Lengthy Closed-Door School Committee Meeting Leaves Audience Members Waiting, Angry

After more than two hours of the Portsmouth School Committee remaining behind closed doors Monday night, audience members became angry and began to voice their opinions on the lengthy, closed-door session. 

The committee entered executive session just after 6:30 p.m. and remained there for more than three hours Monday night. The meeting was held to discuss a "personnel issue" involving the new . 

Before entering executive session, school committee members asked Krizic if she wished to hold the meeting in public in accordance with state law. She declined and the committee entered the room off from the library. 

The committee temporarily left the library room at 8:36 p.m. for a "restroom break." Many in the audience joked about the committee holding a meeting in the bathroom.

One audience member yelled, "Come on. This is costing us money." Some discussed ordering a pizza. 

When committee members returned from their "break" around 8:40 p.m., Superintendent Krizic was asked to enter the library room. The executive session continued. 

School committee exits quickly after forming subcommittee 

The committee finally exited the library room at 9:51 p.m. to hear complaints from a crowd of about 30 teachers, residents and a few town councilors. 

School Committee Chairwoman Cynthia Perrotti announced the following votes taken during the executive session: 

• The committee approved the hiring of attorney Stephen Robinson. The vote was 6-1 with Perrotti in opposition. 
• Committee member David Croston motioned to "suspend the rules," Perrotti said. The motion failed 4-2 with Croston and Sylvia Wedge in favor. 

Perrotti also announced the formation of a three-member subcommittee. 

"In an effort to support the success of the superintendent and continue the betterment of the school district, a three-member personnel subcommittee will be formed developing an evaluation and development process," she said. 

The meeting was then adjourned with the regular business meeting canceled. The committee members quickly exited the library. 

Attorneys present during the meeting

Two attorneys were present Monday: Ronald Cascione, private attorney for the superintendent who remained with the audience, and school committee attorney Robinson, who was present during executive session. 

Robinson left the high school after the restroom break. He was not present during the conversation between the school committee and Krizic. 

The meeting Monday night took place nearly a month after a . On Nov. 18, the committee held a special, emergency meeting to discuss, as the agenda read, "Job Performance/Character/Physical or Mental Health Matters. (Administrator Job Performance)."

Only one vote was taken during the special meeting on Nov. 18 — to ask the stenographer to leave.