| TSC Preliminary Minutes March 19, 2009
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Preliminary Minutes
Topsfield School Committee
Proctor School Cafeteria
March 19, 2009
7:30 P.M.
Members Present: Susan Archer, Jeff Evaul, Ron Giovannacci, Rebecca Brockelman and Jeanine Cunniff.
Others Present: Dr. Bernard Creeden, Trudy Dooner, Kerry Kaplon, Steve Greenberg, Doreen Kelleher, Kevin Zajas, Jennifer Hunt, Kathy Hartmann, Heidi Bond, Rosemarie Lucey, Lena Madden, Kristen Masino, Lynne Stroble, Kim Boucher, Nancy Swan, Marise Stewart, Maura Goudreau, Carey Shugrue, Michelle Costa, Katie DeFrank, Diane Carreiro, Joel Muler, Danielle Otteir, Jessica Minnaar, Tricia Truhart, Lori Peacock, Christine Driver, Amy Butterworth, Sean Cunniff, susan Dillon, Laura Majerski, Jennifer Baker, Julie Amyorz, Steph Amyorz, Kaitlin Grady, Al Holland, Allison Andruszkiewicz, Kerry Colombino, Sandy Ragan, James Ragan, Jen La Russa, Pam Jefferys, Jen Hutt, Kathleen Cronin, Kelly Radochia, Melissa McSweeney, Mark Paglierani, Steve Stark, Gretchen Rehak, Faye Raynard – Village Reporter, Teresa Farris, Chad Kindregan, Heidi Vass-Gudaitis, Alixon Giacchino, Rob Giacchino, Colleen Zamagui, Pam Lane, Chrysa DaCosta, Paula Klipfel, Diane McCarthy, Path Mulle, Terri Tavares, Gordon Spater, Susan Cunningham, Laura Arcai, Brenda Gharabegian, Karen Monim, Claudia Rabines, Karen Dow, Kathy Curran and Dawn Cobak.
A. ROUTINES:
Remarks from the Public: Kevin Zajas read a statement from the Topsfield Teacher’s Association that stated that they were not ready to make any concessions until the bottom line numbers were known for certain. The statement suggested that the School Committee to look to other funds from the overlay and other areas, and to cut classroom teachers last.
Reports from Other Committees: The Tri Town Union Committee had met and discussed the Central Office budget. They’ve reduced $18, 000 from the Central Office budget.
Report of the Building Principals: As submitted in the packet, not presented.
Report of the Superintendent:
Principal Search Announcement: Dr. Creeden thanked all members of the Principal Search Committee. There were 51 applicants, 10 interviews. Dr. Creeden announced Michelle Costa as the new principal of Steward School and Sarah O’Leary as new principal for the Proctor School.
Regionalization Study Grant Update: Topsfield has applied for a grant to do a Regionalization study and was rewarded with grant monies. The items to be studied will include: is it cost effective, is it educationally advantageous to regionalize and are there cost savings?
B. NEW BUSINESS
Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Development: Dr. Creeden explained to the public that the FinCom had requested two budgets, a level funded budget and a budget presenting 10% cuts. Dr. Creeden explained that the FinCom was still reviewing the budgets for all Town departments and that hard figures were not known at this time. Dr. Creeden stated that as of today, the Town is slated to received $186,000 in stimulus funding from the Federal Government. Topsfield is not slated to receive any State funding at this time. The favorable items to the budget are retirements and grants monies that have been applied. The School Committee will move $75,000 from the PreK revolving fund into the budget.
If an override is presented to the Town, there is no way to know how it will be structured at this time. Further, it is not known whether an override, if presented, will pass.
J. Cunniff stated that she has attended all FinCom budget meetings and believes that the majority of the cuts for the Town are coming from the school budget, as opposed to other departments. The schools are looking at an 8.96% reduction.
K. Dow of the Board of Selectmen, explained that the budgets are built department by department. The Town is suffering from decreased revenues, no excise taxes or building permits. K. Dow explained that there are departments and expenses that cannot be cut, such as pensions. The FinCom needs to determine what services can’t be cut. K. Dow explained that Free Cash is a buffer account. At year end, departments with excess cash turn that money back to the Town. The Town votes an article to put the free cash against the tax levy. This money cannot be used for the school budget. Dick Gandt explained the Levy process to the audience.
It was asked whether the FinCom agendas could be posted to the website. K. Hartmann explained that the budgets have all been presented, the FinCom is now deliberating. The public is welcome to any and all Town department meetings, yet people have not been attending and asking questions.
K. Zajas asked if a member of the FinCom could speak to the Stabilization Fund. Heidi Bond explained that the fund is there as a reserve. It would take a Town Meeting vote to use those funds and they cannot be applied to the school budget.
Motion by J. Cunniff to approve the items highlighted in yellow in order to reduce the FY2010 budget. Second by R. Giovannacci. Motion carried unanimously.
Sharon Lyons asked the Committee to seriously consider the removal of the District Wide Sped Services Coordinator. S. Lyons explained that the majority of work done by this employee is not seen, yet the work is required to keep the school district in compliance with State Special Education regulations. S. Lyons stated that by removing this position, the school district would be put at risk. S. Lyons explained that children receiving special education have increased significantly and there is substantial paperwork to be done for each child. The teachers and Sped Director would be counted on to do the paperwork. S. Lyons explained that the support for the Sped Services Coordinator has already been cut for FY10.
J. LaRussa asked if the Committee would explain the possible 6 day schedule. Dr. Creeden explained that the children would have contact with each specialist once every six days.
S. Greenberg addressed a question on a Bus Fee. It was explained that if 175 students were charged $275, the Town would receive $48,000 which would not make a dent in the budget deficit. If an override does not pass, then a Bus Fee may be considered again. K. Zajas stated that we shouldn’t minimize $48,000, it is still $48,000 to apply to the budget. Dr. Creeden explained that it would it difficult to manage people who did not pay the fee, which could result in small claims court, etc.
Motion by J. Cunniff to move #7 (Director of Curriculum) up to position #1. Second by R. Giovannacci. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by J. Evaul to reduce the Sped Services Coordinator position #15, by one day and move it up to position #2. Second by R. Brockelman. Motion carried unanimously. #8 was eliminated.
Motion by J. Cunniff to break #6 (2 FTE SPED aides) into 1 FTE SPED aide, and move it up to position #3. Second by S. Archer. Motion carried unanimously.
Teacher salaries and raises were questioned by a member of the public. S. Greenberg explained that the teachers are slated to receive raises of 2.7%, per their contract. Total school wage increases are over $220,000.00. We are in year 3 of a 3 year contract with the teachers.
Sean Cunniff asked if any other departments were facing layoffs, other than the schools. S. Cunniff stated that the Town may be more likely to approve an override if a police officer and fireman were possible cuts. Heidi Bond stated that the FinCom can’t put something on the override that the Town could not live with, should the override not pass.
Motion by J. Evaul to leave the remaining items on the list in the order presented. Second by J. Cunniff. Motion carried unanimously.
Dr. Creeden stated that the School Committee can accept donations. Dr. Creeden stated that there is currently an option on the Town tax bills for people to donate to a Scholarship Fund and an Education Fund. The schools also receive generous funding from the Topsfield Education Foundation.
Consideration User Fees for 2009-2010: Dr. Creeden stated that Boxford students currently pay $450 fee for instrumental music. Topsfield will need to look at raising their fee for next year in order to sustain the program. Jen LaRussa stated that the TEF is planning to donate $14,000.00 to the instrumental music program for FY10.
Fiscal Year 2009 Financial Update: S. Greenberg presented the FY09 budget update. The School budget currently has an approximated surplus of $180,000. $100.000 is slated to be given back to the Town. Final numbers will not be known until Mid-May.
2. Correspondence: none
3. Other: none
C. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Bills and Payrolls:
. Bills and Payrolls: J. Cunniff moved to approve the following Bill and Payroll Warrants as
presented. Second by R. Giovannacci.
Bill Warrant #FY09-51 dated 03/19/09 in the amount of $ 55,091.97
Bill Warrant #FY09-53 dated 03/19/09 in the amount of $ 19,019.01
Bill Warrant #FY09-54 dated 03/19/09 in the amount of $ 23,157.04
Bill Warrant #FY09-55 dated 03/19/09 in the amount of $ 4,874.25
Payroll Warrants #18 & 15 & 13 dated 3/12/09 in the amount of $198,645.67
Payroll Warrants #19 & 16 & 14 dated 3/26/09 in the amount of $205,569.08
Bill Warrant #FY09-50 dated 03/03/09 in the amount of $ 20,202.81
Motion carried 5-0-0.
2. Minutes of Previous Meetings:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 26, 2009: Motion by R. Giovannacci to accept the minutes of the regular meeting on February 26, 2009 as written. Second by J. Cunniff. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Minutes of the Executive Session of February 26, 2009: Motion by J. Cunniff to accept the minutes of Executive Session on February 26, 2009 as written. Second by R. Brockelman. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 4, 2009: Motion by R. Brockelman to accept the minutes of the regular meeting on March 4, 2009 as written. Second by J. Cunniff. Motion carried 5-0-0. .
D. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further questions, J. Cunniff made a motion to adjourn at 10:55pm. All were in favor and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dawn Cobak
Recording Secretary
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