MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

2006 DELIBERATIVE SESSION MINUTES

The first session of the Annual School District Meeting was held in the gymnasium of the Monadnock Regional High School on Saturday, February 4, 2006. Moderator Thomas Britton called the meeting to order at 10:07 AM.

Board Members: Chair Richard Thackston, Jonathan Kenyon, Jeff Friedman, Bruce Tatro, Kenneth Colby, Gene White, Tim Aho, Jason Hill, Colline Dreyfuss, James Carnie, Bruce McCulley, Charles Johnson, Alan Gross and Robin Marra. Absent: Karen Cota.

Budget Committee Members: Normand Dion, Neil Moriarty, Chair Jane Fortson, George Tremblay, John Tommila, Terry Clark, Robert Mitchell, Eric Stanley, Richard Bauries, Robert Smith and Don Arguin. Absent: Nancy Johnson, Neal King, Stephen Russell and Thomas Parker.

Eagle Scout David E. Stanton led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Moderator Britton announced that there would be a fund raiser at Nick’s Restaurant on Feb. 11, 2006. All the funds raised from the breakfast buffet will be used for a new gym floor at the MRMS/HS.

Moderator Britton pointed out that Warrant Article Fifteen is now Warrant Article Thirteen.

Moderator Britton asked Superintendent Dassau to speak. Superintendent Dassau announced that this is Larry Biron’s last Deliberative Session as the SAU Business Manager, because he would be retiring at the end of this year. He acknowledged the commendable work of L. Biron over the past 6 years and thanked him for his years of service.

Superintendent Dassau then acknowledged that Budget Committee member Gary Bednarski has resigned from the Budget Committee and he thanked him for his years of service. He also acknowledged the work of Dr. Robin Marra, John Morin and Alan Gross on the School Board. They will not be running for the School Board in March. Kenneth P. Colby, Jr. is the newest Board Member from Swanzey and George Tremblay is the newest Budget Committee Member taking Gary Bednarski’s place, until March of this year.

Moderator Britton recognized the School Board and the Budget Committee for their work.

Moderator Britton explained the rules of the Deliberative Session. He said that he would read the article, a voter must move the article, then a second, discussion, after no further discussion then the vote would be taken. He asked that everyone who wished to speak use the microphone. He asked that every person state their name and town. No one would be allowed to speak on a motion twice until everyone has spoken once. The meeting would follow parliamentary rules. He explained that we are not voting on the article but the content of the article, as this is what will appear on the final ballot.

Moderator Britton read ARTICLE ONE: Shall the Monadnock Regional School District raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $30,021,742 (The operating budget is $29,051,742. $970,000 is also required for federal grants and nutrition grants that are funded by separate State and Federal revenues). Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $30,343,925 which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Monadnock Regional School District or by law or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with Revised Status Annotated (RSA) 40:13,X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. Note: This warrant article(operating budget) does not include appropriations in ANY other warrant articles. The Budget Committee recommends this article. The School Board recommends $30,464,014. MOTION: N. Moriarty MOVED Article One as presented. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: N. Moriarty commented that he felt this budget was fair and balanced. He said that he considered all the expenditures on the warrant and the taxpayers. He explained that the difference between the Budget Committee’s budget and the Board’s budget was the percentage of increase in the health insurance. He assured the Board that if the insurance increase ran over, that the Budget Committee would cover the increase with the surplus. He explained that the School Board would choose which line they want to cut. He commented on the 3 nurses, the resource officer and the 11 secretaries. MOTION: R. Thackston MOVED to amend Article One to the amount of $30,464,014.00. SECOND: Wayne Bartels. DISCUSSION: R. Thackston commented that there are problems in the district; the ability to function with an inadequate budget being one of them. He mentioned the accreditation is in a crisis and the fact that the School Board’s budget will maintain standards. He would encourage the voters to accept the School Board’s proposal and give the Board the tools to do the job. R. Bauries said that he was against the 6.7%. He said that the Budget Committee worked hard for the 5.1%. He commented that the School Board did no work. He said they got the 6.7% figure out of the air. He read the increases of the individual towns if the voters were to pass the Board’s proposal. B. McCulley commented that the School Board, the Budget Committee and the Finance Committee worked hard to identify a reasonable budget. He commented that the default is basically committed increases, anything less is a cut in education. He said that the Board’s proposal is not generous but sufficient. He asked that the voters allow the Board to do the best job to educate the students of the district. J. Fortson commented that she helped to prepare the default budget. She explained what was in the default budget. She wanted the voters to understand that the default is not a flat budget. T. Clark explained that he had voted on the 5.1% increase but had made a mistake due to inexperience. He said that the extra cuts would affect the students. He would recommend that the district vote for the amendment and give the School Board the tools they need. J. Tommila commented on the best Budget Committee he had worked with and the benefits of K. Dassau and his team. He said that it was a pleasure to work with the administration. They gave the Budget Committee the information and did not try to lead them. He said that the School Board’s job is to enforce the policies and the Budget Committee is to put the budget together. He said that the Budget Committee has never cut a budget. They created a budget that is livable. Not only are the poor and the old having a hard time paying their taxes, everyone is. He again explained that if the insurance comes in higher, the budget committee would vote to cover it with the surplus. He asked that the voters support the 5.1% budget. D. Connell thanked the Budget Committee for their work on the budget. He commented that some Board Members looked at the budget but mostly not. He commented that they should cut an administrator, which would cut $100,000.00 from the budget. He explained that the increase in taxes would affect family lives. C. Winthrop commented that if you divided the increase by the 12 months it would be about $50.00 which is the cost of your cable bill. F. Obuchowski asked to move the question. Moderator Britton explained that A. Gross had asked to speak prior to the moving of the question. A. Gross commented that just because the Board did not cut the budget does not mean that they did not look at the budget. They did look at the budget. These cuts will affect the children. We need to maintain and do the right thing by our children. MOTION: F. Obuchowski MOVED to move the question. SECOND: man in audience. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes. VOTE on the amendment in the amount of $30,464,014.00. Card vote: yes-124, no-82. Motion passes. DISCUSSION on Article One as amended: MOTION: Douglas Bersaw from Richmond MOVED to amend Article One that the Monadnock Community Connection (MC2) school budget have an appropriation of zero dollars, and furthermore, to reduce the operating budget by $491,851 to a new amount of $29,972,163. Voting would be done by secret ballot on this amendment. (Petition for secret ballot submitted with 8 signatures.) SECOND: Dan Connell DISCUSSION: D. Connell commented that the voters voted by 2 to 1 last year to not support the MC2 School. The 20 students that attend that school can come back to Monadnock. There would be a savings of a half a million dollars. R. Thackston asked that the motion be clarified. D. Connell commented that it is zero appropriation for the MC2 School. R. Thackston asked to make the amendment clear. D. Connell said to reduce the $491,851.00 in expenditures from the MC2. Moderator Britton explained that you can make adjustments on the number but not directed to a specific line. N. Moriarty quoted RSA 32:10 that states you can make an item to zero. Attorney Apple explained that you are permitted to make a line item adjustment but if this happens no money could be used for that purpose. He said that the DRA forms are so general. It is possible but it would prohibit the Board from doing its job. He said that you would eliminate the whole area. You would be throwing away the baby with the bath water. Moderator Britton explained that if you eliminate the line it would wipe out the whole category. He said this is why this does not happen often. It would eliminate the 1100 account, which is the regular education account. D. Bersaw said to alter the funds and recommend that the MC2 line item be cut out. Moderator Britton explained that it would wipe out the whole 1100 Account. D. Bersaw explained that it is allowed by the RSA. J. Carnie commented that there could be legal problems with doing this. He said that the voters were never asked to have the MC2 School put into the 1100 Account and it is perfectly legal to remove it. Moderator Britton explained again that if you remove the line item you remove the whole 1100 Account. T. Aho commented that he does not agree with going to zero. B. McCulley has concerns because he is not sure what he is voting on. He said that he does not feel that the voters are fully informed. There are revenues that would also need to be cut. He said that this is not the time or place to discuss this issue. R. Tarbox commented on rising cost in health insurance and asked that the staff put their money where their mouth is and contribute. R. Thackston explained that as a rule he supported the MC2 but lately has had reservations. The motion is poorly structured and this is the wrong place and the wrong format for discussion. He would like to see the amendment removed and call the vote. Moderator Britton explained that there were three people in line when the question was called. He said that he would let the three people speak. J. Carnie said that he would like to speak. Moderator Britton said that he did not see J. Carnie’s hand to speak. J. Carnie said that he would like to speak on this issue and has been ignored. Moderator Britton explained that he would take a vote in order to allow J. Carnie to speak after the three people in line. The assembly voted in the affirmative by a voice vote to allow J. Carnie to speak. V. Fisher commented that the motion is unclear. Attorney Apple explained that it is possible to do a line item adjustment but the effect would completely eliminate the 1100 Account. If you do not eliminate the whole category it does not mean that the School Board can not cut somewhere else. In order to do what you want you would eliminate the whole category. L. Biron read the items in which the motion would affect if passed. The amount would total $11,762,668.00 to be eliminated. J. Smith commented that he would have agreed a few years ago but has since educated himself about the MC2 program. D. Bersaw commented that if it can be worded differently but with the same purpose in order to give the people a choice. He would ask the council to reword the motion and then he would withdraw his motion. Attorney Apple said that he is not sure that he is in the position to advise on the wording. He said that it is not his job and that possibly Moderator Britton could advise. D. Bersaw said that he would like his amendment to read that the amount of the budget would be $29,972,163.00 with the expenditures to come from the MC2 line item. J. Carnie commented on the 2-1 vote to not support the MC2 School. He commented on the amount of money from the grant. He said that the program is only serving 20 Monadnock students. He said that at MC2 the students do not have to meet State Standards. He said that this program was never brought before the legislative body. MOTION R. Thackston MOVED to move the question. SECOND: Lady in audience. VOTE by secret ballot: 85-yes and 137-no. Motion fails. VOTE on the amended motion in the amount of $30,464,014.00: Voice vote yes. Motion passes. MOTION: R. Marra MOVED that there would be no reconsideration on this motion. SECOND: Wayne Bartels. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Two: Shall the voters of the Monadnock Regional School District adopt a school administrative unit budget of $1,669,961 for the forthcoming fiscal year in which $1,114,092 is assigned to the school budget of this school district? This year’s adjusted budget of $1,634,314, with $1,090,311 assigned to the school budget of this School District, will be adopted if the article does not receive a majority vote of all the school district voters voting in this school administrative unit. (Majority of all the voters in the entire SAU is required) MOTION: R. Marra MOVED Article Two as presented. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Three: To see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to raise and appropriate up to $230,925, the sum of which is to be from the return of the School Building Aid, to be added to the School District Building Capital Reserve Fund previously established under Article #5 of the 1975 Annual Meeting. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to accept Article Three as presented. SECOND: T. Aho. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Four: To see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to approve the cost items included in the one-year Collective Bargaining Agreement reached between the Monadnock Regional School Board and the Monadnock District Education Association for the following increases in salaries and benefits:

Year Increase of:

2006-07 $372,205 for salaries

$ 28,474 for Social Security

$ 13,772 for NH Retirement

$414,451 Total

And further to raise and appropriate the sum of $414,451 for the 2006-07 fiscal year, such sum representing the additional cost attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits over those of the appropriation at current staffing levels paid in the 2005-2006 fiscal year. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept Article Four as presented. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: C. Dreyfuss explained that it is a one-year contract. The increase for on-step teachers is $1,050.00 and off-step teachers is $1,350.00. The health insurance portion to be paid by the staff is now 88%-12%. The increase in the insurance plan buy out is now $1,500.00 up from $1,000.00. P. Bauries asked what the total of the step increases and the health insurance cost. C. Dreyfuss said that she did not have that information in front of her. L. Biron said that the health is done separately in the general budget. VOTE: voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Five: To see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to approve the cost items included in the one-year Collective Bargaining Agreement reached between the Monadnock Regional School Board and the Monadnock Education Support Staff Association for the following increases in wages and benefits:

Year Increase of:

2006-07 $185,344 for salaries

$ 14,179 for Social Security

$ 12,622 for NH Retirement

$212,145 Total

And further to raise and appropriate the sum of $212,145 for the 2006-07 fiscal year, such sum representing the additional cost attributable to the increase in wages and benefits over those of the appropriation at current staffing levels paid in the 2005-06 fiscal year. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept Article Five as presented. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: C. Dreyfuss explained that it is a one-year contract. The health insurance is split 88%-12%. The buy out is $1,500.00. There are 186 support staff members. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

MOTION: W. Bartels MOVED that there would be no reconsideration on Article Four. SECOND: V. Fisher. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

MOTION: W. Bartels MOVED that there would be no reconsideration on Article Five. SECOND: V. Fisher. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Six: To see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $251,465 for repair of health and safety related maintenance items throughout the District’s school buildings. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept Article Six as presented. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Seven: To see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $75,000 to be added to the School Building Expendable Trust (for architectural, engineering and construction projects) previously established by Article #8 of the 2005-06 Warrant, the sum of which is to be from the return of School Building Aid. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept Article Seven as presented. SECOND: T. Aho. DISCUSSION: P. Bauries asked about the money that they had raised and appropriated for this purpose for the past three years. L. Biron explained that the $60,000.00 three years ago was used for utilization work and design of the cafeteria and the teacher’s room expansion. The $20,000.00 was used for Mt. Caesar and Troy. That is ongoing. C. Dreyfuss explained that the funds being asked for are to do a complete facility analysis for this structure. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Eight: To see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $70,000 for salary for a Facilities Director position. MOTION: T. Aho MOVED to accept Article Eight as presented. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: T. Aho explained why the Board is asking for a full time facilities director. He commented on the septic system bids that were not done correctly. He said that the salary for the facilities director would pay for itself. B. McCulley complimented the Budget Committee for originating this idea and pushing it forward. He would strongly urge the voters to support this article. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes. MOTION: P. Nielsen MOVED that there would be no reconsideration on Article Two. SECOND: B. Tatro. VOTE: Voice vote yes.

Moderator Britton read Article Nine: To see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $60,000 to be added to the School Building Maintenance Expendable Trust previously established by Article #3 of the 2003-04 Warrant. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to accept Article Nine as presented. SECOND: B. Tatro. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Ten: To see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 to be added to the Special Education Expendable Trust Fund created under Article #5 of the 2003 Annual Meeting. MOTION: A. Gross MOVED to accept Article Ten as presented. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: A. Gross explained the importance of supporting this article. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Eleven: To see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to create an expendable trust fund under RSA 198:20-c, to be known as the Emergency Notification System Fund, for the purpose of maintaining an emergency notification system. Furthermore, to raise and appropriate the sum of $12,000 toward this purpose and to name the Superintendent of SAU#38 as the agent to expend from this fund. MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to accept Article Eleven as presented. SECOND: R. Bauries. DISCUSSION: N. Moriarty explained that he intended the Reverse 911 to be used by the school and the towns. MOTION: N. Moriarty MOVED to amend Article Eleven as follows: To see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to create an expendable trust fund under RSA 198:20-c, to be known as the Emergency Notification System Fund, for the purpose of maintaining an emergency notification system, for use by the school and MRSD towns (town use for emergency only). Furthermore, to raise and appropriate the sum of $12,000 toward this purpose and to name the Superintendent of SAU #38 as the agent to expend from this fund. SECOND: R. Thackston. DISCUSSION: N. Moriarty explained when the system would be used and urged the voters to support this article. VOTE on the amendment: Voice vote yes. MOTION as amended: DISCUSSION: B. Bohannon said that there are two problems with the system: cell phones and the internet. He said that he was in charge of Swanzey’s Emergency Management and they said it was a good idea but they passed. B. Bohannon said that it should be for the school only because of the minute usage. VOTE on amended motion: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Twelve: The voters of the Monadnock Regional School District are hereby advised that the School District has a deficit of $210,147 as of June 30^th, 2005. No action is recommended at this time. Informational only. MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept Article Twelve as presented. SECOND: B. McCulley VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Thirteen: Shall we adopt the provisions of RSA 194-B, regarding Charter and Open Enrollment Schools? And, shall no more than 0 percent of the District’s current per pupil enrollment be eligible for tuition to attend Charter and Open Enrollment Schools located outside the School District? And, shall no more than 0 percent of the District’s current per pupil enrollment be eligible for tuition to attend Charter and Open Enrollment School located inside the School District? NOTE: A “Yes” vote on this article does not authorize or approve the opening of a charter school. A “Yes” vote simply allows the Monadnock Regional School Board to review the Ashuelot Valley Academy Public Charter School Application. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to accept Article Thirteen as presented. SECOND: Peter Majoy. DISCUSSION: P. Majoy explained the process to the voters. He explained that the group decided to take the local route and ask the input of the voters instead of going directly to the state. B. Soucy asked if P. Majoy was going to become the school’s new principal. He asked if the district was going to be responsible for any financial support. He asked why he is asking for the approval of the voters. P. Majoy said that they decided to go the grass roots level for a democratic approach and get the support of the voters. He said that they want to give a choice to the voters. He said that for any student attending the Charter School, their school district would only be responsible for 80% of the tuition. He said that he is not sure about being principal. He said that he is the straw that mixes the drink. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Fourteen: Shall the Monadnock School District receive and approve the reports of the agents, auditors, committees and officers chosen as printed and distributed in the Annual Report? MOTION: R. Bauries MOVED to accept Article Fourteen as presented. SECOND: N. Moriarty. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton read Article Fifteen: To listen to opinions of a purely advisory nature with regards to the conduct of the school affairs for the ensuing year. MOTION:

J. Carnie MOVED to accept Article Fifteen as presented. SECOND: N. Moriarty. VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Moderator Britton asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 12:50 PM. SECOND: C. Johnson VOTE: Voice vote yes. Motion passes.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura Aivaliotis, Recorder

Kathryn Schnyer, MRDS Clerk

Unofficial Election results are as follows:
School district moderator - Tom Britton 2205
Troy Budget Committee - George Tremblay 222 votes, Eugene DeLalla 149
Troy School Board - Bruce McCulley 328
Fitzwilliam Budget Committee - John Tommila 435
Fitzwilliam School Board - Priscilla Trask-Peterson 252, Winston Wright 246
Swanzey Budget Committee (2 positions) - Richard Spash - 154 , James Ells - 129 , Jane Fortson-126
Swanzey School Board (3 yr term, 2 positions) - Gerald Mazza-182 , Bill Felton-112 , Colline Dreyfuss-80
Swanzey School Board (2 yr term) - Ken Colby Jr -585 , Patricia Bauries -370
Write-in candidates are not noted.  The recount request period ends on Friday March 17th at 5pm.

Please note that official requests to recount the Swanzey 3 yr school board ballot results and the Swanzey 3yr budget committee ballot results have been received by the district.  Therefore, official election results for these two positions will not be available until the recount is done.  All candidates will be called on Thursday March 16th to inform them of their status.

The School Board acts as the governing body presiding over a school district election recount (RSA 671:32).  "The board of recount is composed of the school district clerk, the school district moderator and the members of the school board. The school district moderator shall be the chairperson of the board of recount."

 "669:30 Recounts; Application. - Any person for whom a vote was cast and recorded for any office at a town election may, no later than the Friday following the election, apply in writing to the town clerk for a recount of the ballots cast for such office, the clerk shall appoint a time for the recount not earlier than 5 days nor later than 10 days after the receipt of said application. "

The recount is scheduled for Wednesday March 23rd at 7pm at MRHS.  It is important that a quorum of school board members attend the recount.  The more board members to be there, the faster the recount can be completed.  Once the recount is completed and results are official, the winning candidate(s) can be sworn in to their roles as school board or budget committee members.

School board attorney Paul Apple advises us that while the school board is scheduled to convene on Tuesday 3/21, the candidates of the contested position would not be able to participate in the meeting (i.e. two Swanzey school board positions).  Dr. Dassau as superintendent will open the meeting.  The first order of business will be to ask the board whether they wish to hold nominations for board positions, or adjourn until the recount is completed the following day.

Regards,

Kathryn L. Schnyer
Monadnock Regional School District Clerk