Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: June 9

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Thursday, June 9. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: Thursday will bring the hottest and most humid weather of the summer to date. There’s also a chance of thundershowers on Thursday afternoon and if any of those storms in the area of Hamilton and Wenham are reportedly severe, we will let you know on Patch. 2. Snow: Four months ago, we had just finished shoveling off the roofs of all five schools after feet and feet of snow accumulated. Think about that as you sweat on Thursday. 3. Talbots: The red front door at Talbot's in downtown Hamilton may be on the way out. CEO Trudy Sullivan told Boston Magazine in a recent story that the stores will get a makeover and the “iconic” will be eliminated, to be replaced with a …

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Week in Review

The Top Five Stories Last Week in the Two Towns

The Week in Review takes a look back at some of the top local news stories from the past week.

The Week in Review looks back at the top five stories in Hamilton and Wenham in the past week – May 23-29. 1. Three Incumbents Defeated Thursday’s election in Hamilton knocked out three incumbents who were seeking reelection – Selectman Bill Bowler and School Committee members Richard Boroff and Tess Leary. Roger Kuebel, Bill Dery and Sean Condon were all elected to the nine member School Committee. Jeff Hubbard defeated Bill Bowler for one of the five Selectmen’s seats. Hamilton voters also approved a Proposition 2-1/2 debt exclusion override to pay for the capping of the former landfill. 1. High School Principal Finalists Named The search for the next Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School principal is down to two candidates. Principal …

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School Committee: Buchanan's Evaluations Not Discussed in Executive Session

The Hamilton-Wenham School Committee released a statement on Monday saying that last Thursday's executive session was at the request of Dr. Raleigh Buchanan to review his superintendent's contract and did not involve discussion of his performance.

The performance evaluations of former School Superintendent Dr. Raleigh Buchanan were not discussed during the School Committee’s nearly two-hour long executive session last Thursday, the board said in a written statement issued Monday morning. Instead, the executive session was held at the request of Buchanan and his attorney, who sought to discuss his contract. Michael Long, Buchanan's attorney, asked for the executive session three hours before the 7 p.m. meeting last Thursday, the committee said in the statement. When the School Committee emerged from the executive session, committee attorney Naomi Stonberg announced that Buchanan’s “employment relationship” with the district had ended after a “mutual agreement.” “While the minutes of …

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Questionable Ethics

3:42 am on Monday, May 30, 2011

Eh wot? How did I get dragged into this?? If you are me, and I am Jay, then Jay must be arguing with himself again! The *real* QE.   more ›

What They Are Saying About ‘Dr. B’s’ Departure

School Superintendent Dr. Raleigh Buchanan and the School Committee reached a "mutual agreement" on Thursday that ended Buchanan's tenure after less than a year. Read what some local residents have to say and feel free to offer your voice to the discussio

Here is some of what Hamilton-Wenham Patch readers had to say after news broke last night that Schools Superintendent Raleigh Buchanan and the School Committee reached a "mutual agreement" to ends Buchanan's tenure as superintendent.  Elaine Appel: “I find Dr. Buchanan to be a refreshing, honest and optimistic voice in an otherwise contentious operation.” Lorraine Miler: “Personally, I am not surprised in the least bit. We have hardly seen the superintendent in the past 6 months.” Margo Killoran: “Parents, teachers, administrators and the public alike find Dr. Buchanan to be breath of fresh air after years of dealing with a controlling, secretive, condescending, unapproachable superintendent who this writer personally caught in several …

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Buchanan Out as Superintendent - School Committee Reaches 'Mutual Agreement'

The Hamilton-Wenham Regional School Committee reached a "mutual agreement" with School Superintendent Dr. Raleigh Buchanan on Thursday night that ends his tenure after less than a year.

The School Committee and Superintendent Dr. Raleigh Buchanan reached a “mutual agreement” in executive session Thursday night that marks the end of Buchanan’s tenure as superintendent after less than a year. The exact circumstances surrounding Buchanan’s departure are unclear and School Committee Chairman Alexa McCloughan said it might be as long as 14 days until the details of the agreement are released. Buchanan started on the job on July 1 and makes $169,500 in his first year. The School Committee began his review process earlier this year and were scheduled to discuss his evaluation on Thursday night - Buchanan left before that ever happened. The board met with Buchanan, along with its attorney Naomi Stonberg and Buchanan’s attorney, …

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