Budget Committee Meeting

                                                         Non-approved Minutes

                                                                  June 27, 2006

                                     Gilsum Elementary School, Gilsum, NH

 

Members present: Jane Fortson, Eric Stanley, Richard Bauries, Neil Moriarty, Norman Dion, Andrew Bueckner, George Tremblay, Jim Ells, and Jonathan Kenyon. Steve Russell is present* Absent: Robert Smith, Don Arguin, Thomas Parker, Robert Mitchell and John Tommila.

Administrators Present: L. Biron, Business Manager, K. Dassau, Superintendent and D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent.

 

N. Moriarty called the meeting to order at 7:12 PM. At this time there was no quorum. L. Biron passed out the Financial Status for 2005-2006 as of June 1, 2006 and MRSD Budget Adjustments for 2006-2007 handouts.

 

N. Moriarty commented to the Committee about the issue of the alternate. He explained that at the last Board Meeting R. Thackston resigned from the Budget Committee. He said that it had to do with the fact that when R. Thackston was absent J. Kenyon sat in as the alternate. N. Moriarty explained that he and J. Kenyon both called and emailed R. Thackston and explained.

 

N. Moriarty explained to the Committee that S. Russell had informed him that he would not be present at the last meeting. N. Moriarty said that he looked in the wrong place for the message.

 

N. Moriarty adjourned the meeting at 7:14PM due to lack of quorum and just as everyone left the building J. Fortson arrived and the committee regrouped.

Added by Neil Moriarty

Jane Fortson arrives – there is now a quorum at about 7:17PM, Neil Moriarty calls the meeting to order.

MOTION: E. Stanley MOVED to accept the resignation of R. Thackston, as School Board Representative, to the Budget Committee. SECOND: R. Bauries. DISCUSSION: N. Moriarty explained that R. Thackston was upset he took afront to the alternate, which was only for the night. VOTE: 8.532/0/0/7.468. Motion passes. N. Moriarty swore in J. Kenyon to the Committee. K. Dassau asked N. Moriarty if he is a selectmen or a justice of the peace in order to swear someone in. N. Moriarty said that he is not but has never been challenged. N. Moriarty asked the members of the committee to introduce themselves. J. Kenyon commented that he was taken back by R. Thackston’s comments because he explained that he was voted an alternate to the Budget Committee at an open Board Meeting.

 

1.      Approval of the May 23, 2006 Minutes: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the May 23, 2006 Minutes as presented. SECOND: N. Dion. DISCUSSION: E. Stanley commented that he was talking about other conflicts in the district when commenting on D. Arguin and that it was no less than N. Moriarty’s conflict with the MRSD Tax Payers Assoc. VOTE on the amended motion: 6.222/0/2.310/7.468. Motion passes.

 

1a.Communications: Done earlier.

 

2.  Public Comments: E. Stanley thanked K. Dassau and N. Frazier for attending the fundraiser at Applebee’s.

 

     J. Fortson read a letter on behalf of R. Mitchell who was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. The letter commented on the article written to the Keene Sentinel by N. Moriarty and signed the Chairmen of the Budget Committee. N. Moriarty explained that this issue would be discussed under “Other Discussions as Desired.”

 

3.  Status of paying the committee secretary: N. Moriarty explained that this issue has been brought to his attention again. Laura is getting paid when she submits a bill. 

 

4.      A. Default Budget: N. Moriarty informed the Committee that the figures could not be released until after June 30, 06. R. Bauries asked if the budget adjustment step changes were in the operating budget. K. Dassau explained that they are in the Default Budget. K. Dassau explained that the retirement and the lane changes are in the Default Budget.

 

B. Savings Committee: N. Moriarty explained to the committee that personally he would like to look into the travel to Home Depot and Hamshaw Lumber.

 

C. Budget Oversight Committee: J. Fortson reported that E. Stanley was elected secretary of this committee. She said that there are no changes in the over expenditures. L. Biron reported that there is a large amount coming. It is for the teacher’s salaries in the amount of 1.6 million-dollars and $135,000.00 for teacher’s stipends. The next meeting will be on Sept. 13, 2006 at 9:00 AM.

 

R. Bauries commented that he had a problem with the grant not being part of the budget. He asked why the 2 million-dollar grant was not part of the budget. N. Moriarty explained that the committee spoke about this issue at the Oversight Committee Meeting. J. Fortson explained that it would be discussed at the Sept. Meeting. K. Dassau asked R. Bauries to clarify his statement. R. Bauries said that the district receives money from the MRPSOC and it should be part of the budget. K. Dassau asked about the 30 other grants that the district receives. R. Bauries asked about the MRPSOC because he said it is managed by others.

 

5.      Discussion on an Alternate from the School Board: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to allow an alternate from the School Board to the Budget Committee. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: N. Dion commented that there should not be an alternate from the School Board or even a member from the School Board sitting on the Budget Committee. N. Moriarty called alternates back room politics. J. Fortson commented that if a person resigns the position it should be filled by the same process as the elected Budget Committee Member. J. Kenyon explained that the School Board liaison reports back to the School Board. S. Russell (ATTN: S. Russell was not included in present or absent list for this meeting - tms) commented that the alternate is voted on by the Board. J. Kenyon explained that the Board votes to accept the committee appointments. N. Dion said that it is a double dip and the whole thing is wrong. He said that the member should be non-voting. N. Moriarty said that the RSA says there is a school board* member. VOTE: 1.488/6.794/0/7.218. Motion fails. J. Fortson will draft a new policy for the Committee to vote on.

 

Discussion on the MRSD Budget Adjustments for the 2006-2007 School Year: J. Fortson asked about the new Middle School Special Ed. Teacher. K. Dassau explained that they have one life skills teacher for 22 kids ages 13-21. They would like to hire another teacher in order to separate the students. It is in the best interest of the students. R. Bauries asked about the project manager and the adjustment in the administration pay. K. Dassau explained that there maybe changes throughout the year and the recommendations will be brought to the School Board for approval. R. Bauries asked if this was law. N. Moriarty said that these are guidelines. L. Biron explained that the bottom line does not change.  

 

6.      Other Discussion as desired: N. Moriarty commented on the letter read by J. Fortson written by R. Mitchell. He explained that he had asked the previous chair about the signing of a letter to the paper. He was told that he could sign it a Budget Committee Member with a disclaimer. He said that if the committee would like to put this issue on the agenda for next month he would. R. Mitchell questioned the policy. N. Moriarty was not sure the policy addressed the title. N. Dion commented that it is too narrow and specific and that there should not be rules on this. He said to leave it alone. R. Bauries said that it is the Right to Know Law. J. Fortson agrees with the use of a Budget Committee Member but a little with the chairman. J. Kenyon is concerned that the title would mean that this one person is speaking for the entire group. R. Bauries commented that the policy should stay the same.

 

7.       Superintendent’s Comments: K. Dassau commented that if N. Moriarty is going to sign the letter as the chair of the Budget Committee why not a member of the MRSD Tax Payers Assoc. He commented that both of N. Moriarty’s letters to the Sentinel were misleading and offensive. 

 

8.      Chairman comments:

 

 

9.      Public Comment Period: None

 

10.  Set Agenda:

1.      Discuss on Letter and Policy regarding R. Mitchell’s letter

2.      Update policy on the title and the disclaimer

3.      Policy on Alternates

4.      Budget 2006-2007

 

11.  Motion to adjourn: R. Bauries MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 PM. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted, 

 

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording secretary

 

* Added by Neil Moriarty