Monadnock Regional Jr./Sr. High School, Swanzey, NH

Budget Committee Members present: Neil Moriarty, Dick Bauries, Eric Stanley, Chair Jane Fortson, John Tommila, Nancy Johnson, Robert Smith, Neil King, Robert Mitchell and Karen Cota, School Board Representative. Absent: Gary Bednarski, Don Arguin, Terry Clark, Thomas Parker.

Board Members present: K. Cota, C. Dreyfuss, A. Gross, G. White and J. Kenyon.

Others Present. K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Dir. of Curriculum, T. Warner, Dir. of Technology and L. Biron, Business Manager.

J. Fortson called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.

J. Fortson handed the running of the meeting over to K. Dassau who will present the budgets. K. Dassau explained that at the last meeting the Board and Budget Committee received the binders in an attempt to organize and to be user friendly. He explained that some questions had been received and given to J. Fortson and the principals. The goal of the meeting is to gather as much information as he can, take the information, organize and come back with another meeting. He explained that D. Hodgdon would begin explaining the “cover sheet” information.

D. Hodgdon explained the cover sheet and the information on the sheet. The sheets are to be updated for the most accurate information. N. Moriarty asked to have the sheets numbered and dated. K. Dassau stated that they would do that. D. Hodgdon explained that the 09 Accounts are on one sheet. He would suggest that this information go behind the opening letter in the binder. K. Cota asked if a certain position funded at 50% included benefits. D. Hodgdon responded yes.

Principals Presentations: Northern Schools, D. Mousette: D. Mousette passed out a sheet to the Committee titled Budget Work Session, dated October 15, 2005. He went over the information with the Committee, explaining that over the past few years he has cut 3 teachers and 1 instructional aide. In the 2005-2006 school year he cut 1 teacher, 1 instructional aide and will try not to spend $31,435.00 in supplies from the Northern Schools. S. Russell reviewed the information on the sheet and commented on the fact that the Board closed Surry with a $362,481.00 budget and the savings is only $172,105.00. D. Mousette explained that the staff has been absorbed in the two other schools. D. Mousette said that the total number of children in the Northern Schools is 112 students. There were 28 students in the Surry School last year. S. Russell commented that he did not feel it was such a big savings closing the Surry School. J. Tommila asked if transportation has increased because of the closing. D. Mousette explained that it has not increased but commented heating fuel is a different issue. B. Tatro explained that they closed the Surry School for educational reasons that overshadow the financial reasons. J. Fortson explained that the committee did not find 3 grade classrooms educationally sound. L. Biron commented that the bus contract for the 2006-2007 school year has yet to be negotiated

N. Johnson arrives.

R. Mitchell asked for the key budget increase and decrease areas. K. Dassau explained that it was the information on the summary sheet. D. Mousette said it was in the last paragraph of his handout. He said that there is no personnel increase, level funded in Gilsum and Sullivan but you will not see the $31,435.00 at Surry because you do not have a read out. K. Dassau explained that the other schools are level funded more or less except for Cutler. R. Bauries asked if D. Mousette had any maintenance projects for 2006-2007. D. Mousette explained that they had a little painting to do nothing major. N. Moriarty asked about shutting in the alcove. D. Mousette said it was not in the budget. L. Biron said that the floor and the drainage are not in the budget. K. Cota said that she thought $5,000.00 -$10,000.00 was in the 2005-2006 budget for closure doors in the front. D. Mousette explained that they were getting people in Surry to do that. He thought it was taken out of the budget. L. Biron said that any projects were on the warrant article not the budget. D. Mousette said that they need to fix the chimney not the alcove. R. Bauries asked D. Mousette if he was still responsible for the Surry School. D. Mousette said that he was and has not been directed differently. R. Mitchell asked how long has been spent on the unresolved gym floor (in Gilsum) and how much. D. Mousette said that he was guessing $16,000.00. He explained that they did not pay for the installation and it has been between 2 ½ and 3 years.

Troy Elementary School, D. Dahl: D. Dahl explained that they are putting in a new playground at the elementary schools and he was thankful to be discussing his budget now earlier on the agenda. He said that as of Oct. 1, 2005 there are 188 students at Troy up from 164. He said that most of the students are at the primary level so they will be with them for some time. D. Dahl stated that 3 students from the Autism Program have gone on to the Middle School, 2 students have moved into the district and 1 is tuition to Troy. He said that the summer school line is split for accounting purposes there is no change. D. Dahl explained that 2 students have moved into the district and others are brought in from outside districts or brought back into the district. N. Moriarty commented on a student being sent somewhere else because there was not enough space in the program. D. Dahl explained that the parents of the student chose not to look at the program and they have the choice of having the student attend a program in which they feel is right for their child. D. Dahl explained that the account went up because of the health benefits and the increase in supplies to cover the new student. K. Cota asked about longevity pay. D. Dahl explained that this amount would come down as the teachers depart. D. Dahl explained that the Autism program has expanded to the limit and the teacher’s office is in the hall. S. Russell asked what is being done to increase the numbers on the state testing. D. Dahl explained that each year the numbers swing greatly. They are focusing on reading and reassigning of the support staff. A new math series should make a difference and hopefully they will be receiving results on that. The 3^rd graders have been targeted and the staff will review the results. D Hodgdon commented that the test would not look the same. S. Russell said that there would be an increase in test scores even if there is no increase in the budget. K. Dassau explained that the administration intentionally gave this information to the Budget Committee in order to start this conversation. K. Craig explained that at Troy or Emerson with such a small amount of children even one childs score could make a large difference. D. Dahl said that he is working to find ways to deal with this according to the data given. He said that Troy has the highest rate of economically disadvantaged children and Spec. Needs children. S. Rashid commented that he would like to see a comparison with other schools their size. D. Hodgdon explained that it is good to compare. K. Cota asked how the education of the students was affected by the budget cuts. She asked if everyone got what they need and the principals are saying no. D. Dahl said that the support staff is utilized in the general, Spec. Ed. and ½ day in the Autism. They have to be split out. J. Kenyon asked L. Biron to explain longevity pay. L. Biron said that it is a milestone stipend. The amount will go down as the teachers retire. C. Dreyfuss asked if it was in the contract. L. Biron stated it was in section 13. D. Dahl explained that the sound system will be installed and has been taken out of the ’06-‘07 budget. He thanked the Board for the system, which is waiting for wiring. He said that he reduced the support staff by 1 person but is nervous because of the increase of students in Spec. Ed. to 30. He is requesting an additional day for a staff member in order to reduce the size to 20 students which is manageable. R. Bauries questioned the $9,000.00 for copiers. D. Dahl explained that it was for more than one copier, that he did not purchase the workbooks for the new math and reading series so the teachers will be copying the information for the students and the copier is tied to the internet printer.

Cutler Elementary School, S. Rashid: S. Rashid explained that Cutler’s numbers are steady but at minimum he would like to request 2 more aides for a total of 4 aides and supplies. He has a program that will integrate the students (in the “Cutler Program” ) into the regular ed. population. He would like to share a social worker with the Wilcox program. He said that behavior needs to be looked at. He said that they need a clinical psychologist. He sees the program at Cutler going from 4 students to 10 or possibly 14 but not capping the program. The supplies that he is asking for are for the program. S. Rashid commented that the program is designed to have the children stay in the district. S. Rashid explained that he has 48 Spec. Ed. students at Cutler. N. Johnson asked about the small space. S. Rashid said that Cutler needs space but will not be asking for it. He said that he could work in the space but with hesitation. K. Dassau explained the cost to send students to out of district placements. R. Bauries asked about the trailers not having facilities. S. Rashid said that the program is suppose to be self-contained. He commented that was a problem with the recent Spec. Ed. audit. N. Moriarty asked if S. Rashid could survive with one aide or a qualified teacher. S. Rashid said that he thinks the world of his aides. He said that he would be happy to stay with one. K. Dassau commented that reducing aides and hiring a teacher is a debate that is still going on. K. Cota asked about the $2000.00 in replacement equipment. T. Warner explained that it is to keep the computers as well as other equipment related to the computers up to date. R. Smith asked if there was an increase in salary. K. Dassau explained that it does not include administration, nurses or non-collective bargaining employees. R. Smith asked about the principal increase. S. Rashid commented that they need to remove the gap and compare to other schools in the area. K. Dassau explained that this discussion needs to take place as a group proposal.

C. Dreyfuss and G. White leave the meeting.

B. Tatro thanked the Budget Committee for their hours of work. She said that her charge is to be an educational leader and advocate for all students. She explained that she needs 6 additional aides but will not ask for them. She said that she would level fund in that area where she can control but will see an increase in health benefits. She explained that 5 or 6 year old students need support. She commented on the many things such as all day Kindergarten, a multi-purpose room, a computer lab, and others that are needed but commented that they are running on a default budget and have a deficit. K. Cota commented that she knows it is difficult but it is the ultimate quest to expand the high school. She said that she is sorry the 5 year olds have to suffer. B. Tatro said that there is a shift in staffing which is the increase. A teacher is returning from KSC. K. Cota asked if she would be spending $16,000.00 in subs. B. Tatro responded that she would probably spend more. B. Tatro explained the class size to R. Bauries. R. Bauries asked if the students are reading at the correct level when they go to Cutler. B. Tatro explained that some of the students are Spec. Ed. students and some do not qualify to be a Spec. Ed. Student but have a hard time reading. D. Hodgdon commented that reading is a crucial at an early age throughout. B. Tatro explained that a tech specialist would be 3 days at Mt. Caesar and one day each at Emerson and Troy. K. Craig commented that it is not listed on her cover sheet because they do not have an agreement as of yet. B. Tatro commented that there is still no siding on the modulars. R. Bauries asked about the maintenance. B. Tatro said that space is an issue and the roof keeps getting repaired. R. Smith asked about the multi-purpose room. B. Tatro said that it keeps being pushed out because of other issues. K. Dassau suggested taking a copy of the CIP Plan and putting it in the budget books. J. Tommila asked if the Budget Committee would be getting a comparison of the past years budget and this year’s budget. L. Biron said that he has the revised budget not the appropriated budget. He said that 2005-2006 is a headache. K. Dassau redistributed the Sept. monthly expense report, which had been given to the Budget Committee previously. L. Biron said that there is a problem with the system and he has registered a complaint. He finds it hard to believe that they change the system in the middle of the budget season. B. Tatro explained that her staff wears more than one hat. Everyone helps with the children. B. Tatro explained that every certified person has duties all day long and the paraprofessionals have 2 duties a day. R. Smith asked if the plans were in place for the multi-purpose room. K. Cota said that she has requested the plans from F. Marinace. L. Biron said that the cost would be about $1 million dollars. L. Biron said that there may be a problem because of the septic and the oil tank as to where it may be located.

Emerson Elementary School, Karen Craig: K. Craig directed the Budget Committee to the test scores. She commented that she was very proud of the math scores. She commented that a few years ago they were not as good, they are ahead of the norm. She said that was a result of putting money in that area. She said that reading and language are areas that they would like to impact. She explained that with reservation she cut many line items in order to ask for the 1 and ½ teacher. K. Craig explained that there would be teachers retiring this year and next year and the year after. She said that the Emerson gym floor has never been right and that there is currently a flood issue in the basement, which is the library. She said that security is an issue. She said that the educational needs are not being addressed. It is very hard without financial support. D. Hodgdon explained the scores on the testing to the Budget Committee. N. Moriarty commented that you never cut Spec. Ed. K. Craig explained that you could not cut there. She explained that there are 4 new Spec. Ed. Students in the 5^th grade. She said that she did cut Spec. Ed. Supplies. K. Craig explained that the District needs to catch the students before they become Spec. Ed. N. Moriarty asked if the purpose of No Child Left Behind was to Fail. R. Bauries asked how many of the 11 teachers would be retiring. She said most of them. She commented that they would like to get the most qualified teachers to take their place. L. Biron will check with Sharon on the gym floor. M. Pratt from the Maintenance Dept. spoke to the Board about the gym floor and the current flooding in the library.

MC2, K. Carter: K. Carter said that the bottom line is that the budget is up $22,466.00. There is an increase in the health benefits. There is money for new desks. She explained that her students are comparable to the students at Monadnock on the testing but there is a concern about reading. She said they have a school wide reading program. E. Stanley asked if phases were comparable to 9^th, 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grades. K. Carter explained that the phases are close to the grades. N. Moriarty asked about the Tech. Person. K. Carter explained the KSC student’s position and what technology they would like to use. S. Russell asked about the $20,000.00 for equipment. K. Carter explained that the warrantees are out and they are dying. If able to get the pocket PC they will help and lower this line. R. Bauries commented on the 11 staff members for the 44 students. K. Carter said that there are not 11 staff members and said to look at the cover sheet. K. Carter said that they need to increase enrollment. R. Bauries asked about space. N. Johnson asked how many students. K. Carter said 60 students are reasonable in that space. J. Tommila asked realistically how many do you expect. K. Carter said a total of 60. She explained that because of the threat of the closing of the school, parents did not want to send their children. R. Bauries asked about the amount of Spec. Ed. Students and K. Carter said that they do not recruit them. K. Dassau explained that you could not turn them away. We are not recruiting but required to have a program for them. R. Bauries asked how many students would be graduating this year. K. Carter responded 5 students or it could be more.

MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to adjourn at 12:35 PM. SECOND: N. Moriarty. VOTE: Unanimous for those present.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary