Posted 5/12/12
From multiple sources, Girard at Large has received information alleging a conflict of interest involving Goffstown School Board Vice Chair Dian McCarthy. Girard at Large host Rich Girard has now left 5 voice mail messages for ViceChair McCarthy. Below is the email Rich sent on Thursday May 10 along with Mrs. McCarthy’s reply. Since then, she has not returned 3 phone calls and the reply we’ve sent with further questions is below in the comments section. Be sure to share your thoughts.
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| Date: | Thu, May 10, 2012 7:36 pm | ||||
| To: | dmccarthy@goffstown.k12.nh.us |
Hi, Dian.
As mentioned in my phone messages, I’ve received information alleging a conflict of interest involving you, which is as follows:
1) There are 3 consulting bids being considered by the Goffstown School board, of which you are the vice-chair, to review and investigate the situation at Mountain View Middle School.
2) The low bidder is the SERESC http://www.seresc.net/about-us
3) You are employed by the SERESC http://www.seresc.net/contact/staff-directory and http://www.seresc.net/our-programs/boost-nh
4) Therefore, there it is not possible for either you or the school board to be impartial in the evaluation of this bid.
Inasmuch as I have served in both elective and appointed office in Manchester and have been involved with issues like this for more than two decades, I am aware that things are not always as they appear, which is why I’ve left two messages for you at your home number requesting comment. I encourage you to call me at your earliest opportunity to discuss this matter. The absence of your response will not prevent the airing of this story. We will note that our attempts to contact you were not answered
Frankly, I’d rather have you clear this up than anything. Further, if you’d like to be a guest on my show to discuss the controversy and turmoil that appears to surround MVMS, I’d be pleased to have you.
My number is 674-0392.
Thanks!
Rich Girard
Subject:
Re: MVMS consultant search
From:
Dian McCarthy (Add as Preferred Sender)
Date: Thu, May 10, 2012 10:28 pm
To:
Hi Rich,
I apologize for not getting back to you earlier but I am just getting in. I am happy to speak with you, but as it is late, will reply briefly here.
Yes, I do work at SERESC (South Eastern Regional Educational Services Center). SERESC is a fairly large organization with diverse scopes of work that include a conference center, consultants and educationally-oriented grant-funded projects. I am a project assistant for one of the grant-funded projects housed within SERESC. This project, as I’m sure you can see from the website, is not connected to the type of consulting work proposed at MVMS. I have not been part of SERESC’s proposal process nor would I be. It is not my role there.
As far as my work on the Board, I have participated in the conversations surrounding the Superintendent’s proposal for establishing the School Leadership Team. Thus far, the conversations have been about the merits of the proposal and whether or not we think such a study would be of benefit to the school, the district and the community. We are not yet at a point of considering the awarding of a contract. As of our last meeting, the Superintendent and her staff were continuing to clarify and evaluate the 3 proposals they’ve solicited and received. When the time comes to deliberate on awarding a contract, although it is not a contract that would benefit me personally in any way, I will none the less be recusing myself from the discussion and vote.
I hope this helps and again, I’m sorry I missed your calls.
Dian McCarthy
Subject:
RE: MVMS consultant search
From:
(Add as Preferred Sender)
Date: Fri, May 11, 2012 5:13 am
To: “Dian McCarthy”
Thank you for your reply, Dian.
I will be in touch to discuss this further and, hopefully, work out a time where you can come on the show to discuss this whole issue at MVMS.
Rich
NOTE, Two phone calls made yesterday and one made this morning have yet to be returned.