APPROVED
Windham School
Board
Public Budget
Workshop
December 5, 2006
School Board Members: Beverly Donovan, Beth Valentine, Barbara Coish and Galen Stearns
Superintendent: Dr. Elaine Cutler
Business Administrator: Brian Gallagher
Asst. Superintendent: Roxanne Wilson
Barbara Coish called the Public Budget Workshop to order at 6:00 p.m.
Brian Gallagher reviewed highlights from the recent budget discussions
Dr. Cutler stressed her concern about the needs at Golden Brook. She stated that all principals were in agreement that teaching positions should be in the Budget.
Beth Valentine noted that she thought it is the Board’s responsibility to keep it in the Budget, noting it would be a change in practice.
Brian Gallagher stressed that the Board would need to clearly articulate that the positions were in the Budget at Deliberative Session along with why there were needed. He further noted that legal counsel strongly suggests putting positions in the Budget and not on Warrant Articles.
The following Warrant Articles were discussed:
Beverly Donovan suggested that the Trust Fund be started - that this be an emergency fund
Beth Valentine questioned if the unexpended amount could change from year to year. Brian Gallagher stated that yes it could.
Beth Valentine questioned if there would still be a need for a head teacher at Golden Brook if an Assistant Principal were hired.
Dr. Cutler pointed out that the head teacher position is a stipend position – the stipend would go away once an Assistant Principal was hired.
The Board discussed the proposal from Tina McCoy regarding positions for specialists that are currently at an hourly wage. The proposal would be to make them salaried positions.
Dr. Cutler noted that the specialists would work seven more hours per week if they are salaried employees.
Beverly Donovan questioned, if they were absent from work, would we have to pay substitutes. She also questioned if they would become part of state retirement.
Roxanne Wilson stated they may not be recognized under the Recognition
Clause of the Master Agreement.
Dr. Cutler noted that substitutes are only brought in for teachers and nurses.
Galen Stearns proposed, based on enrollment projections, that the teacher requests at Golden Brook be placed in the budget.
Business Meeting
Public Session
School Board Members: Beverly Donovan, Beth Valentine, Barbara Coish, Galen Stearns and Bruce Anderson
Superintendent: Dr. Elaine Cutler
Business Administrator: Brian Gallagher
Asst. Superintendent: Roxanne Wilson
Bruce Anderson joined the meeting and called the Public Session to order at 7:00p.m. followed by a call of the roll and pledge of allegiance.
Board Buddies from Golden Brook School
Kaylee Dolan and Christian Brannon, second graders from Golden Brook School, were on hand to discuss with the School Board all the exciting things happening at school. They spoke of their collection of new and unwrapped toys for Windham Helping Hands; preparation of the schools winter concerts with Mr. Graff and their teacher’s professional development. Each student was presented with a signed certificate from the School Board.
Good News from Windham Schools
Windham Center School has been awarded 1st place in the Annual Jump Rope for Heart Event in the state of New Hampshire. $20,227.91 was raised for the American Heart Association
Windham Middle School Student Council and Helping Hands sponsored a district wide food drive for Thanksgiving. Middle School was the winner of the first annual “Turkey Trophy” to be displayed at their school for the year.
Adoption of Minutes
Motion to Approved October 19, 2006 Non-Public Minutes was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Beth Valentine. Approved 5-0.
Motion to Approve November 21, 2006 Public Budget Workshop Meeting was made by Galen Stearns with a 2nd by Beth Valentine. Approved 4-0.
Motion to Approve October 25, 2006 Non-Public Minutes was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Galen Stearns. Approved 5-0.
Motion to Approve November 7, 2006 Non-Public Minutes was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Barbara Coish. Approved 4-0-1 (Galen Stearns abstained)
Motion to Approve as Amended November 7, 2006 Public Minutes was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Barbara Coish. Approved 4-0-1 (Galen Stearns abstained)
(Amendment:
page 4 line 12 charged to
suggested; with
looking to looked
page 4 line 13 add – purpose to not have Golden
Brook students in the school for safety reasons; page 8 line 18 remove Galen Stearns name)
Vendor and Payroll Manifest to be signed
Bruce Anderson noted the Manifest was signed.
Consent Agenda
Motion to Accept with Regret the Resignation of Galen Stearns Effective January 1, 2007 was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Barbara Coish. Approved 4-0-1.
Bruce Anderson stated that the Board is in the process of discussing possible candidates to replace/fill-in for Mr. Stearns.
Mr. Stearns commented that the reason for resigning was that he was attending too many meetings between the School Board and the Board of Selectman and he felt he could no longer be as effective.
Appointment Presentations by Members of the Public
PTA Presentation – Ann Marie O’Neil, Membership Coordinator, was on hand to inform the Board that the PTA had 586 members to date. She stated that the Neighborhoods Partners Program was going well with the addition of Freda Hardware.
WISE Speaker: Lisa Vivenetto – Ms. Vivenetto addressed the Board stating that many people were growing very concerned about the lack of information coming forward on the High School building project.
Bruce Anderson responded by stating that on December 19, 2006, there would be a community meeting devoted just to the high school. He noted that the Board would be able to speak more on the subject and provide information at that time.
Ms. Vivenetto will forward her questions to Dr. Cutler for the Board’s review.
Workshop Meeting for Board Members – Dr. Cutler has scheduled a workshop meeting with the consent of the Board to be held on December 18, 2006 from 10:00 – 12:00 at the SAU.
Committee Reports
Integration – Beverly Donovan noted it will be postponed until January, 2007
Communication – Barbara Coish noted that they will be meeting tomorrow and planning strategy for future FYI’s. Beth Valentine noted that all archived articles from the Windham Independent FYI’s can be found on the District website.
Art & Music – Beth Valentine stated that this is on hold and that the proposed curriculum for art and music has been completed.
Curriculum Committee – It was stated that a lot of work had been completed by the Building Committee and that the community will be hearing a lot from them over the next weeks. It was also noted that the Building Committee will be meeting with the Athletic Committee in the near future.
Educational Funding
In attendance were recently elected legislatures: DJ Bettencourt; Mary Griffin; Bob Elliot; Kevin Waterhouse; Marc Pearson and Tony Defruscia along with Senator Letourneau.
Bruce Anderson invited those in attendance to share their views regarding education funding in the state.
Dr. Cutler stated that we believe the state has an obligation and responsibility to all students, regardless of where they live, to fund education equally. She stressed that special education children require many additional services and that it costs more to educate that group. She further stated that giving Windham no funding dollars was unacceptable.
The consensus of the legislatures was that they wanted clear direction from the School Board.
It was stated that growth is our biggest issue in Windham – the southern tier of New Hampshire struggles with growth. Noting that facilities and operating budgets would have to be increased – it needs to be offset somewhat by state funding. The I93 widening project was mentioned as a growth escalator.
Dr. Cutler distributed literature to those in attendance on “Funding the Gap.”
5 Minutes Recess
Administrative Monthly Reports
Brian Gallagher provided the Board with a Building Fund Project Budget Summary to assist them with viewing year-to-date expenditures. He also provided Monthly Investment Reports that showed increases.
Dr. Cutler discussed the Monthly Enrollment and Monthly Expense Reports noting little change in Windham. However, she noted a significant change in enrollment numbers at Salem.
Dr. Cutler supplied the Board with a Superintendent Monthly Report for the first four months of the school year. She is intending to complete the form for informational purposes on a monthly basis.
Galen Stearns stated he would like to see AED’s funded for all three schools. He questioned if there were funds available to purchase three of them. Dr. Cutler stated that they had the money to purchase them and that she will speak with the Fire Chief beforehand.
Motion to Instruct SAU Staff to Purchase AED’S after speaking with the Fire Chief of up to $10,000 for all three schools was made by Galen Stearns with a 2nd by Barbara Coish. Approved 5-0.
The signage request regarding the bus issue has been made.
Roxanne Wilson discussed the Curriculum Newsletter for November, noting the math theme. She stated it showed NWEA fall score comparisons along with a snapshot of things occurring with regards to math.
Information and Proposals from Board Members
School Councils – Barbara Coish noted that GBS will be meeting next Monday. Beth Valentine noted that WMS added two new parents to their Council and they talked about their goals for the year which may include public speaker presentation.
TGIF – Barbara Coish noted two new proposals: instant words for Transition students and a Book Club using Lexile.
CIP – Will be presented to the Planning Board on December 6, 2006
Beverly Donovan requested where the extra field at Windham Middle School ended up. Galen Stearns stated it would be included in 2008.
NHSBA – Beverly Donovan noted the Advocacy Committee would be starting up in January. She also noted there were changes in the “Right to Know Law”. It was noted that Windham won first place for their accurate Town Report. She noted they are judged on quality and accuracy of information.
Future Meetings
December 19, 2006 Planning Meeting for Windham High School
January 2, 2007 Business Meeting
January 9, 2007 Deadline for Citizens Petition Articles
January 16, 2007 Budget Hearing
January 16, 2007 Workshop Meeting
January 24, 2007 First Day of Filing Period for Candidates
February 2, 2007 Last Day of Filing Period for Candidates
February 6, 2007 Business Meeting
February 9, 2007 Deliberative Session – Golden Brook School
Future Agendas
Building Use Policy Development/Master Planning for Athletics/High School Update/Budget/Negotiations with the Windham Instructional Assistants.
Motion to Adjourn the public session under RSA 91-A:3II(b) at 9:30 p.m .was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Barbara Coish. Galen Stearns-aye; Beverly Donovan-aye; Barbara Coish-aye; Beth Valentine-aye and Bruce Anderson-aye.