Budget Committee Meeting

Non-approved Minutes

April 24, 2007

Monadnock MS/HS Library, Swanzey, NH

Members present: Eric Stanley, Robert Smith, John Tommila, Thomas Parker, Neil Moriarty, George Tremblay, Norm Dion, Mike Carney, Jen Gomarlo, Peg Richmond, David Ott, and Jonathan Kenyon. Absent: James Ells, Caroll Lothrop and Peter Stuhlsatz. Administrators Present: K. Chambers, Business Manager and K. Dassau, Superintendent.

K. Dassau opened the meeting and introduced the new Budget Committee Members. T. Parker swore in M. Carney, J. Gomarlo, N. Dion, P. Richmond and D. Ott.

K. Dassau explained the weighted vote and K. Chambers read the town’s percentages.

1. Election of Officers: MOTION: J. Gomarlo nominated J. Ells as chair. SECOND: J. Kenyon. MOTION: N. Moriarty MOVED to nominate N. Moriarty as chair. SECOND: N. Dion. DISCUSSION: J. Gomarlo commented in favor of J. Ells. N. Moriarty commented on why he would be the best choice. J. Kenyon commented in favor of J. Ells. He commented on the fact that N. Moriarty pushes his own agenda. E. Stanley commented on the fact that J. Ells is involved in the Kids First Monadnock Group. N. Dion commented on the Kids First being a great group but commented that J. Ells would be far from impartial. J. Kenyon commented that the meetings last year were not impartial. P. Richmond commented that a candidate should be able to be a part of another group. J. Gomarlo commented on the sign that N. Moriarty had saying to vote no on Article One when the committee voted together to support Article One. G. Tremblay commented that the committee should be working toward unity. VOTE: 9.801/2.726/0/3.473. N. Moriarty yes vote and J. Ells no vote. N. Moriarty chair passes.

MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to nominate T. Parker as Vice Chair. SECOND: J. Tommila. DISCUSSION: T. Parker commented that he would rather not be vice chair because he is also busy with being selectmen of Fitzwilliam. J. Tommila withdraws his second and R. Smith withdraws his motion. MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to nominate E. Stanley as vice chair. SECOND: T. Parker. VOTE: 11.289/0/1.238/3.473. Motion passes.

MOTION: T. Parker MOVED to accept the resignation of Jane Fortson to the Budget Committee. SECOND: E. Stanley. VOTE: 8.881/3.646/0/3.473. Motion passes.

2. Minutes of January 11, 2007: MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to accept the minutes of January 11, 2007 Budget Committee Meeting. SECOND: G. Tremblay. VOTE: 9.236/0/3.291/3.473. Motion passes.

3. Public Comments: C. Dreyfuss commented on the fact that the district is on probation from the NEASC. She would like to see that group work together to get items passed. N. Moriarty commented that it would be a challenging year.

G. Johnson commented on how the budget Committee was an embarrassment on how they conducted themselves last year. Their job is to work with the School Board. He commented on the fact that members used this committee to promote their thoughts. He commented on the fact that the town papers are done by the people on this committee. He said that the committee needs to work together.

R. Bauries commented on G. Johnson’s comments and the fact that the district has money issues.

J. Tommila responded to G. Johnson’s comments and that the taxpayers voted to keep the Budget Committee.

E. Stanley commented that they would be putting up the new playground at Mt. Caesar everyone is welcome to help out.

E. Stanley commented on the fact that this is a bad way to start the budget year.

G. Johnson commented on the State Adequacy Report and said that the committee has to address those funds.

E. Stanley said that it is our duty to do everything we can, we need to be creative. Everyone has to give and take a little.

T. Parker commented that it is the job of the Budget Committee to make recommendations to the community. We need to keep the items that are supporting the students.

K. Dassau commented on the policy, which states if a Budget Committee Member can not be recommended to the School Board by the selectmen of the said town after 60 days the School Board would appoint.

4. Budget Oversight: K. Chambers passed out a packet to the Budget Committee with the first page being the Status of Assets as of April 3, 2007. She explained the items on the sheet. She said that there is a $229,770.00 savings in the health care. The committee asked questions about the sheets and K. Chambers answered to their satisfaction.

K. Chambers gave a summary of the health insurance bids and explained the process. She explained that the SAU, Monadnock and Winchester have voted to go with the bid from Cigna, which is a $2 million-dollar savings. Changing the health provider would be upon Union acceptance from the districts. Hinsdale would be meeting on Wednesday to discuss the bid. IPG did the bidding for the district.

5. Major Transfers: K. Chambers commented that there are not any major transfers.

6. Unforeseen Expenses: K. Chambers explained that there is nothing out of the ordinary. Possibly spring cleanup.

7. Ideas to improve budget process: R. Smith suggested that the Budget Committee recommends having items of $100,000.00 or more be placed as a separate warrant article. He said that the budget has been a default budget for 5 years. N. Moriarty said that it is the School Boards call but the Budget Committee could suggest. J. Gomarlo suggested not putting too many articles on the ballot because the bottom ones may get cut. E. Stanley said that it is worth looking into. N. Moriarty commented that the budget process was beginning too early. He also commented on the value of the joint meeting with the School Board. T. Parker suggested looking at an overall facilities program not just piece meal. J. Gomarlo commented that the committee needs to focus on the high school because of the NEASC Report. MOTION: R. Smith MOVED that the Budget Committee follow last years schedule. SECOND: T. Parker. VOTE: 12.572/0/0/3.473. Motion passes.

8. Other Discussion: T. Parker asked about the pro rated funds from the towns. K. Chambers explained that it is on the web site. She will email to N. Moriarty and he will then email to the rest of the committee.

J. Tommila commented that if there was a real figure for the per pupil cost at MC2 we could move on with this issue. G. Tremblay commented that we would like the School Board to take our comments into consideration. He asked what would we be gaining by further debate on discussing MC2. J. Kenyon commented that the value of the program has to be considered. G. Tremblay agrees that there is a resistance to the consideration of the value of the program. T. Parker commented that it should not always be the bottom dollar.

9. Setting the next agenda:

1. MC2 per pupil cost

10. Superintendent’s Comments: K. Dassau welcomed the new members to the Budget Committee and explained the challenge ahead. The facilities and curriculum and instructional are issues on the NEASC Report that has to be addressed. Getting rid of the portables and trailers are part of the report.

11. Chairman comments: None

12. Public Comment Period: None

13. Motion to adjourn: R. Smith MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 PM. SECOND: J. Gomarlo. VOTE: 12.572/0/0/3.473.Motion passes.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording secretary