BOE Reorganizes, Webster In As President

Manchester's Board of Education last night approved its new president and swore in three members, including one newcomer.

Donald Webster Jr. was approved by the board as its president, taking over for Mary Walter, who after 10 years of service decided to leave the post. 

"I want to thank all of you for your support," Webster said. "I've got some pretty big shoes to fill moving forward. As a board, we have some pretty interesting things to deal with, issues going forward, not the least of which is the defeated budget. I'm looking forward to dealing with all of these issues and with you."

The district's 2011-12 budget was during an April 27 vote. School administrators are set to meet with town council members on Thursday for preliminary budget discussions. A public meeting on reconciling the budget will be held on May 12, 6 p.m. at Ridgeway Elementary School.

Webster addressed Walter and her service to the board as its president.

"Over the past 10 years, this board and the school district have gone through a lot of positive changes," he said. "Although there have been a lot of changes, there has been one constant through that time, and that has been the determined and dedicated leadership of Mary Walter as our president."

The board also voted to appoint James Pate as vice president. Webster said that Pate has been "an integral part of what we've been able to accomplish here."

Incumbents Walter and Steve Placido, as well as newcomer Jennifer Hudak, were sworn in for three-year terms. April Chillemi took her seat as the new Lakehurst representative, taking over for Alison Werner.

Board attorney Thomas Monahan discussed some of the ethical guidelines board members must agree to as part of their positions.

"The purpose of the code of ethics is to get the board to work together as a group, not to work individually," he said. "That's what this code of ethics is really about, that you're not out there as an individual."

According to Monahan, this means board members should not act on their own to work with school administrators or other personnel on issues. 

"The real purpose of the board of education is not to manage the day-to-day affairs of the school district," he said. "It is to work with the administration in policy making and allowing the administration to implement the policies."

Board members also should not make promises to those in the school district, Monahan said. 

"You shouldn't say 'I will take care of that.' What you should be saying is 'I will refer that to the administration,'" he said.

Confidentiality was also addressed, as board members should not reveal certain matters discussed in executive sessions, such as whether some members had conflicting viewpoints, Monahan said.

Board members must also file financial disclosure forms indicating if they or their family have any possible business interests that may cause a conflict when the board enters into purchasing agreements.

Board members were also assigned to the following committees: