WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL BOARD

“APPROVED” MINUTES FOR October 2, 2008

Meeting Held in the Crossett Brook Middle School Library

IN ATTENDANCE:

BOARD: Dale Smeltzer, Susan Flynn,

Scott Rathke, and Sherry Ziemke

ADMINISTRATORS: Michelle Baker, Kevin Hamilton, Dick Moser, Ken Page, Don Schneider

STAFF: Jen Hempe

PUBLIC: None

1. Call to Order - Ms. Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.

2. Confirm Agenda - Ms. Smeltzer confirmed the agenda.

3. Comments From the Public – There were no comments from the public.

4. FY09 Financials: Financials were presented by Michelle Baker as of the end of August, who reviewed the following aspects.

• All interest income is shown as revenue and interest expense as expense. This is different from past practices and more inline with current accounting practices
• Discussed Title I funds as it relates to an identified school. Projection is $35,000 unfavorable variance which is likely to change. Administrators are addressing the issues around the identified school classification. 20% of the total Title I funds are held at the WWSU level until the spending needs are known.
• Expenditures currently show a favorable $21k variance for wages. Includes the LT substitute and temporary help. Benefits may change during open enrollment.
• Projecting transportation, special education purchased services, and energy costs to all be over budget.
• Professional development offered at early release days can be used by staff for course credit, as well as the professional development benefit that is budgeted.
• Special Education cost changes throughout the year and is related to the revenue side.
• Financial were as of August 31^st. Further clarification of the projection was discussed.
• Discussed Report of Grant Funds and Capital Projects Funds, provided as a quarterly financial report. Questions by board members regarding specific funds should be addressed to the Ed Leaders.

5. Budget Process:

A. Ms. Baker presented handouts regarding Equalized pupils and Spending Factor Adjustment, which are part of the state education funding calculations reviewed at an earlier meeting. Cost per pupil is not actual spending per pupil. The total education costs to the state is greater than that. The number of equalized pupils is a weighted two year average. If the goal is to stay below average and avoid the two-vote requirement then the estimate provided in the handout indicates this means developing a level services budget draft, although it was noted these do not need to be all the same services. Concern about how best to address the need to prepare for realistic future fund balances was discussed at length. There was brief discussion of level services and what a reduced level service might mean, including student needs and impacts. (Dick Moser left the meeting)

B. Budget parameters were presented as a range of 136.4% to 142.3% of SFA (Spending Factor Adjustment). It was noted that it would be important to be respectful of staff morale. Dale reminded people this is only setting SFA estimates, and that the estimates for some figures used were conservative. Budget will be presented at a November meeting. Dale and Michelle will work to refine the proposed SFAs to identify specific points that will keep us below average over the next few years factoring in examples of future lower fund balances. (Michelle Baker left the meeting)

C. Short Term Maintenance line item: Discussed increasing the amount by a minimum amount in line with the % the state uses for inflation in the base spending per pupil. Ed leaders will research indexes more related to construction service to propose an index related to construction costs.

D. Long Term Maintenance reserve: Dale suggested increasing the contribution to this reserve account while there is an opportunity with an unusually large fund balance, and referred to the summary of debt service spending which declines in amount each year. She noted that this had been increased during budget development last year for the same reason, and suggested increasing it further by $35,000 (which is the increase in the fund bal). This would benefit of being able to decrease this part of the budget the following year back down to $20,000.

6. Other Business: After reviewing Don Schneider’s report on TBPS parking lot use and needs, it was agreed that 3 – 4 parking spaces near to the school entrance, rather than the whole parking lot as was originally planned during the renovations process, will be designated for visitor parking. There was Board consensus regarding the need for visitor parking near both parts of the main entrance to the school.

7. ACTION ITEMS

A. Board Minutes – Ms. Susan Flynn moved to accept the Board minutes dated September 18, 2008 as corrected in section 4. Sheri Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

B. Board Orders – On the recommendation of Scott Rathke, Susan Flynn moved to confirm the Board orders dated September 30, 2008 in the amounts of $171,438.81 and $1,300.00. Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

C. TBPS Sidewalk - Susan Flynn moved to authorize the chair to sign a letter making a formal request to present a claim to Champlain Consulting Engineers, in order for them to make a claim to their insurance company. Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Susan Flynn moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m. Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Minutes recorded by Susan Flynn.