WINCHESTER BUDGET COMMITTEE/SCHOOL BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING
JANUARY 14, 2008
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA
Budget Committee Members Present: Ken Gardner, Sherman Tedford, Trevor Croteau, Margaret Curtiss, Rick Horton, Jackie Beaman, Jack Marsh, Hubie Crowell, Bob Davis
Board Members Present: C. Duquette
The meeting was called to order by Budget Committee Chair, T. Croteau at 7:05 pm.
Article One:
T. Croteau read Article One and reviewed the list of appropriations.
J. Marsh asked for clarification on regular programs and why the Keene tuition is in the operating budget and not on a warrant article?
C. Duquette advised that it has never been a warrant article since it was originally voted on.
J. Marsh feels if the warrant article didn't pass, Keene would renegotiate with us.
K. Gardner explained if we vote it down and there is no money in the operating budget, Keene could make the students leave.
Dr. Crisafulli explained we still need to educate the kids; the State may step in if we reject the warrant article. Not sure if it could jeopardize aid received. The State has the authority as to how you educate kids. The School Board entered a contract with Keene in good faith.
J. Marsh feels voters should be given the change to vote on it. This is a large amount of money.
D. Crisafulli advised personnel and contracts with personnel need to be approved, but not students; they must be educated.
S. Tedford advised if this question comes up again, we could research it and put the question on the ballot; Are you in favor of allowing the School Board to negotiate contracts with KHS; or anyone for that matter.
D. Crisafulli believes the statute says the authority goes to the School Board.
S. Tedford believes the last article might give the School Board the authority.
J. Beaman asked about reduction in Medicaid.
T. O'Connor explained he received information from the Federal Government. They have made a change in their rules regarding specialized transportation. It is no longer reimbursable. T. O'Connor estimates 25% of previously reimbursable expenses will not be covered.
T. O'Connor explained that the fund balance is an estimate of where we may end up. The report willl be revised and reprinted for DRA, September 1st.
T. O'Connor explained that his rationale for the reduction of $100,000 was based on the Special Ed students and projected costs.
Roberta asked about the line item Other School Board.
C. Duquette explained that is audit and legal expenses.
Roberta asked how the tuition with Keene is set.
C. Duquette advised Winchester is not part of SAU29; we are SAU38. Explained the new way Keene is calculating the tuition. There are two rates; one for Regular Ed and one for Special Ed. She explained currently other schools are lower, only because Winchester was done first. The intent is that all will be the same.
D. Crisafulli advised if there is anything lower set for other communities, Keene will then come back to Winchester.
Article Two:
T. Croteau read Article Two.
D. Crisafulli advised there is a $21,898 reduction in the number frrom last year.
Article Three
T. Croteau read Article Three.
D. Crisafulli spoke to the Article. He feels it is important to bring that amount to $50,000. Special Ed costs change constantly.
Joan Franklin asked about Article Three. How can you vote for $50,000 the way it is written?
The Budget Committee advised the number could be changed at the Deliberative Session.
Article Four:
T. Croteau read Article Four.
Article Five:
T. Croteau read Article Five.
Article Six:
T. Croteau read Article Six.
The Public Hearing portion of the meeting adjourned at 7:43 pm., followed by a 10 minute break.
C. Duquette MOVED to recommend up to $50,000 on Article Three.
S. Tedford advised the vote must be to reconsider; SECONDED by: S. Tedford, MOTION PASSED.
C. Duquette MOVED to to see if the Winchester School District will vote to raise and appropriate "up to" $50,000 rather than $25,000; SECONDED by: S. Tedford, S. Tedford feels the Budget Committee does not have the authority to change the number; can only recommend; C. Duquette advised the School Board originally came with another number. S. Tedford feels the Budget Committee had no authority to change it to $25,000; after further discussion, MOTION WITHDRAWN. S. Tedford advised the School Board did vote for $50,000 and the Budget Committee was informed of that.
C. Duquette MOVED that the Budget Committee approve Warrant Article Three as written for $50,000; SECONDED by: S. Tedford, VOTED: 4-6, MOTION FAILED, Note: The Budget Committee does not recommend this Article.
T. Croteau asked for an explanation of increases totaling $313,254 under regular programs, in the default budget.
T. O'Connor advised when he first submitted the budget, it included line item detail. He reviewed the detail with the Board and explained that this includes a $600,000+ per student increase to Keene.
S. Tedford advised a new law requires posting of the recommendation of each article and that the vote be included next to each warrant article in the Town Report. S. Tedford read the law, under RSA 32:5 V-A (9/27/07) and advised that the Town will be implementing it. He asked if the School will be putting that on the warrant.
Dr. Crisafulli feels it doesn't need a vote by the Board; will inform them to include it. Feels it is good to be consistent
T. Croteau advised that Article Two needs to reflect the recommendation by the Budget Committee.
Ken Gardner MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 pm; ALL IN FAVOR.
S. Tedford MOVED to reconsider adjournment; SECONDED by: K. Gardner; ALL IN FAVOR.
T. Croteau distributed the MS7 for the Town to sign and explained the bottom line is off $104.00.
S. Tedford MOVED to revisit the bottom line of the Town Budget; SECONDED by: K. Gardner; ALL IN FAVOR.
The Meeting was continued by the Budget Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Higgins