2 9 10 Budget Hearing Mins.


	Moultonborough School District School District Budget Hearing Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 7:00 p.m. Town Hall Meeting Room Present: Laurie Whitley, Mark Borrin, Kathy Garry, Bill Blackadar, Fox Smith, Michael Lancor, Kay Peranelli, Scott Laliberte, Lou Goscinski, Andrew Coppinger, Laurie Caldwell At 6:59 p.m., Chairperson Whitley called the Budget Hearing to order and led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairperson Whitley announced this was also a public hearing for the Advisory Budget Committee (ABC) and committee member Ed Marudzinski would be joining the hearing via Skype. Chairperson Whitley reviewed the Budget Information Packet which was presented as follows: • Proposed Tax Impact (page 2) - Laurie Whitley • Budget Increases/Collective Bargaining Agreement (page 3) - Fox Smith • Other Personnel Salary/Benefit Increases and Decreases (pages 3 and 4) - Mark Borrin • Other Budget Increases (page 4) - Kathy Garry • Other Budget Decreases (pages 4 and 5) - Bill Blackadar • Summary of Budget Increases and Decreases/Anticipated Revenues and Tax Rate - (pages 5 and 6) - Fox Smith • Draft Warrant (pages 7 and 8) - Laurie Whitley Discussion: Sara Costanza, Moultonborough resident and teacher at MCS, expressed her concerns regarding ABC recommendations for no salary increases even though increases would offset increases in health insurance premiums. There was discussion with ABC members who based their recommendations on taxpayer economic hardships this year. Chairperson Whitley discussed the negotiation process they went through and how difficult it was because of the economic climate and feels strongly that the two parties reached a very fiscally responsible CBA. The Board supports salary increases in the budget. Karel Crawford discussed the process the Selectmen went through with their budget and salary increases. Bill Blackadar thanked the negotiating team for the work that went into the CBA. Mr. Lancor asked ABC members to reconsider their position on the CBA. The proposed CBA was the result of eight negotiations sessions and a fourteen-hour mediation session. Norman Larson, Moultonborough resident, spoke in support of a 1.49 percent salary increase. He commended the School Board on their budget which represents a decrease and feels 1.49 percent barely represents the cost of living increase. He requested that ABC step back from their position. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the reduction in force represented in the budget and the perception that a population of students were being abandoned without a Readiness classroom next year and a reduction in reading support. Administrators disagreed that the quality of education was being compromised and are currently planning steps to be taken to maintain quality programs with the resources available. Town residents were encouraged to come to the School District and Town Meetings in March. Ed Charest spoke regarding education funding and legislation. Article I: To see if the Moultonborough School District will vote to approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Moultonborough School Board and the Moultonborough School Staff Association which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at current staffing levels over the amount of the prior year: Year Estimated Increase 2010-2011 $ 83,866 2011-2012 $ 141,856 And further to raise and appropriate the sum of eighty-three thousand, eight hundred sixty-six dollars ($83,866) for the upcoming fiscal year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits over those that would be paid at current staffing levels in accordance with the most recent collective bargaining agreement. NOTE: Pursuant to RSA 273A:12, if approved, the terms of this collective bargaining agreement, including the pay plan, but excluding cost of living increases, will continue in force until a new agreement is executed. Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to approve Article I as written. The School Board voted 5 to 0 in favor of Article I. Jean Beadle moved, and Alan Ballard seconded a motion, to vote on Article I. The ABC voted one in favor and four opposed for Article I. Article II: Shall the Moultonborough School District, if Article I is defeated, authorize the governing body to call one special meeting, at its option, to address Article I cost items only? Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to approve Article II as written. All School Board members voted in favor. Article III: To see if the school district will accept the reports of agents, auditors, committees or officers as written in the annual report. Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to approve Article III as written. All School Board members voted in favor. Article IV: To determine the compensation of the School Board, School District Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, School District Clerk and School District Moderator and to fix the compensation of any other officer or agent of this District. (This compensation is included in Article VI). Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to approve Article IV as written. All School Board members voted in favor. Article V: To see if the school district will vote to authorize the School Board to contract with a qualified independent auditing firm for the fiscal year financial audit in accordance with RSA 671:5 (Supp.) Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to approve Article V as written. All School Board members voted in favor. Article VI: To see if the school district will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of thirteen million, six hundred seventy-four thousand, eight hundred sixty dollars ($13,674,860) for the support of schools, for the payment of salaries for the school district officials and agents, and for the payment for the statutory obligations of the district, with revenues of up to $50,000 coming from the unreserved fund balance. Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to approve Article VI as written. All School Board members voted in favor. Jean Beadle moved, and Alan Ballard seconded a motion, to vote on Article VI. The ABC voted one in favor and four opposed. Article VII: To see if the school district will vote to raise and appropriate up to $50,000 to be added to the Buildings and Grounds Expendable Trust fund previously established and authorize the use of that amount from the June 30 unreserved fund balance available for transfer on July 1. Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to approve Article VII as written. All School Board members voted in favor. Jean Beadle moved, and Alan Ballard seconded a motion, to vote on Article VII. The ABC voted one in favor and four opposed. Article VIII: To see if the School District of the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand dollars ($2,000) to deposit in the “Chele” Environmental Trust (a trust held by the Trustees of the Trust Funds of the Town) for the purpose of supporting students and educators in projects that make a difference for the environment. (By Petition) Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to approve Article VIII as written. All School Board members voted in favor. Jean Beadle moved, and Alan Ballard seconded a motion, to vote on Article VIII. All ABC members voted in favor. Article IX: To see if the town will vote to re-establish the inclusion in the annual school district report beginning in 2010, salaries paid to all public employees as well as an itemized list of payments made or scheduled to be made to all vendors and/or contractors utilized for any purpose during the fiscal year for which the school report was issued. (By Petition) It was noted that this information had never been included in the past and the cost of doing this would be approximately $2,500. Laurie Whitley moved, and Bill Blackadar seconded a motion, to approve Article IX as written. All School Board members were opposed. Jean Beadle moved, and Alan Ballard seconded a motion, to vote on Article IX. All ABC members were opposed. Article X: To see if the school district, beginning September 30th, 2010 will, on a monthly basis, post their checkbook register online on the district website. At a minimum, the register will include the date, amount paid and payee. (By Petition) Discussion occurred regarding whether the cost for this had been budgeted and the saturation of the web site. There were also concerns expressed on violation of SPED laws and HIPPA laws. Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to approve Article X as written. All School Board members were opposed. Jean Beadle moved, and Alan Ballard seconded a motion, to vote on Article X. All ABC members were opposed. Article XI: To transact any other business that may legally come before this meeting. Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to approve Article XI as written. All School Board members voted in favor. At 8:20 p.m. Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to adjourn the Budget Hearing. All School Board members voted in favor.