January 14, 2009
A meeting of the Berlin Board of Education was held in the Berlin High School library beginning at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was opened by Superintendent Moulis. Present for the meeting were Mitch Couture, Martha Laflamme, Nathan Morin, Nicole Plourde, Brian Leclerc, John Moulis, Marion Y. Huntley, Beverly Dupont, Dan Record, Georgia Caron, Gary Bisson, Tim Forestall, Corinne Cascadden, Ken Proulx, Karen Saucier, Angela Duquette, Debbie Dupuis, Karen Wood, Maurice Tibbetts, Margaret Rajala, Annette Cote, Susan Arsenault, Lucille Lambert, Rita Croteau, Amy Huter, Debbie Beaudoin, Pauline and Darrly Couture, Candy Boucher, Amy Cascadden, Kris and Alexa Goyette, Lucie Remillard and members of the
press.
ELECTION On a motion by Brian Leclerc seconded by Nicole Plourde the Board voted to maintain the current slate of officers:
Michael Couture - Board Chair
Martha Laflamme - Vice Chair
Nathan Morin - Secretary
The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was then handed over to Mitch Couture.
MINUTES On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Nicole Plourde, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 7, 2009 meeting, public session. All members voted in the affirmative with Nathan Morin abstaining.
WARRANTS A motion was made by Nicole Plourde, seconded by Nathan Morin, to approve the warrants dated January 5 and January 19, 2009 for the amount of $19,146.39 and $68,087.82 respectively. Discussion ensued regarding the transportation of a Special Education student. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
BUDGET In response to the Board vote on December 17, 2008 to close Bartlett School, the administration outlined a model for Board consideration. Discussion ensued. The Board agreed to the model giving the administration the information they needed to work out the details.
Discussion was held relative to a second version of the budget and the parameters given to all city departments. The Board directed the administration to submit a second version budget at the current year's bottom line for operations and capital improvement. This will result in a tax neutral budget without taking into consideration any change in revenues.
COMMENTS Candy Boucher informed the Board that she is not in favor of closing schools.
Kris Goyette is not in favor of sending grade 3 students to Hillside, she feels they are too young and she too would like to see Bartlett stay open.
Darryl Couture asked when the amount of cost savings will be available. He was informed that the administration hopes to have a better idea as early as next week.
Lucille Lambert commented that parking will be an issue and that Bartlett has the best playground in the city.
NEW BUSINESS Martha Laflamme thanked people for coming; it is important that the Board hears from constituents. She also encouraged people to get involved, including running for the Board.
Nathan Morin stated that there is more than one way to maintain the tax rate, ie increasing the tax base.
Nicole Plourde thanked people for coming. Bartlett does have a good playground. It is a difficult decision to close schools. The buildings are old and require maintenance. The Board wants to keep a sound educational program.. The decision was not made lightly.
Brian Leclerc informed the public that he went to Bartlett and enjoyed the experience. He is looking at savings and is considering the taxpayer and what can be afforded.
NON PUBLIC On a motion by Nicole Plourde, seconded by Nathan Morin, the Board voted to go into nonpublic session at 7:45 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A3II (a), (b), (c). On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative. This session was for the Board members only.
On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Brian Leclerc, the Board voted to come out of nonpublic session at 9:32 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. No additional votes were taken in nonpublic session.
ADJOURN On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Brian Leclerc, the Board voted to adjourn it's meeting at 9:35 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary, Berlin Board of Education
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