Stratham School Board
Financial Advisory Committee Minutes

December 11, 2007

 

On Tuesday December 11th, 2007 the Stratham School Board met at the Stratham Memorial School with the Financial Advisory Committee.

 

Present: Luke Breton (Chairperson), Katherine McDonnell, Bruce Scamman; 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, Joe Kenick and Marty Wool; FAC members.

 

Absent: John Hazekamp, Jim Dubela

 

1 Call to Order- Mr. Breton called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

 

2 Mr. Breton opened the meeting with a brief discussion about the overview of the Budgeting process and differences in approach from last year. He also updated those present on upcoming CPI data, the increase in Healthcare costs, which will not exceed 16.3% next year, and ongoing teacher contract negotiations.

 

3. Principal Fosher then began reviewing and updating some of the items from the last meeting. The sick day payout due to retirement line item will increase due to an increase in anticipated retirements for two teachers to three. He also highlighted the decrease in the teaching supplies line item. This line item will be reduced by asking parents to provide some of the supplies currently provided by the school. He also corrected the line item for improvement of instruction, noting that the increase was due to recent cost history and the anticipation of new teachers that will take advantage of their contractual benefit.

 

4 Margaret Driscoll led a discussion and explanation of various line items on the budget with regard to special education. She highlighted many of the changes from last year’s budget noting decreases due to individual student needs. It was noted that one correction should be made for private tuition and will be updated for the next meeting.

 

5. At approximately 8:30 p.m. Nathan Lunney of the SAU Business arrived and participated in a discussion of encumbrances and fund balances. It was suggested by Mr. Breton that a practice be established to report to the public all items encumbered as well as the reasoning. This will be taken up at the next Board meeting.

 

6. The next meeting was set for Wednesday, January 2^nd * at 7 p.m.

 

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

 

Submitted by

Luke Breton

Board Chairman