Hall: Why I Want To Serve On The Merrimack School Board

I wanted to offer everyone in Merrimack some reasons as to why I am looking to serve on the Merrimack School Board.

My name is Harley T. Hall, and I spent the previous 8 years here in the Merrimack School District as both a social studies teacher and an Administrator. In that time, I’ve come to know many families in town, raised my own children here, and grown to love my adopted home. My time in the district also showed me areas that needed focus at the district level. While I offered insight and hopes for change, many of the concerns I had were—to borrow my favorite, family-friendly military phrase—above my pay grade. But I hope to change that come April 14^th.

Academically, I worry that the district is not trending in the right direction. I worry that my youngest daughter, who will be a freshman next year, will not have the same challenging and supportive academic curriculum that my now 21-and 24-year-olds had when they were in Merrimack. I worry that the years-long turnover of staff, and that a drastic teacher RIF—something that could’ve been mitigated with more refined hiring practices following planned retirements—will make it more challenging to keep Merrimack competitive for hiring the best teachers. I know we have fantastic, dedicated teachers here, and I want that to continue.

Fiscally, I’ve grown concerned over some of the process issues, especially as it relates to district activities. I am convinced that the SAU needs a new facility, but the back and forth and yo-yo pricing on the replacement building process concerned me. The last-minute open house to show the derelict conditions of the building would’ve been a great first step, not something taken after the fact when many Merrimack residents had already made their decision. If such a public process was handled so loosely, I worry that the less-public elements need more attention. I want to review the district's operations and ensure we have the processes needed to continue serving our students and families, while also being good stewards of our tax money. I do not think these two things are mutually exclusive. And I want to be part of the work that puts the legislature at the table, in good faith, to meet its constitutional obligations regarding school funding.

I am an Iraq War veteran, a former detective, and I have spent the last 13 years as an educator. I am a life-long public servant, and I hope to continue that service as a member of the Merrimack School Board.

Harley T. Hall