WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL BOARD

“UNOFFICIAL” MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 15, 2007

Meeting Held at Thatcher Brook Primary School Library

 

IN ATTENDANCE:

BOARD:                     Dale Smeltzer, Susan Flynn, Dawn Poitras, and Michael Roche

ADMINISTRATORS: Barbara Tomasi-Gay, Kevin Hamilton, Ken Page, Bob McNamara,                                              and Don Schneider

STAFF:                       Roy Bishop, Stacey Blue, Doug Lombard, Jen Miller, and Bud Towndrow

PUBLIC:                    Georgeanne Baker, Michael Corcoran, Kathy Mackey, Scott Mackey, Reed McCracken

 

1.      Ms. Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

 

2.      Ms. Smeltzer confirmed the agenda and provided guidance to how the discussion for staffing recommendations at CBMS and TBPS would be conducted.

 

3.      There were no comments from the public.

 

4.      DISCUSSION ITEMS

a.       Staffing Recommendations (CBMS and TBPS) – Mr. Page provided a one-page response to the Board’s request for CBMS to cut a .5 FTE position.  He reluctantly recommended that the Family and Consumer Sciences position be cut to .5.  (See attached for details.)  A question and answer period for Board members followed.  Before opening the discussion to the public, Michael Roche responded to an email sent out by Maureen McCracken on behalf of the Friends of Waterbury/Duxbury Education. In his response, he indicated that the Board was grossly misrepresented and reiterated the Board’s intent to make the budget process a fair, open, and thoughtful one.

 

Mr. Lombard, Technology Educator Teacher at CBMS, spoke about the FACS/Tech. Ed. Program at the school for 5th – 8th  grades.  He continued his statement by reading a petition from CBMS staff requesting that the Board consider maintaining all current staffing levels for the 2008/2009 school year in order to give time to work together to achieve the desired goals.  The staff promised to return to the Board with a proposed plan of action prior to 10/01/08.

 

Mr. Schneider informed the Board that the 0.5 FTE Technology Technician that was added instead of computer replacement at TBPS two years ago would be continued in the budget being prepared.  Spending for further computer replacement at TBPS would not be proposed until the FY09/10 budget year.  Ms. Smeltzer reminded the folks gathered that the original agreement for this .5 Technology technician was that is was temporary during the upcoming renovations to allow additional professional development for staff from Eric Hall instead of replacing computers to keep them up-to-date.  The Board’s concern is that this may result in potentially falling too far behind in computer purchases.  Temporary adjustments in spending need to be tracked to provide historical perspectives.  The .5 FTE technician supports and/or works at both schools.  More information about computer needs for the following year from the administrative team will come at a future meeting.

 

b.      FY07 Surplus – Ms. Smeltzer reported that there is currently a $230,000.00 +/- unanticipated surplus on the books.  This surplus will serve to help offset expenses, but could be partially applied to increase the long term maintenance fund by increasing that line item in the proposed budget more than originally planned.  The disadvantages are in the following year when without the extra income provided by a surplus, the tax rate goes up in such a way that is difficult to explain to the taxpayers.  The Board felt they should allocate dollars to the long-term maintenance fund, increasing the line by an extra $20,000.00 for one year.

 

c.       Preschool Program – Determine Scope of Program to be Offered; Review Staffing Recommendation – The group discussed the need to maintain the size of the private preschool programs, using all 40 spots at participating community preschool programs and with remaining spots that are needed from the on-site program at TBPS.  The entire program would be planned to accommodate all 4 year olds who choose to participate plus the at-risk 3 year olds. An April 1st completion date for having all spots determined and parents notified was discussed as necessary in order to determine staffing needs for the upcoming year.  Mr. McNamara stressed the need for earlier identification of students at risk through preschool screening, and to have a mix of students in the TBPS sessions.  Ms. Smeltzer suggested that the W-D District level fund the staffing for preschool, budgeting for three classes configured as 15, 15, and 10.  A calendar of deadline dates needs to be advertised to the community as promised.

 

5.      REPORTS

a.       Financial – Mr. Page reported that a few staffing needs (i.e. custodial leave and family leave) and intensified student needs have impacted the total expenses.  Mr. Page fielded questions from the Board noting that the budget continues to be extremely tight.

 

b.       Food Service – Mr. Schneider spoke with Paul Morris.  Mr. Morris has visited with Beth and worked a bit with John Pike, but at this time is not prepared to bring a full report to the W-D Board.  The Board stressed its understanding and impatience for a plan addressing financial savings, purchasing savings, an analysis of costs, staffing, and food production.  It is imperative that the Board receives a report by December.  Mr. Schneider and the Educational Leader team will meet with Mr. Morris and Mr. Pike to discuss the issues outlined by the Board.

 

c.       Superintendent Search - Bob McNamara announced he would retire at the end of this year.  The Executive Committee started the process of determining when and how to conduct a superintendent search. On November 29th, at the HUHS library, there will be a full WWSU Board meeting to discuss this.  $11,400 would be needed for the cost of the search. The second hour will be about the WWSU transportation cost allocation proposal.

 

6.      OTHER BUSINESS

a.       Mr. Schneider presented a picture of a bench that will be purchased in honor of Theresa Wood to be paid for by personal donations.  All checks should be sent to TBPS.

 

7.      ACTION ITEMS

a.       Board Minutes – Michael Roche moved to approve the October 25, 2007 as amended and November 1, 2007 as written.  Susan Flynn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

b.      Board Orders – On the recommendation of Susan Flynn, Michael Roche moved to confirm the following Board orders dated October 31, 2007 in the amount of $780.50 and November 13, 2007 in the amount of $54,545.60. Dawn Poitras seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

c.       Approval of Contract – Susan Flynn moved to approve a non-renewable contract for Connie Gavin, 1FTE, FACS teacher, at CBMS to finish out this academic year.  Michael Roche seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

Susan Flynn moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 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.  Minutes completed by:  Georgeanne Baker