Another Concord School Board Member Drops Out; 2 More Enter Race

CONCORD, NH — There is an old phrase that surmises that everything that comes in threes is either perfect or complete. But with all the conflict and problems in the Concord School District, it is not a surprise that another member is bowing out of serving.

On Wednesday, Liza Poinier, who has represented District B (Wards 5, 6, 7) for nearly three years, became the third board of education member to either decide not seek to reelection or resign from the board in as many weeks. Tom Croteau announced late last month that he would not be running again for the District A seat while Jennifer Patterson resigned from the position effective Aug. 31.

"It was not an easy decision to make, as I would very much like to be a part of important conversations and decisions in the future," Poinier explained to her supporters on Facebook. "Nevertheless, many people have expressed their dissatisfaction with the decisions the board has made over the last couple years, and it's time for me to make space for someone new to try to do better."

When Poinier first ran and was elected, she had three main focuses: the implementation of full-day kindergarten, working toward building a new middle school, and improving communications between the board and the public. She is "pleased" with the success of full-day K but the middle school project is on hold and communications had not, "for a variety of reasons, been as robust as I had hoped or intended." Poinier called the board "smart, caring, dedicated," while also pleading for "empathy and patience" from the public during these difficult times.

Brenda Hastings of Godbout Drive filed to run for the District C (Wards 8, 9, 10) seat Friday. A teacher for SAU 8 for two decades, she retired in June but said she was not ready to completely stop working to help children in the capital city. Members of the Concord High School's Class of 1983 will remember Hastings as Brenda Sweet.

"As a product of the Concord School District and an elementary school educator for more than 20 years, I want to continue to offer the unique expertise I have (to the board)," she said. "I know a lot about what is happening in the schools."

School safety, in the wake of the Primo "Howie" Leung teacher-student rape case, will be a focus if she is elected, with Hastings adding she wanted the Concord School District to be accountable to both parents and students.

"I don't have a personal agenda beyond wanting to help the children of Concord and the families of Concord," she said. "We keep hearing about 'an adequate education.' I don’t want an adequate education — I want an exceptional education for kids."

Hastings said Concord taxpayers "pay a lot of money; (the schools) are two-thirds of the tax bill and I want Concord schools to be a place to be proud of again and I don’t feel that they are." Many decades ago, she said, students received "a solid education" in Concord. There are "fantastic teachers" in the system and taxpayers do a great job of funding the district — but more eyes need to be on the budget, too. That would be a challenge worth working on, Hastings said.

Chuck Crush, the incumbent District C member, has not indicated whether he plans on running again or not.

Another candidate signing up to run was Pamela Walsh, a long-time political activist and the former deputy chief of staff for former Gov. John Lynch, chief of staff to former Gov. Maggie Hassan, and advisor to Hassan, who is now a Senator.

Walsh, the parent of a second grader at the McAuliffe Elementary School, signed up to run at-large to fill out Patterson's term Friday.

"Our public schools are the cornerstone of our city, central to attracting new businesses, maintaining home values, and building our quality of life," she said. "As a member of the school board, I would focus on making our schools work better for families, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently, and rebuilding public trust and communication."

Walsh added safe learning, addressing "critical challenges" like racial and gender equity, "using tax dollars efficiently and effectively," and as well as working toward building a "modern" middle school and "ensuring innovative, forward-looking schools and curriculum" would be some of her focuses.

Jonathan Weinberg signed up to run for the seat Wednesday while Allie Maltais signed up Thursday to run for the District B seat.

Weinberg, a graduate of Concord High School two years ago, said he was running to rebuild school leadership and trust with the board and build on some of the work he performed as a student — including embracing multiculturalism, supporting solar panels on schools, and organizing a 17 minute service after the Parkland school shooting.

"I am running because discrimination, harassment, sexism, racism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, and xenophobia were all too common in our schools' halls," he said. "The strength of the Concord School District derives from our differences. These assets include the Be The Change Club that gave a TED Talk, the award-winning Robotics Team, the beauty in our Theatre and Music Programs, and the history of excellence from our sports teams."

Weinberg said, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests around the state, "we must heed their calls and demands" and hold the district accountable for "its perpetuation of anti-Black systems and actively strive to implement substantial changes within the educational environments, curricula, and pedagogy."

Signup Information

Four seats are up this Nov. 3. Three are district seats: District A (Wards 1, 2, 3, 4), District B (Wards 5, 6, 7) and District C (Wards 8, 9, 10). The terms for each seat run from Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2023. Also, there is an at-large seat to fill out the remainder of the term of Patterson.

The filing period for board of education seats runs through 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. There is a $5 filing fee.

To run for district seats, candidates must be a voter in the wards of the district seat; to run at-large, candidates must be a registered voter in Concord.

Individuals wishing to declare their candidacy for the board of education should file before Sept. 11 with Roger B. Phillips at his law office at 104 Pleasant St. in Concord. For more information, call 603-225-2767.

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