School Administrative Unit 38

                                                           SAU 38 BOARD MEETING

                                                    The Ford Building, Winchester, NH

                                                                  November 7, 2007

Attendance:

Monadnock Regional: Colline Dreyfuss, Jonathan Kenyon, S. Oerman, E. Jacod and James Carnie,

Winchester: Colleen Duquette and Val Cole

Hinsdale: Wayne Temmen and Tammy Akley

SAU Administration: Ken Dassau, Superintendent, David Hodgdon, Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, David Crisafulli, Asst. Superintendent for Winchester and Hinsdale, Katie Chambers, Business Manager, Dan Most, Asst. Business Manager, Chris Boyle, Director of Technology and Judith Bischoff, Dir. of Student Services.

 

            C. Duquette called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

 

A.     Approval of the Board Minutes of the October 3, 2007, 2007 Meeting: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept the October 3, 2007 SAU Board Meeting Minutes as presented. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: Roll call vote: C. Duquette-yes, C. Dreyfuss-yes, W. Temmen-yes V. Cole-yes, G. White-yes, S. Oerman-yes, J. Kenyon-yes, E. Jacod-yes, J. Carnie-yes and T. Akley abstain. Motion passes.

 

J. Carnie asked if the October 3, 2007 Non-public Minutes could be unsealed because we are no longer in litigation. K. Dassau and K. Chambers reported that they are going to Concord tomorrow on this topic as the pending litigation has not been concluded.  S. Oerman arrives. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to unseal the October 3, 2007 Non-public Minutes. SECOND: No Second. Motion fails for lack of second.

 

B.  Old Business:

  1. Health Insurance Bidding: K. Chambers explained that the ad was placed in the Keene Sentinel and the Union Leader for the request for proposal (RFP). She would expect responses early in December. Then the Board can see if they would like to go forward to hire a consultant to go out for bidding. K. Dassau explained that they would like to form a Insurance Information Committee, which would consist of 2 union reps. from Hinsdale, Winchester and Monadnock, a member from each of the three Boards and an SAU rep. K. Dassau explained that they are in the process of crafting a letter and invitation to meet.
  2. Mileage Reimbursement Policy: K. Dassau explained that he is asking a change to the  Mileage Reimbursement Policy. To increase the non-accountable plan from $250.00 to $300.00 and the accountable plan to $3600.00. This is not retroactive. K. Dassau explained that some staff especially in Special Ed. have been going over their allotted amount. C.Duquette commented that staff members should not have to cover the cost. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to approve the Mileage Reimbursement Policy. SECOND: E. Jacod. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie commented that J. Fortson had some problems with the policy. He asked if the plan affects the taxable income. K. Chambers said yes. VOTE: W. Temmen-yes, T. Akley-yes, J. Kenyon-yes, S. Oerman-yes, E. Jacod-yes, V. Cole-yes, C. Dreyfuss-yes, C. Duquette-yes and J. Carnie-no. Motion passes.

 

 

  1. Procedures Manual Committee: The committee will be meeting on November 13, 2007 at 5:30 PM.

 

B.     New Business:

  1. Town of Surry Update: K. Dassau explained the vote of 1084-yes and 453-no. He explained that he received an email from R. Todd. She believes that Surry would hold a special meeting and an ADHOC Committee would be formed. There is no Board in Surry so there is no one to call with our questions. E. Jacod said that it is reasonable to assume that what they are doing will not happen this fiscal year. W. Temmen commented on the fact that Hinsdale would be asked for an additional $60,000.00 and where is it coming from. K. Dassau commented that the only communication is with the Surry attorney. Surry said that they would pay their fair share to establish this and that becomes a legal question. K. Dassau explained that Surry believes that statutorily we have to accept them as the 4th district. Attorney Apple would not completely agree. Winchester and Hinsdale could withdraw and that would be two years out. T.Akley said that they would pay their fair share. K. Dassau commented that there is no “they”. K. Dassau commented that the services could be contracted out. C. Duquette suggested pursuing Attorney Apple’s issue. E. Jacod suggested making an attractive package to help Surry get out of Dodge. K. Dassau suggested operating as we normally would. J. Carnie commented that Surry has some obligations in the budget and to the district. The budget includes Surry as part of the mix. Surry should not be allowed to vote on issues they are not going to be here for next year. K. Dassau explained that Attorney Todd is moving quickly with a special meeting and to form a 5 member Board in November. Any additional services would be contracted out. There is no Board Chair to call. D.Crisafulli commented that the Board sent a strong message. He would suggest moving forward with the budget tonight. They have no school building or school budget. C. Duquette commented that Attorney Apple has an opinion that differs from the others. If we have any ground we should test it. W. Temmen commented not if it costs money.
  2. Section 125 Plan Update: K. Chambers explained that the new law extends coverage until the age of 26 years old to children and to civil union partners. She explained that the whole administrative process is simpler. The 125 Plan overrides the individual district plan. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept the updated 125 Plan. SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie asked about the cost. K. Chambers explained that there is a budgetary cost. This policy would save us money and make the process simpler. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.
  3. Retirement Request: K. Dassau informed the Board that Grace Fernald has requested retirement as of June 30, 2008. The total being asked for is $9862.00. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss. MOVED to approve the retirement request from Grace Fernald in the amount of $9862.00. SECOND: S. Oerman DISCUSSION: J. Carnie commented on the fact that the Board has sealed minutes on G. Fernald. K. Dassau commented that the SAU retirement benefit is a calculation for her. This is a currant rate of pay. She is an hourly employee. This has nothing to do with her retirement for the last three-years. E. Jacod asked if this has been done as previous practices. K. Dassau explained that T. Stepenuck received a similar package. W. Temmen and T. Akley mentioned that this should be in the procedure manual. VOTE: W. Temmen-yes, T. Akley-yes, J. Kenyon-yes, E. Jacod-yes, S. Oerman-yes, V. Cole-yes, C. Dreyfuss-yes, C. Duquette-yes and J. Carnie-no. Motion passes.
  4. SAU Budget 2008-2009 presentation: K. Chambers passed out the 2008-2009 proposed budgets, last years budget and a cover sheet. The following are highlights in the proposed budget: a 12.2% increase in health care, 5% increase in dental, a 4% pool of money for wage increases, an adjustment for the Assistant Business Manager, a new position in the Business Dept., SMS in the amount of $135,000.00 and three building maintenance items. The total budget is down 4.2% without adding the major item than the budget increase is 10.2%. Curriculum Development is down 0.64%. Superintendent’s Office is up 7.48%. The office equipment is a computer. MOTION: T. Akley. MOVED to have all the computers in the technology budget. SECOND: V. Cole. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes. SAU Central Office has increase 54.38% partially due to the increase in repair and maintenance. Business Office is down 5.17%. The receptionist has been moved to the Superintendent’s Account. Technology Services has increased by 42.46%. They are asking for a Student Management System leased to purchase at $45,121.00 a year for three years. After the three years there is a maintenance fee of about $16,000.00-$17,000.00. Special Education Services has increased. They have hired two new people in the office and travel has increased. Psychological Services has 6 full time psychologists and a ˝ time 7th person. Speech Pathology and Audiology Services, Physical and Occupational Therapy and COTA were discussed. W. Temmens commented on the fact that the Special Ed. keeps climbing. D. Crifafulli suggests that there need to be alternatives. J. Carnie commented on the mandates but no funding. D. Crisafulli explained that Catastrophic Aid is a partial return in the revenue.
  5. Superintendent Contract: K. Dassau suggested that the three Board Chairs negotiate with the Superintendent and then bring it to the full SAU Board.

C.  Setting the Next Meeting Agenda: The next meeting is in Hinsdale. There would be a tour of the new facility at 6:15 PM. The meeting would follow at 7:00 PM.

  1. Audit Report
  2. Public Hearing
  3. Approval of SAU Budget

4.   Insurance RFP bids    

   

D.    9:13 PM Motion to adjourn: MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to adjourn at 9:13 PM. SECOND: J. Kenyon VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.       

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Board Secretary