TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday - December 4, 2007
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Chairman Joe Pitre, Ann Titus, Gail Ellis, Brian St. Onge, Steve Henry, and Arthur Capello.
Selectmen's Rep: Paula Proulx
School Board Rep: Steve Durrance
Public Present: Superintendent Michelle Langa, Dan McGillicuddy (finance administrator for the school district), Rich Cilley (school board member), Mike Lee (Principal of the high school) and Butch Lewis (Principal of HWMS 7-8).
Chairman Pitre called the meeting to order at 7:04pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Presentation of the High School (HS) Budget Proposal: The principal of the school, Mike Lee presented the proposed budget for the 2008-2009 school year.
1. Mike explained that line 1400-1300 (salary) includes a corrected stipend for a continued position.
2. Special Education line up because a student moved back to town that requires services.
3. Increase in 1200-1120 (salary) line because funding ½ a salary that used to be grant funded.
4. Arthur Capello questioned line 1100-1201 (salary). Mike explained that this line is to pay sick day overages.
5. Mike stated all he needs for book replacement this year is physics and math.
6. It was questioned why there is a jump in line 2100-3200 and Mike explained that in the past it was budgeted incorrectly.
7. There is full adult education on the weekend. Steve H. asked if there is any revenue from this program and Mike responded some.
8. Steve H. asked what has changed to need small classrooms. Mike responded that the with the population increase from 350-475 the state requires additional types of classes and student services. Paula asked if there are a lot of one on one teams and Mike responded he only has one one on one team and the rest are in small groups, which works well.
Meeting recessed at 7:47pm.
Meeting reconvened at 7:53pm.
Presentation of Henry Wilson Memorial School (HWMS) 7-8 Budget Presentation: The Principal of the school, Butch Lewis, presented the proposed budget for the 2008-2009 school year.
1. Butch reported that the he has 222 students enrolled at the school.
2. Butch explained line 10-1100-6104 (supplies) is for English books, line 10-1100-6400 (textbooks) is to replace science books and line 10-1100-7370 (Equip/Repl.) is to purchase a new copier though the cost will be split with the 4-6 side because it is the teacher copier and will be used by both sides.
3. Arthur questioned if he is requesting any new positions and Butch replied no but explained that the shared teachers are being budgeted for differently this year. He explained that in the past the shared teachers were budgeted 50/50 but now they will be budgeted 40/60 because he has two grades and Joel Chagnon has three grades.
4. Paula asked if the salary lines include proposed salary increases and Michelle Langa responded no that the contract negotiations are under way now and any increases would be in the form of a warrant article.
5. Butch explained the co-curricular line 10-1400-8106 (dues/fees) is increased to pay for the Music Festival dues in which the students placed 2nd last year. Steve H. asked if the students fundraise for this program and Butch responded that they will but that the school will pay for the bulk of the expense. Steve H. asked how many students are in the music program and Butch stated about 50.
6. Line 10-1491-1120 (salary) shows a decrease due to the shared salary line with HWMS 4-6 and a new hire with less experience.
7. Line 10-2120-1120 (salary) shows a decrease because there are two new hires with less experience. Steve H. asked how many experienced staff members left and Butch explained he lost a special educ. Teacher, math teacher, a nurse, 2 guidance counselors and a reading specialist.
8. Line 10-2130-1120(salary) is decreased due to a new hire.
9. Arthur asked how the CNA is working out to maintain nurse’s office coverage and Butch responded very well.
10. Brian asked if both the nurse and CNA are included in the 10-2130-2110 (health insurance) line and Butch responded yes. Gail asked for the percentage the district pays for insurance. Michelle explained that the individual plans are paid at 80%, 2-person plans at 60%, and family plans are paid at 50%.
11. Steve H. asked what software is included in 10-2220-6500 (software) and Butch responded United Streaming and Athena.
12. Line 10-2400-1150 (salary) shows a decrease because it is a new secretary with less experience and 10-2400-1151 (salary) is for an additional secretary for the school year only that is shared with the 4-6 side.
13. Line 10-2400-7350 (equipment/replacement) is for a new office copier (it is not split with 4-6 and the present one is 12 years old).
14. Arthur asked what the difference is between the default budgets and the proposed budget and Dan replied that the default budget is based on contracts and what was budgeted last year. Dan also stated that he needs to go back through the budget line by line to check each item because there are some errors in the default budget.
15. Paula questioned what the Principal dues and fees are for and Butch explained that it depends what each principal puts in for.
16. Gail stated that last year the total budget was for $1,379.048.23 and the expended amount was $1,508,270.23, so why only budgeting $1,344,651.68 this year. Butch responded he was not sure and Arthur added that a lot of the over expenditures last year were based on new positions, new hires and buybacks. Also, the 4-6 budget was down so maybe the way they split the costs was not done correctly.
Other Business:
1. Valley View Community School and HWMS 4-6 are scheduled for Wednesday night.
2. Ann Titus reminded Michelle that the public hearing for the school budgets is scheduled for January 7th and 9th.
3. Gail questioned when the school board budget would be presented. Michelle responded that it would be next week.
4. Arthur requested a copy of the SAU budget.
Arthur Capello motioned to adjourn, 2nd Ann Titus. Motion carried with all in favor.
Chairman Pitre adjourned the meeting at 8:41 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
______________________________
Secretary, Ann Titus
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