APPROVED 10-04-07

 

ERCSD Budget Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

August 29, 2007 – 7:00 PM

SAU Office

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:       Bobby Aldrich, Simon Heslop, Mark Portu, Deborah Johnson,

                                                Patty Lovejoy, Roy Morrisette, David Pendell, Mark Poirier

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:         Ed Berry, Melissa Brockelbank

 

ADMINISTRATION PRESENT:    Nathan Lunney

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM with seven members in attendance.  One member arrived later.

 

1.      Opening and Review:  The members in attendance introduced themselves.  Bobby briefly reviewed the progress from the first two meetings and reminded the committee of the presentations anticipated this evening.

 

2.      Approval of Minutes:

a.       June 27, 2007 Meeting:  On a motion by Roy Morrisette, seconded by Patty Lovejoy, the committee voted 5-0-3 to approve the minutes (D. Johnson, M. Poirier, M. Portu abstaining).

b.      August 15, 2007:  Bobby alerted the committee that Nathan has completed the minutes but since they have yet to be distributed, we will defer their approval.

 

3.      Presentation by District Administrators: 

a.       Seacoast School of Technology – Margaret Callahan, Principal:  Margaret offered an overview of the programs provided at SST.  She explained the governance structure in which each of the six member high schools and their respective school districts are represented by their Superintendent and a school board member on a Governing Board that is served by the advice of a school council of principals and guidance personnel.  The State of NH reimburses schools for career and technical education at a rate of 75%.  They also receive significant support from the Carl Perkins federal grant.  There was considerable conversation about the relationship between the budget approved by the SST and its complete inclusion in the Cooperative budget.

b.      Student Transportation – Natalie Perry, SAU Transportation Coordinator:  The committee appreciated that Nat had been up since very early this morning with the opening of schools and has yet to return home.  She provided a high-level review of the services provided in transporting students.  There are nearly 6,000 students moved about the six towns of our district each day and thousands of miles traveled in field trips, charters and athletics.  We are just beginning the first of a new five year contract with First Student for our regular district transportation.  Our special needs transportation is provided by the Seacoast Learning Collaborative in Brentwood.  The committee asked and discussed the pricing models used, the budget impact of bus services, and the new shuttle services moving students between EHS and SST.

c.       EHS Athletics – Bill Ball, Athletic Director:  Bill reviewed the number of student athletes participating at EHS.  He shared comments about “cut” and “no-cut” sports and the success of the program at including the maximum possible number of students.  He offered appreciation for the large number of volunteers working in the athletic program; this year there will be 70 coaches receiving stipends and 21 coaches volunteering their service.  He also announced that EHS has again been awarded the Class L Sportsmanship Award for last school year.

d.      Special Education – Pat Dowey, SAU Special Education Administrator:  Pat took the committee on a verbal tour of special education.  She worked to define terms often used in the field as well as acronyms that would be useful in discussion of special education spending.  Each student is entitled by law to receive a (FAPE) Free and Appropriate Public Education…and in the (LRE) Least Restrictive Environment possible.  Each student identified with special needs has a team of educators, professional, and parents who work to maintain an (IEP) Individualized Education Program.  It is important to note that the team decides and directs what is the most appropriate program and slate of services that the student shall receive.  It is not the board or administration who sits in judgment over that decision or the expenditures that result from the decision.  Pat also helped members understand the difference between special education, 504 services, and 402 court-ordered placements.  She commented on the costs related to out-of-district placements and the challenges in budgeting for an identified population, some of whom are known as well as those who will move in or out of the district, be initially identified, or have needs change.

 

4.      Other Business:

a.       Schedule of Meetings:  The chair reviewed the schedule of meetings handout with the committee.  There were two dates changed from those set at the previous meeting.

b.      Site Visit:  The committee plans to tour the facilities and visit with the programs of the district on Friday, October 19th, from approximately 10:00am to 2:00pm.  More information on that event will follow.

c.       ERCSD School Board Meeting:  Bobby shared comments and thoughts about his presentation to the Cooperative school board last night. 

 

5.      Next Meeting Date:  Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 7:00pm at the SAU office.

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:45 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Nathan Lunney, CFO