The end is in sight for the Concord School District Charter Commission’s work sessions. The group will be making final decisions this month about amendments to the school district charter document before finalizing its preliminary report.
A series of public hearings on the preliminary report start Tuesday. Board chair Betty Hoadley says the Commission will be taking a “last look” at the work they’ve done so far.
“We’re very very happy to close in on completing the preliminary report and we look forward to processing it in the final report and having it on the ballot for voters in November,” Hoadley said.
The nine-member Charter Commission was assembled in November, 10 years after the first Charter Commission convened in 2010, to review and amend the charter, the school district’s governing document which contains rules around school board elections, the school budget process and more.
Among the proposed charter amendments that the Commission will finalize in the next few weeks is the issue of whether the Concord School District clerk and treasurer should be elected by voters or appointed by the Concord School Board, a decision that hinges on the Attorney General and Secretary of State’s interpretation of New Hampshire RSA 671:6, something they’re discussing with a lawyer.
The Commission will also be deciding rules regarding Concord School Board members who move residences after being elected to represent a certain ward in town.
Commissioners have decided it’s not necessary to require a third Charter Commission to assemble in 10 years since there are other methods in place to change the district’s charter document, including via the School Board and through citizen action by petition.
Concord residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on these charter issues and others at public hearings that will be held on April 5, April 12 and May 10 at the School District offices.
Hoadley says the Commission’s goal is to have a preliminary report on the proposed amendments ready to sign by April 12. Then, School District Clerk Patrick Taylor will submit the report to New Hampshire Attorney General, Secretary of State and the Dept. of Revenue Administration Commissioner for review. The state officials have 45 days to either approve or reject the proposed charter changes, and the Concord Charter Commission will use their feedback to create a final report due on June 20.
Changes that are proposed in the final report will go before Concord voters on Election Day in November. After the votes are tallied, the charter document will be changed and the new version will be posted on the school district website, and the School Board will implement any required changes.
“We’ve rounded second base, approaching third,” Hoadley said. “We’re getting there, and we’ll have everything ready for votes in the fall.”