Budget Committee

Minutes

January 7, 2008

Official as of February 9, 2008

Chairman Daniel McNally resumes the work session at 7:12 p.m.

PRESENT: Chairman Daniel McNally, Vice-Chairman Robert Holden, School Board Representative James Ryan, Ben Edwards, Robert Bailey, Colleen Pingree, Nona Holmes, Lucy Edwards, Herb Johnson, Board Administrator Linda Smith. Shelley Bobowski arrives at 7:08 p.m. Water District Representative John Jacobsmeyer arrives at 7:25 p.m.

ABSENT: Selectmen Representative and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver.

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Principal Esther Asbell, Business Administrator Bill Tappan, and School Board  Chairman Jim Ryan.

SCHOOL~WORK SESSION:
Page 9: Dept. 2520~Fiscal Services:
Mr. Tappan explains the previous concerns were to the figures for the FICA and retirement for the finance administrator position. He adds that the position was misclassified as a teacher’s role; therefore, there is a different amount paid into the retirement. Ms. Pingree makes a motion, second by Ms. Edwards, to recommend the administration amount of $71,189.94. Ms. Pingree notes that the administrator’s hours include the overtime hours.

Shelley Bobowski arrives 7:08

Further discussion is held relative to the position and duties. Ms. Asbell explains the overtime hours and what extra hours are worked. Ms. Pingree asks what has been expended so far for this year. Mr. McNally notes the amount in the current financial statement in that it appears to be over expended already this year. Mr. Holden asks how many of the school board members agreed on their amount. Mr. Ryan replies all 4 members agreed unanimously. Mr. Ryan states that these are the amounts that the school board has proposed and voted on; it is the committee’s choice to decide the amount to recommend. Mr. Johnson makes an amendment to the motion, second by Mr. Holden, to recommend the school board recommended amount of $62,493.21. Ms. Edwards asks why the line numbers for this position are different. Mr. Tappan states that he believes that there are no changes in the position and the title was not intended to change. 

Jake Jacobsmeyer arrives 7:25 p.m.

Amendment VOTE: YES: RH, BE, RB, NH, HJ, JJ, JR. NO: CP, LE, SB, DM.  Motion passes; 7/4. Motion VOTE: YES: RH, BE, RB, NH, LE, HJ, JJ, JR, DM. NO: CP, SB. Motion passes; 9/2.

Page 8: Dept. 2321~Expenses-S.A.U. #44:
Bob Bailey asks if the SAU will be moving. Mr. Ryan replies yes, as the building will be up for sale. Mr. Ryan further explains the status of the new rental place that is being considered. Mr. Ryan states that the SAU will have to function throughout the move. He adds that the figure is a “not to exceed number”. Mr. Johnson makes a motion, second by Ms. Edwards, to recommend the school board amount of $281,424. for the SAU. Mr. Holden refers to the total salary line and asks if there is any additional staff included in the line. Mr. Ryan replies no. VOTE: YES: RH, BE, RB, CP, NH, LE, HJ, JJ, SB, JR, DM. Motion passes unanimously; 11/0.

Page 9-11: Dept. 2600~Operation and Maintenance of Plant:
Ms. Bobowski makes a motion, second by Ms. Pingree, to recommend the administration recommended amount of $508,658.22. Ms. Bobowski asks about the custodial wage increase. Ms. Asbell explains that the administration is again proposing for 4½ positions even though they have not been filled. Further discussion ensues regarding the paraprofessional’s contract changing.

Ms. Pingree asks about the proposed intercom services. Ms. Asbell provides an explanation. She states that this is a result of requests and responses from the parents and is a public request for better communication with teachers and parents. Ms. Pingree expresses concern regarding safety and liability with the current phone system as it is explained to be outdated. Mr. Holden asks why the school board did not support the upgrading of the system. Mr. Ryan explains that the phones are not all broken and are not non-functioning. In addition, there is a concern that the phones would not be used. He adds that there needs to be full support of the teachers and the school board would like to know that the teachers would use the system. Mr. Holden asks whether there is a safety factor involved. Ms. Asbell replies that there have not been any safety issues with the phones. Mr. Holden makes an amendment to the motion, second by Mr. Johnson, to recommend the school board recommended amount of $499,338.22. Amendment VOTE: YES: RH, BE, RB, CP, NH, LE, HJ, JJ, SB, JR, DM. Motion passes unanimously; 11/0.
Motion VOTE: YES: RH, BE, RB, CP, NH, LE, HJ, JJ, SB, JR, DM. Motion passes unanimously; 11/0.

The board agrees to hold any further discussion until the CBNA amount has been determined.

Warrant Articles:
2. $20,000. Upgrading Athletic Fields: Ms. Pingree makes a motion, second by Mr. Johnson, to recommend Article 2 for $20,000, as written. A discussion is held regarding the proposal. Ms. Asbell explains that this is for the immediate needs of the school and to complete the project over the summer. Discussion ensues regarding the cost of the irrigation system, water uses and costs, etc. Mr. Ryan acknowledges the concerns expressed and states that the school board shares the request for more detail for this project. VOTE: YES: BE, RB, CP, NH, LE, HJ, JJ, SB, JR, DM. NO: RH. Motion passes; 10/1.

3. $17,404. Upgrading Courtyard Area: Ms. Edwards makes a motion, second by Ms. Pingree, to recommend Article 3 for $17,404, as written. Ms. Asbell explains that the courtyard is the area with the flagpole, which is used as the main entrance. There currently are erosion problems following rain storms. The proposal will prevent the area from eroding further. Mr. Bailey states the storm drains are not working and there should be more storm drains installed. He further explains the problem is the actual volume of water that happens with the rain due to the amount of the building that is there now. VOTE: YES: RH, BE, RB, CP, NH, LE, HJ, JJ, SB, JR, DM. Motion passes unanimously; 11/0.

4. $25,000. Capital Reserve Fund-RSA Ch. 35: Ms. Edwards makes a motion, second by Mr. Johnson, to recommend Article 4 for $25,000, as written. VOTE: YES: RH, BE, RB, CP, NH, LE, HJ, JJ, SB, JR, DM. Motion passes unanimously; 11/0.

5. $25,000. Capital Reserve Fund-Capital Improvements: Ms. Edwards makes a motion, second by Mr. Johnson, to recommend Article 5 for $25,000, as written. VOTE: YES: RH, BE, RB, CP, NH, LE, HJ, JJ, SB, JR, DM. Motion passes unanimously; 11/0.

6. $10,200. Summer Math Program: Ms. Edwards makes a motion, second by Ms. Bobowski, to recommend Article 6 for $10,200, as written.
Ms. Pingree asks if this new program is a federal mandate. Ms. Asbell states the mandate is that there is a yearly progress made and the board felt this proposal for the math program would be the way to make that progress occur. Ms. Holmes asks how they will do with attendance of the students. Ms. Asbell states that they cannot make students attend the summer program. Mr. Jacobsmeyer suggests this be reviewed further and proposed next year. VOTE: YES: RH, BE, RB, CP, NH, LE, HJ, JJ, SB, JR, DM. Motion passes unanimously; 11/0.

Ms. Pingree makes a motion, second by Ms. Holmes, to recess the meeting until Saturday, January 12 at 9 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary