Martell: Found
In a follow up to a story we brought you on Thursday, the Pembroke Police Department announced late Friday morning that thirty year old Kalie Martell was located Thursday night. Martell was reported missing by a family member on Monday, April sixth after not having been seen since the preceding Friday, April third. The police were concerned for her well being, not just because she’d gone missing, but because she had a medical condition which required medication the family did not believe she had. No details on where she was found or her condition were given, though police thanked everybody for their efforts to find her.
Livingston recommended budget goes to hearing
The Manchester Board of School Committee meets tonight, twice. The first meeting is the public hearing on the budget recommended by Superintendent Debra Livingston. It will be in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall and start at six thirty. Questions remain over whether or not the board acted properly in referring that budget to public hearing given that the city charter requires the submission of a budget that conforms to the tax cap. While various school board members have argued that district lawyers believe the board may submit any budget it wants, City Solicitor Tom Clark has consistently and repeatedly said the language of the cap is clear and that the school board must submit a budget within the cap.
Avard: Questions Adult Ed relocation
Following the public hearing, a regular meeting of the board will convene. It’s scheduled to start at seven. Items of interest include potentially applying for an Army R O T C program at Memorial High School and the Adult Education program, which seems to have a hefty operating deficit. As we have previously reported, Ward Ten Committeeman John Avard has raised questions about the administration’s proposal to move the program from the Manchester School of Technology to West High School.
Wihby: Will new vice-chair be elected tonight?
Tonight will also be the first meeting of the board without at-Large Committeeman David Wihby, who resigned last week after being arrested in a prostitution sting by the Nashua Police Department. As Wihby was the board’s vice-chairman, there may be a move to nominate and elect a replacement at tonight’s meeting.
What will taxpayers say about Gatsas budget?
Tomorrow night, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen will hold a public hearing on Mayor Ted Gatsas‘ proposed budget at six thirty in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall. Folks might want to let their elected officials know whether or not they want their government to stay within the cap.
News from our own backyard continues after this.
Huge Smarter Balanced refusal numbers in Manchester
Stunning numbers were released by the Manchester School District in response to a request from Girard at Large about the number of refusal notices sent by parents who did not want their students taking the Smarter Balanced Assessment. According to Assistant Superintendent David Ryan, parents for seven hundred forty eight students refused participation. That’s eighteen percent of the eligible four thousand one hundred eight five students subject to the test in grades three through eight and eleven. We’ve published their spread sheet with a school by school breakdown. We are also seeking confirmation of a couple of numbers that just don’t seem quite right. Regardless, it would seem as if there were a whole lot more parents who were unamused with this test than those who fought against their right to refuse thought. It would also seem there’s a whole lot more folks unhappy with Common Core and its testing than just the same old handful of folks saying the same things.
Scholarship applications now being taken
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Fisher Cats Foundation have announced the application process is now open for the 2015 Fisher Cats Foundation Scholar-Athlete Scholarships. The Foundation will award 12 scholarships to outstanding scholar-athletes from New Hampshire and Massachusetts who demonstrate academic excellence, significant athletic achievement, and active civic involvement. Each award is $2,500 and includes recognition at a Fisher Cats game during the 2015 season. Applications are available at Fisher Cats’ website, n h fisher cats dot com, and clicking the heading, COMMUNITY. Students can also find the application by clicking SCHOLARSHIP REGISTRATION at N H Scholars dot org. We’ve posted their complete press statement at Girard at Large dot com and linked to it from this newscast so you can get all the details.
That’s news from our own backyard, Girard at Large hour ___ is next.
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Those numbers are low for Green Acres. They have just started their testing so you may want to get weekly updates as those are just the number of students tested so far. Testing continues this week, according to the schedule I have.
Thank you, Patrice. We will continue to request updates.