Budget Committee Meeting
January 11, 2006 REV:A
Members present: Dick Bauries, Jane Fortson,
Robert Smith, Chair Neil Moriarty, John Tommila, Stephen Russell, Robert
Mitchell, Eric Stanley, James Ells, Tom Parker, Jonathan Kenyon, Don Arguin,
Normand Dion, George Tremblay and Andy Bueckner.
Administrators Present: K. Dassau, Superintendent,
D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent, T. Warner, Dir. of Technology and K.
Chambers, Business Manager.
Principals Present: M. Young, K. Craig, J. Smith,
D. Mousette, S. Rashid, B. Tatro and K. Carter.
N.
Moriarty opened the Public Hearing at 7:00 PM.
PUBLIC HEARING: N. Moriarty would encourage
the public to stay for the entire meeting. He explained that the Budget
Committee has never deleted textbooks from the budget. He wished to thank J.
Fortson and K. Chambers for the work on the budget. He explained that a Budget
Committee Member would read an article and the public could then comment on it.
All comments are through the chair with no debate back and forth. The Budget
Committee, the administration, the principals and the School Board introduced
themselves to the public.
J. Kenyon read Article One: R. Mitchell commented on an
email that he had received from N. Moriarty. He felt that the email expressed
an opinion on early retirement. He would ask that the letter be read into the
public minutes.
K.
Cota thanked the Budget Committee for all the work that they do. She believes
that the budget is conservative and that the administration and principals have
listened to the public. The administration is doing a great job. She commented
on the fact that some Budget Committee Members are pushing for the default
budget. We need to educate our children. She would also ask that the committee
support the health and safety article, the gym article and the roof article.
The buildings are in bad shape.
T.
Aho gave the history on early retirement and explained that he was very
involved in the contract issue, as a selectmen, and still knew nothing about it
at the time. He commented that the 2002-2003 contract re-instituted the early
retirement. He said that no where did it say a 7 year deal. He gave a figure of
$700,000.00 a year for the full boat. He said that this would reek havoc on the
voters. He said that he could see year after year no contract because of this
issue.
E.
Kaplan gave figures on the opposite side of the issue and they did not add up
to 4 million-dollars.
J.
Ells explained that the letter R. Mitchell was referring to was from
J.
Carnie commented on the fact that the early retirement is a very complex issue.
The question is if the taxpayers were adequately warned. We have received a
written response from the attorney but he felt that there is a misconception.
The School Board and the administration need to show the public when they were
warned. He said that there could be a total of 35 teachers at any one time
collecting this benefit. This could cripple the district. The Budget Committee
has an obligation to the taxpayers to be sure that it was adequately warned and
if not they need to do something about it.
K.
Dassau commented that the budget had been approved by the School Board and that
the 4.79% increase was reasonable. The principals have met, agreed and
supported the budget that would affect an adequate education. The Budget
Committee asked for a legal opinion on early retirement whether they like it or
not. He commented that an email to members is one thing but replying to the
chair and having conversation could be construed as a meeting. K. Dassau read
the opinion from Attorney Apple. The early retirement is a contractual
obligation. He commented that the budget including all the warrants is a 6.2%
increase. N. Moriarty commented on the email saying that he gathered the
comments that had been said at Tuesday’s meeting. K. Dassau would challenge the
Budget Committee on N. Moriarty’s direct quote saying that the committee has to
decide if they were adequately warned. N. Moriarty’s opinion is contrary to the
opinion of the lawyer. The
C.
Dreyfuss commented that she read the email and she felt that the Budget
Committee should not be the judge and jury. If Budget Committee Members do not
agree with the opinion than let the courts decide. The School Board approved
the Choice Programs and members on the Budget Committee had asked for some of
them. The 4.79% increase is reasonable and she hopes that the Budget Committee
would support it as well as the warrant articles.
D.
Arguin commented about the yellow fliers that came out last year and would
probably be sent out this year regardless of what the Budget Committee might
vote. Seven years ago the early retirement issue and last year the default
budget with comments that the voters got it right. Every year there is an
issue. Why not vote the budget proposed by the Board. We have a legal opinion
that some do not like. He said that he is satisfied and we need to move on. He
commented on the early dismissal, which is seldom used. He commented on the
fact that teachers have to stay longer if a parent is not here in time to pick
up their child. He also commented on the email and wished it to be in the
minutes as a public record.
J.
Ells said that with all due respect to J. Carnie, we need to move on with the
early retirement issue. We have an opinion from the lawyer.
K.
Dassau explained that early dismissal would be discussed under Article Three.
J.
Kenyon explained that the percentage of the increase is less than the
percentage the Budget Committee accepted last year. He said that you could not
have a percentage and expect the education to be adjusted to that number. The
School Board and the Budget Committee voted to support Choice Programs. At the
end of the day whatever we do will impact thousands of students.
M.
Haffer said that he supports education. He commented we are adjusting the deck
chairs as the titanic sinks. He informed the committee that his group would be
handing out fliers that would be supporting education.
D.
Connell commented that we all want what is best for our children but our
paychecks can only go so far. We need to think of the middle class and we need
to have the early retirement taken out.
A. Randall would urge the
Budget Committee to support the proposed budget and see the importance of the
contracts.
J.
Derosier explained that her children had been given a wonderful education at
Monadnock. We all have constraints on our budgets at home but the teachers do
as well. We need to show respect the teachers and honor the contracts.
R.
Mitchell he said that it is painful to see what has happened in our schools.
Consolidating the
J.
Craig thanked the principals and the teachers. He said that this district has
some real challenges. This district is not at AYP. He said that the budget
increase seems small to him. He asked what the plan is to add more resources to
make the goal of AYP.
Jan
Ray Thompson commented in support of the Choice Programs. She commented that
the school is in jeopardy of loosing their accreditation and many colleges
won’t consider anyone from this school. She asked that the School Board and the
Budget Committee support the numbers.
W.
Jays a student from MC2 commented that his sister dropped out of high school
and is making more money than the average teacher. He asked that the budget be
looked at in order that the students could excel.
J.
Smith reported that the NEASC Report would be available on Tuesday. He read the
recommendation from the committee.
R. Mitchell read Article
Two: D.
Connell asked if this article included pay raises for the SAU administration.
K. Dassau explained that it is a pool of money at 4%. It would be for 6
administrators and 13 support staff members. The SAU Board has instructed the
Superintendent to give a bigger portion of the money to the support staff.
J.
Kenyon started to explain the inadequacy in education at the state level but N.
Moriarty made him sit down.
J. Ells read Article Three: J. Kenyon commented that the
article is a 2-year agreement not a 1 year as stated. K. Dassau commented about
early dismissal. He explained that early dismissal would affect 126
paraprofessionals. He said that P. Apple and M. Gaul reviewed the early
dismissal in the contract. The early dismissal occurred 2 years ago. When there
is a delay the teachers do not get paid.
D. Arguin read Article Four:
C. Dreyfuss
commented on the hidden cost that R. Bauries referred to for the facilities
analysis. She commented that the NEASC has asked for it. You need to know what
the building looks like and what the needs are. NHSBA is asking the School
Boards to look at the safety related issues, which the Facilities Committee has
looked at.
D.
Connell asked if Articles Three, Four and Five could be bonded. N. Moriarty
said that you could not switch it to a bond.
P.
Bauries commented on the $80,000.00 for a facilities master plan and in Article
Ten the Board is asking for $200,000.00 for architectural and engineering
plans. P. Bauries commented on the fact that the Board had $60,000.00
previously to use for plans. She asked if those same plans could be used. N.
Moriarty commented that the wording in Article Ten should be different.
K.
Cota explained that they did use $60,000.00 for the modernization of the high
school. This is a new Facilities Committee. A Budget Committee Member suggested
Article Ten. Article Four and Article Five have no tax impact. She explained
that the new committee has worked hard and the $80,000.00 is a necessity. If it
is not approved this would hurt the district.
N.
Moriarty commented that he hopes that the Facilities Committee is right about
taking the money out of the capitol reserve. He said that the voters always
support maintenance articles.
S. Russell read Article
Five: K.
Cota explained that the Facilities Committee looked at the most severe areas on
the roofs. They would like to repair the dripping wet roofs. There is no tax
impact. She asked that the Budget Committee support the article.
A. Bueckner read Article
Six: K.
Cota explained that this article is to take care of the gym from the top down.
They decided to take care of the health and safety items not cosmetic items
such as the ceiling.
R. Smith read Article Seven:
N. Moriarty
commented that this money is also to replace the money used for the stage
rigging.
N. Dion read Article Eight: N. Moriarty commented that
this is a safety net for Special Ed. The balance is now $50,000.00. A balance
of $250,000.00 or $300,000.00 is what they would like to have.
R. Bauries read Article
Nine: N.
Moriarty explained that this amount is the school’s portion for the Reverse
911.
T. Parker read Article
Twelve: No
comments.
J. Tommila read Article Thirteen:
It was
noted that Roxbury was accidentally eliminates from this article.
G. Tremblay read Article
Fourteen: No
comments.
MOTION: T. Parker MOVED to close the Public Hearing. SECOND: J. Ells. VOTE: 15.262/0/0/.0738.
Budget Committee Agenda:
1.
Minutes of November 28,
2006: MOTION: J.
Fortson MOVED to accept the Nov. 28,
2006 Minutes as presented. SECOND:
2.
Minutes of December 11,
2006: MOTION: J.
Fortson MOVED to accept the Dec. 11,
2006 Minutes as presented. SECOND: R.
Bauries. VOTE: 15.262/0/0/0.738. Motion passes.
N. Dion commented on the issue of information going home with the children through the school. He commented on the “Notes from Betty”. K. Dassau commented that he did not see this information as offensive. He had no problem with it. He said that B. Tatro handled it in a reasonable manner. J. Fortson commented that this information came home in her son’s backpack. She said that she felt it was bias and offensive.
Budget Oversight:
2a. MRSD Monthly Expense Report: K. Chambers explained that a couple of
schools would have over expenditures largely due to special ed. but not
exclusive. All the towns have set their tax rates and the funds from the towns
are coming in on schedule. The status of assets report is very healthy.
2b. Major Transfers: K. Chambers reported that
there are no major transfers.
2c. Major Expense for next month: K. Chambers reported that the stage rigging
and the sludge build up have been repaired. There are a few items left on the
current project list.
3. Discuss/ vote on FY 2007-2008 Warrant
Articles:
3a. Default Operating Budget: T. Parker explained the default budget to the
audience. He explained that it is a requirement and can not be changed at the
Deliberative Session. He thanked J. Fortson and K. Chambers for their work on
the default. They are proposing a default budget in the amount of
$30,930,125.00. That is a $586,200.00 increase. J. Fortson explained that
electric, disposable and heating remain open. They are included in the
presented proposal. She would like a motion from the committee to accept her
additions. MOTION: D. Arguin MOVED to leave the electric, bottle gas
and fuel oil increases in the proposed default budget. SECOND:
3b.Operating Budget Article One: MOTION: J. Ells MOVED to increase the proposed operating budget to a 6% increase
and to work with the principals to use the additional money to buy text books,
to prioritize and to have the School Board honor this request. SECOND: S. Russell. DISCUSSION: R. Bauries asked for the
figure for the MC2 Program. The figure is $697,743.00. MOTION: R. Bauries MOVED to
amend the motion and reduce the budget by $357,743.00 which is the amount to
fund MC2 minus two trailers in the amount of $80,000.00 and $13,000.00 for 20
students which totals $340,000.00. He commented that the budget is for 45
students and we do not have that amount. SECOND:
N. Moriarty. DISCUSSION: It was
commented that Article One should have been discussed and we should have voted
on a number. S. Russell commented that he would not support to reduce the
budget. It is not right to tell the administration what programs need to go.
MC2 does not belong in the high school. R. Bauries commented that they need to
do a little homework. J. Ells would like to see Article One voted on first and
then R. Bauries amendment. J. Kenyon explained that $80,000.00 would not be
enough for 2 trailers. He asked what teachers and administrators would use to
run the program and with what funding. This amendment makes no sense. MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to accept Article One in the amount of $31,850,989.00 which
is the amount proposed and to have the School Board and the Budget Committee
unite on this amount. SECOND: A.
Bueckner. DISCUSSION: Comments were
made about supporting the School Board’s budget. MOTION: T. Parker MOVED to
call the question. VOTE: 15.262/0/0/0.738.
Motion passes. R. Bauries, N.
Moriarty, J. Ells and S. Russell all withdraw their amendments and seconds. VOTE on the motion to accept Article One as
proposed by the School Board in the amount of $31,850,989.00: 15.012/0/0/0.988.
Motion passes. (J. Kenyon was missing
from vote). J. Kenyon returned.
Article Two:
MOTION: S.
Russell MOVED to accept Article Two
as proposed. SECOND: R. Smith. DISCUSSION: R. Bauries asked what the
SAU default budget was. K. Chambers explained that the default is
$1,733,117.00. VOTE: 15.266/0/0/0.738.
Motion passes.
Article Three:
MOTION: J.
Ells MOVED to accept Article Three
as proposed by the School Board. SECOND:
S. Russell. DISCUSSION: K.
Chambers explained that the actual salary increase for the first year is 8.8%
and the second year overall is 7.75%. K. Chambers explained how she came up
with the percentage. R. Bauries commented that the 2% share on health care is
unacceptable. He said that he could not support this. J. Kenyon explained that
if the share were increased members of the support staff would be loosing money.
The figure was a mutually agreed solution. A. Bueckner asked K. Chambers if the
8.8% were net or gross. K. Chambers explained that it was gross. K. Chambers
explained that the figure is a 7.4% increase with the insurance savings and the
2nd year it is a 6% increase with the insurance savings. R. Mitchell
commented that it hurts the district to have this drag out. We are going in the
right direction. He would support this article. N. Moriarty said that he could
not support this article. He said that the support staff deserves the raises
but the insurance thing bothers him. VOTE:
6.700/7.392/1.170/0.738. Motion
fails.
Article Four:
MOTION: T.
Parker MOVED to accept Article Four
as proposed by the School Board. SECOND:
R. Mitchell. DISCUSSON: T.
Parker said that he would accept Article Four but regrets that it is coming out
of the capitol reserve. J. Ells commented that the School Board was afraid that
if the Article were defeated they would not be able to do the work until
another vote the next year. J. Kenyon explained that the Finance Committee
recommended the financing. It is too important to let it fail. J. Fortson said
that she was disappointed in the fact the funds are coming out of the capitol
reserve.
Article Five:
MOTION: T.
Parker MOVED to accept Article Five
as proposed by the School Board. SECOND:
D. Arguin. DISCUSSION: D. Arguin
commented on the fact that it was coming out of the capitol reserve but these
items need to get done. The hand was forced to do it this way. He would support
this article. N. Moriarty would support the intent but not the source of
funding. R. Bauries would question the source of funds as well. He said that
the Facilities Committee has done an outstanding job. These items need to be
done. VOTE: 12.847/0/2.415/0.738. Motion passes.
Article Six:
MOTION: G.
Tremblay MOVED to accept Article Six
as proposed by the School Board. SECOND:
R. Smith. VOTE: 15.262/0/0/0.738.
Motion passes.
Article Seven:
MOTION: J.
Tommila MOVED to accept Article
Seven as proposed by the School Board. SECOND:
G. Tremblay. VOTE: 15.262/0/0/0.738.
Motion passes.
Article Eight:
MOTION:
Article Nine:
MOTION: J.
Kenyon MOVED to accept Article Nine
as proposed by the School Board. SECOND:
R. Smith VOTE: 14.092/0/1.170/0.738.
Motion passes.
Article Ten:
MOTION: J.
Ells MOVED to accept Article Ten as
proposed by the School Board. SECOND: J.
Kenyon. DISCUSSION: J. Tommila would
like to amend the motion to read $205,000.00 and T. Parker would like to second
but it is a School Board article and can not be changed until the Deliberative
Session. VOTE: 12.952/0/2.310/0.738.
Motion passes.
Article
Eleven: MOTION: J. Ells MOVED to accept
Article Eleven as proposed. SECOND: R.
Bauries. VOTE: 7.035/4.902/3.325/0.738.
4. Set next month’s agenda:
5. N.
Dion commented on the early retirement and asked that there be some kind of
compromise.
6. Superintendent’s Comments: He commented on the hard work done by the Budget
Committee and the fact that Surry has not had a position all year. He commented
on the fact that the teachers and the support staff have been working without a
contract for two years. He commented on the fact that there needs to be a
resolution on the N. Moriarty comments. He commented that people have commented
to him about the Chair of the Budget Committee calling the superintendent
Kenny. N. Moriarty said that he meant no disrespect.
7. Chair Comments:
8. Public Comments: None.
9. MOTION: J. Ells MOVED to adjourn the
meeting at 11:20 PM. SECOND: R.
Mitchell. VOTE: Unanimous for those
present.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura L. Aivaliotis
MRSD Recording secretary