preparation and the reliability of her sources for potential staff training.
While the board did not propose a specific policy change, they directly engaged with her topic, validated her message, and expressed interest in using her research themes for staff instruction.
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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-05-31.