Public Hearing on Proposed School Budget for
2004-2005
9:00am
Newfields Elementary School
Jan Trueman called the meeting to order at 9:04am. The purpose of the meeting was to review the proposed budget for the school year 2004-2005. The budget will be voted on at the town elections on March 9, 2004. The warrant articles were discussed. The budget is reviewed below by account number. The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance. Jan Trueman thanked the budget committee consisting of Barbara Eastman, Ray Buxton, Jody Lineahan, and Jay Sheehy.
Account 1000 Instruction
The total for this line is $541,107. That is a decrease over last year. The board is asking for a 3% overall increase. There is a decrease in the foreign language aide line and a decrease in the 504 program. Mrs. MacPherson asked about the reduction in the foreign language aide. Jan Trueman stated that there were two assistants, now there is only one aide.
Account 1200 Special Education
This is the Special Education account and these are legally mandated services that the school must supply to the pre-school through grade five population. The salaries are part of a negotiated contract. Tuition covers pre-school tuition costs. Margaret Conner asked about line 1210-563 and how much of that money was to cover outside kindergarten. Mr. Dobe stated that it is all for pre-school, $0 is for Kindergarten. Barbara Clark asked about the change in teachers for next year. There will be a reduction in staff next year. There will only be 1 session of Kindergarten with a ½ day teacher. The other changes are not known yet. Mr. Dobe stated that he would have a Kindergarten parent information night. The historical data has shown that only 50% of the eligible children actually attend Kindergarten. He stated that parents usually make the decision late in the summer. 15 children are not enough to support 2 sessions. Margaret Conner brought up the issue of the lack of transportation for the Kindergarteners. She stated that the board has been helpful, but her child will not be able to attend because of the transportation issue. There is a policy that the state will reimburse the town for the transportation costs. Steve Kossakoski stated that Newfields is a receiver town and that it is unclear what portion of the costs would be reimbursed and it could take 3 years to get the money form the state. Maggie Doane stated that as treasurer she would hate to bank on that money and that it would be fiscally irresponsible if the money did not come in. A question was asked about extending the Kindergarten day. Steve Kossakoski stated that it could only be extended by a ½ hour to an hour. If another session had to be added, the two sessions could not over lap. Barbara Clark stated her concerns about the possibility of losing a valuable teacher. The board will not know until August if 2 sessions of Kindergarten will be needed, and the teacher’s contracts are renewed in April. Barbara Clark suggested that the contracts be rewritten to include that a possible reduction be based on performance not first in, first out. Holly Price suggested that the teacher, who will be let go, could be used as a gifted and talented teacher. Mr. Dobe stated that right now there is not a need for a gifted and talented teacher. Mark Bouzianis stated that they could find uses for the teacher but, they are trying to be responsible to the taxpayers. He stated that the Newfields teachers are paid less than their peers. They need to catch up with salaries.
Account 1400 Other Instructional Programs
This account covers enrichment programs for the school.
Account 2112 Attendance Services
The truant officer is a Newfields police officer.
Account 2120 Guidance Services
The Guidance salaries are included in the negotiated contract.
Account 2130 Health Services
The nurse’s salary is included in the negotiated contract. The nurse is full time and also teaches a health class to all grades as well as dispenses medicine.
Account 2139 Vision Services
There is no change in this account.
Account 2140 Psychological Services
The school contracts out for this service.
Account 2150 Speech Pathology Services
This account is for the Speech Pathologist’s services, which are, negotiated contract. She is in the school full time.
Account 2160 O.T. & P.T. Services
This account is for Occupational therapy and Physical therapy services.
Account 2210 Improvement of Instructional Services
There is a decrease in this account. The board is trying to streamline costs. The pay ranges from $9.75 - $11.50 with out benefits. The aides are a very important part of the educational day.
Account 2222 School Library Services
This account represents an increase in the Librarian’s salary. The library is now available 5 days a week, so it always accessible to students. Books, subscriptions and periodicals are being added and updated.
Account 2223 Audiovisual Services
This account is for film rentals.
Account 2225 Technology
There is an $800 increase in this account. It is for training and improvement of the computer lab. The lab is being used 3 days a week.
Account 2310 Support Services - General Admin.
This account represents Newfields portion for Board members, clerk, treasurer, etc.
Legal services and School Board Association memberships are included in this account.
Account 2320 Office of the Superintendent Services
This account represents Newfields portion of the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent salaries, SAU costs and fiscal services. The portion is set by enrollment.
Account 2400 Support Services – School Administration
This account includes the Principal’s salary, which has a $2000 increase. There is a decrease in postage fees because of the Internet use. Mr. Dobe’s current salary is $67,500. It is being increase to $70,000.
Account 2600 Operation of Plant
The operation of plant includes maintenance and oil and gas contracts. There is a 4% increase in the custodial services, with out benefits. They do an excellent job, the school is always clean. The electricity, water and sewer rates have all increased. Mr. Dick Wendell has met with the board to offer a joint venture with E. Kingston and Kensington in a maintenance plan for the school. Mr. Wendell works out of the Co-Op Middle School and the service would cost approximately $4000 per year. He would do an audit of the school and do routine and preventative maintenance. It could create short term and long-term savings. He has electricians, painters, plumbers, etc. on his staff, which could save money, instead of hiring someone on an emergency basis.
Account 2630 Care of Grounds
This account is for trash removal and outdoor services, which include lawn maintenance, poison ivy control & bee removal. This account also pays the NYAA for the use and maintenance of the backfields. Mr. Wendell also employs ground crews that could do the lawn maintenance. The account also takes care of the lawn of the two properties next to the school.
Account 2700 Student Transportation Services
This account is for bus services. There is an increase in this account. This is the 3rd year of a 5-year contract with the bus company. It was asked if the bus for the special education students could pick up the Kindergarten students. The answer is no. Margaret Conner stated that it is required to provide transportation for special education students and that a lot of parents do not take advantage of this service. There is usually a savings and the money is returned to the taxpayers. The savings vary from year to year. Barbara Clark stated that she agreed with Margaret Conner that it is hard to provide transportation to a kindergarten student when both parents work full time. The board stated that this situation was just reveled and that it will continue to study the situation. Right now transportation is not a major factor. Holly Price asked if an extended day program could be set up in one of the 2 properties next door. One of the houses will be torn down and the other house is not in code. Mrs. Price asked about the upstairs of the fire station. It is not in code for a school program.
Account 2900 Support Services - Other
Employee benefits show a 21% increase in health insurance. There are only 2 insurance companies in the state that deal with schools.
Account 3110 Food Services
This account is for the milk and juice for the children. The money that is spent this year will be reimbursed next year.
Account 4100 Site Acquisition
This account was for last years warrant article to purchase the while house next to the school.
Account 4500 Building Acquisition & Construction
This account is for the engineering study for the school.
Account 5100 Debt Services
Debt services covers the current bonds and interest.
Account 5222 Special Services
Income from the two trust funds.
Account 5252 Capital Reserve
There is $0 in this account.
Total school budget $1,823,213
The School Board is asking for this amount from the town. It is shows an increase of 4.97% over last year with out the warrant articles. Maggie Doane asked about the increase for the teacher’s salaries. The aide’s salaries were increased approximately 4% and the teachers salaries were increased approximately 5%. Caroline Kelly asked about the 2 properties next to the school. Mark Bouzianis stated that the engineering study is on going and that the survey of the property is complete. Steve Kossakoski stated that there is a difference of $3,079 between the default budget and the proposed budget. Jennifer MacPherson stated that the board and the budget committee had done an amazing job on the budget. Jan Trueman stated that Dennis Dobe and Steve Kossakoski worked very hard of the budget as well as the budget advisory committee.
Steve Kossakoski stated that it is estimated that $75,000 was returned to the town from last years budget and that approximately $45,000 is projected to be returned from this years budget.
The approximate tax impact will be $0.43 per thousand. The board is not asking for any warrant articles this year.
Margaret Conner asked if the teachers were taking any courses. Mr. Dobe stated that they were. Even though there was a decrease in the 504 related services line, students are still receiving services if necessary. Holly Price asked about the gifted & talented teacher program and if the funds could come out of the enrichment program. Mr. Dobe stated that if any one felt that the needs of a child were not being met than to come and see him.
Brian Conner asked about the class sizes. Mr. Dobe stated that there is no over crowding. Margaret Conner asked about the enrollment for next year. Mr. Dobe stated that there are no dramatic increases.
The Deliberative Session will be held at Newfields Elementary School on February 3, 2004 at 7:00pm for the following warrant articles.
1) Budget
2) To appropriate $5,000 to be added to the School Building Maintenance Fund for repairs and maintaining the school building.
Mike Grant motioned to adjourn at 11:05am. Mark Bouzianis second. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Gray
School District Clerk