Below you will read an interesting exchange of emails between Arthur Green, former school budget committee member, and TRSD school board chairman, Peter Bealo.
Each year, the district has been minimizing or obscuring the impact of declining enrollment. In the 2015/16 year, the district told the public their anticipated decline was just 60 students despite the historically accurate NESDEC forecast of 140 fewer students. When TRSD released the Oct 1, 2015 enrollment figures for 15/16, it showed a 100 student decline; however, information filed with the Department of Education shows the decline as 120. This discrepancy is quite material and fits a persistent pattern of obfuscation and slow reveal.
In the email exchange below, Mr. Green notes a 20 student inflation in enrollment numbers told to the public versus what has been reported to the Department of Education. Mr. Green is simply wanting to know why there is a discrepancy. Mr. Bealo’s answer is “Talk to the hand,” as though he sipped at Nancy Steenson’s knee.
Devoted readers will recall that a discrepancy between the number of staff reported to the public and the number of staff reported to the DOE was the start of our long court battle that resulted in a unanimous decision in my favor in the state Supreme Court. Clearly the district learns nothing, cares nothing, and does nothing to inform citizens who have an active interest in the district. The arrogance is staggering. The discrepancies are disturbing.
From:Arthur Green
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2016 7:58 PM
Cc:donnagre@gmail.com ; danguide@comcast.net ; robcollins89@gmail.com ; stefaniedube@comcast.net ; jack.sapia@timberlane.net ;susan.sherman@timberlane.net ; Gregory Spero ; kellyward9700@gmail.com ; Lee Dube
Subject: Enrollment Discrepancy
Dr. Metzler, Mr. Bealo,
I’d like to bring your attention to a discrepancy in the Timberlane 2015/16 enrollment numbers, and request some clarification.
The October 1 2015 enrollment report on the district website shows total enrollment of 3,673 students. DOE reporting shows 3,653 students.
Breaking the differences down by building,
DOE Report TRSD Report
Danville 263 268
TRMS 869 870
TRHS 1,231 1,245
The TRSD report states in a note that tuition students are included in the elementary school totals. Are 5 tuition students at Danville removed from the school total as reported by DOE?
However, for TRHS, the Timberlane report shows 7 tuition students, yet the difference between the DOE and the TRSD reported enrollment is 14.
I’ve been assured in writing by the DOE that their figures are exactly as submitted by TRSD in the DOE’s online data collection system, and are as of Oct. 1 2015.
To summarize my questions:
What explains the difference in Oct. 1 2015 enrollment as reported by TRSD compared to the DOE reports?
If the difference is that the DOE figures remove tuition students, then why is the TRHS difference greater than the number of tuition students?
If you or your staff need any clarification of my questions or the background information, please feel free to contact me at the phone number below.
Thank you for attention to this matter.
Regards,
Arthur Green
July 26, 2016 8:03 am
Dr. Metzler, Mr. Bealo,
I have not received so much as an acknowledgement of the attached communication, which was sent four weeks ago.
Please help me understand the professional standards to be expected from this office.
Thank you.
Arthur Green
rom: pbealo@comcast.net
To: azgreen@comcast.net
Cc: catherine.belcher@timberlane.net,earl.metzler@timberlane.net
Sent: 2016-07-26 9:34:05 AM
Subject: Enrollment Discrepancy
Mr. Green,
Regarding your question “Please help me understand the professional standards to be expected from this office.”
They would be covered under policies GBE and GBEA.
Regarding DOE reported numbers and statements: I can only speculate on how they report, formulas they use and errors that may creep in.
Best Regards,
Peter Bealo
No one asked for Mr. Bealo’s speculation. The district creates the enrollment report and the DOE submission. Mr. Bealo was simply being asked to have the district explain the difference, or correct an error. That’s what’s known as accountability.
The Timberlane Regional School District as a whole is losing students quickly. This is a fact that the district is doing its best to keep from taxpayers who pay more and more each year for fewer and fewer students overall. Sandown’s enrollment, on the other hand, may not be shrinking. There is a Capital Improvement Plan request for an addition of 8 new classrooms 6 years hence at Sandown North. And just last week, fifty 2-and-3 bedroom apartments were approved in Sandown.
For readers’ edification, here are the policies Mr. Bealo did not kindly include in his reply to Mr. Green. You will see they are completely irrelevant and off topic.
Policy GBE: EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In an effort to maintain successful school district and educational operations, all staff members are expected to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities. Such responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to:
1. Faithfulness and promptness in attendance at work.
2. Adherence, support and enforcement of all School Board policies and administrative regulations.
3. Adherence, support and enforcement of all education related statutes and Department of Education regulations.
4. Care and protection of school property.
5. Fulfill other responsibilities as may, from time to time, be implemented or established by the School Board or administration.
The School Board will respect all employee rights established by law, School Board policy, and collective bargaining agreements, if applicable.
Appendix GBE-R
———————————–
Policy GBEA: STAFF ETHICS
All employees of the District are expected to maintain high standards in their conduct both on and off duty. District employees are responsible for providing leadership in the school and community. This responsibility requires the employee to maintain standards of exemplary conduct. To these ends, the Board adopts the following statements of standards. District employees will:
Make the wellbeing of students the fundamental value of all decision-making and actions.
Maintain just, courteous, and proper relationships with students, parents, staff members, and others. Fulfill their job responsibilities with honesty and integrity. Direct any criticism of other staff members toward improving the District. Such constructive criticism is to be made directly to the building administrator. Obey all local, state, and national laws. Implement the School Board’s policies, administrative rules and regulations. Avoid using position for personal gain through political, social, religious, economic, or other influence. Maintain the standards and seek to improve the effectiveness of the profession through research and continuing professional development. Honor all contracts until fulfillment or release. Maintain all privacy and confidentiality standards as required by law. Exhibit professional conduct both on and off duty.
Employees are put on notice that this list is not intended to be exhaustive or complete. Employees who fail to abide by the terms of this policy may be non-renewed and/or face discipline up to and including termination. Any action taken regarding an employee’s employment with the District will be consistent with all rules, laws, and collective bargaining agreements, if applicable.
Legal References:
RSA 189:13, Dismissal of Teacher
RSA 189:14-a, Failure to Be Renominated or Re-elected
RSA 189:14-d, Termination of Employment
RSA 189:31, Removal of Teacher
NH Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed 511, Denial, Suspension or Revocation of Certified Personnel
By the way, this is from the school board code of ethics that Mr. Bealo signed:
Render all decisions based on the available facts and my independent judgment, and refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups.
Encourage the free expression of opinion by all Board members, and seek systematic communications between the Board and students, staff, and all elements of the community.
timberlaneandsandown 
“Students are leaving Timberlane quickly”
Please detail how you have come to this notion with links showing how Timberlane is losing students quickly in comparison to other “like” districts.
You are welcome to do your own research. You can find enrollment info on the DOE website. Almost all districts are losing students. Some are better than others at being truthful about it.