4d. Technology- C. Boyle: C. Boyle explained that they
are looking for a District Wide Tech Support Specialist. Currently we do not
have this position. C. Boyle explained what Neil does at the Middle/High
School. He also explained that some of the services in which this person would
be doing have in the past been paid out per deum. J.
Kenyon explained what Neil does at the Middle/High School and what is asked of
him a person would be receiving a salary of about $180,000.00. He said that we
are getting our monies worth but not efficiently doing our computer system. The
State requires that someone monitor the system. C.Lothrop
said that she is amazed that we have only one person. E.Stanley asked if
we could out source this position. K.Carter had done
that and it was between $135.00 and $150.00 an hour. This position with
benefits is cheaper. The funds budgeted for the tech support would be removed
from MC2. It was questioned if anyone would even fill the position for $20.00
an hour.
C.
Boyle explained that the Student Management System is at the end of its life.
There is no company to maintain the system. He explained that it has to be
replaced. He has 3 estimates from three different companies. Currently this is
in the SAU budget. If that budget fails it would go in the 3 individual
districts. This would be a requirement. C. Boyle is in the process of a
5yr-computer replacement policy. Currently he is taking inventory of what the
district has. The members commented on warrantees. N. Moriarty commented on the
Skills Tutor and that any software should go through C. Boyle.
4e. Facilities: The
Proposed 2008-09 Project List was passed out to the members. N. Moriarty asked
what work had been done from the $900,000.00. C. Dreyfuss
explained that the projects that have been worked on. N.Moriarty
said that his point is that we are not going to get this all done of what is
being asked for. K. Chambers explained that all the projects are underway. Some
have been delayed because of the change is the project manager. Some of the
projects have to wait until the Master plan and we need to work around the
students. J. Tommila commented on how disappointed he
was that the $300,000.00 asked for by the voters was not used to repair the
roof. J. Kenyon explained that they held off because of the Master Plan being
completed. The contractors said that there is no problem putting the roofs on
in the winter. R. Smith asked about the gym floor and commented that the might
be a possibility that the donor would pull out. K. Chambers explained that the
Woods Family knew that it might take time.
4f. Drafts of known 2008 warrants: N. Moriarty asked if the Director of Building and Grounds was replacing
any other positions. K. Chambers commented that they should wait one-year see
what staffing is needed and make recommendations to the Board. The Director
needs to prioritize the issues that are not being covered. K. Dassau comments that the District needs to move forward.
There is a huge amount of work that is not getting done.
J. Kenyon explained the
heating lines at Emerson. He said that the system is failing. K. Cota explained what has to be done. W. Hasbrouck would
agree with the information on the
heating lines. J. Tommila asked if the water has been
treated. The Facilities would be looking into this. The Master Plan for Troy is
the same as they did for the high school. The information came from the Fire
Marshall. There is no building plan warrant. The Facilities and the Finance
Committees are looking at the upgrade for the Middle/High School. This is a
long process. There is information on line. K. Dassau
commented that a Facilities Director is needed. The work that the Facilities
Committee does is in human to a volunteer. G. Trembley
commended the Facilities Committee for clarity and detail of the information.
E. Stanley suggested that a letter go out to the donors concerning the timing
on the gym floor.
K. Dassau
explained that the Surry building would no longer be available for MC2 but the
program and the budget exist. The location is still under review.
Teachers and Support Staff Contracts: The highlights of the contracts were explained to
the Budget Committee. C. Dreyfuss will send her text
write up to N. Moriarty , which would explained the contracts a little easier.
K. Chambers explained that the SAU would be forming a Health Insurance Study
Committee to work with the consultant on the District health insurance bidding
process if the Board vote to do so. The administration explained the buy out
for the health insurance and they have budgeted for 14% of the support staff
for the buy out. N. Dion asked how many more years
for the early retirement. K. Dassau explained that it
would end in 2015 if the contract passed. The Budget Committee commented on the
number of staff and a decline in the student population. K. Dassau
commented that there is an increase in spec. ed. students at Mt. Caesar. Many
of the students require an Aide. There are about 100 or more Aides in the
district. By closing Surry there is not going to be a reduction in staff. C.Kahn explained that there is an increase in graduation
requirements. N. Moriarty would like a hard copy of the contract.
6. Other Discussion as desired: It was asked what does it mean to loose our Accreditation. K. Dassau explained colleges look for the standards. Another
indication are families moving into the District.
7. Superintendent’s Report: K.
Dassau handed out information that R. Smith had
requested from J. Smith.
K. Dassau
thanked the Budget Committee.
8. Chairman comments:
9. Setting agenda: The
next meeting is in the library on Dec. 10, 2007 at 7:00 PM.
10. Public Comments: M. Ott commented on the need for the full time kindergarten
and the fixing of the Accreditation issue. She asked the budget Committee not
just look at the dollar signs.
K. Cota
explained the roof article to the Budget Committee and what roofs would be
completed. She spoke in support of the Facilities Director and the Project
Manager.
T. Parker commented that
the Budget Committee has never not supported a maintenance article. He said
that the Budget Committee has very little to do with the accreditation.
C. Dreyfuss
explained how the accreditation effects the students and the community. She
commented that the Chair supported full day kindergarten and R. Smith would
like to have MACs in the classrooms but it was not
voted on as a committee. She said that there is an increase in staff mostly
because the state standards have changed. The Budget committee does have a lot
to do with the Accreditation. They need to approve and support the budgets.
Mr. Kaplin
commented that the voters have two options vote on the contract and early
retirement would disappear in a few years or vote no and it stays the same.
Delta Pim
is a product of the District and accepted a job in the Northern Schools and
also took a cut in pay. She said that this is a good deal regarding the
contracts. She commented that teachers make less than $20.00 an hour going back
to the tech support position.
K. Dassau
made it clear that the high school is still an accredited school. He commented
that with the contracts, funds to support the NEASC, AYP, the warrants and the
budget that is a 8.6% increase. That is a pretty good deal.
D. Mousette
commented that Delta is passionate about her work. He thanked the committee for
their work.
11. Motion to adjourn: MOTION: T. Parker MOVED to adjourn the
meeting at 9:50 PM. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE:
Unanimous for those present. Motion
passes.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura L. Aivaliotis
Recording secretary