MILFORD – Navigating through less choppy waters, the Milford Board of Education met on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

There has been a buzz about the oval, since a question was largely raised about a petition warrant article that was submitted to the school board but did not make the ballot for the Mar. 10 election.

That petition requested the resignation of superintendent Jessica Huizenga and board chair Ron Carvell.

As is usual for a Milford board meeting, during public comments, if an item is not on the evening’s agenda, questions pertaining to said issue may not be asked.

A question was raised by Milford resident and educator Brenda Walker regarding the evaluation of Milford superintendent Dr. Jessica Huizenga.

“In Jessica’s contract, since we’re trying to follow the contracts a little better, it says that she will be evaluated no later than Jan. 1 (2020),” Walker said. “That still hasn’t happened. We’re not following her contract on that.”

During board comments, board member Holleigh Ciardelli Tlapa shared her viewpoints from a prepared statement on the subject of the superintendent’s contract renegotiations.

“I agree that we need to implement a thorough review process,” she said. “I believe that it’s imperative that we complete an evaluation and should have prior to making any contractual modifications. I find it deeply concerning that any superintendent would request a contract modification in the middle of a term and I would not support such a request without having performed a thorough evaluation and without having the utmost confidence that such an action would be in the best interest of the students and the district.”

Tlapa went on to say that she that she would not support any request or action that does not have the wellbeing of the student at the forefront of its agenda.

“I want to note, that on the warrant article that was not placed on the ballot, my vote was based on information at hand, and the manner in which it was presented,” she said. “I voted with my conscience as I always do, and I felt that at the time of the vote, that I was protecting our district.”

The article in question was properly completed from petitioners and the board received it on Jan 14. New Hampshire law allows the select board or the school board to create a warrant but also New Hampshire law also allows townspeople to put an article on the warrant as well if the board has chosen to not touch upon that topic.

Tlapa added that in hindsight, the board should reexamine its initial vote of preventing the warrant article from appearing on next month’s ballot.

“In March, we may have new members on this board,” she said. “Regardless of the makeup at that point, it’s imperative that we do have a comprehensive understanding of and an agreement with clearly written goals of the superintendent in order to facilitate an effective evaluation process.

Stirring conversations about big bucks and a whammy, Huizenga’s original Jan. 8, 2019 contract, under line 10, “termination without cause,” specified that, “the district shall pay to the superintendent, in a lump sum as severance pay, the salary and the value of the fringe benefits that she would have earned under this contract up to a maximum of (6) months.”

The new contract, executed on Jan. 22, 2020 and signed by Huizenga and Carvell, the superintendent shall receive severance of “a maximum of twenty (20) months or the remainder of her salary left under the term of the contract.” Considering her yearly salary is $145,690, that is no paltry sum.

Tlapa said that superintendent evaluations should be quarterly or at least bi-annually.

“We must strive to incorporate feedback directly from the superintendent, district employees, administrators, parents, and students,” she said. “The school board is primarily tasked with protecting our students and our district. Ultimately each border member must vote with their own conscience. My hope is that as we continue to evolve, we will learn to work together more effectively to create cohesive and progressive futures.”

Fellow board member Mike Hannon said echoed Tlapa’s sentiment.

“I know we’ve been trying to get a meeting together to get the evaluation process going,” he said. “I’d like to think that next year we’re putting it on the calendar for a proper review.”

Hannon discussed a “360” review, which is peer-driven, and is for the success of anybody in the work environment.

“I used to use them all the time,” he said. “It’s very scary because you don’t know the feedback that you’re going to get. But if you do trust them and want to improve your opportunity, because no one gets an A+ on a review, there’s always room for improvement.”

Also announced at the meeting, was the departure of board vice chair Kevin Drew, who is retiring from his role on the board after nine years.

“Tonight, is Kevin Drew’s last meeting,” said Carvell. “Kevin has been a solid board member in any role he’s played in our educational system.”

During the superintendent’s report, Huizenga touted social and emotional learning and reading programs throughout various Milford schools.