CITY OF BERLIN
New Hampshire
Minutes of Council School Budget Session of 3/10/14
Council Conference Room
6:30 pm
Members:
Mayor Grenier
Councilor Theberge
Councilor Rozek
Councilor Otis
Councilor Morgan-Allain
Councilor Nelson
Councilor Benski
Councilor Remillard
City Staff:
James Wheeler, City Manager
Patricia Chase, Finance Director
School Board:
Superintendent Cascadden
Administrator Lamirande
School Board Chairperson Plourde
School Board Member Moore
School Board Member Valerino
School Staff:
Georgia Caron, Director Special Education
Dan Record, BMS Principal
Amy Huter, Brown School Principal
Julie King, Hillside Principal
Audie Hamilton, Technology Integrator
At 6:34 p.m. Mayor Grenier brought the meeting to order.
School Budget
Mayor Grenier requested that Superintendent Cascadden and School Board Chairperson Plourde present the school’s proposed budget.
Chairperson Plourde began by requesting a 5.4% increase in the FY15 budget.
A lengthy discussion followed regarding the implementation of a tablet program for all students. Audie Hamilton explained that after researching the available devices on the market the best fit for the school system would be Android tablets. Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Record explained that the school would control the content available to the student on these devices. Mayor Grenier asked if the devices would remain in the building and was told that the devices could go home with the students so that homework assignments could be completed. Superintendent Cascadden explained that this is new territory for the school system and that Berlin would be on the cutting edge of education through the use of technology. The cost would be $225,000 annually with $165,000 for the replacement of computers
and tablets and $60,000.00 for the Technology Integrator position.
Further discussion followed with Mr. Record stating that the Berlin Middle School has not purchased a textbook package in over ten years. Textbook companies now sell a package that includes both books and electronic books which he would like to see the BMS receive in the upcoming school year.
Councilor Otis voiced some concern that there exists the potential for failure with Android tablets due to the relatively uncharted territory the school digital program was moving forward with. He asked if this program had been tested and if the technology would be available in five years. Mr. Hamilton explained that the software could be adapted to other devices should there be any issues.
Councilor Rozek inquired about the advantages of moving from the traditional educational approaches to the digital system. Julie King explained that students would obtain an individualized programs versus a group approach. Superintendent Cascadden mentioned that students appear to be more engaged due to the fact most students are familiar with the use of electronic technology. There was also discussion surrounding costs that would become an annual expense.
Chairperson Plourde reported that health insurance expenses are up by 9%, out of district tuition increasing by 17%, contracted services increasing by 8.4% with the largest increase due to the replacement of text books at the Berlin Middle School by 79% compared to the FY14 budget. There is also an additional increase to the salary line item due to the hiring of an autism teacher because of the increasing number of autistic students.
There will be eight retiring personnel during FY15 adding additional expense to the salary/benefit line items. Mayor Grenier inquired what the breakdown was and Superintendent Cascadden explained that the total package would be $127,000.00.
Councilor Nelson asked why there was an increase to the dues and fees and Superintendent Cascadden reported that two new programs had been added.
Councilor Remillard asked if the school system was planning to replace the 8 retirees and Superintendent Cascadden responded that they would like not to but could not make that determination yet.
Councilor Benski asked what was covered under the Service Agreement line item and was told that it was for copiers, printers, elevator maintenance, sprinklers, etc.
There was discussion surrounding the Special Education Program. It was reported that 25% of the students have disabilities which is higher than the rest of the state.
Mayor Grenier asked the School Board to rework their budget to show an increase for next year of $300,000 and another budget with an increase of $500,000.00. He also asked them to prioritize their capital needs so that the total amount requested would not exceed $125,000.00
The discussion over the school budget ended at 8:05 p.m.
Mayor Grenier thanked the School Board for their presentation.
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