Monadnock Regional School District

                       Public Hearing Warrant Articles 2008-2009 per RSA 91-A

                                                  Budget Committee Agenda

                                              MS/HS Cafeteria, Swanzey, NH

                                                          January 10, 2008

 

Present Members: James Ells, Jonathan Kenyon, Eric Stanley, Neil Moriarty, Jen Gomarlo, Richard Smith, Norm Dion, George Tremblay, Thomas Parker, Peg Richmond, John Tommila, Alan Weber, Peter Stuhlsatz, Wayne Lechlider and Carol Lothrop.

Absent Members: David Ott.

Others Present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent, K. Chambers, Business Manager and Attorney Apple.

 

N. Moriarty opened the meeting at 7:00 PM. He explained that the press and the students from Troy were video taping the meeting. N. Moriarty explained that there are some tough issues to cover in the big budget and that this meeting should not be about N. Moriarty. E. Stanley has agreed to take over the meeting.

 

E. Stanley takes over the meeting as Vice Chair. He thanked N. Moriarty for the privilege to run the meeting. He explained that he is not up on Roberts Rules and would hand the gavel to N. Moriarty when needed. He would like to go over all the articles. He would ask that each Member read the article than citizen’s comments. He asked that they keep their comments to 2-3 minutes. He also asked that applause be kept to a minimum.

 

P. Stuhlsatz read Article One Operating Budget: E. Stanley explained that the Budget Committee could change the numbers after the public speaks. When the Public Hearing is over. Public Speaks: M. Haffer commented that we are on probation and the building is falling down at the seams. He supports the School Board and would ask that the budget Committee support this article for the good of the students and the school. This article would set the tone for the district.

 

R. Bauries commented that there is a 3.8% increase and that is without any other article, with the other articles the increase is 14.81%. The increase to be raised by taxes is 29.9%. He explained that the amount to be raised by taxes is $18,975,844.00. He said that in 10 years the cost per pupil would be $16,057.00.

 

C. Lothrop arrives.

 

That is the cost of a KSC student with room and board. He read the increases of the individual towns if the budget passes. He commented that the figures came from Janet McCullah and that no one would want to challenge her. He commented that there is almost 3 million in the default budget. This is the amount that we got from taxes and it was never taken out of the budget.

 

R. Smith read Article Two SAU Budget: J. Carnie asked the actual percentage of increase. He asked because the SAU Budget was reduced by the SAU Board close to the cost of living. It would be decent if the regular budget was reduced the same.

 

A.Weber read Article Three Support Staff Contract: R. Bauries commented that the biggest mistake is to have the janitorial group in with the secretaries and support staff. Many times the other groups do not deserve the raises but the maintenance and custodians do. They should have their own Union. Some do not deserve the same raise.

 

Alice Garrapy a member of the Support Staff Union commented that she has been in the district for 32 years. She has been a custodian at one time. She firmly believes that the support staff has earned a raise at the least a cost of living. She said that they have bills raised. No one can say that we have not worked hard.

 

J. Tommila read Article Four Teacher’s Contract: R. Bauries commented on the numbers for longevity that were on the handout. K. Chambers explained that the law requires the increase from year to year not the actual number. He said that we told you to take more than 2 ˝% for the health care share. A vote tonight you are obligating the district until the year 2015. He commented that the people on early retirement do not work never pick up a pencil and get paid when the people on social security get $34.00 a month increase. He said that the Evergreen Clause is dangerous. We are in court. If you vote for it you are saying that it was right. It was never warned. If you vote yes it is very dangerous. Get rid of Early Retirement and you will get a contract.

 

E. Kaplan started his comments with two quotes and received applause from the public. He commented that the Evergreen Clause takes effect should we not have an agreement in the fifth year. We are having something to fall on. Right now we have not had an increase in 3 years. No retroactive. We would prefer a contract rather than the Evergreen Clause. Early Retirement would go away in the new contract. Phase out in 2015-2016. There is a saving if the contract is passed. There are two options, do not pass the contract and Early Retirement stays and the teachers pay only the 10% health care share or support the contract and save money.

 

M. Haffer commented on the many teachers that he would be related to and which way he was going. He commented that Monadnock is on their way to a Winchester situation. Look at what happens to a town that does not support education. We need to remember the taxpayers that have the Spec. Ed. Children and the students that want to go to college. We need to think of them. Get behind the budget and address the facilities issues. He would ask that the Budget Committee to support the contract and move the district forward.

 

J. Carnie commented that he would not speak against the contract but there are concerns and problems. He commented that Early Retirement has a long time impact and that it was never legally posted is his issue. The Budget Committee has to deal with the monetary issues. They have to deal with the numbers than there are people suffering. We need to do the best for the student’s education and the Budget Committee has to do their job. Hope that we do not have people loosing their homes because of the 30% increase. 

 

C. Kahn commented that the unfair labor practice was lost because it was not warned. There has not been a raise for the teachers for 2 years. The district can not hire teachers at the correct step with out a contract. You will find that it would be hard to get teachers. Early Retirement would end in 2015.

 

D. Snyder commented that this meeting is advertised and anyone could have attended.

 

E. Cardine a teacher at MC2 commented on the Budget Committee making good choice as they say at MC2. She commented on everyone not being on the same page. The citizens are confused. The people that would be loosing are the kids.

 

P. Richmond read Article Five Maintenance: No comments.

 

T. Parker read Article Six Roof Repairs: C. Dreyfuss commented that the School Board voted on the numbers on Article Five and Article Six.

 

G. Tremblay read Article Seven Building Maintenance Expendable Trust: N. Moriarty explained why the number was zero in the article.

 

N. Dion read Article Eight School Building Capital Reserve: No comments.

 

W. Lechlider read Article Nine Up to $500,000.00 for Sale of Surry School: No comments.

 

N. Moriarty read Article Ten Discontinue Emergency Notification Fund: N. Moriarty explained that the individual schools are paying out of their own budgets.

 

E. Stanley read Article Eleven Non-lapsing Athletics Revolving Fund: No comments.

 

J. Kenyon read Article Twelve: R. Bauries explained that he has a comment on the $500,000.00. It is in the budget. He has talked to Surry and the number is closer to $125,000.00. He commented that we are taxed for the $500,000.00 and we get $125,000.00. What happens if the sale is the next year? K. Chambers explained that DRA said that if the amount is unknown and not paid or an agreement by the time the tax rate is set they will subtract the $500,000.00 from the revenues.

 

J. Ells read Article Thirteen: No comments.

 

J.Gomarlo read Article Fourteen: No comments.

 

C. Lothrop read Article Fifteen: C. Lothrop explained that she would not be voting on budget items but wished to participate.

 

S. Rashid commented that his head was spinning about moving the students. Randomly moving 6th graders to an overcrowded school makes no sense. The Budget Committee should think this over this does not make sense.

 

M. Haffer is not sure of the purpose, possibly anti-kindergarten. There are no plans from the administration to move the 6th graders to an old school. He would like to see the 6th graders go to new Middle School 6-8 grades.

 

D. Gurian Tease commented that she does not want to see the kids moved and loose programs. We do not have the ability at this school.

 

J. Craig commented that he is concerned with the challenges of the district.

 

S. Chickering President of the Support Staff Union clarified that the Union is divided in 4 sections. The Para-professionals are the lowest paid employees. She would ask for the Budget Committee’s support.

 

D. Mason commented that people have commented to him that they choose not to settle in the Monadnock District because of the horrible shape of the schools. He said that there are people who are fiscally responsible and others that are cheap. Not paying for what is needed is a problem. Be cheap and loose 14 teachers. He said that he works four jobs to subsidize his teacher’s salary. He would be paying his share to make this a school district that people would want to come to.

 

D.Guion a student from MC2 son of a support staff member commented that a lot of the teachers do the toughest jobs. The teachers and the support staff deserve the contracts. There is nothing they can do. The law says that they can not strike. He also commented that we need the money and the roof repairs. He commented that it is not a good idea for the 6th graders to be with the seniors.

 

K. Craig commented that people are pointing fingers at each other. It is neighbor against neighbor. People need to take the passion and concerns to Concord. Those kids are our investment in the future.

 

J.Barth commented that it is important to have the contracts. He said that because there are no contracts in Monadnock he could fill the positions he has in Fall Mountain better. He commented to move this budget and move on to have a decent school.

 

MOTION: N. Moriarty MOVED to close the Public Hearing. SECOND: P. Stuhlsatz. VOTE: 14.413/0/0.738/0.849. Motion passes.

 

Budget Committee Meeting:

 

1.      Approval of the January 3, 2008 Minutes: MOTION: N. Moriarty MOVED to table the January 3, 2008 Minutes. SECOND: A.Weber. DISCUSSION: N. Moriarty commented that the Committee just received the minutes. VOTE: 14.413/0/0.738/0.849. Motion passes. E. Stanley commented that the motion was not time specific.

2.      Adjust the Default Budget for MRSD Warrant Article One: E. Stanley explained that there are adjustments to the Default. K.Chambers, S. Oerman and J. Fortson reviewed the health insurance of each staff member and thanks to those 3 for finding an error there was an increase of $23,209.00 to be added to the Default Budget. MOTION: E. Stanley MOVED to add $23,209.00 to the 2008-2009 Default Budget. SECOND: J. Ells. VOTE: 14.413/0/0.738/0.849. Motion passes. MOTION: E. Stanley MOVED to add the position of the Director of Buildings and Grounds in the amount of $92,258.00 to the 2008-2009 Default Budget. SECOND: J. Ells. DISCUSSION: N. Moriarty commented that there is a contractor in the budget for $60,000.00 and then this position for $92,258.00. This is why we have a 14% increase. This is out of order. He would vote no. VOTE: 5.461/7.714/1.976/0.849. Motion fails. MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to take out the contractor in the amount of $60,000.00 out of the default budget. SECOND: T. Parker. DISCUSSION:  He said that you do not need the two positions. J.Ells explained that the Budget Committee voted not to put the Dir. of Buildings and Grounds in the Default Budget. J. Gomarlo asked that R. Smith respectfully withdraw his motion since it was a misunderstanding. T. Parker withdrew his second and R. Smith withdrew his motion.   

2a. Discuss and Set the MRSD Operating Budget Article One: MOTION: N. Moriarty MOVED to reduce the 2008-2009 proposed operating budgets from $32,098,502.00 to $30,000,000.00. SECOND: J. Tommila. DISCUSSION: N. Moriarty asked members of the Budget Committee to raise their hands if they thought the budget would pass at the $32,098,502.00. Some members raised their hands. You need to vote with your head not your heart. This is a huge increase. You need to cut this. The Budget Committee needs to give the voters a reason to vote yes. The $30,000.000.00 amount would get a few of the other articles passed. J. Gomarlo commented that the increase is 3.7%. She said he is making vast assumptions and that it is poor rational. She would not vote for this motion. J. Kenyon explained that the School Board and the administration have worked hard and long hours. This is the budget we need for the coming year. The amount is below the default budget amount. You would be hurting the kids. We need to get behind this and let the voters have a choice. A. Weber commented that the continuing problem in the administration of Monadnock. Predating the administration. The constant problem the way the budgetary is done. The lack of competitiveness on bids has not helped the children in the district. He said that he has gotten answers to his questions but not a warm feeling to the fiscal responsibility and meeting the needs of our students. What can we recommend to the people of our towns? The budget as it stands has had no decrease that he could remember. The administration and the School Board have not looked at the efficiency in the budget. The positive example that can be done was in the Northern Schools. The rest of the district is not fiscally responsible. J. Ells commented that none of this would pertain to the current Business Manager K. Chambers. Everything is above board. To try and cut 2.1 million dollars is impossible, maybe $300,000.00 but not more. To take it down to $30,000,000.00 forces the administration and the principals to see who looses their jobs and what is lost. Let the numbers stay and give the voters a choice. J. Kenyon commented on the allegations of mismanagement and the bid ding process. The Policy and the Facilities have done the bidding process. We work very hard to get the best education for the money we have. K. Chambers asked N. Moriarty if he was adding the $970,000.00 or not. N. Moriarty said that his motion was to add the $970,000.00 to the $30,000,000.00. G. Tremblay commented that the voters should have a choice. A.Weber said that he did not make allegations of unlawful or illegal management of funds. There are areas that money has not been spent. Artificially inflated previously. The money that carries tonight carries for 10 years. J. Kenyon commented that the $30,000,000.00 is a nice even number. He asked what cuts are suggested. N. Moriarty commented that it is not his call. It is up to the School Board. He commented that the 2.1 million-dollar surplus is still in there from the year before. It is in the budget and the default budget. J. Ells commented that the 2.1 million-dollars in the budget are N. Moriarty’s opinion. The administration and principals to supply the needs of the children and built this budget. You have to show us where the 2.1 million-dollars are. You are shooting for a figure. He would not be voting for this motion. C.Lothrop commented that K.Chambers gave an explanation of the surplus and it was not 2.1 million-dollars. N. Moriarty said point of order. C. Lothrop speaking on the motion was the same as voting on the motion. J. Fortson explained that there are not 2.1 million-dollars in the budget, possibly $900,000.00 from revenues. There are 2.1 million-dollars in the budget but not expended last year. There are not 2.1 million-dollars in the budget. There was a $250,000.00 in insurance savings. MOTION: N. Moriarty MOVED to move the question. SECOND: J. Tommila. VOTE: 14.4013/0/0.738/0.849. Motion passes. VOTE on the $30,970,000.00 figure: 1.177/13.236/0.738/0.849. Motion fails. MOTION: R. Smith MOVED the operating budget in the amount of $32,098,502.00 SECOND: N. Moriarty. DISCUSSION: MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to amend to reduce the 2008-2009 operating budget to $31,852,333.00 that number includes the $970,000.00. SECOND: N. Moriarty. DISCUSSION: R. Smith suggested cutting the coaches stipends, eliminating the project manager position and not filling the retiring assistant principal and secretary. J. Kenyon commented that he was not in favor of the cuts. If you eliminate a position someone else would have to pick up the duties and why do you think we do not need the position. The coach’s stipend, the coaches directly interact with the students. VOTE on amendment: 10.190/4.223/0.738/0.849. Motion passes. VOTE on amended motion: 12.727/0.250/2.174/0.849.Motion passes.

 

3.      Discuss all Fiscal Year 2008-2009 warrants that have monetary value, and make a Budget Committee recommendation on said warrants:

 

Article Two SAU Budget: MOTION: N. Moriarty MOVED to accept Article Two SAU Budget as presented on the 1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: J. Ells. VOTE: 13.341/1.072/0.738/0.849. Motion passes.

 

      Article Three Support Staff Contract: MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to accept Article Three Support Staff Contract as presented on the 1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: J. Tommila. DISCUSSION: N. Moriarty commented that he is in support of the contract due to the fact there is no Evergreen Clause. G. Tremblay found a typo. The word “courts” should be “course”. It was commented that the Negotiating Team and the Support Staff worked hard for this contract. VOTE: 14.413/0/0.738/0.849. Motion passes.

 

      Article Four Teacher’s Contract: MOTION: J. Ells. MOVED to accept Article Four Teacher’s Contract as presented on the 1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: N. Moriarty commented that it is a good contract except for the Early Retirement and the Evergreen Clause. The public was not warned on the Early Retirement. He said that he would not vote because of the Early Retirement Issue. J. Kenyon commented that Early Retirement is being phased out. He said that no side gets to pick and choose what they want. It has cost the District not having a contract for 2 or 3 years. You still have to pay the piper. It is a good solid contract and it would stop Early Retirement. J. Gomarlo asked if the reason the Article is so wordy is it to warn the public. K. Chambers answered yes. VOTE: 13.236/1.177/0.733/0.849. Motion passes. R. Smith thanked the Negotiating Team and the teachers.

 

      Article Five Maintenance: MOTION: N. Moriarty. MOVED to accept Article Five Maintenance as presented on the 1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: J. Ells. VOTE: 14.413/0/0.738/0.849. Motion passes.

 

      Article Six Roof Repairs: MOTION: N. Moriarty MOVED to accept Article Six Roof Repairs as presented on the 1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: J. Ells. VOTE: 14.413/0/0.738/0.849. Motion passes.

 

      Article Seven School Building Maintenance Expendable Trust: MOTION: N. Moriarty. MOVED to accept Article Seven School Building Maintenance Expendable Trust as presented on the 1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: J. Ells. VOTE: 14.413/0/0.738/0.849. Motion passes.

 

      Article Nine Up to $500,000.00 for Surry School Sale Capital Reserve Fund: MOTION: N. Moriarty MOVED to accept Article Nine Up to $500,000.00 for Surry School Sale Capital Reserve Fund. SECOND: J. Ells. VOTE: 14.413/0/0.738/0.849. Motion passes.

 

      Article Eleven 2009 Athletics Revolving Fund: MOTION: N. Moriarty MOVED to accept Article Eleven 2009 Athletics Revolving Fund as presented on the 1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: J. Ells. DISCUSSION: It was explained that the gate receipts would be used to support athletics. VOTE: 13.341/1.072/0.738/0.849. Motion passes.

 

G. Tremblay commented that the vote supports the articles.

 

4.      Superintendent’s Report: K.Dassau thanked the students at Troy Elementary for videotaping the meeting and MC2 Public Achievement Unedited. He commented on the significant challenges of the District such as the Facilities, Accreditation, Curriculum and the Contracts. He asked that the Budget Committee please support the contracts. Move us to a better place with the accreditation. He would like to thank the Budget Committee for their hard work. He would like to thank the teachers and the Board Negotiating Team. An extra thanks to C. Kahn, President of the Teacher’s Union for her tireless efforts.

5.      Vice Chair Report: E. Stanley thanked everyone who attended the meeting. He thanked the Budget Committee, the administration and N. Moriarty for giving him the opportunity to run the meeting.

 

N. Moriarty thanked everyone for attending and said to have a happy evening.

 

P. Stuhlsatz thanked E. Stanley for an organized meeting.  

 

K. Chambers would have the MS27 ready for the Budget Committee to sign soon. She would let the Chair know and members can come to the SAU office to sign it.

 

J. Tommila thanked K.Chambers for her outstanding work. He said that his questions were answered and life was a lot easier.

 

6.      MOTION to adjourn: MOTION: N.Moriarty MOVED to adjourn the Budget Committee Meeting at 9:45 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis