Concord School District To Conduct Full Staff Credentialing Audit

CONCORD, NH — The upheaval in the Concord School District during the past week has led Board of Education members to begin searching for "a qualified individual to act as superintendent" until issues can be resolved in the district, according to a letter sent by Board President Jennifer Patterson on behalf of the full board. Patterson sent the letter Thursday night after five days of limiting comment on the revelation that the district's acting superintendent, Donna Palley, was not credentialed to be in either position, despite working in the position for more than eight years. Yesterday, after an audit of all the administrative council employees for SAU 8 by Patch, it was discovered that Jack Dunn, the business administrator for the district, was also not credentialed, despite working in the position for more than seven years.

"(The) Concord School District takes staff certifications very seriously," Patterson said, "and as board members we are deeply disappointed and apologetic that we were not aware of the lack of current credentials at the administrative level. Knowing what we know now, the Board is taking action to review and address any and all certification issues as quickly as possible, to ensure that staff are credentialed to the satisfaction of the NH Department of Education."

Palley, according to Patterson, will be performing the district's superintendent duties temporarily until a new hire can be made to lead the district. She is acting to complete the requirements necessary for the assistant superintendent certification, she added.

Dunn will remain in his job as he files his paperwork to obtain certification associated with his position, she noted.

"The board has instructed the Human Resources Director to complete a 100% audit of all district administrators to ensure all certifications are current and in compliance with Department of Education standards," Patterson added.

The board is using a provision in state law that allows school boards in the state of New Hampshire, Section 194-C:5, to hire uncertified and non-credentialed employees to provide "superintendent services" to the district. The provision is used in emergencies or temporary situations, and can be filled by part- or full-time employees. The employee or employees providing "superintendent services" to a district that aren't credentialed can't hold the title of superintendent in any form, according to the state.

"Anyone with the title of superintendent, acting superintendent, or assistant superintendent, must hold the proper credentials," said Grant Bosse, the director of communications for the New Hampshire Department of Education.

Patterson said the board remained "committed to transparency, student safety, and regulatory responsibility." Board members, she added, are still in the process of reviewing a report by an independent investigator examining the Primo "Howie" Leung teacher-student rape case and the fact that he was allowed to stay on as a teacher and special education advisor despite numerous allegations of inappropriate behavior. While none of the findings of the investigation are known, after two private meetings examining the report, School Superintendent Terri Forsten and Concord High School Principal Tom Sica were both placed on paid administrative leave.

"We appreciate the public’s engagement in this difficult process," Patterson added. "These have been very trying times for our community, and we are hopeful that, through this process, we will continue the journey of healing together."

ALSO READ:

• Second Concord School Employee Found Not To Be Credentialed
• Credentialing Of Concord's Acting School Super Could Take Months
• Concord Police Chief Says He'd Like To See School Investigation
• Acting Concord School Superintendent Not Credentialed With NH DOE
• Concord Superintendent Forsten, Principal Sica Placed On Leave
• Concord Board Of Education Considering Personnel 'Next Steps'
• Concord Board Of Education Members Eyeing Investigative Report
• Parents, Students Vent About Issues With Concord School District
• Concord School Board To Update Public About Investigation Tuesday
• Concord School Superintendent: Letter To Staff 'A Serious Error'
• Petition To Remove Officials From Concord Schools Cracks 2,000
• Concord School Board Holds Emergency Meeting Sunday With Counsel
• Online Petition Launched To Have Concord School Officials Removed
• Concord Superintendent Lashes Out At Media Coverage Of District
• Concord School Board To Revise 'Professional Expectations' Policy
• Concord High School Principal Takes A Leave Of Absence
• Labrie's Former Counsel Not Hired To Probe Teacher Rape Case
• Concord School Board Opens New Investigation Into Leung Rape Case
• How A Distinguished Concord Teacher Became A Student Rape Suspect
• Students Saw Concord Teacher Kiss, Hug Another Student: Docs
• Should The Concord School District Have Responded Faster To Case?
• NH Teacher Held Without Bail After Bay State Arraignment
• Concord Teacher Accused Of Raping Student In Newton, MA
• Distinguished Educators for 2012

Got a news tip? Send it to Tony Schinella at tony.schinella@patch.com.

View more videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/tonyschinella.