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From: Megan Turnbull To: Arthur "Skip" Hanson, Benjamin C. Hillyard, Jocelyn O'Quinn, Ann Lane Subject: Discuss crisis management and PR assistance Hello Skip, My name is Megan Turnbull. I am a member of the Oyster River School Board. I believe Ben Hilyad contacted you about possibly helping our board with crisis management/PR work. I would ask that you maintain confidentiality with what I am sharing with you below. Several board members and I have come to the realization that the board needs professional help. Over the past few months, multiple situations ensued as a result of our board not accepting a nominated high school principal candidate in a split vote: * Student walk-out at the high school * Threats against board members * Petition against the school board and questioning our ethics * Dozens of letters to the board and Foster's newspaper criticizing and questiong the board * Letter from the high school senate telling the board to NOT participate in the upcoming graduation (see attached) * Extensive public comments at our meetings (lasting hours) and inhibiting our ability to finish all board business at times * Individual e-mail campagins besmirching individual board members' character * Critical blog postings (http://oysterrivercommunity.blogspot.com) The list goes on... Right now we are in the midst of trying to resume our principal search and have hired Art Bettencourt with NESDEC to help. The new principal search is also under intense, public scrutiny as you can imagine. Additionally, we will be hiring a new superintendent in the upcoming school year as our current superintendent is not renewing his contract. Also, Ben Hillyard pointed out something that is at the hear of the matter - this situation has been brewing for almost a decade. The recent outcry comes only after years of build up in our district. With this, I believe we need professional crisis management/PR help in the following areas: * Crafting press releases on sensitive matters including hirings/personnel - in the past the board has done this alone * Developing a sense of trust and faith in the board and working better within the district * Improved / constructive dialogue with the community and district staff on education in Oyster River moving forward - we think this may require a series of community engagement nights. I anticipate the bulk of this work would be carried out over the next few months and may need to resume again as we start our superintendent search. I would like very much to talk to you about the possibility of you and your colleague working with us. Of course, I would need to obtain a board approval to move forward, but I feel the full board will welcome help. The good news,too, is that this board does get along and has an earnest wish to improve public sentiment. Additionally, we do have funds allocated to "work on improving trust" in our 2011-2012 budget. I will try to call you today to discuss this matter in greater detail. Thank you for your willingness to consider helping. Best Regards, Megan