Superintendent's Letter

Dear Students, Staff Members, Families, and Community Members,

I hope you had a chance to get outside and enjoy the snow day on Friday. For many of us, it involved a lot of shoveling but I also saw children sledding, building snow forts, and having fun.

Here are some important updates regarding an extension to the upcoming December Break, the proposed 2023-2024 School Budget, and the MLS and HSS/LHS renovation projects.

No School on Monday, January 2, 2023

At the School Board meeting on Wednesday, December 14th, the Board voted to extend the upcoming December Break through Monday, January 2nd in observance of the Federal holiday.

All schools will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

Proposed 2023-2024 School Board Budget

At the December 14th Lebanon School Board meeting, the Board approved the 2023-2024 proposed budget that will be discussed at the Deliberative Session. The Deliberative Session will be held on Saturday, February 4th, at 9:00 a.m. in the LMS gym.

This year, Board conversations focused on seeking a balance between the renovation projects, City tax increases, and the proposed budget. The addition of an MLS fourth-grade teacher is in the proposed budget along with negotiated agreements between the School Board and the Lebanon School District Administrator's Group, Lebanon Support Staff, Lebanon School District Administrative Assistants Association, and other requests. Requests to increase the MLS Enrichment Teacher's hours, the addition of an HSS Digital Learning Specialist, the renovation of one classroom at HSS and one classroom at MLS, the leasing of two new buses, and some other requested items are not included in the proposed budget.

The video of the December 14th School Board meeting is located here.

MLS and LHS/HSS Renovation Projects Update

The renovation project at MLS is proceeding as planned. If you haven't driven by in a while, you will be surprised at how much work has been accomplished. I am grateful to Mrs. Roach, her entire staff, and our local community members for their patience as we construct a new gym/cafeteria, cooking kitchen, and renovate the nurse's office. The project is estimated to be complete by the end of this school year.

The design plans for the LHS/HSS renovation project are being finalized. Bids for the project will go out in January with the goal of breaking ground by the end of this school year.

School District Open Positions

Are you looking for a job where you will make a positive difference by supporting students and families?

Please consider being a paraeducator, bus driver, substitute teacher, or custodial staff member. If interested, our open positions are posted on SchoolSpring, or feel free to contact Mr. Xavier Ramos, Human Resources Coordinator, at xramos@sau88.net. If you are interested in being a substitute, don't hesitate to get in touch with Dianne Estes, Director of School and Community Relations, at destes@sau88.net.

We are also seeking a Minutes Taker for School Board meetings. The Board meets on the second and fourth Wednesday at LMS starting at 6:30 pm. There are two additional annual meetings, the Budget and Deliberative Session, which fall on a Saturday in November and a Saturday in February. If interested, please contact Mr. Xavier Ramos, Human Resources Coordinator, at xramos@sau88.net

In Closing

Please know that we are grateful for the opportunity to work with and support your children and all of our families.

Whether you are spending time with friends and family members celebrating Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Year's Eve, or other winter traditions, I wish you much joy and happiness!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Dr. Joanne Roberts

The Lebanon School District, in partnership with the community, is committed to providing a challenging, positive, and safe learning environment that CARES:

• Cultivates curiosity and collaboration
• Achieves academic excellence
• Respects and values diversity
• Encourages responsible citizenship
• Supports the needs of every learner

Upcoming School Board Meeting:

Lebanon School Board Meeting Annual Budget Meeting Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 6:30 p.m. LMS cafeteria

Deliberative Session, Saturday, February 4, 2023, 9:00 a.m., LMS gym

Please visit the SAU #88 website for further information.

Link to Board Agendas and Minutes

Website: www.sau88.net
Location: 20 Seminary Hill Road, West Lebanon, NH, USA
Phone: 603-795-8500