WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL BOARD

“UNOFFICIAL” MINUTES FOR JANUARY 18, 2007

Meeting Held at Crossett Brook Middle School Library

 

IN ATTENDANCE

Board:                         Dale Smeltzer, Susan Flynn, Dawn Poitras, Michael Roche,       and Sherry Ziemke

Administrators:           Kevin Hamilton, Bob McNamara, Ken Page, John Pike, and Don Schneider                             Barbara Tomasi-Gay

Staff:                           Roy Bishop, Lindsay Berdan, Stacey Blue, Tom Carlson, Patti Casari, Mandy                           Drake, Erick Eley, Alex Houston, Doug Lombard, Amanda Payne, Kara Ramsdell,                   Bud Town                                   

Public:             Georgeanne Baker, David Goodman, Chris Koliha, Maureen McCracken, Reed                                               McCracken, Monica Mead, Michelle Miles, Ally Parker, Missy Parks, Scott                                        Rathke, Tom Stevens, and MJ Wright

 

1)      Dale Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and conducted introductions.

 

2)      Ms. Smeltzer confirmed the agenda.

 

3)      Comments from the Public:

a)      Tom Stevens, Waterbury selectboard chair, announced that the possible merger will result in a phased in 10-12 cent tax increase for police costs, a 2 cent increase for other costs, and a phased in decrease for the former village residents, over 5 years.

 

Sherry Ziemke arrived at 6:06 p.m.

 

4)      Discussion Items:

a)      TBPS Renovations – Mr. Schneider updated the Board on the upcoming move.  It is still on schedule for February 16th with the link not able to be used.  Mr. Schneider gave a site map to the Board outlining the amount of square footage not taken up by buildings and requested that land be put into perpetuity for the purpose of recreation.  He showed the Board where the land for the proposed playground is and requested formal action be taken due to the grant proposal to Land and Conservation for $40,000.  Voter approval may be necessary to put a permanent encumbrance on the property, and Mr. Schneider will consult with legal counsel.  The other possible need, a lease agreement is between an adjacent landowner and the school, would be addressed in the future.

     

b)      FY 07-08 Budget Development:  Public Comment – W-D Budget Development dated 1-4-07 and W-D Analysis of Impact on Tax Rates of Contracted Preschools were distributed.  A savings of approximately $8,000 due to health insurance rates being lower than expected was not shown on the budget handout.  Ms. Smeltzer provided an historical perspective of the school district and answers to budgetary questions raised at the last meeting.  She indicated her position as well.  Other Board members commented and provided their positions regarding cuts in the proposed budget.

 

Superintendent Bob McNamara arrived at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The concerns from the community/staff about a cut in a classroom teaching position were as outlined below:

·        Larger class sizes will add to the stress of students

·        Result in many teaching teams reconfiguring the make-up of their students

·        Rise of anxiety among families and staff

·        Doesn’t match the philosophy of a two-year experience for students

·        Goes against the philosophy of current federal classroom reduction recommendations

·        There is no plan in place to address the necessary needs of such a restructuring

·        Needy children will have more difficulty transitioning to fifth grade and a new building

·        The possible move of a teacher from one building to another would have a ripple effect on the staff

·        Previous adjustments in staffing have already spoken to enrollment decline of the recent past years

 

John Pike arrived at 7:15 p.m.

 

The Board reiterated that they were open to being flexible regarding changes in the course of actions if needed.  Ms. Smeltzer indicated that there was a decrease in funding for long-term maintenance and so this was not a new item in the budget.  It appeared so because it is being recorded differently in the 07-08 budget.  A lengthy discussion ensued about possible scenarios other than cutting a classroom position.  Ms. Smeltzer proposed that contingency funds be added to allow for adjustments if the enrollment numbers change post adoption of the budget.

 

Mr. McNamara suggested that the Board let the administration look at the budget again to bring back recommendations to the Board regarding alternatives.  The Board agreed to this suggestion, but was steadfast in wanting to vote on a bottom line figure knowing that adjustments would be made within the staffing line.  The Board was not able to come to consensus on this issue.

 

It was decided that the Board would vote on a bottom line amount this evening with parameters stated for the Educational Leaders to work out further options.  The leaders are expected to make their proposals no later than two weeks from now.  The final budget amount represents a 5.14% increase for a total of $8,252,883.  The majority of the Board held firm that the cost savings must come from the staff line item in the budget.

 

Michael Roche moved to approve a 5.14% increase for a total of $8,252,883 for presentation to the community.  Susan Flynn seconded.  Susan Flynn, Dale Smeltzer, Dawn Poitras, and Michael Roche voted yes.  Sherry Ziemke voted no.  The motion passed. 

 

c)      Tuition Rate – John Pike presented the FY 2008 proposed tuition.  Mr. Pike recommended that the Board announce the following Tuition Rates based on the FY 2008 Budget adopted by the Board as well as what the projected enrollments indicate (FY07 40-day ADM rolled forward to FY08).

·        Kindergarten Tuition Rate                              $ 4,850

·        Elementary Tuition Rate                                 $ 9,700   (+7.8%)

·        Secondary 7th and 8th Tuition Rate               $10,400   (+6.1%)

 

Mr. Pike indicated that without the preschool program there would be a .5% increase on the tax rate.  By law, with the program, there will always be a positive or neutral effect.

 

John Pike left at 9:01 p.m.

 

 

d)      Annual Meeting – Review date, time and warning – Ms. Smeltzer reviewed with the Board that the annual meeting will be warned for March 4, 2006 at 1:30 p.m., at CBMS, in room 108.  Mr. Schneider and Mr. Page will have a table for the school district at the Community Fair.

 

e)      Strategic Planning Goal – Community Forum Preparation – Ms. Ziemke did not have any update beyond what was provided by Ms. Smeltzer as summary background information before the meeting.  She did announce that the upcoming forum was scheduled for March 14, 2007 at CBMS with a snow date of March 27, 2007.

 

f)       Action Plan – Review Expectations, Interfacing with WWSU – Ms. Tomasi-Gay did not have a formal update.  The Educational Leaders will need to develop a schedule.  Ms. Tomasi-Gay will prepare a schedule of updates and look at how to define the measurements of progress that will be used.  Ms. Smeltzer informed the Board about a WWEC meeting looking at greater coordination with WWSU, asked if the Board would support such things as future action plan goals being interfaced with the WWSU Goals, and there was initial agreement.

 

g)      Board Evaluation/Self Assessment – possible process – Ms. Smeltzer has suggested that a survey be developed for Board members and Administrators to use, and will review a format prepared by Superintendent McNamara. 

 

5)      Reports

a)      Parent and Student Survey Results – The discussion was tabled for the next meeting.

 

b)      Financial Reports – The reports were emailed to the Board at an earlier time.  There were no questions.

 

6)      Action Items:

a)      Board Minutes - Susan Flynn moved to approve the minutes from January 4, 2007 as corrected in section 5(a).  Dawn Poitras seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

b)      Board Orders – On the recommendation of Susan Flynn, Dawn Poitras moved to confirm Board orders dated January 11, 2007 for $69.76, January 16, 2007 for $387,748.39, and January 16, 2007 for $25,770.03.  Michael Roche seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

c)      Approve Annual Meeting Warning – Susan Flynn moved to approve the warning for the Annual Meeting.  Dawn Poitras seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

d)      Set Tuition Rate for 07-08 School Year – Susan Flynn moved to confirm the tuition rate for the 07-08 school year as stated in these minutes.  Sherry Ziemke seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

7)      Executive Sessions:

a)      Personnel Issues - Susan Flynn moved to go into executive session to discuss personnel issues at 9:45 p.m.; Dawn Poitras seconded the motion which passed unanimously.  It was agreed to leave executive session at 9:50 p.m. with no action taken.

 

 

 

8)      Hiring:

Susan Flynn moved to confirm support staff employment contracts for Martha Fiske (TBPS Reading Specialist, 23% FTE, fully funded by Consolidated Federal Grant funds) and Amy Davis (1.0 FTE IA at CBMS, to fill opening).  Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 

Susan Flynn moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:53 p.m.  Michael Roche seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

 

These minutes are unofficial until approved by the Board of School Directors.  They are, in my opinion, substantively correct.  Notes recorded by:  Georgeanne Baker