SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT #70 BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2005
7:05 P.M., RICHMOND MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA
Minutes
Present: Board members Asmus, Bruce, Carter, Chamberlin (7:14), Cheney, Fleischer, Gray, Kaplan (7:12), Sachsse, Vitt; Administrators Gersen, Weissmann, Aubin; and 12 members of the public.
1. Call to order
Chair Gray called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
Nancy Carter moved and Mary Sachsse seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 9, the special meetings of September 7 and September 27, and the nonpublic session of September 7, as submitted. The motion passed with the following abstentions: Asmus (9/7, 9/27), Bruce (9/7), Sachsse (9/27).
3. Business requiring discussion
a. Proposed 2006-07 SAU budget - Assistant Superintendent for Business John Aubin presented the proposed budget to the Board by reviewing a document delineating the 2004-05 actual budget, the 2005-06 budget and anticipated year end expenditure budget, and the 2006-07 proposed budget.
2004-05: Mr. Aubin reported that, with revenues totaling $1,004,109 and expenses totaling $935,870, the SAU ended the year with a fund balance of $56,558.
2005-06: Mr. Aubin said that while it is very early to make projections, he estimated a fund balance at the end of the year of $31,536.
2006-07: Mr. Aubin then reviewed line items for the proposed 2006-07 budget. The proposed budget shows spending of $1,056,280, a 4.1% increase over the current year’s budget of $1,015,567. Increases occur in the proposed lease expense on a new student information system through the SAU rather than individual District budgets, medical insurance, and administrators’ and administrative support salaries. The proposed assessment to the Districts will be an increase of 7.7%:
Dresden, increases by $52,487 (share up from 59.43% to 60.64%)
Hanover, increases by $4,324 (share down from 25.81% to 24.52%)
Norwich, increases by $10,698 (share up from 14.76% to 14.84%).
Discussion centered around the proposed change in accounting practices, with regard to the new student information system, from individual Districts’ budget to the SAU budget. Questions were also raised about various line items in the proposed budget. Board members asked that the budget be reviewed by the Finance Committee.
b. Proposed Foreign Language Immersion Program - Superintendent Gersen outlined his proposal to introduce an elementary French immersion program for K-1 students in the Hanover and Norwich School Districts. He spoke about the advantages and challenges, saying that he was bringing this proposal to the SAU Board to see if it was viable. Discussion followed during which Board members expressed concerns about the need for a clear understanding of the objectives the District wishes to achieve, the need to consult with school administrators and faculty regarding the impact such a program would have on the curriculum initiatives already underway, budgetary and logistical constraints, a time frame for implementing such a program, which language should be taught, and public response to the proposal.
Hanover parents whose children participate in a privately sponsored French Club as well as a Norwich parent spoke to the Board about the advantages of offering such an immersion program and encouraged the Board to go forward with the proposal.
Board members then identified the following actions they wanted completed by the time of the Board meeting in December:
1. The Superintendent to speak with Principals Williams and Edson;
2. Principals Williams and Edson to speak with their faculties;
3. Wayne Gersen and John Aubin to review budgetary implications;
4. Conduct a poll of the parents.
The Board also identified specific questions/actions to be addressed at the December Board meeting:
1. What is the best choice educationally for all students;
2. Where would the “next dollar” be spent;
3. Review the information gathered by Administration.
4. Nonpublic session
Nancy Carter moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to enter nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 (II.a.) for discussion of compensation of employees at 9:15 p.m. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
5. Return to public session
The Board returned to public session at 10:20 p.m.
6. Business requiring action
a. Approval of proposed budget to take to SAU budget hearing in accordance with RSA 194c:10
John Chamberlin moved and Kari Asmus seconded a motion to approve a tentative SAU budget in the amount of $1,056,280 to be posted for and presented at the SAU Board meeting and public hearing on December 12. The motion passed unanimously.
b. Authorization of SAU Administrators to sign manifests
Nancy Carter moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to authorize an Administrator of the SAU 70 to sign manifests on behalf of Norwich, Dresden, Hanover, and SAU Districts. The motion passed unanimously.
c. Adopt Policy BCAC, Special and Emergency Meetings
Chip Fleischer moved and Deb Kaplan seconded a motion to approve Policy BCAC, Special and Emergency Meetings, as proposed and attached to the original minutes of the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
7. Adjournment
Margaret Cheney moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to adjourn at 10:25 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary B. Davis
Recording Secretary |
