WHS board backs words with action

By Terrill Covey, Hampton Union Staff Writer

HAMPTON — The Winnacunnet School Board has officially finalized its decision not to accept Fremont students.

The board voted 4-1 Wednesday night not to accept freshman students from Fremont for the next two years.

The idea had been a subject of some controversy among parents of Winnacunnet High School students, and community members, but Winnacunnet School Board Chairman Paul Kelley assured people that the board wanted to consider the idea as a source of revenue, and they didn't want to make a hasty decision without doing research.

"There are several reasons we aren't going to accept them," said Kelley.

He said that input from both the Winnacunnet public and the Fremont public factored into the decision, along with input from the Epping School Cooperative board.

He also said that they wanted to focus on the expansion needs at Winnacunnet High School.

Kelley announced the board's decision at the beginning of the meeting and before they took the official vote, he opened the floor up to comments from the audience.

Patti McKenzie, a former teacher at Winnacunnet High School who has not been in favor of inviting students in from Fremont applauded the board's decision.

"You folks are willing to take on the responsibilities and headaches that come with this job, and decisions like this," said McKenzie. "I would like to offer my help in the next few months when it comes to achieving our common goal," she said, referring to the goal of building an addition to the school.

McKenzie said that she and the hundreds of other parents who signed a recent petition to prevent Fremont students from being invited to Winnacunnet would like to be a part of the solution to the space problems.

"I come with renewed enthusiasm about this project," she said. "Not just because of your decision."

She said that she also heard the size of one of her daughters classes which helped increase her enthusiasm about the project.

Hampton resident Vic DeMarco, who has a child in eighth grade also thanked the board for their decision.

"I want to thank the board for the consideration they gave the taxpayers at the last meeting," DeMarco said. "As one parent, I applaud that."

DeMarco also told the board that parents would be glad to help the board in other ways in the future.

Hampton Selectman Brian Warburton was also in attendance at the meeting, although he told the board that he didn't stand in that capacity at the meeting. He too, told the board that he agreed with and applauded their decision.

"You are doing the right thing," he told the board. "You are entrusted to make decisions, very difficult decisions. We are here to applaud your decision and to be here to help."

He said that everybody in the town is part of the Winnacunnet community as residents and taxpayers.

"All of us in this room, whether in our official capacity or unofficial capacity, want to be able to support you in any way we can," Warburton said. "I hope you will proceed with discussion on an addition."

DeMarco, along with Hampton School Board Chairman Sandra Nickerson, told the board that they felt there was a strong community reaction to the possibility of Fremont students coming to Winnacunnet because it seemed at times like it was a "done deal."

Nickerson said that when she came to a meeting at Winnacunnet and saw Fremont students being shown around, she felt as though that was one indication that the decision was already made.

She also pointed out reports that Fremont had voted to send their students to Winnacunnet.

Winnacunnet School Board member Alison Robie pointed out that no decision is final until voted on.

"Nothing is done until there is a vote by the Winnacunnet School Board," she said. "If the Fremont School Board had taken a look at the public record, they would have known that no vote had been taken."

As for the students who visited the school, Robie pointed out that they were looking at their options, just as the Winnacunnet board was doing, and part of evaluating those options was coming to take a look at the school.

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