Dear SAU 6 Community,

As you know, it has been a period of unprecedented uncertainty for all of us in the SAU 6 community. While we eagerly await the arrival of our students, the Claremont School District is also balancing the reality of a significant budget crisis. We know that this crisis has impacted many of you in deeply personal ways, creating fear and concerns for the future of the Claremont schools, our staff and our students. Please know that the Claremont School Board and the SAU 6 Board are working tirelessly to put us back on the right track. 

As an initial step, effective today August 22, 2025, SAU 6 Business Administrator Mary Henry has been placed on paid administrative leave. The Claremont Comptroller Matthew Angell has been appointed SAU 6 Interim Business Administrator, effective immediately. As we shared at the Claremont School Board meeting on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Mr. Angell has many years of experience as a Business Administrator, Finance Director, and Accountant for public entities in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He has experience working as an auditor and specific expertise helping public entities that are in financial distress. We are fortunate to have Mr. Angell on board to help our community and we are confident in his ability to accurately and thoroughly evaluate our financial position and to put systems in place to ensure that this never happens again. 

The community should also be aware that the Claremont School District has already begun implementing a number of cost-cutting measures in response to our financial crisis. These measures include freezing purchasing and returning non-critical goods and equipment. In addition, last night the Claremont School Board did not approve the nominations of 19 new teachers, a very difficult and unfortunate decision that will relieve approximately $1.8 million in expenses. Those teachers were new hires to the District and had not yet begun working with students. We understand the impact of these actions and do not take them lightly. Our priority is to act responsibly in the face of these challenges while continuing to support our students and staff. 

The Claremont School Board is meeting on Monday, August 25, 2025 to discuss additional cost-cutting measures, and we are committed to preserving our community’s values as expressed at the August 20th school board meeting, while also honoring our obligation to provide a high- quality education for our students. 

Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work together through this extraordinary challenge. 

SAU Board Chair

Claremont School Board Chair