During the recent Portsmouth City Council meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding proposed changes to the governance of school technology and human resources. The discussions highlighted a growing tension between the city council and the school board, as both bodies expressed their opposition to the ordinance that would shift control of school technology to the city’s information technology department.

Carrie, a school board member, emphasized the unprecedented nature of two elected bodies uniting in their opposition. She voiced deep concerns about the implications of the proposed changes, arguing that they could violate state law and undermine the authority of the school board. Carrie questioned why these changes were not being handled through traditional Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), suggesting that the current approach was heavy-handed and could create more problems than anticipated.

Superintendent Zach McLaughlin echoed these sentiments, stressing that the proposed ordinance risks eroding the school board's authority over critical areas such as budgeting, staffing, and educational technology. He pointed out that while the city’s intentions may be well-meaning, the ordinance could create conflicting lines of authority that would disrupt the established governance structure. McLaughlin urged the council to adopt language that would allow for collaboration on cybersecurity while maintaining the school board's control over educational technology decisions.

The meeting underscored the importance of clear governance in education and the need for collaboration between the city and school officials. As the council moves forward with the ordinance, the voices of the school board and community members will likely continue to play a crucial role in shaping the final outcome. The discussions reflect broader concerns about maintaining local control over education and ensuring that decisions made at the city level do not undermine the authority of elected school officials.