Monadnock Regional School District
School Board/Budget
Committee Joint Meeting
MRMS/HS Library, Swanzey, NH
December
11, 2007
Present School Board Members: J. Fortson, G. White, J. Kenyon, C. Dreyfuss and W.
Felton.
Present Budget Committee: P.
Stulsatz, C. Lothrop, E.Stanley, P. Richmond, J. Gomarlo, J. Ells, A. Weber, W.
Lechlider and R. Smith.
Absent Budget Committee Members: T.
Parker, N. Dion, J. Tommila, N. Moriarty, D. Ott, and G. Trembley.
Administration Present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, K. Chambers, Business
Manager and D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent.
E. Stanley opened the meeting at 7:05 PM.
Skills Tutor Presentation: The School Board and the
Budget Committee went to the Annex for a presentation on the Skills Tutor
Program. Two representatives gave a presentation to the committees. It is a web
based tutoring program. It is for Kindergarten through adult. It is a
supplemental tool. This program does not replace the teacher. There are over
1500 activities and skills. It is integrated into the state standards. A
quarterly report will be given to the school. The cost for all the schools is
$67,000.00 for 2 years with and the third year free. There has to be a signed
contract before the end of the year for substantial savings. The School Board
and the Budget Committee return to the library to continue the Board
Meeting.
1. Public
Comment Period: W. Imon welcomed the
committees.
2. Warrant
Articles: K. Chambers passed out information
on the SAU Budget.
E.Stanley
mentioned establishing a building fund. J. Fortson explained that the Finance
Committee is discussing the issue but has tabled it until all the warrants are
complete. If it is established the sale of the Surry building could possibly be
put in that account if the voters agreed. C. Lothrop commented that the figure
for the Surry School is about $125,000.00. K. Chambers
said that it possibly could be $145,000.00. The Warrant Article says up to
$500,000.00. J. Fortson explained that the Finance and the Facilities Committee
are going to have a joint meeting to discuss a proposed building project. If
they choose to go this route. K. Dassau explained that for the NEASC we have to
have something done for the 10-year plan. W. Felton commented that the Finance
Committee would like to hear from the entire Board to see if they would like a
building project.
J.
Fortson explained the teacher contracts. She also explained the early retirement
and that it ends in the 4th year of the contract. J. Kenyon
explained that when early retirement ends longevity kicks in. C. Dreyfuss
explained longevity and the points system. K. Dassau explained that this is a
way to reward people that stay a longtime. The health insurance sharing was
discussed. The insurance buyout is $2500.00. She then continued to explain the
support staff contracts.
3.
Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau explained
that the Skills Tutor would be added to the Board’s agenda.
He
thanked E. Stanley for chairing the meeting
and going through the exercise. The teacher and support staff contract need to
be on the top of the pyramid. The Budget Committee needs to support both
contracts.
The
Public Hearing is scheduled for January 10,2008. MOTION: J. Ells. MOVED to
vote as a Budget Committee tonight to support the teacher and support staff
contracts and to get behind what is being proposed so that the voters know that
the School Board and the Budget committee are behind them. SECOND: R. Smith. DISCUSSION: It was mentioned that the Budget Committee would have to go through
this exercise again after the Public Hearing. We need the input of the voters
first. J.Fortson commented that this is a vote of confidence. Years ago after
the Public Hearing we voted and then had to rescind. E. Stanley
commented that because of the weather others are not in attendance. It is not
fair to vote. J. Ells explained that informally we are getting an opinion prior
to the vote of the voters. C. Dreyfuss asked if they have to wait until after
the public hearing. K.Chambers explained that it could be done. W. Lechlider
explained that it would be the voter’s perception. The voters would want to
give input. MOTION: E.Stanley MOVED
to table the motion. No Second: Motions
fails. K. Chambers appreciates the position
but explained that the School Board and the Budget committee may take a
position and use the Public Hearing to state their position. There is no right
or wrong. P. Stulsatz asked if the Budget Committee could do a straw vote
without getting into a situation. J.Ells explained that the School board voted
to support without the public input why the Budget Committee can’t. P. Stulsatz
commented that the weather doesn’t vote. J. Kenyon commented that we need these
contracts. J. Gomarlo agreed to vote tonight and get the voters support. W.
Felton commented that the voters elected the School Board and the Budget
Committees and they would like to know how they feel. E.
Stanley commented that some members are not in attendance. It is
legal to vote but it is perception. C. Dreyfuss commented that she understands E. Stanley’s position but the Budget committee had the
opportunity to be in attendance. Those that showed up can take a vote. E. Stanley commented that you can make the vote but you
still have some members that could be used against any support. J. Kenyon asked
where those people are. J. Ells and R. Smith withdraw their motion.
MOTION: J. Gomarlo MOVED to show good faith in the negotiating process and
show faith in the figures for the teacher’s contract put forth to date. SECOND:
J. Ells. DISCUSSION: C. Lothrop agrees. R. Smith asked if this is going
to hold anything. MOTION to amend. J.
Kenyon MOVED to change the word”faith “to
“recommend” when referring to the figures in the teacher’s contracts. SECOND:
C. Lothrop. VOTE on amendment: 9.231/0.259/0/6.510. Motion passes. VOTE on
amended motion: 9.490/0/0/6.510. Motion
passes. MOTION: J. Ells MOVED to show good faith in the negotiating process and
recommend the figures in the support staff contract’s put forth to date. SECOND:
J. Kenyon. VOTE: 9.231/0/0.259/6.510. Motion passes.
MOTION: J. Gomarlo MOVED to dispose of
N. Moriarty as chair of the Budget Committee and put in E.
Stanley. SECOND: J. Ells. DISCUSSION:
J. Gomarlo commented that the meeting was much
more relaxed. It was a pleasant meeting. E. Stanley
said that he would not take the chair position. E. Stanley
said it was a time issue. VOTE: 5.202/2.476/1.812/6.510.
Motion passes. E.
Stanley declined as chair.
MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to institute J. Ells as chair of the Budget
Committee. SECOND: P. Richmond. DISCUSSION:
W. Felton commented that this is the only time
that the School Board and the Budget Committee have been on the same page.
E.Stanley commented that this is not being taken seriously. This is a bad road
to go on. J.Ells commented that E.Stanley has done a great job. The meeting is
more comfortable. There is no fear or apprehension that hangs over the Budget
Committee. He said that he does not want to be chair he would prefer E. Stanley. W. Lechlider commented that he read article
about the Budget Committee prior to being on the committee and there is an
issue but now he sees it. There is no guilt on his vote. P. Richmond said that
she is very serious. The committee is bullied and there is a bad atmosphere. J.
Gomarlo commented that N. Moriarty is a big bully. She explained that there is
only the Public Hearing and asked E. Stanley
to run it as chair. He has declined. VOTE: 6.199/1.238/2.053/6.510. Motion passes.
4. Setting
agenda: The next meeting is on Jan. 3, 2008
5. Motion to
adjourn: MOTION: J. Gomarlo MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 PM. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura L. Aivaliotis
MRSD Recording secretary