Plainfield/Cornish School Districts
SAU 32 & SAU 100
Newsletter From
Interim Superintendent David W. Baker
September 2026
Dear Cornish and Plainfield Parents, Staff and Communities:
I hope to share periodic updates with the parents, staff, and communities of both Plainfield and Cornish communities. The school year is off to a good start. We had several people to hire over the summer. Our principals in both communities did a good job bringing on excellent staff. This should be a great year. We are excited about all of the possibilities that lie ahead. There are always struggles, but far more often school is a great place for kids and families. As the summer vacation came to a close, the students were eager to go back with friends. I think working in schools is the most important job on earth. As the poet once said, “We are the molders of dreams.” In partnership with parents, we can change the course of a life.
That certainly was the case in my school years. It was a while ago and I have told this story many times already. But had it not been for one or two great educators I am not sure how my life would have turned out. I’ll give you the short version. I was an only child in a single-parent household. I did not meet my biological dad until I was in high school - but that is a story for another time. My mother was a good single mom. School was important to her and she made sure that I understood that as well. If I came home complaining about a teacher the first question was always, “Well what did you do to deserve that?” Very little room for negotiations. In the 6th grade all things took a turn. I walked into my classroom and saw a man up front with a tie on. My first thought was, “Wow, the custodians are going to wear ties this year - interesting?” But this was not a custodian, it was my 6th grade teacher Mr. Brazil. I only had female teachers up until that point - not atypical.
But, more importantly, Mr. Brazil used to eat lunch with us; throw the football at recess; and stay after school and share all kinds of stories. He also did something extraordinary that you might not be able to do today - sadly. One Saturday morning he piled me and three of my friends into his car and drove us to Fenway Park for a Red Sox ballgame. Walking into that ballpark was overwhelming. I became a lifelong Red Sox fan - much to my demise. He bought us hot dogs and cold drinks - I have no idea who even won, but it was that day that I decided I wanted to be a teacher - just like Mr. Brazil. It was life-changing and I never looked back. I had many good teachers - male and female - over the years, but none like Mr. Brazil. So, here I am. My mom had a 10th grade education and later found out my dad had an 8th grade education and through the inspiration of Mr. Brazil and several other teachers I now have a Doctorate. I wish my mom could see me now. I lost her at an early age - I was 19. Another story for another time.
But my point is this, resiliency is not by the luck of the draw, it has to be nurtured and cultivated. That process happens between school and family. We have to work together. In school, we have to go beyond just teaching and learning and we have to build strong relationships with kids and with families. It will pay off. I am living proof. We stand ready to partner.
I want to spend a few minutes writing about the Coop Committee that was established by the voters in both Cornish and Plainfield almost three years ago. This committee was elected by each town to provide a recommendation to both school boards about combining SAU’s. The committee has met fairly regularly and is at a point where they have to make a decision about a one-school model. It is the most important decision before this committee. It has become clear that there is very little interest on the part of Cornish and Plainfield, financially and operationally, to run and maintain two schools if they form a Coop. But the committee still has to deliberate around the structure and cost of one school versus multiple schools; or what it would cost to carry on the status quo. Cornish has a pretty good idea of what it would take financially to bring that school up to par for the next 20 or so years. Plainfield knows that it has a series of upgrades that are absolutely necessary. But what are the comparative costs to a one-school model? On September 15th the administration will be presenting an outline to the Coop Committee that includes financial and organizational implications of the one-school model. It will include the facility needs, staffing patterns, and overall educational and operational plans. It will be just an outline and the financials will be only current estimates, but we have to get this on the table so that the committee can make an informed decision. Please keep in mind that should the committee and the boards move in the direction of combined districts, both SAU 100 & SAU 32 will go away. Both districts will lose their school. There will be a new SAU and new school that both towns will renovate and expand together. There are a lot of moving pieces and I will be trying to update you every step of the way. As decisions are made, the staff, community and parents need to be the first to know. I know the boards in both districts are intent on presenting a Coop Model to each town this coming March. It is ambitious, but we will give it our best shot. Stay tuned!
One final note - I want to give a huge shout out to the Cornish Fair Committee. It is amazing that a small town can put on that type of activity. With all my time in the Upper Valley I have never been to the fair. I got the privilege to work at the famous “Logging Road” entrance. So well organized and so well attended. It shows what a small town can do when they put their mind to it. Great work!
As I said last month, I will give you the good news and the bad. We are entering into budget season. As many of you are aware, there are so many fixed costs in a school budget. There is little discretionary spending. But the goal is to always maintain quality at a rate consistent with our communities’ ability to pay. We have a great staff, great boards and great communities. What a recipe for success. I continue to look forward to meeting some of you face-to-face. .
Never hesitate to reach out to me by email (dbaker@sau32.nh.gov or david.baker@sau100.nh.gov). Let's plan for a great school year!
Dr. David Baker
Interim Superintendent
Plainfield/Cornish