Not Approved
Newfields School District Budget Hearing – Minutes
January 14, 2006
In Attendance:
Board Members: Jan Trueman, Mark Bouzianis, Carolyn Bellisio Kelly
Administration: Steve Kossakoski, Dennis Dobe
Board Officers: Maggie Doane
Call To Order – The meeting was called to order at 9 AM.
Jan Trueman introduced the panel to the audience stating that Mark Bouzianis would go over the budget. Mark said that he would do the totals of the object code and would entertain any questions as they came up. It was also noted that Article 1 would be taken up during the Bond Hearing.
Article 2 – Operating Budget:
1000-Instruction - Teacher Salaries is a three year contract and a done deal. The first year went up by
7.47%; the second year, 7.47% and the third year, 7.7%. Salaries were behind other towns in the SAU.
Question: Ray Buxton – What do you expect the increase to be after the 3 years?
Answer: It depends on the market value at the time. We can not speculate three years out. Even after these increases we’re still the lowest in the union.
Question: Ray Buxton – How do we compare with others in the district?
Answer: It depends on who we compare to. Competitive but, still below.
Charter School Tuition is $3,500. This year we have 4 students going to charter schools which we have to reimburse. There are limits of 10% per grade level that we are obligated to pay the charter schools. We have turned down requests when it exceeds the 10% per grade level.
Question: Nancy Mason – Are you making these decisions on the child’s need or by budgetary issues?
Answer: The decision to go to Charter Schools is a parental decision not the school district.
Question: Dottie Dawson – Who are the temporary employees?
Answer: Substitute teachers.
1200 - Special Education -Down by approximately $9,700 and this is due by successfully identifying
special needs earlier.
Question: Dottie Dawson- Why isn’t second language not under Special Education?
Answer: Because it is not Special Ed.
2120 –Guidance Services – There is a slight decrease.
2130 –Health Services –Up by $3,800.
2140 –Psychological Services- There is an increase due to testing.
2150 –Speech Pathology Services-There is a $1,326 increase due to IEP’s and contract related issues.
2160 - O.T. & P.T. Services- There is an increase of $1,900. This reflects services for preschool
programs as well.
2210 – Improvement of Instruction Services –This is down by $20,000 due to 2.5 aid positions not
needed as we anticipate lower number of students. Kindergarten will have only one session.
Question: Nancy Mason –What is the projection of students?
Answer: There is a total potential of 40 more students but can fit easily into the school.
2222 – School Library Services –There is a decrease of $706.
2225 – Technology – Approximate increase of $893.
2310 – Support Services –Same as last year.
2320 – Office of the Superintendent SVS- There is an increase of $4,000.
Question: Dottie Dawson- How many are in the SAU Office?
Answer: Approximately 18 people.
Question: Dottie Dawson – Wasn’t the SAU going to move into the Annex and reduce the rent
on Front Street?
Answer: Not for another year or two. The SST Students are going to help with the remodeling
of the current Exeter High School for Offices.
Question: Joe Army – Is the cost of 2320 based on population?
Answer: Yes, it does change according to the total pie and the population. As some towns go
up, others go down.
2400 – Support SVS – There is an increase of $8,600.
2600 –Operation of Plant – The increase of $40,000 is due to energy costs mainly. It is hard to predict.
Some windows are only single pane and need to be replaced.
Question: Jennifer McPherson –The third grade is hot. Have you considered turning down the
heat?
Answer: Yes, we have had to re-program a couple of the thermostats including the multi purpose
room.
2630 – Care of Grounds – This is showing a decrease of $1,297.
2700 - Student Transportation Services – There is a decrease of $1,750. The bus company contract
expired. The contract was extended for one year so this is the sixth year of a five year contract. A committee will be formed for the new contract.
2900 – Support Services – Other –There is an increase of $23,955. Insurance went up 18.6%.
We pay 80% and the teachers pay 20%.
Question: Joe Army- What is the retirement plan?
Answer: This is our contribution to their plan.
Question: Jennifer McPherson –Have we ever used the money from the Maureen Hackett Memorial Fund?
Answer: Yes, we brought in a Shakespearian group.
Question: Bill Davis- Do have enrollment figures for this year and next?
Answer: 166 this year, 159 for 2006/07; 152 for 2007/08; 151 for2008/09; 139 for 2009/10 and
135 for 2010/11. There are three different methods for arriving at these figures and none are
precise.
Revenues: The state aid will decline in 2006/07.
Question: Joe Army- How does the cost per student expenditures in Newfields compare to
other towns?
Answer: The cost is below average when compared to the other schools in SAU 16.
Question: Robert McPherson-Are these formulas done by the region or by the state?
Answer: By state.
The impact on taxes by this budget, if passed, is 37 cents per 1,000. If the budget is not approved
by the voters, we revert to the default budget. The default budget amount is $13,864 less than we are proposing.
Article 3 – Collective Bargaining Agreement with Paraprofessionals:
The paraprofessionals unionized this year and the contract calls for $4,309 for year 2006/07
which is a 3% salary increase; $4,441 for year 2007/08 with a 3% salary increase; $5,335 for year 2008/09 and a 3.5% salary increase. There are currently 11 paraprofessionals.
Question: Nancy Mason –Does the state require that we hire qualified or certified persons as
paraprofessionals?
Answer: Yes, there are requirements set up.
Question: Bill Davis-Are the number of paraprofessionals the same each year?
Answer: We based the numbers on this years’ need.
Question: Ray Buxton- Do 17 hour people get benefits?
Answer: No.
Article 4 – Building Maintenance Fund:
We used the money this year on Asbestos removal, and automatic door closures.
Next year we hope to replace some of the single pane windows to conserve on energy.
We entered into a maintenance agreement with Dick Wendel and Ed Otto at the COOP for a
fee of $4,000 per year to help us with the cost of tradesmen. We can use theirs at a cost less
than we can get on our own. And they are usually available when we need them.
Question: Jeff Buxton-Do we have a projected 5 year plan?
Answer: Yes, We have a capital plan and have already done the magnetic doors, asbestos
abatement, and replaced the hot water heater. We need to upgrade the door locks, replace
single pane windows, some roof repairs, and electric outlets in the multi purpose room.
Question: Jeff Buxton – What about the fire alarm system? A new system should be added
to the list.
Answer: Good suggestion. The fire alarm system does need to be looked at.
Question: Don Doane- Do we need to have an auditor now that we have hired an auditor to
do the books?
Answer: We think we have to go before the town in a warrant article to have that position
removed as it was voted in by the town. Something to add to next years articles.
Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 10:22 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maggie Doane