SAD 63 budget panel aims to help partnership

HOLDEN – A nine-member budget advisory committee was created by the SAD 63 board of directors Monday as a way to foster partnerships with the three communities that compose the district.

“The purpose is to help with community relations and to get input … to make a budget everybody wants,” said board member Carolyn Miller, who also is chairwoman of the budget and finance committee.

Three SAD 63 board members, a town leader from Clifton, Eddington and Holden, and a resident from each community will sit on the budget advisory committee.

“Our intent would be to invite one selectman [or other town leader] and have them select one resident,” board member Claude Berthiaume said Monday. “I think this would be a good relationship builder for the towns.”

The advisory committee would need to meet at least in February and March to help work on the district’s budget.

“This committee would be advisory only,” Chairman Don Varnum said. “We would listen to them and take their input, but the final authority lies with the board of directors.

“I think it’s a good move to get the public and town officials involved with it,” he said.

The board directed a letter be sent to the three towns informing them of the creation of the committee and its authority, the nominating process and timeframe for meetings.

During the meeting, the board also:

. Set the CSD 8-SAD 63 annual joint meeting for Dec. 15 at Holbrook School. During the meeting the board will evaluate Superintendent Louise Regan and set the percentage of local assessments the three member communities will pay for education.

. Held the first reading of four district policies dealing with tutors, life-sustaining medical care and reintegration of students from correctional facilities.

. Approved a staff and student dress code, which basically requires clothing to cover the midriff, restricts visible body piercing to the ears only and prohibits performing piercings or tattooing on others.

Copies of all policies are available at the superintendent’s office at the Holbrook School.

. Approved a maternity leave of absence for Heather Austin.

Starting in January, the SAD 63 board will begin meeting at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month, at rotating locations throughout the district. The next meeting of the board is Jan. 24 at Holden School.