NORWICH BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
PUBLIC HEARING and BUDGET ADOPTION
THURSDAY JANUARY 18, 2007
7:00 P.M., MARION CROSS SCHOOL LIBRARY
Minutes
Present: Board members Gray, Sachsse, Williams; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Edson; and 3 members of the public. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to order – Chair Mary Sachsse called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM.
2. Report of Chair
Chair Sachsse announced that the next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 7:00 p.m., at the Marion Cross School Library.
There is one Board seat open in March and filings can take place any time from now until January 22. Candidates must present a petition with 35 signatures to the Norwich Town Clerk.
The Dresden School District has filing dates from Tuesday, January 16 through 5:00 PM, Monday, February 5. Filing for School District Officers can be done with either School District Clerk, Deborah Carter, or at the SAU Office, 45 Lyme Road, Room 207, Hanover. Positions open are Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer for one year terms and Auditor for a three year term.
3. Public Hearing on proposed 2007-08 Budget
John Aubin distributed and reviewed a document showing the updated budget summary totals and changes. The final budget amount is $4,656,346. The tax rate is $1.4836, which is a 0.03 percent increase from 2006-07. Mr. Aubin reported that the Norwich Finance Committee voted to support the budget and also reported that the budget is within the excess spending threshold. He indicated that the estimated equalized pupil number was now frozen at 656.71, but some of the variables associated with the calculation of the spending threshold could change. The Board Chair will prepare information about the budget for the Annual Report. She indicated her report would flag the fact that the kindergarten school day will be expanded 45 minutes, which will require and increase of the teacher by 0.1 FTE (10 percent) for the two sessions.
The Board agreed to discuss how it would apply Vermont construction aid in a future meeting.
Irv Thomae of the Norwich Finance Committee announced that there would be a forum on educational spending on February 3 in Hartford at 2:00 PM.
4. Business Requiring Action
Linda Gray moved and Stan Williams seconded a motion to approve the 2007-08 budget in the amount of $4,656,346, to be placed on the Warning and voted on at the March 6 Australian Balloting by Norwich voters. The motion passed unanimously.
Stan Williams moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to Norwich School District Warning Articles for the March 5 and 6 Annual School District Meeting, as attached to the original minutes of the meeting, and further to authorize the Administration to make whatever technical changes are necessary in order to ensure that the Warning is legal and that the intent of the Norwich Board of School Directors is conveyed. The motion passed unanimously.
John Aubin asked the Board about the planned budget mailer and the article presentations. It was decided that Stan Williams would cover the budget and Linda Gray would discuss the tax rate. The Board welcomed suggestions from the Norwich Finance Committee with regard to the planned town presentations.
5. Adjournment
Linda Gray moved and Stan Williams seconded a motion to adjourn at 8:00 PM.
The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM. |
