Oyster River board accepts superintendent separation, appoints assistant superintendent as senior educational officer through Aug. 5

The Oyster River Coop School District board announced on June 17 that it has reached a separation agreement with Superintendent Dr. Schaps, who will finish his time with the district on June 30. The board said the agreement honors the final year of his contract as to salary and insurance.

Board members described an interim staffing plan developed with SAU leadership to cover district functions during July while the board seeks an interim superintendent. The board voted, by roll call, to approve Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Filippone as the district’s senior educational officer — a statutorily required designation — with the appointment limited through the board’s first August meeting on Aug. 5, 2026. The motion to appoint Filippone passed unanimously.

Board members said Filippone, the director of student services Katherine Plourd, and incoming business administrator Libby Simmons will assume additional duties above their normal roles for the limited period. The board indicated it will hold a non-public session later in the evening under RSA 91-A:3(c) to discuss the interim-superintendent process, which will include participants beyond the elected members.

Community speakers pressed the board for accountability tied to the leadership transition. Colin McPullar of Lee asked the board to “ensure that any staffing, procedural, operational, or other changes at the district level receive your explicit approval before they are implemented” and urged a “thorough and honest examination of the procedural and fiscal issues that led us to this transition,” citing contract violations and a marked increase in staff grievances. Kalika Bauer (Lee) said she and multiple staff had felt relief at the superintendent’s departure and urged transparency about budget allocations and the superintendent buyout.

The board did not disclose financial terms beyond stating that salary and insurance for the final contract year will be honored and that the appointment of Filippone is time-limited. The board recorded a unanimous vote to appoint Filippone and later moved into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3(c) as permitted by statute.

What happens next: The board intends to continue the interim staffing plan while it conducts a search for an interim superintendent, to reassess the senior educational officer designation at its Aug. 5 meeting, and to keep the public apprised as permitted by confidentiality rules tied to the non-public agenda item.