The Town of Northwood, New Hampshire - Budget Committee Minutes 01/09/06

PRESENT: Chairman Daniel McNally, Vice-Chair Shelley Bobowski, Selectman Representative Scott Bryer, School Board Representative Steve Foley, Water District Representative John Jacobsmeyer, Ben Edwards, Robert Bailey, Robert Jean, Cindy Jones-Bryer, Nona Holmes, Mark Edwards, and Board Administrator Linda Smith.

ABSENT: Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver, Richard Gendron, and Douglas Briggs.

SCHOOL PUBLIC HEARING:

Dept. 2220 – Library and Educational Media:

Mr. Foley states that the department total is $108,891.91. Ms. Bobowski makes a motion, second by Mr. Jean, to approve the school board recommended amount of $108,891.91. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, BE, RB, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 11/0.

Dept. 2310 – School Board Services:

Mr. Bryer makes a motion, second by Ms. Bobowski, to approve the school board recommended amount of $43,925.54. Mr. Jacobsmeyer states that in the past there has been $9,000. in line 2310/330/30.2~Contracted Services- Attorney and Negotiations. He asks if the proposed amount of $7,000. is really accurate. Mr. Foley replies that this is actually $2,000. more than what was proposed. Mr. Jacobsmeyer replies that it is still less than what was expended. Mr. Foley states that they are comfortable with the proposed amount. Ms. McGann further reviews previous figures. Mr. Foley adds that the school is also looking into multiple year contracts. Ms. McGann adds that legal costs were also involved in this line. Mark Edwards asks if an attorney and a negotiator are the same. Ms. McGann states that they are sometimes one in the same. She explains that the current negotiator is hired on a consultation basis. Mr. Edwards states that this is his second term and reminds the committee that their obligations are to the tax payers of the town. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, BE, RB, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 11/0.

Dept. 2321 – Expenses – S.A.U. #44:

Mr. Foley states that the department total is $246,427.09. Mr. Jean makes a motion, second by Mr. Bryer, to approve the school board recommended amount of $246,427.09. Ben Edwards asks about the increases within the administration. Mr. Foley replies that this is due to health insurance and personnel.

Equalization is discussed and explained by Ms. Sargeant as being based on percentages for each district by using attendance with the percentage of students to determine how much each district shares of the total expenses. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, BE, RB, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 11/0.

Dept. 2410 – Office of the Principal:

Mr. Foley states that the department total is $311,778.78. Mr. Bryer makes a motion, second by Ms. Bobowski, to approve the school board recommended amount of $311,778.78. Mr. Bryer asks about compensation for the principal and asks if this department receives the same increase. Mr. Foley replies that this is a 3% increase and the line will not change. Any changes will be up to the next school board. Mark Edwards asks if the raise is a COLA plus a merit or a contractual obligation. Mr. Foley replies that it is at the school board’s discretion. Mr. Foley further explains that the principal and the vice-principal positions are percentage increases and are both at the school board’s discretion. Mr. Bryer adds that the town is supporting a COLA increase of 4.1 and the step increase is based on 3%. Additional discussion is held regarding insurance increases at 18.8% for the school. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, BE, RB, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 11/0.

Dept. 2520 – Office of School District Bookkeeper:

Mr. Foley states that the department total is $78,954.63. Mr. Foley explains that the increases are due to health insurance and new computer software. Mr. Jean makes a motion, second by Ms. Bobowski, to approve the school board recommended amount of $78,954.63. Mark Edwards states that a computer will ease the work for people. He adds that $16,000 is being added to the budget for new software and asks if all existing positions will be remain. Ms. Sargeant explains that the bookkeeper must input the information no matter what the software program is. No positions will be eliminated. Mr. Foley adds that this software will make accessibility, accountability, and security better. Much discussion is held regarding the bookkeeper’s duties and tasks and how this new software will improve the timing and ability to do the work. Mr. Bryer provides an explanation of GASBE-34 and how the programming works. Discussion ensues regarding the software being upgraded yearly as it becomes obsolete. Mr. Bailey calls to move the question. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, BE, RB, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 11/0.

Dept. 2600 – Operation of Maintenance of Plant:

Mr. Foley states that the department total is $450,856.59. Ms. Bobowski makes a motion, second by Mr. Jean, to approve the school board recommended amount of $450,856.59. Mr. Bryer asks for an explanation of the major increases. Mr. Foley reviews lines pertaining to energy costs. Ms. Bobowski asks about the increase for line 2620/110/90.1. Mr. Foley replies that the line is decreased due to personnel moving into different positions. Mark Edwards asks if the crossing guard is an officer or private employee. Mr. Foley states that this is a private school employee. Additional discussion is held regarding the CBNA resource officer. Mark Edwards asks about sudden increase in electric and oil? Mr. Foley replies that current year figures are not included. Mr. Foley explains that this year the school was moved up a bracket due to the usage increasing. A fixed contract was created for fuel oil. General discussion ensues regarding overall energy costs. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, BE, RB, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 11/0.

Dept. 2700 – Pupil Transportation Service:

Mr. Foley states that the department total is $388,318.13. Ms. Bobowski makes a motion, second by Mr. Jean, to approve the school board recommended amount of $388,318.13. Ms. Bobowski asks for an explanation of transportation for field trips. Dr. Crist states that the amount is $500. per grade level. Mr. Foley explains that the $500. covers for at least one field trip. Any other trips would need other funding. No trips are being removed, just other funding options are being reviewed. Mr. Jacobsmeyer asks for the term of the contract and when they run out. Mr. Foley explains that next year is the 5th and final year of the contract (06-07) for Northwood Transportation and it does not have a fuel escalator clause. He adds that there is another transportation contract specifically for special ed. Discussion ensues relative to fuel costs.

Mark Edwards expresses his views on special education relative to unfunded mandates. Mr. Foley replies that there is no lack of effort on this end. He suggests that this be a priority when elections of the state officials are held.

Ms. Bobowski states that it appears that funds are now being raised by fundraising. She states that not all parents can afford special items. Ms. Boboski motions to add $7,854. back into line 2725/519/1~Class Field Trip Transportation. Seconded by Mr. Jean. Mr. Bryer comments that he has a problem with additional funds having to be paid out by the parents that could be included within the budget. He suggest that there be fundraising held. He adds that he supports the numbers recommended by the school board. Mr. Foley states that the school needs to watch out for the kids as well as the tax payers. In the efforts of the school board, there are not too many areas that can be cut but they do need to be reviewed and cut to save some money. Additional discussion is held regarding the amendment and micromanaging the school’s budget. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, BE, RB, RJ, NO: SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. 4/7. Amendment does not carry. Vote on original motion for $388,318.13. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, BE, RB, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 11/0.

Dept. 2800 – Planning & Research:

Mr. Foley states that the lines are at $0. as there is no work proposed in this area.

Dept. 2900 – Workers’ Comp. & Unemployment Comp.:

Mr. Foley states that the department total is $500. He explains that these lines have been removed and placed into the proper budget areas. Ms. Bobowski makes a motion, second by Mr. Jean, to approve the school board recommended amount of $500. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, BE, RB, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 11/0.

Dept. 4000 – Building Improvement Services:

Mr. Foley states that there is no work proposed in this area.

Dept. 5100 – Debt Services:

Mr. Foley states that the department total is $431,698.75. Ms. Bobowski makes a motion, second by Mr. Bryer, to approve the school board recommended amount of $431,698.75. Mr. Jabosmeyer asks how many years are left for the bond. Mr. Foley replies that this is the 5th year of the 15 year bond. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, BE, RB, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 11/0.

Dept. 5200 – Capital Reserves:

Mr. Foley states that both of these lines come out of the year end surplus.

Total General Fund Operating Budget:

Mr. Foley states that the school’s total general fund operating budget is $9,860,717.81.

Coe Brown figures are will be available after January 15.

Dept. 3100 – Food Services:

Mr. Foley states that this departments total is $140,133. Mr. Bryer makes a motion, second by Ms. Bobowski, to approve the school board recommended amount of $140,133. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, BE, RB, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 11/0.

Budget Summary:

Ms. Sargeant states that the revised total budget bottom line is amended to $10,000,850.81, which is an increase of 7.4%.

Chairman McNally calls for a recess. Session resume at 8:30.

Warrant Articles:

1. Negotiated Contracts: Mr. Foley states that this is currently being discussed so there is no additional information on a final number at this time.

2. Special Meeting Authorization: This article is contingent on Article 1, should it fail.

3. School Operating Budget: Mr. Foley states that this article is the budget committee’s recommendation.

4. $25,000. Capital Reserve Fund– RSA Ch. 35: Mr. Foley reads the warrant article. Mr. Bryer makes a motion, second by Mr. Jean, to recommend Article #4, as read. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 9/0/2. Mr. Bailey and Mr. Edwards were out of the room.

5. $25,000. Capital Reserve for Capital Improvements: Mr. Foley reads the warrant article. Ms. Bobowski makes a motion, second by Mr. Jean, to recommend Article #4, as read. Mr. Bryer asks if the impact fee ordinance were to pass this year; if this warrant article would be necessary as builders would be coming in and paying for capital improvements. Mr. Foley replies that they would still like to proceed with the article for engineering studies and architectural reviews, etc. for projects. Mr. Foley adds that they will be having a 5 year plan done to determine the cost of aid or expansions. This will help defray costs for a new school along with impact fees. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 9/0/2. Mr. Bailey and Mr. Edwards were out of the room.

6. $70,000. Special Education Capital Reserve Fund: Mr. Foley reads the warrant article. Mr. Jean makes a motion, second by Ms. Bobowski, to

recommend Article #6, as read. Mr. Bryer asks how much money has been provided by the state for catastrophic aid. Mr. Foley replies that CAT Aid is a year behind. It is also noted that they are anticipating approximately $130,000. reimbursement for next year. Mr. Bryer asks if with this much money anticipated, if the school still expects to be in the red in this area. Mr. Foley replies yes and explains that this money can only be used for this reason and if it is not needed, it will go back into this account. Mr. Edwards asks about writing grants for this. Mr. Bryer replies that the S.A.U. has a grant writer. Mr. Foley adds that there has been many grants applied for by the SAU and the school has received many grants. Mr. Foley explains that the expense occurred in this budget and it must be dealt with from within this budget. The fund was set up for this purpose and the money will be paid back any way possible. Ms. Bobowski notes that under the Northwood estimated revenues a state education grant is listed at $2,153,901. She adds that there may be additional grants that are not listed out. VOTE: YES: SBobowski, RJ, SBryer, CB, NH, JJ, ME, SF, DM. Motion passes; 9/0/2. Mr. Bailey and Mr. Edwards were out of the room.

Chairman McNally recesses this meeting to Saturday, January 14, 2006, at 9:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver

Board Secretary

Town of Northwood

Budget Committee Minutes

1/9/06

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