ERCSD Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
October 18, 2005 – 5:00 PM
SAU Office
MEMBERS PRESENT: Greg Kann, Patty Lovejoy, Kris Magnusson,
Roy Morrisette, Robin Scott
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Skip Hanson, Walter Pierce, Nathan Lunney
Chair Kann opened the meeting at 5:13 PM. The following agenda items were discussed.
1. Approval of Minutes: The committee discussed the October 4th minutes. Robin Scott offered a motion to approve the minutes of the October 4th meeting as presented. Greg Kann seconded the motion and the minutes were approved by a 2-1-1 vote with Kris Magnusson objecting and Roy Morrisette abstaining due to his absence that day.
2. Trust Funds – September 30, 2005 Balances: The committee reviewed the summary of trust fund account balances at September 30th. Nathan reported that the pending transfers from FY 2005-06 appropriations would be made shortly.
3. Enrollment Estimates – Parameters for Building Budgets: Nathan introduced a summary of enrollment figures for the ERCSD. The NESDEC enrollment projections are not available yet this year, so current actuals and last year projections were provided. Nathan asked that the committee suggest a target budget increase for the building budgets. He explained that the CMS and EHS non-salary budgets represent less than 3.5% of the total budget (roughly $1.4 million) and include the following: general supplies for the office, guidance, library, and all classrooms; textbooks; consumables for art, tech ed, family and consumer science; athletics supplies; all books and media purchases for the library; health supplies for the nurses office; and contracted services throughout the buildings. CMS has been level funded for three consecutive years and the 4% increased allowed at EHS last year totaled about $40,000. The costs of supplies and shipping have certainly increased over these years, especially due to rising energy and fuel costs. Roy offered a motion to direct the building principals to budget for a 4% budget increase in non-salary accounts for FY 2006-07. Robin seconded and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
4. Budget Impact of EHS Move: The Superintendent reminded the committee that there are measurable costs to be considered in the move of school programs into the new high school as well as out of the old junior high “Annex” facility. The Annex currently houses Adult Education, Special Education administration, SST’s BioTech program, and the GBeCS. Those programs will need to be moved as soon as possible following the end of school and the transfer of EHS materials to the new site. The committee discussed the challenge of packing up each classroom throughout the old high school, moving to the new building, and then unpacking and organizing each classroom prior to the start of school. The last contracted day of school for faculty is an inservice day that could be used for packing. It was suggested that volunteers may be recruited to assist teachers that day. Teachers will also need time prior to the start of school to unpack. One suggestion to accomplish this is to offer teachers a day paid at the curriculum work rate (used through the summer) for unpacking and organizing prior to the contracted start of school. The cost estimate to the district is around $15,000 for the teachers to have this opportunity. The committee asked about the Maintenance Trust Fund or emergency appropriations as options for funding moving costs. Nathan will research and report back on these items.
5. Athletic Director Bill Ball – Club Initiatives: Coach Ball joined the meeting and addressed the committee about two new athletic initiatives. There are 25 high school students signed up with interest in a Girls Ice Hockey program. There is statewide interest, several schools running club programs, and a potential for varsity status in the near future. Starting this program is also important to our Title IX commitment. Coach Ball asked the committee to consider recommending a pilot club program running December through February of this school year at a cost of about $7,150 which will cover ice rental time, club advisors and officials. He anticipates support from outside the district for uniforms and miscellaneous needs. Coach Ball also introduced the idea of establishing Boys and Girls Alpine Skiing as a varsity sport this winter. There are 30 students who have expressed strong interest. The cost to the district will be about $3,933 to cover coaching and ski meet equipment. The program will largely be on-your-own because of limited funds and the fact that the students generally ski regularly on their own anyway. The program will essentially require the district to host one meet and coordinate team participation. Kris offered a motion to recommend these pilot programs and their funding during this school year. Robin seconded and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
6. Update on EHS Building Project: Walter updated the committee on the continued progress of the building project. In response to questions that had arisen recently about the furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) lines in the project budget, Walter offered clarification of that topic. Within the $49.9 million project, there are three lines that make up the FF&E budget. The Furniture line is budgeted at about $1.44m against which there has been no expenditure and for which there has not yet been a bid request. Technology-Infrastructure has a budget of about $814k against which $830k was spent earlier in the course of construction. That overage will be applied against the additional $830k for Technology-Equipment which also has not yet been otherwise expended or bid out.
7. Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 5:00pm at the SAU office.
Robin offered a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Roy and with a unanimous vote the meeting was adjourned at 6:48 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Nathan Lunney