DRESDEN SCHOOL BOARD
BUDGET DELIBERATIONS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2007
7:00 P.M., MARION CROSS SCHOOL LIBRARY
Minutes
Present: Board members Asmus, Bruce, Carter, Carpenter, Chamberlin, Fleischer, Gray, Sachsse, Williams; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Finer, Gillespie. 9 members of the public attended. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Deliberations Meeting - Call to order
Chair Robert Bruce called the board budget deliberations meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. Report of the Chair
Chair Bruce announced that the Regular Board meeting will be Tuesday, January 23, 7:00 PM at the Hanover High School Library. The Annual School District meeting will be held on Thursday, March 1, 7:00 PM at the Hanover High School Gymnasium. No voting will take place at this meeting, which is a discussion phase of the meeting. The voting phase of the meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 6, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, at the Richmond School Gymnasium.
The Dresden School District filing dates are from Tuesday, January 16 through 5:00 PM, Monday February 5. Filing for School District Officers can be done with either the School District Clerk, Deborah Carter, or at the SAU Office, 45 Lyme Road, Room 207, in Hanover. Positions open are Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer for one year each, and Auditor for three years.
3. Public Comments
There were no public comments.
4. Business Requiring Discussion
2007-2008 Proposed Budget
John Aubin, Assistant Superintendent for Business reviewed a document citing background and charts about per pupil cost data. Information showed how the middle school and high school budgets compare to the state averages and to school districts that are directly above and below. Mr. Aubin noted that enrollments can be a significant factor in this data, citing the fact that the districts with the largest enrollment on the chart had the lowest per pupil costs. Another issue that influences the Dresden district is the interdistrict transfers such as the sixth grade tuition, SAU assessments, and special education. There was discussion about consolidating the budgets for long term trends.
Joanne Roberts, Assistant Superintendent gave a presentation about the district’s special education program and budget. She reviewed charts and information about the programs at both the middle and high schools including the number of students involved in the program and the categories of special education. Budget accounts were discussed pertaining to the different schools and students from Vermont and New Hampshire. Five new instructional assistants will be needed for special education at the high school and they are budgeted at step one.
Reimbursement rules for both Vermont and New Hampshire were discussed and the Board heard about ways to measure the effectiveness of special education programs. The objective is to specifically design instruction that is adequate and appropriate so students with special needs can receive appropriate instruction in the least restrictive environment.
The Board also discussed the athletic department budget and it was felt that a full picture of the athletic department should include parental contributions.
The Board and public were asked to email ideas about other budgetary issue to Robert Bruce or John Aubin in advance of the next budget meeting scheduled for next week.
Warrant Articles
The Board discussed Article 5 regarding the teachers contract and decided to make minor changes to make it clear that the public will be asked to approve the cost items associated with the two year collective bargaining agreement with the teachers. There will be more detailed information in the Annual Report, which is sent to residents. It was suggested that members of the Board and Finance Committee station themselves at the polling locations with posters to explain the agreement to the voters. Additionally, there will be letters to the editor and other efforts undertaken to inform the voters about the teacher agreement.
With regard to Article 4 and the hiring of an assistant to the School District Treasurer, the Board discussed the legalities and the school district attorney’s advice on the issue. Superintendent Gersen will ask the attorney for more information on this issue.
It was suggested that the principals give a summary regarding the last year’s school highlights at the district meeting.
5. Nonpublic Session
A motion was made by John Chamberlin and seconded by Kari Asmus to enter nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A:2 (l.b) for discussion of negotiations. The motion passed unanimously. The roll call was conducted and the Board entered nonpublic session at 10:34 PM.
At 10:44 the Board entered public session.
6. Adjournment
A motion was made by Nancy Carter and seconded by John Chamberlin to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
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