Stratham School Board and Stratham Financial Advisory Committee Meeting

November 15, 2007

On Thursday November 15th, 2007 the Stratham School Board met at the Stratham Memorial School with the Financial Advisory Committee.

Present: Luke Breton (Chairperson), Katherine McDonnell, Bruce Scamman John Hazekamp, Jim Dubela; School Board Members,  Tom Fosher, Principal; Rebecca Ruel, Assistant Principal; Margaret Driscoll, Director of Special Education; Susan Canada, Gary Giarrusso, Maria Emanuel and Susan Hunter, FAC members.

Absent: Joe Kenick

1 Call to Order- Mr. Breton called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

2 Mr. Breton opened the meeting with a brief discussion about the possibility of including a member of the town board of selectman on the FAC. A brief conversation followed about questions posed by Mr. Kenick and it was decided to defer those questions to the next meeting when Mr. Kenick might be present. Mrs. Emanuel asked a question regarding board goals on the budget increase. Mr. Breton responded by disclosing that the board did indeed have a target goal and would share that goal with the FAC at the conclusion of contract negotiations.

3. Principal Fosher then began reviewing with the board and the FAC the revised budget worksheets with the latest proposals from the administration on regular education spending. Those items included; reimbursable teaching supplies. A short discussion on reimbursable supplies and a history of current practice followed. Mrs. McDonnell suggested that parents could be asked to supply some of the items currently purchased by the school. This item will be reviewed at the next meeting. Other items discussed included the budget functions of Instruction, Enrichment, Health Services, Guidance Services, Improvement of Instruction, School Library Services, Computer Assisted Instruction, Support Services, Support Services, and Operation of the Plant, Care of Grounds and Student Transportation. Mr. Fosher commented that the increased cost of transportation was partly due to increases in sections in the upper grades. Mr. Breton noted that there were many items showing a decrease from the previous budget year.

4 Mr. Breton asked Mr. Fosher about the response from the staff to the board’s request to offer suggestions for cost savings. Mr. Fosher outlined the various staff suggestions and the resulting revenue sources and cost saving ideas implemented. A brief discussion followed about the Board’s decision to increase the stipend for the District Treasurer from one thousand dollars per year to two thousand per year. Mr. Breton indicated that the stipend has been at one thousand for at least fifteen years and the board felt it appropriate to increase the stipend to reflect the extra efforts of the treasurer and to help insure continuity in that position.

5. Mr. Hazekamp asked that his motion of the previous evening be withdrawn. The motion in question proposed to investigate reorganizing or withdrawing from the SAU. This motion was withdrawn by general consent.

6. The next meeting was set for December 3^rd * at 7 p.m.

7. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9 p.m.

Submitted by

Luke Breton

Board Chairman

*The meeting was subsequently rescheduled for December 11^th.