APPROVED

SAU 28 SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING

October 4, 2006

Public Session

 

Pelham Board Members Present

Michael Conrad, Cindy Kyzer, Eleanor Burton, Linda Mahoney

 

Windham Board Members Present

Bruce Anderson, Barbara Coish, Beverly Donovan

Beth Valentine and Galen Stearns

 

Superintendent

Dr. Elaine Cutler

 

Business Administrator

Brian Gallagher

 

 

Bruce Anderson called the Semi-Annual meeting of the Pelham and Windham School Boards to order at 7:07 p.m.  A call of the roll followed.

 

Proposed SAU 28 – 2007-2008 Operating Budget

 

Brian Gallagher reviewed the Proposed Budget and presented it to both School Boards.  Mr. Gallagher noted that he level funded as many accounts as he could while being as responsible as possible.  Mr. Gallagher stated that health insurance costs are a driving factor for many budgets.  He then stated that while looking at current health insurance enrollment numbers and the past 7 year history, there was a 14% rate increase.  To that end, Mr. Gallagher noted that he will be receiving a guaranteed maximum price for insurance costs in January.

 

Mr. Gallagher stated that come July 1, 2007, the employer matching rate for retirement will be raised by 2%.

 

Mr. Gallagher reviewed salaries for the Boards consideration in the spring.  He also provided a narrative for each section.

 

The Department of Education was contacted to make sure that we had the right components in order to set the proposed budget.  Mr. Gallagher stated that the total amount of the increase of the Proposed Budget is $73,011.

 

Michael Conrad noted that the majority of the increase was in the health area.

 

Linda Mahoney questioned the Human Resource Managers Salary increase.  Dr. Cutler stated that the previous manager was not certified so her salary was not commensurate with the position.  Dr. Cutler further stated that in order to bring the new manager more on line, her salary should be increased.  She noted that she is doing an excellent job and that even with the increase; her salary range is still somewhat low.

 

Ms. Mahoney stated that she was hired at a specified salary and is wondering if she is the right person for the job. 

 

It was also noted that Ms. DeCinto was requesting a change in job title from Manager to Director.

 

Ms. Mahoney noted that there was big difference between title names.  Bruce Anderson noted that you can approve the salary increase without changing the title – you can do one without the other.

 

Dr. Cutler cautioned the Boards to not underpay their employees.

 

Cindy Kyzer questioned how many years Ms. DeCinto has been in Human Resources.  Response was 14-15 years.

 

Beth Valentine noted that during the interview process, Fran stood out as a director-type person. 

 

Linda Mahoney stated that she didn’t see us needing a director for this position.  Her concern is that if she left, we would have to fill her position at a higher salary.  She would suggest they review it in a year.

 

Bruce Anderson noted that during the interview, she was told she would get a large bump up in pay.

 

Brian Gallagher noted for both Boards that this proposal would not be in effect until July 2007.

 

Tom Case, member of the public was in attendance, he stated his concern was that we need a Manager not a Director for this position.

 

Angela Diack, member of the public was in attendance, she questioned that if the SAU split, would Pelham be hiring a Director also.  Dr. Cutler noted that Pelham would create their own staff of what they saw fit.

 

Barbara Coish stated that she thought there was no difference between a Director or Manager.

 

Cindy Kyzer stated that she would be more in support of a salary increase than a title change.

 

Michael Conrad asked Brian Gallagher if the proposed 3% raise was for everyone, including Ms. DeCinto – would she get both?

 

Brian Gallagher stated that this is simply a benchmark at this time

 

Motion to Adjourn the Public Hearing of the 2007-2008 Operating Budget at 7:35p.m. was made by Michael Conrad with a 2nd by Cindy Kyzer.  Approved 9-0.

 

SAU#28 MEETING

 

Bruce Anderson called the meeting to order at 8:06 p.m. followed by a Call of the Roll.

 

Approval of Minutes

 

Motion to Approve the SAU 28 Annual Meeting Public Minutes of May 17, 2006 was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Linda Mahoney.  Approved 9-0.

 

Motion to Approve as Amended the SAU 28 Annual Meeting Non-Public Minutes was made by Michael Conrad with a 2nd by Beverly Donovan.  Approved 9-0. 

(Amendment:  page 2 Director to Manager)

 

Motion to Approve the SAU 28 Workshop Meeting Minutes from August 2, 2006 was made by Barbara Coish with a 2nd by Michael Conrad.  Approved 9-0.

 

Old Business

 

Auditors Report – Brian Gallagher stated that he received the opinion from the independent auditor regarding the SAU financial statements and that they had no audit recommendations.  They stated that everything was presented fairly.

 

New Business

 

SAU Withdrawal:  Subcommittee Report – Cindy Kyzer stated that the Subcommittee felt that it was best for both districts at this time to stay together.  The Report also stated that a second Business Administrator be hired – dedicating one BA to each town.

 

Linda Mahoney suggested that in addition to having two Business Administrators, how about making the Assistant Superintendent the Superintendent.

 

Cindy Kyzer stated that the Subcommittee felt it was best to have only one person in charge (Superintendent)

 

Dr. Cutler noted that the biggest issues are the facility and the budget.  Bruce Anderson questioned what the pros and cons would be to having a Business Administrator and a Facilities person.

 

Brian Gallagher responded by stating that in a perfect world it could be more efficient if I had a single district.  He stated that he shifts between town budgets, noting that each District is distinctively different.  If you consider another Business Administrator – he/she should focus on Pelham.

 

Bruce Anderson stated that under current personnel we should:

 

At this time, Michael Conrad made a Motion to go to Non Public under RSA 91A:3II (a) with a 2nd by Cindy Kyzer.  Approved 9-0.  Michael Conrad – yes; Cindy Kyzer – yes; Eleanor Burton – yes; Linda Mahoney – yes; Bruce Anderson – yes; Beverly Donovan – yes; Beth Valentine – yes; Barbara Coish – yes; Galen Stearns – yes.

 

Motion to Come out of Non-Public was made at 8:05 p.m.

 

Bruce Anderson officially noted that the Boards accepted two resignations

 

Cindy Kyzer questioned if we have two Superintendents would they pull from the same resources and would that be a concern.

 

Dr. Cutler addressed this issue by stating that you need to have a chain of command:  A Superintendent an Assistant Superintendent and two Business Administrators.

 

Michael Conrad stated that separating the SAU will be a two year process and if we do separate, both districts will have a good staff in place.  He further stated that he has no problem with a Superintendent and an Asst. Superintendent for the time being.

 

Eleanor Burton reminded both Boards that they originally hired the Assistant Superintendent to be in charge of curriculum and professional development.

 

Bruce Anderson suggested that they have a meeting with Roxanne Wilson to get her input.

 

Dr. Cutler stated that Roxanne would like to have a conversation with the Boards and that this would be normal procedure.  Her recommendation was to set a combined meeting.  She also recommended that when ready, the Boards perform an in-state search for her replacement.

 

Galen Stearns wanted to clarify that the Boards were intending to take legal steps to dissolve the SAU at this time.

 

Bruce Anderson responded by stating that the Subcommittee felt that this would not be the year to begin dissolution due to the financial impacts.

 

Galen Stearns reminded everyone in attendance, that one of the driving factors that got us here tonight, was the unprofessionalism by a Pelham Board member.  He stressed that if we (Windham) do not take action, then we will see a request for dissolution on our ballot.

 

Michael Conrad stated that he would like to think that if this joint-board agrees to the recommendations of the Subcommittee, and that we are unified and committed, then actions by members of the public will be averted.  He stressed that we should decide tonight to hire another Business Administrator and set aside money for another Assistant Superintendent.

 

Galen Stearns questioned if we (Windham) can be guaranteed that this situation would not happen again.

 

Linda Mahoney stated that this is about me – let’s not beat around the bush.

 

Galen Stearns stated that a Pelham official solicited Windham signatures and that he felt this was unprofessional.  He further stated that the residents of Windham are owed a personal apology by Ms. Mahoney.  He feels that her actions fostered more ill feelings between the two towns.

 

Linda Mahoney responded by stating she feels she had every right to do what she did.  She stated she was looking out for the taxpayers in Pelham and that she had to come into Windham because we share both town services in the SAU.  I went ahead and did it.

 

Galen Stearns said that she had no right to come into Windham.

 

Beth Valentine stated that she felt it was a lack of respect that we (Windham) were not given a heads up by Ms. Mahoney.  She noted that we have worked very well together as a SAU for the last 30 years and that Windham felt blind sighted, she felt there was a lack of regard.

 

Linda Mahoney stated that it is unfortunate that the Board (Windham) has no regard about their own taxpayers.

 

Beth Valentine responded by stating that it is not fair of you to say that.  It was the manner in which it was handled.  She felt Ms. Mahoney was going down a slippery slope and that it did harm to this relationship.

 

Bruce Anderson stated that he agreed with Galen Stearns and that he was infuriated when this happened.  As infuriated as he was, he has a great deal of respect for the Pelham board members.  He then noted that by having two (2) Business Administrators, it will be a step in the right direction.  Mr. Anderson further stated that he can not believe Ms. Mahoney stated that this Board (Windham) does not care about our taxpayers.

 

At this point in time, Linda Mahoney requested that her RSA be placed on Windham’s ballot.

 

Michael Conrad noted that it was voted down in both towns.

 

Barbara Coish noted that since we will see this on our ballot, maybe we should put it on our Warrant.

 

Beverly Donovan stated that it was her feeling – if we can work this out - that person who would put it on our ballot would respect our decision and let the process follow through.

 

Dr. Cutler stated that each School Board should have separate meetings regarding this matter.

 

Motion to Budget Next Year for a Second Business Administrator was made by Barbara Coish with a 2nd by Michael Conrad.  Approved 9-0.

 

Eleanor Burton noted that she would like to leave the budget position generic for now.

 

Motion to Add $15,000 to Proposed Budget to Allow for Position Realignment if necessary was made by Michael Conrad with a 2nd by Galen Stearns.  Approved 9-0.

 

Adoption of Proposed SAU #28 – 2007-2008 Operating Budget

 

The following proposed budget items were reviewed before accepting:

 

 

It was agreed that this position be advertised separately for both districts.

 

Brian Gallagher noted that if you choose to hire a 2nd Business Administrator, you could put in another $55,000 in salary per person.  Then you will have to consider benefits – about $20,000.

 

Motion to Accept 2007-2008 Proposed Operating Budget as Amended for a total of $1,055,546 was made by Michael Conrad with a 2nd by Barbara Coish.  Approved 9-0.

 

Annual Meeting Date

 

The annual meeting date was set for May 16, 2007.

 

Both Boards agreed to schedule another meeting for November 1, 2006 @ 7:00 at the SAU for non-public session.

 

Motion to Adjourn was made at 8:55 p.m. by Michael Conrad with a 2nd by Cindy Kyzer.