Demand Shane Downs Resign from Rochester School Board
Demand Shane Downs Resign from Rochester School Board
The Issue
UPDATE:
Let’s talk about what’s actually in the School Resource Officer (SRO) agreement the Rochester School Board signed and more importantly, what’s not.
Read the MOU here: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1453793/SRO_MOU.pdf
But here’s what you won’t find in it:
No clear limits on police in schools - The MOU doesn’t say that SROs must stay out of everyday discipline. That’s a problem. When police handle what used to be a principal’s job, kids get criminal records for things that should’ve stayed in the classroom.
No guidance on searches or questioning - Police are held to stricter legal standards than school staff. But this agreement doesn’t say how searches or student questioning will be handled, putting student rights in a legal gray zone.
No requirement to notify parents - Officers are allowed to question students at school without ever informing their parents. That’s a huge due process concern.
No rules on use of force or de-escalation - There’s no language about how or when an officer can use force around children; no reporting process, no oversight, no mention of trauma-informed practices.
No mention of students with disabilities or equity checks - Students with IEPs or disabilities have federal protections. This MOU doesn’t acknowledge them. There’s also no system in place to track whether students of color or students with disabilities are being disproportionately policed.
No Oversight or Complaint Process - A strong, student-centered MOU should lay out exactly what happens when things go wrong. That means:
How families can file complaints against an SRO
What happens when force is used on a student
How police referrals and arrests are tracked
And who is ultimately responsible when harm occurs
Rochester’s MOU includes none of that. If a student is handcuffed for a behavior issue, questioned without a parent, or physically restrained; there’s no process for families to follow, no oversight team reviewing incidents, and no one clearly accountable.
So here’s the bigger question we should all be asking:
When our schools are already under-resourced, lacking counselors, social workers, behavior specialists, and special education staff, why is the School Board choosing to invest in police presence instead of the supports our kids actually need?
And in a district that ranks #1 in New Hampshire for suspensions and exclusions of students of color and students with disabilities, is this really about safety… or about reinforcing a system that continues to punish the most vulnerable?
https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1453793/SRO_MOU.pdf
UPDATE:
Rochester schools, Superintendent Annie Azarloza agree to part ways
ROCHESTER — The city school district and suspended Superintendent Annie Azarloza have reached an agreement for her to leave the district.
Shane Downs, chairman of the School Board, said the agreement is effective June 30. Azarloza has been on paid leave since Feb. 13.
Downs and interim Superintendent Alison Bryant did not immediately respond to a request from Foster's Daily Democrat for the financial terms of the agreement. Foster's specifically asked for the payout amount Azarloza will receive if one is part of the agreement. Azarloza started in the job July 1, 2024 at a salary of $170,000, and her contract was set to run through June 30, 2026.
Azarloza released a statement June 24, saying in part, "It’s been an honor to serve the children and families of Rochester."
What is known about issues between Annie Azarloza and Rochester School Board
Annie Azarloza and the Rochester School District have reached an agreement to part ways with one year remaining on her contract.
The Rochester School District hired an outside investigator to look into Azarloza when she was placed on leave. Downs has declined to release the results of the investigation, stating it's a private personnel matter. Azarloza has received much public support and has said she has done nothing wrong.
Downs has never said publicly why Azarloza was placed on leave. However, in April, two months after Azarloza was placed on leave, Rochester School Board member Sandy Keans acknowledged there was a dispute over discipline cases with Azarloza, indicating there were two incidents involving students that were central to her being placed on leave.
Azaloza then spoke out about differences she had with the School Board, which is led by Downs, a police officer, over how to handle discipline cases involving special education students.
Azarloza at that time said Rochester has the highest rate of suspending students in New Hampshire and her insistence on following the law on when to hold manifestation hearings in student discipline cases was at the heart of the conflict. Manifestation hearings are held to determine if misconduct by a student is the result of their disability.
"I’ve been clear from the beginning: we will not hold manifestation meetings simply to build legal cases against children," Azarloza said previously. "The work I’ve led in this district has focused squarely on creating systems that are lawful and student-centered. That includes ensuring we follow state and federal law when it comes to student discipline, particularly for children with disabilities, including conducting manifestation determination meetings only when required."
Azarloza's statement June 24 adds, "My attorneys and I have reviewed the independent report, which affirms what I’ve stood by all along: my actions were grounded in policy, law, and integrity."
New Rochester school district administrators start in July
The board recently named Jared Fulgoni as interim superintendent. On June 24, Downs announced the hiring of Sherri L. Nichols as assistant superintendent. Both are scheduled to begin their positions July 1. (Bryant is leaving the district for a new job in Exeter, starting July 1.)
Fulgoni, 58, a resident of Eliot, Maine, this spring is completing three years as superintendent of the MSAD 63 School District in Holden, Maine. He began there as an interim superintendent, he said, a job that expanded to three years. He had previously worked as a superintendent in Amesbury, Massachusetts.
Azarloza gives thanks to school community
Azarloza's provided statement included thanks to students, school staff and families.
"To the students: You were my 'why,'" Azaloza said. "Every decision and challenge was grounded in the belief that your future should never be left to chance. It should be fought for.
"To the staff: You are the soul of this district. Thank you for your quiet courage and belief in what’s possible.
"To the families and community: Your voices carried strength. Your trust carried weight. And your support lit the way when it mattered most.
"Though my time in this role is ending, my commitment to student-centered leadership and educational integrity remains. Leadership isn’t about position. It’s about purpose, and I leave with what matters most: integrity, purpose, and grace."
Tensions and issues remain as Azarloza departs Rochester
The fallout of the dispute has included Azarloza filing a complaint against Downs with the Rochester district, accusing him of retaliating against her and Downs filing a new complaint against her, she said. Keans and Karen Stokes, Rochester School Board members, are facing ethics investigations, though district officials have not said if there is any connection between their cases and Azarloza's case.
One resident who showed support for Azarloza and declined to give his street address was denied the opportunity to speak during the public comment session at a recent Rochester School Board meeting. At the request of Downs, the man was escorted out of the meeting by a police officer.
Here is some tea for you all - A Right-to-Know request was made back in April for the email exchanges between Lt. Ann Gould, the Police Chief, Superintendent Annie, and the Director of Student Services, but that request is being stonewalled.
Why is the RTK request for email not being fulfilled and why are they not releasing the investigation report
Our community is facing a severe crisis of leadership within the Rochester, New Hampshire School Board. Recently, our Superintendent Annie was removed without any provided reasons for her absence and no explanation as to why she will not return, leaving parents, students, and staff in confusion and disarray. We NEED Annie back to finish the change she started.
This decision was made under the tenure of Shane Downs, the current School Board Chair, creating an environment of secrecy and mistrust. Additionally, there is an ongoing ethics investigation involving two other board members who bravely opposed a vote they believe violates federal law. Their voices, crucial in maintaining transparency and legality, have been stifled under the current leadership. He also continues to hold closed sessions meetings that are by NH Law, to be recorded and it has not been happening.
Shane Downs' leadership has transcended from troubling into the realm of the unacceptable. He is notably pushing for criminal charges against special needs children—a step that is not only harsh and unjust but fundamentally misconstrues the role of educational leadership. This also violates Federal laws. To add to the matter, there was ANOTHER closed meeting, to hire a new interim Superintendent, who's been accused of protecting a teaching known for abuse of special needs children in Sanborn. You can Google that!
Our children deserve compassion and understanding, not punitive measures that could forever alter their lives. The Rochester School Board needs leadership that prioritizes educational ethics, legality, and most importantly, the well-being and fairness for all students irrespective of their needs.
It is essential for Shane Downs to step down as Chair of the Rochester School Board. A new leader must emerge who will guide our community with integrity, fairness, and a commitment to uphold the values of our educational system. Strong leadership is not about exercising power unchecked; it is about serving the community with empathy and impartiality.
Please watch from the 3 minute mark on and you will see exactly what's been said.
https://youtu.be/L6_eOCaFrVc?feature=shared
This one at the beginning Karen is requesting the public legal opinion and Shane is refusing to give up the document. It’s the Drummond Woodsum legal opinion referenced in the fosters article.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WaGGR3dpW0U
Please see latest article for our middle school failing.
WTF ROCHESTER SCHOOL BOARD
TOM AMBROSE is coming to Rochester His first day is June 1st
The School Board has chosen to hire Tom Ambrose, the former Sanborn superintendent who was recently bought out after founded allegations of physical abuse against students with disabilities occurred under his leadership for two years.
Meanwhile, the board continues to withhold the results of an investigation that clears Superintendent Annie Azarloza. Why? Because it would confirm what we already know: they made a catastrophic mistake. They damaged an impeccable career. They targeted a superintendent who was fighting to protect students with disabilities.
Also curious: they are driving out a female Latina leader with a flawless record and replacing her with a white male recently bought out for abuse findings under his watch. As a taxpayer, would you want the school board making such a reckless decision that could put us in a position to face a multi-million dollar civil rights lawsuit!?
You don’t protect kids by forcing out the woman who defended them and hiring the man who failed them. The people of Rochester see through it. We’re not fooled, and we’re not going away. The Rochester School Board doesn’t care about students and staff in this district.
Read the report
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CIpg4x8IbZEbC1cimxUs7BoqjDLF-Rbl/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawKoA8FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHk3Tt_pnXrD84WxMfm-vHc9grJyaXV8hk8BknZxvFUKyo5SGGmlx_f5lAhZ8_aem_YhKPGXbMCiIIa8oHURIDVA
Join us in demanding immediate action to remove Shane Downs from his role. Together, we can ensure that our school district embodies the principles of transparency and respect. Sign this petition to demand a change in leadership and to protect the future of our children in Rochester. Your voice matters and it's time to stand up for what's right.
192
The Issue
UPDATE:
Let’s talk about what’s actually in the School Resource Officer (SRO) agreement the Rochester School Board signed and more importantly, what’s not.
Read the MOU here: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1453793/SRO_MOU.pdf
But here’s what you won’t find in it:
No clear limits on police in schools - The MOU doesn’t say that SROs must stay out of everyday discipline. That’s a problem. When police handle what used to be a principal’s job, kids get criminal records for things that should’ve stayed in the classroom.
No guidance on searches or questioning - Police are held to stricter legal standards than school staff. But this agreement doesn’t say how searches or student questioning will be handled, putting student rights in a legal gray zone.
No requirement to notify parents - Officers are allowed to question students at school without ever informing their parents. That’s a huge due process concern.
No rules on use of force or de-escalation - There’s no language about how or when an officer can use force around children; no reporting process, no oversight, no mention of trauma-informed practices.
No mention of students with disabilities or equity checks - Students with IEPs or disabilities have federal protections. This MOU doesn’t acknowledge them. There’s also no system in place to track whether students of color or students with disabilities are being disproportionately policed.
No Oversight or Complaint Process - A strong, student-centered MOU should lay out exactly what happens when things go wrong. That means:
How families can file complaints against an SRO
What happens when force is used on a student
How police referrals and arrests are tracked
And who is ultimately responsible when harm occurs
Rochester’s MOU includes none of that. If a student is handcuffed for a behavior issue, questioned without a parent, or physically restrained; there’s no process for families to follow, no oversight team reviewing incidents, and no one clearly accountable.
So here’s the bigger question we should all be asking:
When our schools are already under-resourced, lacking counselors, social workers, behavior specialists, and special education staff, why is the School Board choosing to invest in police presence instead of the supports our kids actually need?
And in a district that ranks #1 in New Hampshire for suspensions and exclusions of students of color and students with disabilities, is this really about safety… or about reinforcing a system that continues to punish the most vulnerable?
https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1453793/SRO_MOU.pdf
UPDATE:
Rochester schools, Superintendent Annie Azarloza agree to part ways
ROCHESTER — The city school district and suspended Superintendent Annie Azarloza have reached an agreement for her to leave the district.
Shane Downs, chairman of the School Board, said the agreement is effective June 30. Azarloza has been on paid leave since Feb. 13.
Downs and interim Superintendent Alison Bryant did not immediately respond to a request from Foster's Daily Democrat for the financial terms of the agreement. Foster's specifically asked for the payout amount Azarloza will receive if one is part of the agreement. Azarloza started in the job July 1, 2024 at a salary of $170,000, and her contract was set to run through June 30, 2026.
Azarloza released a statement June 24, saying in part, "It’s been an honor to serve the children and families of Rochester."
What is known about issues between Annie Azarloza and Rochester School Board
Annie Azarloza and the Rochester School District have reached an agreement to part ways with one year remaining on her contract.
The Rochester School District hired an outside investigator to look into Azarloza when she was placed on leave. Downs has declined to release the results of the investigation, stating it's a private personnel matter. Azarloza has received much public support and has said she has done nothing wrong.
Downs has never said publicly why Azarloza was placed on leave. However, in April, two months after Azarloza was placed on leave, Rochester School Board member Sandy Keans acknowledged there was a dispute over discipline cases with Azarloza, indicating there were two incidents involving students that were central to her being placed on leave.
Azaloza then spoke out about differences she had with the School Board, which is led by Downs, a police officer, over how to handle discipline cases involving special education students.
Azarloza at that time said Rochester has the highest rate of suspending students in New Hampshire and her insistence on following the law on when to hold manifestation hearings in student discipline cases was at the heart of the conflict. Manifestation hearings are held to determine if misconduct by a student is the result of their disability.
"I’ve been clear from the beginning: we will not hold manifestation meetings simply to build legal cases against children," Azarloza said previously. "The work I’ve led in this district has focused squarely on creating systems that are lawful and student-centered. That includes ensuring we follow state and federal law when it comes to student discipline, particularly for children with disabilities, including conducting manifestation determination meetings only when required."
Azarloza's statement June 24 adds, "My attorneys and I have reviewed the independent report, which affirms what I’ve stood by all along: my actions were grounded in policy, law, and integrity."
New Rochester school district administrators start in July
The board recently named Jared Fulgoni as interim superintendent. On June 24, Downs announced the hiring of Sherri L. Nichols as assistant superintendent. Both are scheduled to begin their positions July 1. (Bryant is leaving the district for a new job in Exeter, starting July 1.)
Fulgoni, 58, a resident of Eliot, Maine, this spring is completing three years as superintendent of the MSAD 63 School District in Holden, Maine. He began there as an interim superintendent, he said, a job that expanded to three years. He had previously worked as a superintendent in Amesbury, Massachusetts.
Azarloza gives thanks to school community
Azarloza's provided statement included thanks to students, school staff and families.
"To the students: You were my 'why,'" Azaloza said. "Every decision and challenge was grounded in the belief that your future should never be left to chance. It should be fought for.
"To the staff: You are the soul of this district. Thank you for your quiet courage and belief in what’s possible.
"To the families and community: Your voices carried strength. Your trust carried weight. And your support lit the way when it mattered most.
"Though my time in this role is ending, my commitment to student-centered leadership and educational integrity remains. Leadership isn’t about position. It’s about purpose, and I leave with what matters most: integrity, purpose, and grace."
Tensions and issues remain as Azarloza departs Rochester
The fallout of the dispute has included Azarloza filing a complaint against Downs with the Rochester district, accusing him of retaliating against her and Downs filing a new complaint against her, she said. Keans and Karen Stokes, Rochester School Board members, are facing ethics investigations, though district officials have not said if there is any connection between their cases and Azarloza's case.
One resident who showed support for Azarloza and declined to give his street address was denied the opportunity to speak during the public comment session at a recent Rochester School Board meeting. At the request of Downs, the man was escorted out of the meeting by a police officer.
Here is some tea for you all - A Right-to-Know request was made back in April for the email exchanges between Lt. Ann Gould, the Police Chief, Superintendent Annie, and the Director of Student Services, but that request is being stonewalled.
Why is the RTK request for email not being fulfilled and why are they not releasing the investigation report
Our community is facing a severe crisis of leadership within the Rochester, New Hampshire School Board. Recently, our Superintendent Annie was removed without any provided reasons for her absence and no explanation as to why she will not return, leaving parents, students, and staff in confusion and disarray. We NEED Annie back to finish the change she started.
This decision was made under the tenure of Shane Downs, the current School Board Chair, creating an environment of secrecy and mistrust. Additionally, there is an ongoing ethics investigation involving two other board members who bravely opposed a vote they believe violates federal law. Their voices, crucial in maintaining transparency and legality, have been stifled under the current leadership. He also continues to hold closed sessions meetings that are by NH Law, to be recorded and it has not been happening.
Shane Downs' leadership has transcended from troubling into the realm of the unacceptable. He is notably pushing for criminal charges against special needs children—a step that is not only harsh and unjust but fundamentally misconstrues the role of educational leadership. This also violates Federal laws. To add to the matter, there was ANOTHER closed meeting, to hire a new interim Superintendent, who's been accused of protecting a teaching known for abuse of special needs children in Sanborn. You can Google that!
Our children deserve compassion and understanding, not punitive measures that could forever alter their lives. The Rochester School Board needs leadership that prioritizes educational ethics, legality, and most importantly, the well-being and fairness for all students irrespective of their needs.
It is essential for Shane Downs to step down as Chair of the Rochester School Board. A new leader must emerge who will guide our community with integrity, fairness, and a commitment to uphold the values of our educational system. Strong leadership is not about exercising power unchecked; it is about serving the community with empathy and impartiality.
Please watch from the 3 minute mark on and you will see exactly what's been said.
https://youtu.be/L6_eOCaFrVc?feature=shared
This one at the beginning Karen is requesting the public legal opinion and Shane is refusing to give up the document. It’s the Drummond Woodsum legal opinion referenced in the fosters article.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WaGGR3dpW0U
Please see latest article for our middle school failing.
WTF ROCHESTER SCHOOL BOARD
TOM AMBROSE is coming to Rochester His first day is June 1st
The School Board has chosen to hire Tom Ambrose, the former Sanborn superintendent who was recently bought out after founded allegations of physical abuse against students with disabilities occurred under his leadership for two years.
Meanwhile, the board continues to withhold the results of an investigation that clears Superintendent Annie Azarloza. Why? Because it would confirm what we already know: they made a catastrophic mistake. They damaged an impeccable career. They targeted a superintendent who was fighting to protect students with disabilities.
Also curious: they are driving out a female Latina leader with a flawless record and replacing her with a white male recently bought out for abuse findings under his watch. As a taxpayer, would you want the school board making such a reckless decision that could put us in a position to face a multi-million dollar civil rights lawsuit!?
You don’t protect kids by forcing out the woman who defended them and hiring the man who failed them. The people of Rochester see through it. We’re not fooled, and we’re not going away. The Rochester School Board doesn’t care about students and staff in this district.
Read the report
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CIpg4x8IbZEbC1cimxUs7BoqjDLF-Rbl/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawKoA8FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHk3Tt_pnXrD84WxMfm-vHc9grJyaXV8hk8BknZxvFUKyo5SGGmlx_f5lAhZ8_aem_YhKPGXbMCiIIa8oHURIDVA
Join us in demanding immediate action to remove Shane Downs from his role. Together, we can ensure that our school district embodies the principles of transparency and respect. Sign this petition to demand a change in leadership and to protect the future of our children in Rochester. Your voice matters and it's time to stand up for what's right.
192
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Petition created on May 24, 2025