Waterville Valley School Board Addresses Safety Protocols, Capital Improvements, and Student Trips
Waterville Valley, NH – The Waterville Valley School Board convened on November 20, 2025, to discuss a range of topics including school safety protocols, capital improvement projects, student activities, and financial matters. The meeting also saw the approval of a proposal to make school board meetings accessible to the public via YouTube.
The meeting began with an agenda review and the approval of minutes from previous sessions (link).
School Safety and Communication Protocols Reviewed
The Board discussed a recent shelter-in-place incident that occurred on Halloween due to a situation in the town square (link). The school successfully moved students to a secure location, maintaining access to bathrooms and showing a movie until the all-clear was given. While students handled the situation well, there were initial technical difficulties with the new Alma student information system in sending out parent notifications. A blank message was inadvertently sent to families before the correct information was disseminated within ten minutes. The school is working with the SAU office to resolve these issues and plans to implement School Messenger for voice calls as a backup. The Fire Department has also been added to the emergency call list for direct information sharing (link).
Veterans Day Ceremony and Community Engagement
The school successfully hosted its Veterans Day ceremony, welcoming approximately ten veterans. A former student served as the guest speaker. The event highlighted the involvement of younger students in honoring veterans (link).
Feedback on the school’s vision and mission was collected through Google Forms sent to the Board and all families, yielding 12 thoughtful responses (link).
Robotics Competition and Student Activities
An elementary-level robotics competition is scheduled for January 30th, with a call for parent judges, student volunteers to help reset fields, and donations for baked goods (link).
Other upcoming student events include the “Q&U Wedding” for younger students, a popular tradition involving cake and celebration (link). A pancake breakfast fundraiser is also planned for December 20th at the school, with middle school students using it to raise funds for their field trip (link).
2025 Tax Rate Discussion
The Board reviewed the 2025 tax rate, noting that the school’s portion is approximately $2.00 per $1,000 of assessed value (link). It was highlighted that Waterville Valley is unique in the state for having a school tax rate lower than its municipal tax rate, contributing to a comparatively lower overall tax burden for residents (link).
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) - HVAC Replacement
A significant discussion centered on the Capital Improvement Plan, specifically the HVAC replacement project. The project, previously estimated at $105,000 for several years, has been re-quoted at a much higher price of $400,000 for seven units, based on new engineering information (link). The current units were largely installed in 2005, with two replaced in 2019. The recommendation is to initiate a full bid process for the project, including design and installation, to avoid potential issues arising from separate engineering and installation contractors. The project is currently slated for the 2028-2029 timeframe.
The Board discussed funding strategies, including the use of the school’s “rainy day fund” (currently around $78,000-$79,000) and the possibility of bonding the entire $400,000 project at once, rather than phasing it over three years (link). Information on the current bond balance and terms will be provided at the next meeting.
Technology and Facility Needs
While technology is typically integrated into the regular budget, concerns were raised about the need to address server replacements, which are estimated at $4,000 each (link).
The deteriorating check-in desk at the school entrance was also noted as a facility issue that needs to be brought to the attention of the facilities department for potential replacement (link).
Middle School Trip Approved
The Board approved an overnight middle school trip, which includes meals, lodging, and transportation, with a total estimated cost ranging from $17,500 to $18,500 for approximately 10 students (link). Fundraising efforts include using refunds from a previous trip, $1,000 from the middle school activity fund, and a potential $8,000 contribution from the PTO. The goal is to reduce the cost per student, currently around $400. Discussions are ongoing regarding chaperone numbers and exploring alternative transportation options, such as using a 15-passenger van and a separate vehicle for luggage, to reduce costs (link). The PTO has expressed a desire for fundraising efforts to benefit all students, not just middle schoolers, but a new, more engaged PTO leadership is working to align fundraising with broader school benefits (link).
School Board Meetings to be Hosted on YouTube
A proposal to host school board meetings on YouTube, in collaboration with Pemi Baker TV, was presented and approved (link). This initiative aims to increase transparency and accessibility for community members to review meetings at their convenience. Pemi Baker TV, which already supports school boards in Plymouth and Ashland, will provide hosting services for an annual fee of $300. The Board deemed this a reasonable cost, and the link will be made available on the school’s website.
Playground Expansion Limitations
The Board discussed the limitations for expanding the school’s playground due to insufficient square footage. It was determined that adding more structures would not benefit all students and could cause more problems than it solves. The school will continue to utilize Packard’s Field for larger play areas and outdoor projects, as the athletic public currently has no plans for that land (link).
Annual Audit Report
The full annual auditing report from the certified public accountant was received and found to be “clean,” with no concerns. The Board Chair was asked to sign the report for submission (link).
Upcoming Budget Dates
The Board will solidify dates for the upcoming budget hearing, ensuring coordination with the town and verification by legal counsel for proper posting requirements (link).
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn (link).