By Ryan O'Connor
Contributing Writer

The Epsom School Board may have to make do with an empty seat until March, as members made clear at an Oct. 5 meeting the seat would be too much trouble to fill.

The board is undergoing a lot of turnover, with the resignations of five members in the past year, and the announcement that Chairman Andrew Turnbull would not run again when his term expires.

The school board is not attempting to fill the board seat vacated by Brian McCormack in September. Although state statues mandate that the board try to fill the vacancy, members share a general feeling that the empty seat is not a priority at this point.

"They seem to have divided up Brian McCormack's responsibilities, so it doesn't seem to be an issue right now," said David Dziura.

"By the time we work through all the issues, it's probably going to be March," he said. "Plus we are going into budget time."

Gordon Ellis agreed.

"It takes months to train and get someone up to speed, so it wouldn't behoove anyone to come in and fill that seat with March approaching so quickly," he said.

The vacated seat also brings to light that five board members have resigned since June 2004, when Virginia Drew, then vice chairman, stepped down after almost 12 years. She cited family concerns. One month later, Rachel Eames resigned after two years, also citing family concerns.

In late 2004, Donald Harty, who had served four years and was then chairman, resigned, saying he was unable to commit to the hours and responsibilities that the board required.

Tim Riel then took over as chairman of the board after serving seven years, but resigned in April, following health issues and family concerns.

Brian McCormack was the last to resign when he stepped down in September. He wanted to go back to school and could not commit to the responsibility of continuing on the school board.

Turnbull could not provide an exact reason why each member was leaving.

"The reasons for each leaving are as individual as each of the five," he said. "In that regard, I would rather not speculate."

Although Gordon Ellis was unsure of the exact reasons either, he offered a theory.

"It would be pure speculation, but it is so discouraging to go to the meetings and realize you have little control," he said. "The school board's function isn't what it used to be. Over 80 percent of the budget goes to salaries and maintenance that are under contract. You then have to buy paper and books and stuff like that, so there is virtually no discretionary money left for the school board."

Doughty agreed.

"We don't have the leeway to do much. We're given a budget and we have to do the best that we can."

"I am a strong proponent of term limits. New blood and new ideas, and new enthusiasm keeps people from stagnating," said Turnbull. "The community is best served by fairly high turnover rates by its public servants. In six years, if I haven't accomplished what I've wanted then either I'm not effective enough or not enough people share my ideas. Either way, it is a situation where it is best that I step aside."

Vouchers
The main item on the school board's Oct. 5 agenda was a voucher/scholarship proposal. Turnbull said the proposal would offer a scholarship that would take a percentage of the money Epsom would save by not paying tuition for a B-average student to attend Pembroke Academy and allocate it toward attending another high school, or the first year of college for said student.

"In short, this program is designed to give students financial incentives to excel, to help parents make sound educationbased decisions by giving them the financial freedom to do so, to ease budget pressures on Epsom's taxpayers, to relieve some of the overcrowding at Pembroke Academy, and to improve competition among area high schools," he said. "To me, those are worthwhile and achievable goals, none of which is addressed currently. It's time for a new paradigm."

Milk
The board is attempting to bring a milk dispenser into the school cafeteria. The board would like to provide a healthier option to students, rather than drinks high in sugar content. Bill Yeaton said the Granite State Dairy Commission used to have a grant that provided milk dispensers for New Hampshire schools and is checking into whether it is still available.

Tryouts moved
Soccer tryouts were moved to August. Since many other local schools hold tryouts prior to the school year, the board decided that it would benefit the team to follow suit and gain additional practice time, which could result in improved play.