March 9, Meredith elections

fatlazyless · 02-23-2010, 08:56 PM

Here's a couple serious letters-to-the-editor from the newpaper that I thought I'd post as a new thread because they are both serious and thought provoking for local voters to consider in the upcoming Tuesday, March 9, Meredith elections.
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Mr Mega is married to a teacher & that would handicap I-L board

To the Editor: I have learned that Mr. Christopher Mega of Meredith has filed to run for the Inter-Lakes School Board. I have every confidence that Mr. Mega possesses the personal qualities that would make him effective. However, there is one circumstance in his life that bears on this issue. He is the spouse of an Inter-Lakes teacher.

Policy number 8345 within the section of those policies dealing with "Internal Board Operations" addresses conflicts of interest. This policy prohibits a Board Member from "debating, discussing, or voting on a nomination or other issue" when a conflict of interest exists. This means, should Mr. Mega be elected, he would have to recuse himself from many discussions and votes having to do with the professional teaching staff, which includes the ILEA, the Inter-Lakes Education Association. Neither could he serve as a member of a Board negotiations team dealing with the professional teaching staff.

The first of these two issues carries the potential to leave the Board repeatedly without an odd number of members to vote on teacher related issues, while the second shifts the burden of professional negotiations to other Board members.

This is an important issue as negotiations with the professional staff have been very time consuming and often protracted. They could become even more so should the economic climate result in shorter-term settlements. For example, a series of one-year settlements would mean negotiating every year.

We are coming to the end of a three-year agreement with the ILEA. We have just concluded negotiations with the support staff resulting in a two-year agreement. Agreements of three years in duration have been the historic norm.

As of now, the Board will be negotiating with the ILEA during the fall of 2010. The following year, 2011, the Board will again be negotiating with the ILSSA, the support-staff.

Voters need to be aware of the complexities involved in being a member of a school board.

Howard Cunningham
School Board Member
Sandwich

Laconia Daily Sun, Feb 24, page 4

.........

Special interests will pack I-L meeting and restore all the cuts

To the Editor, Laconia Daily Sun,

With regard to the Inter-Lakes School District (A/K/A Inter-Lakes Country Club): I don't have to be a psychic to predict what is going to happen at the school district meeting. The special interest, two hundred plus, family, and a call list for others, will vote to restore any cuts the school board has worked so hard to make. They don't live in the real world - they get pay raises for just showing up for work, summer off, snow days, a benefits and retirement package the private sector could just dream of.

Taxpayers are losing their jobs and their homes with no end in sight. The system is flawed. We need SB-2 for both town and school meetings. Good luck on lowering your taxes.

George Horne
Meredith

Laconia Daily Sun, Feb 23, 2010, page 6
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02-23-2010, 08:56 PM	#1
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,173 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,103 Times in 812 Posts	March 9, Meredith elections Here's a couple serious letters-to-the-editor from the newpaper that I thought I'd post as a new thread because they are both serious and thought provoking for local voters to consider in the upcoming Tuesday, March 9, Meredith elections. ...... Mr Mega is married to a teacher & that would handicap I-L board To the Editor: I have learned that Mr. Christopher Mega of Meredith has filed to run for the Inter-Lakes School Board. I have every confidence that Mr. Mega possesses the personal qualities that would make him effective. However, there is one circumstance in his life that bears on this issue. He is the spouse of an Inter-Lakes teacher. Policy number 8345 within the section of those policies dealing with "Internal Board Operations" addresses conflicts of interest. This policy prohibits a Board Member from "debating, discussing, or voting on a nomination or other issue" when a conflict of interest exists. This means, should Mr. Mega be elected, he would have to recuse himself from many discussions and votes having to do with the professional teaching staff, which includes the ILEA, the Inter-Lakes Education Association. Neither could he serve as a member of a Board negotiations team dealing with the professional teaching staff. The first of these two issues carries the potential to leave the Board repeatedly without an odd number of members to vote on teacher related issues, while the second shifts the burden of professional negotiations to other Board members. This is an important issue as negotiations with the professional staff have been very time consuming and often protracted. They could become even more so should the economic climate result in shorter-term settlements. For example, a series of one-year settlements would mean negotiating every year. We are coming to the end of a three-year agreement with the ILEA. We have just concluded negotiations with the support staff resulting in a two-year agreement. Agreements of three years in duration have been the historic norm. As of now, the Board will be negotiating with the ILEA during the fall of 2010. The following year, 2011, the Board will again be negotiating with the ILSSA, the support-staff. Voters need to be aware of the complexities involved in being a member of a school board. Howard Cunningham School Board Member Sandwich Laconia Daily Sun, Feb 24, page 4 ......... Special interests will pack I-L meeting and restore all the cuts To the Editor, Laconia Daily Sun, With regard to the Inter-Lakes School District (A/K/A Inter-Lakes Country Club): I don't have to be a psychic to predict what is going to happen at the school district meeting. The special interest, two hundred plus, family, and a call list for others, will vote to restore any cuts the school board has worked so hard to make. They don't live in the real world - they get pay raises for just showing up for work, summer off, snow days, a benefits and retirement package the private sector could just dream of. Taxpayers are losing their jobs and their homes with no end in sight. The system is flawed. We need SB-2 for both town and school meetings. Good luck on lowering your taxes. George Horne Meredith Laconia Daily Sun, Feb 23, 2010, page 6 ........ __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store! Last edited by fatlazyless; 02-24-2010 at 08:43 AM.