WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL BOARD

“APPROVED” MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 24, 2009

Meeting Held in the Crossett Brook Middle School Library

IN ATTENDANCE

BOARD: Dale Smeltzer, Sherry Knudsen, Scott Rathke, Reed McCracken, Ben Smith

ADMINISTRATORS: Tom Drake, Don Schneider, Michelle Baker, Brigid Scheffert

STAFF: Bud Towndrow

PUBLIC: Torrey Smith, MK Monley, Erin Mooney

1) Dale Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

2) There were no comments from the public.

3) FY10 FINANCIAL REPORTS

a) General Fund – Michelle Baker explained the 10/31/09 financial report which had been sent out by email in advance, including the revenue summary, showing a current estimated fund balance of $151,804. Expenses will tie directly to revenues in the budget now, to be more accountable.

b) Grant and Capital Project Funds – Michelle summarized this report, dated 10/31/09, and distributed by email in advance. Sherry Knudsen asked about the PTO fundraising and Michelle replied that this is related to the school Activity Accounts, and developing reports for these is in progress. She hopes to have an interim report later this year.

4) DISCUSSION

a) Confirm Plans for Solar Grants – Dale provided an updated MOU with Waterbury LEAP for these projects, which included general information about the photovoltaic projects as well as the responsibilities of the School District and LEAP. Scott Rathke noted that warranties should be checked on and tracked. There was board member consensus to support the plans as presented.

b) Preschool Data and Funding – A handout summarizing pre-K enrollment at TBPS and the private partnership sites had been provided in advance by email. Don Schneider explained that the pre-K limits are by town, not the Waterbury-Duxbury District, and that this causes difficulties in terms of whether spaces are available for students. There was discussion of the current program scope and history. Michelle explained how private preschool reimbursement works, in that it is the students who are counted in the equalized pupil count for that budget, not the students who will be attending during that budget year. There was discussion of future needs, and identification of some of the issues that will need to be reviewed by the board.

c) FY11 Budget – First Draft. Tom Drake reviewed the current budget draft with a slideshow.

i) The first slide explained the positions that have been added this year and are included in the “Level Service” scenario, accounting for why level is not exactly level in terms of number of positions.

(1) Support Staff: It includes 3.24 FTE new positions, made up of 2.24 FTE Instructional Assistants needed for students who moved in earlier this year, and 1.0 FTE Instructional Assistant for a position that had been reduced last year but filled this year during a shifting of staff. There is also a need for 1.53 FTE more Instructional Assistants for this year, for students who have just moved in, and the board will be asked to approve these new positions at the next meeting. There were questions from Dale and Scott about the review that has gone into determining these needs. The board had no concerns about the new positions that will need approval at the next meeting.

(2) Professional Staff: The budget draft includes the following positions that were added this year, or not included in the budget – 0.20 FTE Math Teacher for the Wizards team, 0.20 Math Coach (revenue neutral due to Title I funding, and not included in the budget through an error), and 0.09 FTE Preschool teacher that was not reduced as planned.

ii) School Data, as provided in advance by email, showing class sizes in the various grades.

iii) Increased Services - Proposed needs for increases in services and the cost implications for the next two to three years.

iv) Level Funding – examples of various costs by general category, for illustration.

v) Summary – Clear guidelines are needed from the board at the December 8 meeting, following a review of the second draft of the budget. Financial boundaries need to be clearly defined, that is, the upper and lower limits for budget increases and cuts that the board wants to see considered, so that full budget details for the third draft can be identified by the January 12 meeting.

vi) Board Discussion – Dale asked the board to clarify the definition of Level Service (whether it will be level compared to this year’s budget, or compared to this year’s “actuals”) that will be used during budget development, based on the information heard so far. Dale preferred using what is budgeted; Ben Smith, Reed McCracken and Scott preferred using “actuals”; Sherry wanted to understand more about the alternatives but was willing to go with using the “actuals”. Dale then noted that the opinion of the board regarding how to define Level Service was to use this year’s “actuals” as the base.

5) ACTION ITEMS

a) Scott Rathke moved to approve the minutes of November 10, 2009 as written. Reed McCracken seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

b) On the recommendation of Sherry Knudsen, Reed McCracken moved to confirm the Board Order dated 11/20/09 for $85,099.22. Ben Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

c) Reed McCracken moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Waterbury LEAP for the solar photovoltaic grants as presented. Ben Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

6) Executive Session: Sherry Knudsen moved to go into executive session at 8:54 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue. Reed McCracken seconded the motion which passed unanimously. It was agreed to come out of executive session at 9:38 p.m. with no action taken.

7) Executive Session: Reed McCracken moved to go into executive session at 9:39 p.m. to discuss contract negotiations. Sherry Knudsen seconded the motion which passed unanimously. It was agreed to come out of executive session at 9:47 p.m. with no action taken.

8) Adjournment – Sherry Knudsen moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:48 pm. Ben Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Minutes taken by Dale Smeltzer.