MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Whitney Community Center
December 21, 2009
1. Call to Order: The Jackson School Board met at 6:00 p.m. Present were Jerry Dougherty, Genn Anzaldi, Joe Kopitsky, Andrew Kearns, Keith Bradley, Dr. Carl Nelson and Gayle Dembowski.
2. Approve Minutes (11-16-09): Motion was made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Mr. Kopitsky, to approve the Minutes of the Nov. 16th meeting as circulated. Motion carried with 3 affirmative votes and 2 abstentions (Messrs. Bradley and Kearns).
3. Citizen Comments: None.
4. Presentation of School Programs/FYI Items:
A. SAU – Other School Board Reports – Dr. Nelson announced an Executive Board meeting is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 14th at 6:30 p.m. at the SAU Office; a Joint SAU Boards meeting will be held on Jan. 28th at 6:30 p.m. at Kennett High School. Jackson’s representatives are Messrs. Dougherty and Kearns, and Ms. Anzaldi.
5. Old Business:
Mr. Bradley questioned the outcome of late bills for snow removal and landscaping. Mr. Dougherty said the bills were not itemized by building, also this was going on during the construction period - it came down to it being just not itemized for what they did for the school versus the Marketplace. He noted that Mr. Bordash has worked out what Eastern Green will do for the Marketplace and the Whitney building and what the town will do - Eastern Green will do the parking lot and the sidewalk, the town road crew will push back the snow banks. Mr. Bradley would like to know what we paid this year separately.
6. Instructional Issues: None.
7. Consider Personnel Actions: None.
8. Business Affairs:
A. FYI – 2009-10 Budget Status Report – Dr. Nelson reported we are “still in good shape” on the budget.
B. Review 1st Draft of 2010-11 Proposed Budget – Dr. Nelson provided summary sheet showing increases and decreases, noting the Budget Committee is proposing just under a 2% increase over the current budget.
Health insurance line increased by $1,000 and is based on the new health insurance plan ($500 deductible) with a $500 debit card for an individual, $1,000 for 2-person, and $1500 for family plan.
Dr. Nelson suggested creating a $3,000 deductible insurance pool so that if anyone reached that there would be money to pay out. If the pool is not used, it goes back to the general fund and back to the taxpayer. Mr. Bradley questioned the saving. Dr. Nelson said you are saving $23,000 because it went up 15%. Mr. Dougherty noted a “guaranteed not to exceed 14.9%” stipulation if we sign up by Feb. 5th, if not it will be 15.9%.
Dr. Nelson stated the salary lines include the two year plan, ESOL (about $20,000), decrease of teacher aide by ten hours (about $4,000). Also budgeted is 30 hours work for George Bordash, 35 hours work for Mark Iannuzzi, and 10 hours of extra time per week that could be added for either of those two positions (about $10,000 more). He stated also there is $3,000 extra under contracted services to pay people who are asked to work overtime. It was noted that any overtime is first approved by Ms. Dembowski. Mr. Kearns questioned last year’s percentage increase. Dr. Nelson said it was 7.8%.
Dr. Nelson said there is an increase in Middle School tuition due to number of students going from 11 to 16. Tuition is $15,515 at Bartlett. There is a decrease in high school tuition because of fewer kids.
Mr. Dougherty questioned whether the bond share increase is due to increase in bond payment or equalized valuation. Dr. Nelson said it is equalized valuation. Mr. Kopitsky questioned number of high school students expected next year. Dr. Nelson will get that number for him - it is a formula by contract and number of kids.
Special Education – large decrease in tuition ($80,000) primarily because a student who was going to be considered for placement is at KHS; remaining are because of IEP demands.
Maintenance/Grounds – increase of $1900 ($1,000 for snow removal at Whitney Center); school plowing $5200. Mr. Bradley questioned whether they should be talking to Selectmen for direction on this prior to the budget hearing.
Ms. Anzaldi questioned fuel. Dr. Nelson said it is for oil – it is less because we had previously had a number in the budget, but have now locked in for 18 months which is less than it was last year. Mr. Bradley questioned whether they would see more savings with the new boiler. Dr. Nelson said they could, but can also guaranteed lower fuel costs because of lock-in.
Contract Services-Librarian – Dr. Nelson explained there is a reduction because Media Specialist has been put in the salary line ($7,600 for one day a week).
Dr. Nelson said the budget does not include wetlands fill and some other expenditure items. $25,000 was budgeted for the playground, $10,000+ was spent, so there is in excess of $10,000 still remaining they have not used. He noted they would have to have a contract out by June 30th if they want to use it for the wetlands fill. Mr. Bradley questioned money for the roof. Dr. Nelson said it is still in a trust fund - $36,000 in the maintenance trust fund still earmarked for the roof. There was question whether the $10,000 that is left is specific for the playground or could be used, for instance, for painting. Dr. Nelson said they probably should not do that because it is under Grounds.
Mr. Kearns pointed out we are seeing what seems to be a decrease in population so he is reluctant to put the $10,000 into the playground. It was Ms. Anzaldi’s opinion that the school should be asked whether they want something, for instance, playground equipment, or what their priority is. Mr. Kearns questioned where the overlap is between the wetlands and the fill work. Mr. Dougherty stated we do not really know what we will be required to do as regards the wetlands application; there are three options, all of which included filling in the wetland area. He noted there is also the underground pipe issue; however, the State may say we have to do certain things to the other field if we are filling in the wetlands – we have to wait and see what the State responds to our
request. He said he would like to see work begin to fill in the wetlands, that it would be wise to do it to keep the school dry. He explained the layout and the breech in the wall, noting ideally we would fill in the wetlands and fix the breech in the wall. Mr. Kearns said if the State tells us what to do, we would have $10,000 to finish that work. Mr. Dougherty did not feel $10,000 would do it. It was noted that H. E. Bergeron has prepared plans for a contract for the wetlands permit. Mr. Bradley said as regards putting money aside for the fill, we are showing a 1.98% increase right now and comparing this year’s warrant articles to last year’s, we are still down.
Mr. Kearns questioned whether there will be an increase in cost of school lunch program this year. Ms. Dembowski said they have considered increasing it to $3.00.
Warrant:
Article 1 – Budget – (draft) $2,201,714.
Article 2 - $15,000 to be added to Bus Capital Reserve Fund. Dr. Nelson reported there is currently $63,000 in the fund, adding $15,000 would bring it to $78,000, with $15,000 to be added the following year. He noted most recent bus prices are about in the $94,000 range; cost has gone up due to addition of some sort of air pollution device.
Article 3 - $15,000 to be added to the Tuition Trust Fund – Dr. Nelson noted there is currently $17,000 in the account. He noted at some point the kids going to Bartlett will be going to Kennett and we will need to offset that. His suggestion is to add $15,000 so we will have some money when that happens.
Article 4 - $35,000 to be added to the Expendable General Trust Fund (School Building Maintenance Fund) – Dr. Nelson stated if the District spends $36,000 on the roof they will have zero for the Trust Fund.
Article 5 - $25,000 to be added to the Capital Reserve Fund (Special Education) – Dr. Nelson reported there is currently $74,000 in the fund, if they put in an additional $25,000, they would have approximately $100,000, which would cover the expenses should the Special Ed student move.
Article 6 – Creation of an expendable trust fund to be known as the Bill and Betty Whitney Foundation Fund, for the support of (in order of priority): (1) capital projects and capital maintenance, (2) programs, (3) operations of the community center; and to raise and appropriate $2,000 toward this purpose to be offset by contributions from the Whitney Trust, naming the School Board as agents to expend from the fund. It was explained this is a draft according to Ann Bennett’s request.
Mr. Dougherty said there has been suggestion that this number might become something larger than $2,000. Dr. Nelson said the School District will be the agent to distribute the money. Mr. Dougherty said this is establishing a new fund the money would go into yearly. Mr. Kearns noted that the $9,000 we are going to get annually does not roll over, so if we do not spend it it goes back to the taxpayer. Mr. Dougherty said we could offset our utilities with that money. Dr. Nelson said this would raise and appropriate the money from a fund balance left at the end of the year; if the voters vote to take some of the money and put it into the trust, they could do that. It has to be done as a warrant article.
Returning to discussion of Article 5, it was noted $80,000 is the potential cost for this year. Ms. Dembowski pointed out they do not have any incoming Special Ed students in the school presently, but could have someone move into the District. Mr. Dougherty said he would like to see the warrant article stay in there as it is, noting there are costs that are out of our control and he would like to see this buffer in there. Mr. Kopitsky agreed they should keep it in because we have a student who may need it. Dr. Nelson commented that Conway has started a Special Ed reserve fund – they want to put in $100,000 each year and cap it at $500,000. He suggested Jackson may want to consider a $100,000 cap. Mr. Bradley said he would like to see it reduced, but not taken
completely out. Dr. Nelson requested direction from the Board. Mr. Bradley said in looking at last year’s warrant articles, we are $60,000 down this year. Mr. Dougherty said he would not want to add $10,000 as suggested by Mr. Bradley; his concern was “do we want to start a fund” or hit taxpayers for $100,000 all in one year? Ms. Anzaldi noted she would prefer not to hypothetically put money in for something we do not have a plan for yet, noting that historically population goes up and down. Mr. Bradley said if we had a whole wish list: black top, proper drainage, that is a lot of money. He questioned if in the spring the State says we can fill in the pond and find the playground is not holding up, do we fill the pond in or fix the playground? Mr. Dougherty pointed out we are appropriating $35,000 for the school building maintenance fund.
Mr. Kearns said one of the reasons for the black top issue is teachers cannot see all three play areas at once and it requires three people on duty for recess; when we have two, the kids are limited to staying on the playground and the black top. Ms. Dembowski stated it is an inconvenience, but we are managing. Mr. Kearns said if we had everything we want done, there will still be two on duty. It was noted that the asphalt cannot be done until we get rid of the wetlands.
Dr. Nelson said also we are adding $3,000 for the insurance pool. Mr. Bradley asked for staff reaction to that and was told they have been told it is under discussion. Mr. Kearns said when they previously discussed it there was about one-third of the staff that would see much benefit, one-third not much change, and one-third that if everything went wrong it would cost them.
It was agreed snow plowing would be left in for now. There was question as to whether they could get a contract with the town to do it. Mr. Bradley felt a hand shake would be sufficient. It was agreed to leave it in.
It was agreed the warrant articles will stay as proposed and in January Dr. Nelson will bring forward a budget to adopt. He asked that a figure on snowplowing be obtained prior to then. Mr. Bradley asked for percentage of increase, with warrant articles, noting if they keep the articles as is, the point should be made at the meeting that we are, for instance, 20% down.
9. Administrators’ Reports:
A. Superintendent – Dr. Nelson noted next month’s meeting will be on Tuesday, Jan. 19th at 6:00 p.m. because of the holiday on the 18th.
B. Principal – Ms. Dembowski thanked everyone for attending the winter concert.
She reported having gotten results back from 3-month long term radon testing – results were 2.1 and 4 is the cut off.
Staff has finished the first half of year working with the Professor from UNH – it is going well and they are benefiting from that.
Copy of the new Kindergarten report card has been developed and will be sent home at the end of this term; the SAU is working on a new 1, 2, 3 grade report card as well.
The Safety Committee has met and wanted included under Old Business the flashing light conversations that have taken place over time. She noted the present cone system, with the snow, is creating some concerns. Ms. Anzaldi stated that falls under the Safe Routes to School Committee. They are doing a review. She believes most of that intersection will be addressed with the Safe Routes to School Program. Ms. Dembowski said the one that is flashing during school time, on a timer, might be more noticeable. It was noted they have had one cone that was run over, plow trucks cannot get by, so in the bad weather cannot put them out, and with wind they get knocked over. Mr. Kearns said the flashing light on the top is set up to come on at dark, but there is an override
for day time. Mr. Kopitsky said the intersection is very difficult and felt the sooner they can get flashing lights the better. He said he will check with Anthony.
Mr. Kopitsky reported the World Language Committee met, they are doing some research, working on getting information from Washington.
10. Citizens Comments: None.
11. Board Member Issues – Board Discussion:
A. Set Date for Next Meeting – January 19, 2010 - 6:00 p.m.
B. Consider Request for Funds from Wentworth School Library Trust Fund – Ms. Anzaldi expressed that she would like it to be used to purchase books for the conference room. Ms. Dembowski noted it has to be requested before the end of the calendar year. Motion was made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Mr. Kearns, that the School Board request funds from the Wentworth School Library Trust Fund in the amount of $2,469.76. Mr. Dougherty said there is the question of whether we want to request it every year from this point on. Mr. Bradley suggested following the lead of the library. It was agreed they would request the money available right now and start building up the in-house library. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Mr. Dougherty said the Whitney Oversight Committee wants to install motion detector lights in the parking lots, the Foundation has proposal to install flood lights and motion sensor for $870., installed. He noted we do not currently have money appropriated for this. He suggested taking it from the money appropriated for the playground if we want to get them in this year, in that he is not sure there is any other place to get the money from. Dr. Nelson will check to see. Mr. Dougherty suggested putting this under Old Business for January, and Dr. Nelson will look at where we can get the money in the meantime. Dr. Nelson will get another quote.
Mr. Kearns noted in regard to the Whitney Center, the policy includes if in use on a Saturday there has to be a designated person on site (changed from school employee). The Whitney Foundation is requesting clarification of the person so designated. Mr. Dougherty said he was under the impression they would be pre-qualified, there is concern about using someone who is not a school employee. Mr. Kearns pointed out the Board changed it to a “designated person.” It was felt there would need to be a list of requirements in order to be on the list, training would be needed. Mr. Bradley suggested a Whitney Center training day.
12. Signing of Manifest: All documents were duly signed.
13. Non Public Session: None.
14. Adjourn: Motion was made by Mr. Kopitsky, seconded by Mr. Bradley and carried by unanimous vote, that the meeting be adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier
Recording Secretary
Old Business for January meeting:
(1) Wetlands
(2) Parking Lot lights for Whitney Center
(3) Safe Routes to School – status
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