Student booted over sneakers
Agrafiotis is Hooksett's
new police chief
Allenstown teachers picket
open house
PA student expelled for
having weapons
Tax bills wait after Supreme
Court decision
Lack of kindergarten
curriculum has some Candia parents upset
Creepy fun at
Allenstown's Bewitched Forest
Hooksett
Memorial School's eighth graders take the 1999 Hooksett Fireman's challenge
Student
booted over sneakersBy ERIC BAXTER
Staff Writer
ALLENSTOWN What one local gym teacher considers platform sneakers have resulted in her banning a local girl from gym class.
With the school board backing the gym teacher, student Jenna Farrell, 13, and her parents, Susan and Robert, are appealing the board's decision to the state Board of Education.
Despite the board's assertion the teacher is the ultimate authority in determining safety, gym instructor Phyllis Irzyk was not present at the board meeting that took place on Monday, Oct. 18.
The Farrells are expecting to send a letter to the state within the next two weeks.
It all started with a disagreement over the safety of the pair of sneakers, termed "platform" by the teacher. But the Farrells say the shoes aren't platform sneakers and are as safe as other brands.
"It's the principle of the thing. The rubber siding appears to be the sole, but it isn't. These are not platform sneakers," said Susan Farrell of their fight to get their daughter's rubber-sided suede skate sneakers accepted for physical education class at Armand R. Dupont School.
Platform sneakers are a continuing fashion trend for both kids and adults. Designed to look like a sneaker, the sole of the shoe is built up to heights ranging from one inch to several inches, similar to platform shoes popular in the 1970s.
When the Farrells appealed to Allenstown Principal Tony Silva to overrule the gym teacher's decision, Silva supported the teacher's decision for both safety reasons and reasons of school liability.
Since the beginning of the school year, Jenna has sat on the sidelines of Irzyk's Wednesday seventh-grade physical education class because her sneakers were considered unsafe for gym activities.
While Farrell's parents appealed the gym teacher's decision, she has been given "education packets" to finish to keep her grade up in the state-required class.
Jenna, however, claims the sidelining is embarrassing and demeaning.
"I feel like I'm being punished for something I didn't do. I'm not going to break my ankle in these sneakers. I run around at home and nothing happened there," said Farrell.
At the Monday, Oct. 18, school board meeting, school board members heard the Farrells' concerns and questions regarding their daughter's sneakers.
The school policy manual outlines what is and is not acceptable for all clothing, including physical education clothes and shoes. The policy said the final decision in what is safe and not safe was up to the teacher, who was the authority on physical education safety.
The Farrells said the shoes were deemed acceptable last year by then-Allenstown Principal Fred Dunlop and there was no reason why they should not be acceptable this year.
Board members decided that while Dunlop may have decided to countermand the school policy and gym teacher decision, putting the school at a liability risk, they would not. Board members then voted unanimously to uphold the policy and Irzyk's decision about the shoes.
By ERIC BAXTER
Staff Writer
HOOKSETT The search for a Hooksett police chief is over.
Effective Nov. 1, Raymond Police Chief Stephen M. Agrafiotis will take over as police chief in Hooksett, having served in Raymond for less than three years.
According to a release from the Hooksett Police Commission, Agrafiotis is a Hooksett native and served as a member of the department from 1983 to 1992, working his way from patrol officer to lieutenant. From 1992 to June of 1997, Agrafiotis served as police chief in Candia.
The search for a new chief began in June and was conducted by consulting firm Municipal Resources, Inc., of Concord. The original field contained 75 applicants, which was narrowed down to seven candidates.
The candidates were interviewed by a citizen board and professional board. The final interviews and selection was conducted by commission members.
Agrafiotis brings a wealth of experience to the department, said the release. Holding a master's degree in management from Antioch New England graduate school, Agrafiotis has also completed more than 65 law enforcement-related classes and seminars and has served in the New Hampshire Army National Guard and the United States Coast Guard Reserve.
The move to Hooksett police chief, for Agrafiotis, is a return to his roots, his first police job and his hometown. Hooksett will also present more of a personal and professional challenge to the new chief.
"It's a larger department and a faster-paced department. The town is growing and I want to see the department growing along with it," Agrafiotis said.
Some of the more immediate issues Agrafiotis wants to address are completing the department's accreditation and solving the communication problems which have plagued the department since the new communication system was installed.
However, Agrafiotis said he was going to take stock of the department before beginning any changes.
"My most important long-term goal is to make sure the department keep pace with the growth of the community and we maintain our level of service," said Agrafiotis.
Since the retirement of former chief James H. Oliver in June due to health problems, Lt. Jacques Plante has served as acting chief.
By MELANIE S. HITCHCOCK and ERIC BAXTER
Staff Writers
ALLENSTOWN A cold October night could not deter Allenstown teachers from holding an informational picket in front of Allenstown Elementary School Oct. 14.
More than 35 teachers and supporters of the Allenstown Teachers' Association passed out pamphlets and held signs to show their determination to settle a contract which has been in negotiation since July and to inform parents of where they and the town stand.
While the town and association are not able to talk about contract specifics during negotiation, the information sheet handed out by the teachers said of 163 school districts in the state, 152 have a higher average teacher salary than Allenstown.
Additionally, the town received $850,000 in additional state aid which the sheet said could be used to give the teachers a raise and not affect taxes.
"We've been fair waiting for the town to be able to pay. We never wanted to bring the rates up," said association representative Cindy Nugent, also a 15-year teacher at Armand R. Dupont school after a formal declaration of the association's intent at the Monday, Oct. 18 school board meeting. More than 30 teachers attended to support the declaration.
"The town has never denied us and has always been very supportive of education issues. The teachers have always accepted what the town offered and this time we didn't agree with the terms," added Nugent.
The stance established by the teachers is one of firm purpose and the determination to have their demands met without causing problems for students, parents or residents.
At the picket, Nugent said they chose to time it before the start of the open house at Allenstown Elementary School because "the parents don't know what is going on" and this was the best way to reach most of them.
"We are not going to talk about this with parents at the open house, but before the open house, we want them to know the issues," she said.
Nugent said the picket, on the whole, was very positive.
Parents, however, had mixed feelings about picketing before the open house.
Rachel Tether, a mother of two children in the school system said, "They need to make a point. I don't mind them picketing because they are working without a contract."
Her husband, Richard, agreed and said, "This is for a good cause. It would be more beneficial for students if they had a contract."
Richard Breton, however, disagreed with the timing.
"They could have picked a better time," he said.
The final entry of demands for both the town and the association were scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 20. The association would like to see a resolution of the contract sometime in November or sooner.
By ERIC BAXTER
Staff Writer
PEMBROKE The decision by school board members to expel an 18-year-old student has raised questions over whether their decision was too harsh for the student's actions.
Following a minor accident in the Pembroke Academy parking lot, police responding to the fender-bender discovered the Chichester student had a hunting rifle, a small amount of ammunition, hunting bow and arrows in his car.
The student was not arrested or charged by the police for possession of the weapons. He was, however, in violation of local, state and federal policies on bringing fire arms and weapons into designated school "safe areas."
The Sept. 2 incident ignited smoldering fears about the Columbine, Colo. high school shootings. However, the student, known for his love of hunting, never expressed any malice against the school, its staff or students, and said the weapons were for target shooting later in the day.
Despite his claims, he was first suspended by Pembroke Academy for 10 days, then by the school board for an additional 365 days. The board later decided on full expulsion.
According to School Administrative Unit #53 Superintendent Tom Haley, an expelled student cannot attend school in any other districts in the state.
While working within the guidelines set by the state, Haley, Pembroke Academy Headmaster John Graziano and school board members met with the student and his parents and came up with "several possible alternatives" to give the student the opportunity to complete the school year academically.
"We are cognizant of the law and the severity of the penalty for bringing firearms onto school grounds," said Haley. "We are also cognizant of the fact we have to serve the needs of the students and see to their continued safety."
On their decision for expulsion, Haley said, "Within the confines of the alternatives available, we were considerate of all aspects of interpretation of the law. I did a lot of soul searching into the processes, recommendations and alternatives presented to the student."
The difficulty of the decision, said Haley, was defining when it is all right to bring weapons to school and when it is not. Haley explained under specific circumstances and controlled conditions, the school will allow weapons on the grounds. One example was bringing a musket to school for a presentation on the Revolutionary War.
Outside of these conditions, Haley said the district is forced to toe a zero-tolerance policy instituted by federal and state law.
While the argument has shaded at times from safety versus the right to bear arms, Haley said the bottom line for the district was keeping the students from harm, whether advertent or inadvertent.
"When is it ever permissible or appropriate, under whatever circumstances, for an individual to bring a firearm into a school safe-zone?" asked Haley.
By LAURA GUINAN
Correspondent
Communities throughout the state were stunned by the Supreme Court decision Friday, Oct. 15, that struck down the new statewide property tax. The $6.60 per $1,000 property tax was the backbone of the state's new $825 million education funding program, and its demise leaves school funding and town tax collection in chaos.
The court declared the new tax unconstitutional, because of a five-year phase-in provision to help about 50 property-rich communities the so-called donor towns that were about to experience a substantial increase in their taxes. Because the phase-in provision could not be separated from the whole tax plan, the high court declared the entire plan unacceptable. The 1997 Claremont II decision called for a tax rate that puts an equal burden on all communities.
Allenstown, Auburn, Candia, Epsom, Hooksett and Pembroke are all "receiver communities." All were due to receive substantial new state funding from the plan.
"Some of the grant payments have already been received by the communities," said Peter Aubrey, business manager for School Administrative Unit 53, which includes Allenstown, Epsom and Pembroke. "There is no official word on what all this means," said Aubrey.
"This a kind of frustrating," said Pembroke Town Administrator David Stack. "We have our warrant, our tax rate is set, our computer software has been changed to include the new tax, and our bills were due to go out next week. Now DRA (Department of Revenue Administration) has told us to put everything on hold."
Pembroke is one of the towns in the state which collects its taxes annually, instead of semi-annually.
"That means we have to borrow in anticipation of taxes," said Stack. "That money needs to be paid back in December."
Epsom Selectman David Minnis said the situation puts his community in a bind. "Our options are limited," Minnis said. "We may have to borrow money. Can we ask the state to reimburse us for the interest?"
He added Epsom will take a wait-and-see stance and watch what the Legislature does. "But it really creates problems with liens and the creation of the budget."
Tax collector Eva Lunnie of Auburn said she was thankful her office has not yet sent out tax bills.
"We will sit on the bills until we hear from the DRA," said Lunnie. She added that postage for sending tax bills is around $700 in her community, plus the cost of processing and printing the bills.
Donna Meadows, tax collector in Allenstown, said her community has not yet set its tax rate.
"We will wait for DRA to give us the go-ahead," said Meadows. Allenstown is one of the original Claremont plaintiff towns and was counting on the education grant for much-needed tax relief.
Hooksett has also not yet set its tax rate, said tax collector Leslie Nepveu. "Everything will go on hold for now," she said.
Candia set its tax rate with the DRA on Oct. 12. The Candia selectmen's office said the rate of $20.20 per thousand was confirmed at the selectmen's meeting of Oct.18. But selectmen said this figure may change. Like all other communities, Candia is waiting.
The Legislature is meeting in emergency session to consider how to meet this latest crisis in educational funding. Aubrey said it is the understanding in his office that, if the Legislature removes the phase-in component from the property tax, it will be legal. The Legislature may also consider other options such as an income tax, a sales tax or a constitutional amendment.
Meanwhile local communities wait.
By LAURA GUINAN
Correspondent
CANDIA It has not been smooth sailing for the new public kindergarten in Candia so far. Because of school funding issues in Concord and site work complications at the school, the new kindergarten classrooms will not be completed until November. The program had to open in temporary quarters.
Then several kindergarten parents appeared before the Candia School Board at its Oct. 7 meeting to voice their concern about an absence of a curriculum for the kindergarten and other issues. The parents all stated they were supporters of the public program and want it to succeed.
Parent Holly Hamel told board members parents are very concerned that there is no curriculum for the kindergarten.
"We're off to a rough start," said Hamel.
She said there are no alphabet cards on the classroom walls and teachers seem confused about what equipment has been ordered. Parents, she said, feel that an aide is needed in the classrooms.
"There doesn't seem to be any structure," Hamel said.
Assistant Superintendent Bob Suprenant of School Administrative Unit 15, said his office provided a copy of the Hooksett kindergarten curriculum to use until the Candia school staff develops its own. The curriculum for the kindergarten needs to be tied into that of the rest of the school, Suprenant said.
Superintendent Lyonel Tracy said, "There are some issues here." He proposed conducting some on site observations to get a handle on the situation.
School board member Ingrid Byrd, a former teacher, asked why supplies are not in the classrooms.
Byrd said, "If materials can't be bought, the teachers can make them."
Board member Richard Zang said he was appalled that a curriculum is not in place. "I want answers," said Zang.
Board chairman Dennis Ducharme said it will be helpful when the kindergarten can move into the school, that the situation will probably improve. Ducharme added he hopes the kindergarten staff will use the energy of the parents who want to help.
Parent Mark Hamel said there are materials stored on the stage at Moore School and asked about moving them to the kindergarten classrooms.
"The chairs the kids are sitting in are too big for them. Their feet are dangling above the floor," Hamel said.
He volunteered to help move in the supplies, as did Ducharme. Byrd offered to lend her truck. SAU Business Manager Ron Chapman said, however, the school does not yet own the materials stored on the stage. He added he does not think chairs or tables are among these supplies.
"They are more like white boards and other things to be installed in the classrooms during construction," said Chapman. He added the new projected completion date is Nov. 4.
One parent commented, "I want my child to go forward." And still another observed that there is not enough of a challenge to keep children interested. She added that it was she who brought the Hooksett curriculum to the school.
Mark Hamel said, "Why does it take parents six weeks into the school year to get a curriculum started?"
Another mother said she had served on the pro-kindergarten committee, and added perhaps parents were partly to blame for dropping the ball, once kindergarten passed at the school district meeting.
"Perhaps we should have been there, over the summer, helping," she said.
Zang remarked, however, there was no excuse for the whole summer passing without some kind of curriculum. Byrd said she was not a happy camper. Dr. Tracy said he would be visiting the kindergarten and meeting with parents.
Moore School Principal,John Foss was not at the Oct. 7 meeting because of a family emergency. Later reached for comment, Foss said the staff is working hard to develop a curriculum that fits the needs of the primary teachers, as well as including the ideas of the kindergarten staff. He added the staff hopes to have a draft ready as soon as possible.
Foss also said he has visited the kindergarten many times and always found students busy with varied activities, from morning meetings to alphabet recognition tasks.
"I have never seen a time when students were not engaged in meaningful activity," said Foss. He added he has been meeting with parents on a regular basis.
"Parents have some valid concerns, and the staff is working hard to try to address them," said Foss.
Creepy fun at Allenstown's
Bewitched ForestBy ERIC BAXTER
Staff Writer
ALLENSTOWN Under the bed, in the closet, lurking in the dark spaces between welcome shafts of light these are where our hidden fears live.
On Saturday, Oct. 16, ghouls, gremlins and assorted fiends came out of
the secret places to give a hand to the Allenstown Revitalization Association
by populating the woods of Bear Brook State Park and making the fourth annual
Bewitched Forest a success.
More than 1,000 people attended the event, taking the tour through the haunted forest, drinking hot cider, listening to the screams from the trees and watching dozens of Pokemon Pikachus circulate through the crowd.
The tour began with a rock-and-roll attack car and ended with a palm reading by Ann Viar and a band of wild Tinker women.
In between were scenes of horror and mayhem, pouncing ghouls and chainsaw-wielding maniacs.
"I'm not scared, this is only make-believe," chanted Shauna Durst as she walked through the forest dressed as a blue M&M, clutching her friend as robed man ran by the group with an axe.
For the younger crowd, the park pavilion was set up with games, face painting, coloring and costume contests.
Allenstown resident Janice Gravel, dressed as Mother Goose,
told stories to rapt crowds of elementary-school-age children, a change
from her past role in the forest as Keeper of the Crypt.
Moe Michaud, looking like the Mad Hatter of Wonderland, kept a running patter and lively set of games going, across from the face painting area.
The popular event drew visitors from as far north as Littleton and south as Massachusetts. A staff of more than 25 volunteers served up food and drinks, painted faces and led tour groups through the forest.
About $2,000 was raised by the event, which will fund other Allenstown Revitalization Association events.
"This was a great way to celebrate the season," said Sarah Whiting, 19, of Boscawen as she gave a 3-foot hippie a glowing green fly for winning one of the many costume contests run through the night.