School Board Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes
September 18, 2007
Approved
Committee members present: Jim Carnie (Chairman), Sue Oerman (Vice-Chairman), Tim Aho, Jane Fortson, Gene White, and Doug Lyman. Administrators Present: Katie Chambers, Business Manager and Dr. Kenneth Dassau, Superintendent. Public: K. Cota and J. Kenyon of the school board also in attendance. C. Dreyfuss arrived at 6:21, Ed Jacod arrived at 6:35.
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 pm.
Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the September 4th minutes by D. Lyman, seconded by S. Oerman. Discussion: none. Motion passes, with one abstention (J. Fortson).
Old Business:
New business:
3a. Fuel Oil Bid: K. Chambers handed out the bids for the oil contract and explained the pricing. K. Chambers explained that Cheshire Oil is about 10cents a gallon less for the amount of business that we do, and stated that their service has been great including responding to and staying with us during an emergency situation we had during the year. She recommended going with the Cheshire Oil bid. T. Aho moved to accept the Cheshire Oil bid and recommend it to the full board. S. Oerman seconded. Motion passes unanimous for all present.
3b. 2007/2008 MS24 & Apportionment - REVISED: Were handed out by K. Chambers. No action was needed by the finance committee on this. J. Fortson asked what changed in these worksheets. K. Chambers stated that tuition went up by $100,000 and the fund balance up almost $200,000.
3c. 2007/08 DOE25 & MS25. K. Chambers handed these out. K. Chambers reviewed the information in these handouts, including the updated pages. J. Fortson asked how much was from revenues and how much savings from appropriations. K. Chambers explained the 2.1 million of surplus was 1,270,000 on expenses and 950,000 from revenues. T. Aho made the motion to rescind the tuition rate set at the last board meeting based on the numbers in the MS-25. Seconded by J. Carnie. Discussion: T. Aho stated that the rate we used is the 05-06 rate; he feels we should be using the most current rate, which is higher. D. Lyman asked if we can set this at any rate we want or do we have to use the number set by the state? K. Dassau stated we would be setting the rate a year ahead of the other districts as the rate in the documents is not a state accepted rate. K. Chambers stated it’s not an official rate until the state sets it. The $11,443 is from the 05-06 year. K. Chambers explained that the costs on page 25 of the handout are the unofficial costs per pupil. Motion Fails: 2 yes (T. Aho and J. Carnie) and 4 no.
3d. Tax comparison Info. (Handout): K. Chambers explained the worksheet and stated that only Roxbury would have a tax increase, this was due to the fact they were receiving money back the last couple of years due to an error.
3e. Surry Overpayment: K. Chambers handed out a draft letter to the Selectman for the Town Of Surry, stating that the district has been carrying an overpayment by the town of Surry for many years, (at least seven). K. Chambers recommends that the district return the funds to Surry. Motion by S. Oerman to recommend to the board that the funds be returned to the town of Surry. Seconded by J. Fortson. Discussion: G. White asked when this Surry overpayment was from? K. Chambers stated, 2001. Motion Passes: 5 in favor, with one abstention. (T. Aho)
3f. Debt Financing: (tabled until next meeting).
3g. Financial reports: handed out.
3h. Legal Bills: None.
Public Comments: None.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 2, 2007, at 6:00 pm at the MC2 School.
Adjournment: D. Lyman made the motion to adjourn at 7:02, seconded by S. Oerman. Unanimous for all present. Meeting adjourned at 6:48pm.
Respectfully submitted
Jane Fortson