By Nathan Duke
Staff Writer

The Candia School Board is awaiting feedback from local nursing homes after sending a letter to determine if any of the institutions are interested in purchasing Henry W. Moore School.

The board decided to send the letter at a special meeting with SAU 15 Superintendent Armand LaSelva at Moore School on Thursday, July 14.

The School Facilities Committee has broken into three groups to explore possible ways to combat space issues at Moore School. One group is looking into restoration options for the current facilities, while another is exploring the option of constructing a new building. The school board's letter is intended to gauge nursing homes' interest in purchasing the facility should the town decide to build a new school building.

The third branch of the facilities committee is reviewing the possibility of a creating a co-op with a border town. However, they have so far been turned down by Chester, Auburn and Deerfield - towns who are having similar space issues. School Board Chairman Karen Smith said the board has yet to hear from Hooksett or Raymond about a potential co-op.

At the meeting, school board member Ingrid Byrd said she did not agree with sending the letter to nursing homes without first running the idea by Candia residents.

"This is so premature," she said. "I don't know why we are considering sending a letter. We have not taken this to a vote to the town to see if they are interested in selling the building. Sending out a letter for the sale of the building without asking the voters what they think is presumptuous because the building does not belong to the board or facilities committee."

John Cole, of the school facilities committee, said it is up to the town, not the school board, to sell the school. However, he said it is a good idea to see if there is interest in the purchase of the building.

School board member Ed Caito said he thought the purpose of the letter was merely to see who might be interested in the building should a new facility be constructed for Candia's students.

"I don't believe this is a solicitation to sell the building," he said. "I think it is only prudent to see if there is a level of interest somewhere. Maybe it won't ever happen, but maybe this building will open up for some other use. If we come back to the town every step of the way, we may get nowhere."

Also discussed at the meeting was how to replace Moore Principal Michelle Carvalho, who resigned at the beginning of the month.

LaSelva suggested hiring an interim principal for the fall, allowing more time to find a new principal and board members agreed.

"It doesn't behoove us to seek a permanent principal right now," he said. "I really believe it is not fair for an individual to (be hired) without the process of engaging the community and faculty."

LaSelva said the process to find a permanent principal would begin in the fall and hoped to select a candidate by late fall or early spring. He said he intends to speak with parents, students and faculty and set up focus groups during the process.

Meanwhile, he said he wants to begin bringing in candidates for the interim principal position as soon as possible. He said his goal is to have an interim principal ready to begin work on Aug. 1.

The board accepted Carvalho's resignation with regret. Byrd said the principal has done great work at Moore School.

"She has given local students a better academic environment and given students higher expectations," she said. "She has done an outstanding job and I am really sorry to see her go."