BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Thursday, January 25, 2007, 6:00 p.m.
Members Present: Anne Marie Chesno, Chair; Liz Faria; Virginia Knutson, Vice-Chair; Tim Hannan; and, Michael Johnson
Administration Present: Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal
Others Present: Brentwood residents Jim Berlo, Kriss Bouchard, Lynda Childs, Kristen Dusseault, William Faria, Jim Johnson, Therese Lane, and Gerald Wills; Brentwood residents and Swasey Central School Staff Members Cathy Blaisdell, Christine Martin, Kelly Ramsdell, Mary Wills, and Kim Woods
1. Chair Chesno called the meeting to order at 6:17 p.m.
Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Non-public session
The Board did not enter into non-public session.
3. Budget
Chair Chesno opened the discussion by stating that there were two items for discussion: Whether the Board would consider a Warrant article for the assistant principal position in the approved budget and whether the Board would offer suggestions to reduce their approved budget from 6.6% to a lesser percent. She asked Board Member Hannan to give the Board a recap of the Brentwood Budget Committee’s requests. He explained that the Budget Committee had asked that the Brentwood School Board consider some type of reduction to their approved budget and mentioned a target number of 3.84%. Chair Chesno stated that the Budget Committee did not state that at the January 22, 2007 meeting. Board Member Hannan acknowledged this and offered the additional information that the Budget Committee is interested in obligatory vs. discretionary spending that is included in the School District Budget proposal.
Principal Ostrowski offered the information that, if kindergarten were eliminated, the School District would need to immediately return to the state $408,039.95 that had been received in three payments for classrooms and supplies through state Kindergarten Aid. Because the District accepted this money, public kindergarten must be offered for twenty (20) years. If this is not the case, the entire amount must be paid back immediately. This is new information as the state contact was not available to provide the information prior to the Monday Budget Committee Meeting. This led to the Board reopening discussion regarding potential cuts to the 6.6% Approved Budget Proposal sent to the Budget Committee on January 2, 2007. Principal Ostrowski has stated publicly that she could not recommend or support any additional cuts to the budget as this proposal was already 5.8% below the 12.4% needed to continue the current educational programming at Swasey Central School. In spite of this, she presented additional options for the Board to consider.
Assistant Superintendent Frew provided information to the Board regarding administrative structures of Elementary Schools with similar enrollments and configurations.
After lengthy discussions around a variety of possible scenarios the Board settled on a direction.
MOTION: Board Member Knutson made a motion to eliminate one remedial position from the operating budget and to fund it with carry-over money from the 06-07 federal Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) grant, reinstate the computer teacher position, eliminate one classroom position, and to make further reductions from various lines resulting in a 5% increase to the budget or a bottom line of $4,754,481. Board Member Johnson seconded. VOTE: Unanimous.
Chair Chesno listed what was needed from Assistant Superintendent Frew and Principal Ostrowski for the January 29, 2007 Budget Committee meeting: A cost analysis of the developmental preschool program, the average salary of district special education directors, a job description for an assistant principal, and a pie chart of contractual costs. Board Member Hannan added that the Budget Committee would like information about the increase in obligated costs or a ‘level funding analyses.
4. Public Comment
Resident Kristen Dusseault expressed her concern about which grade level would experience the reduction of a teacher. Chair Chesno explained that the Principal would ultimately determine which grade level was affected. At this time, if all factors remain constant, it would most likely be 4th grade.
5. Adjournment
MOTION – Board Member Johnson moved that the Brentwood School Board Meeting adjourn at 8:23 p.m.; Board Member Knutson seconded. Vote - Unanimous