LETTER: Tamara Le Calls for Better Budgeting

Submitted by Tamara Le

North Hampton School Board candidate

As we head into the final days of the campaign for representation on North Hampton School Board, I continue to be overwhelmed by the support and votes of confidence I have been offered from so many different people in town.

Truly. From Sandpiper Path to Pond Path. From educators to business owners and neighbors to total newcomers to my life, common themes of fiscal responsibility, accountability and putting our children first, are being voiced. 

Over and over and over.

It all comes down to community and the perception by many in North Hampton that the leadership of the NHS School Board has not been responsive to them.

According to the New Hampshire School Board Association, School Boards are ultimately responsible to their community.  Not the school administration. 

Further, it is the School Board and the Superintendant that form the leadership team to oversee and guide the administration on everything from policy to budgeting.
 
Much has been communicated by incumbent chair David Sarazen in print, in public and in backdoor email campaigns, touting his relationship with NHS administrators.

This was never so evident, as during the most recent budget season.  With a chance to move forward toward a win-win situation for the school and the tax payers, a once in a decade opportunity to hit a home run, the NHS School Board Leadership struck out.

A $473,225 debt service was retired this year from the school budget.  In response the admin/school board leadership presented a budget to the North Hampton Budget Committee that was only $142,970 less than last year. 

Fortunately through efforts by the BUDCOM, and to some degree my other opponent Bob Copp, who worked to reduce the cost of teacher’s health insurance through negotiation, the budget dropped slightly to a saner level.

The other tactic employed was of course, to cut the full time occupational therapist position, which was eventually overturned by the NORTH HAMPTON COMMUNITY by a vote of 87-2. 

Going forward the NHS School Board needs to begin developing their budget priorities right away.  The community has asked me to try and make that happen if I get elected.

At the PAL (People Active in Learning) debate this past Tuesday, Sarazen stated the board starts this process in August.  The North Hampton community has spoken loud and clear.  We can’t wait five months this time. 

But, if history is any reflection, the current NHS board Leadership will not listen to the will of the community; a community famous for its generous support of education, teachers and children.

Please consider voting for me, Tamara Le, for North Hampton School Board:

    •    To oversee and guide policy and budgeting.
    •    To be accountable and transparent to tax payers.
    •    To maintain that children come first in the decision making and thinking processes of the board at all times, and,
    •    To respect the will of our community.