Outgoing school committee chair Dick Carpender chats with parent Chris Carceller.

Tonight was the final meeting for the three outgoing members of the Portsmouth school committee: Mike Buddemeyer, Dick Carpender, and Marge Levesque, and they received a standing ovation from the attendees and were presented with memorial town plaques.

Supt. Susan Lusi thanked the three departing members. "They contributed countless hours to students and district, and represented the Portsmouth School Department well in every aspect." She singled out Carpender for his "leadership, level thinking, and courtesy in every instance." She praised Levesque for being a "consistent and powerful advocate for all students and their learning needs." And finance and facilities chair Buddemeyer she complimented for his "strong leadership, pragmatism and intelligence."

Then each of the departing members said a few words.

Carpender described his time on the committee as "a long and exciting and rewarding journey." While acknowledging that the last several years held many challenges, he complimented Dr. Lusi and the administration. "You and your cabinet have been good stewards of the system," he said.

Carpender offered congratulations to the incoming committee. "You'll find that the rewards are significant," he said, especially "The opportunity to see our students grow, to move forward and participate in graduation, homecoming, honor societies, winning awards — it's a great, rewarding feeling that you had some small part in that accomplishment."

Marge Levesque took the opportunity to thank the people of Portsmouth for electing her to her three tours of duty on the committee and thanked her fellow members and the administration and staff of the schools for all their efforts.

Mike Buddemeyer thanked the voters for giving him the opportunity to serve, and wished the incoming school committee the best of luck going forward. "The committee needs to keep their eye on the challenge ahead of them, delivering the best education possible for our kids."