MANCHESTER, NH – It was a night of unofficial welcomes and official farewells, as the Manchester School Committee brought forth a negotiated contract with incoming Superintendent Dr. Bolgen Vargas, and gave outgoing superintendent Dr. Debra Livingston a standing ovation. It was Livington’s final career school board meeting prior to her retirement after three years in the district.
The contract with Vargas is still pending legal review, and also depends on how quickly he can be certified by the state Department of Education. He is not currently certified to work in New Hampshire, but does have the necessary credentials, according to board member Rich Girard.
Mayor Ted Gatsas said he would put the contract through, but felt hesitant to sign on the dotted line until the state board certifies him, a process that should be in motion tomorrow, according to Girard.
Livingston kept her parting remarks brief, and appeared to get emotional toward the end of her comments, beginning with a message she received from former Bakersville Elementary principal Judith Adams, who retired in June.
Livingston said Adams called retirement an “interesting passage,” when a person considers all the time and effort they’ve put into their work, only to find they’ve become “irrelevant.”
“But you get over it quickly,” Adams told Livingston.
She said she always kept the best interest of the district’s students first, and she thanked her executive team, and the entire district staff for their professionalism and dedication.
“I think of all the things you’ve taught me, from laughter, to tough conversations, and all of it in between,” Livingston said.
She noted that she was proud to be the second female in the district’s history to be superintendent, and gave a “shout out” to Augusta Nichols, the first female superintendent, who started serving in the district in 1954, the year Livingston was born.
“It has been a true joy, and may God bless you,” Livingston said, before accepting a resolution and a hug from Gatsas.
In other business, Central High School Principal John Vaccarezza addressed the board during public comment, requesting for a second time relief from the board by way of an additional assistant principal.
That issue was left on the table back in August. On Monday night, following his plea, the board revived the motion to hire a fourth assistant principal, as long as the district can afford to hire. The finance committee will review the proposal at its next meeting on Oct. 18.
