TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
December 10, 2008
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Mike Morin, Ann Titus, Brian St. Onge, Arthur Capello, Cindy Snowdon, Chris Somma and Jim Horgan.
Members Excused: Steve Henry
Selectmen's Rep: Gail Ellis (arrived at 7:45pm)
School Board Rep: Joe Pitre
Public Present: Henry Wilson 4-6 Principal, Jeff Keene, Valley View Community School Principal, Cynthia Sparks, Technology Director, Josh Olstad, Rich Cilley, Penny Morin, Superintendent Michelle Langa and Ruth-Ellen Vaughn.
Chairman Mike Morin opened the meeting at 7:00pm.
- Henry Wilson 4-6 Budget Proposal (Principal Mr. Jeffrey Keene presenting):
a. Mr. Keene explained that line 10-1100-6107-4 (supplies) is for Everyday Math essentials. He added that the school is in its’ third year of being a school in need of improvements for math at that this line is for materials, like the workbooks for this new math curriculum. Ms. Vaughn explained that last year the district was given freebies because it was the first year of the curriculum but this year the figure is about $19/student for two workbooks for the year. She added that the student reference books also need to be ordered and that this line will be a re-occurring cost each year.
b. Mike asked what the enrollment is at HSMS 4-6. Mr. Keene replied he has approximately 350 students with 15 paraprofessionals and 15 classroom teachers.
c. Mike asked what is being purchased from line 10-1100-6400-4 (textbooks). Mr. Keene explained the $17,000 is for a new reading series to provide continuity since the school does not currently have a reading program and is in its 2nd year of being a school in need of improvement for reading.
d. Arthur asked what is being paid out of line 10-1400-8106-4 (dues and fees). Mr. Keene explained that the $10,000 is for the 5th grade Nature’s Classroom trip in May. Jim asked how the line is distributed. Mr. Keene explained that it is used to defray the costs to students because the cost is $289/student though he is not sure how the money is distributed and that he would need to check. Arthur stated that he does not feel it should be part of the operating budget because the trip is optional and not mandatory.
e. Joe pointed out that he believed line 10-1200-2600-4 (workman’s comp) has a typo. Ms. Langa replied it does look like that and said the actual increase should be $277.59 with an overall increase for that section at $22,228.55
f. Arthur asked why there is a 10.5% increase in line 10-2400-1116-4 (principal salary). Ms. Langa explained that there was a change in personnel with a starting salary that was negotiated higher than the outgoing principal and that the principal in actuality only received a 5.8% increase.
g. Arthur asked what line 10-2400-8101-4 (dues and fees) is for. Ms. Langa explained that this is a new line for principal programs.
h. Mike asked if the school is expecting an increase in guidance supplies (line 10-2120-6100-4). Mr. Keene explained that the line is for games and manipulatives for students with ADHD, and games that assist with teaching and practicing coping skills, social skills, attitudes and motivation.
i. Mike stated that the bottom line increase is $132,554.61 which is a 7.4% increase.
- Valley View Community School Budget Proposal (Principal, Ms. Cynthia Sparks presenting):
a. Mike asked what the enrollment at the school is. Ms. Sparks replied 450 students with 20 classroom teachers. Mike asked if there are any plans for full time Kindergarten and if there is adequate room in the school to accommodate it. Ms. Sparks replied there are no actual plans for full time kindergarten and that there is not adequate space to do so.
b. Gail asked if the school is requesting any new teachers. Ms. Sparks replied no, but they do have a new contract service for a deaf child.
c. Mike asked if the school participates in Special Olympics. Ms. Sparks said they have not participated for the past several years. Mike then asked if they are still participating in destination imagination and Ms. Sparks replied they did not do it last year because they did not have a volunteer to run the program.
d. Gail asked why the pre-k teacher salary line (10-1200-1114-1) is up 7.7%. Ms. Langa explained that the steps in the new CBA are not evenly dispersed.
e. Arthur asked what line 10-1400-1121-1 (salary) is for. Ms. Sparks explained that this is a returning line that was paid out of a grant last year and is for a summer enrichment program run by Ms. Severance and Ms. Hodder. Ms. Langa added that the work of Ms. Severance and Ms. Hodder has been commended by the State Education Department and has been displayed at the state and national levels. Brian asked why we charge students for Nature’s Classroom and not Summer Enrichment. Ms. Langa explained that the inconsistencies come from the history of the program and that the district can not afford the entire bill of Nature’s Classroom. Arthur asked if this line is for the salary for the program and Ms. Langa said yes. Arthur asked if the state mandates
summer school and Ms. Langa replied yes.
f. Cindy asked why the high school students are paying for books for the virtual high school if the summer enrichment is being offered for free. Ms. Langa reiterated the funding comes from the history of the program.
g. Mike asked where the other part of the 2.35 specialists is paid for in line 10-1491-1120-4. Ms. Langa explained that a Title 1 grant pays 35% and HWMS 4-6 has the other 35%. Mike asked if the school will eventually get the other 35% and Ms. Langa said no it will stay with the grant and that the grant includes the FICA, workman’s compensation and such.
h. Mike asked if 10-2130-6400(books) is a new line. Ms. Sparks replied no, that it is an every other year expenditure because it is for a medication book update for the nurse.
i. Mike explained that the bottom line for the VVCS budget is $2,820,744.57 which is a 6.8% increase or $178,711.34 more.
- Technology Budget Proposal (Josh Olstad, technology supervisor presenting):
a. Josh Olstad explained that all technology lines for all the schools are now in this budget as well as a new copier contract for all the schools so it does have a significant increase.
b. Brian asked if the total expense for the copiers is less. Mr. Olstad stated he believes so because the district had several different contracts at different price levels. The new contract is for 1/2 cent black and white copies and 5 cent color copies and the contract includes toner and service.
c. Mike asked if the schools are currently leasing computers and Mr. Olstad said yes, and that the lease is directly related to technology compliance state mandates. Gail asked if the schools are in compliance now and Ms. Vaughn replied that the district has all the equipment and that they are on their way to curricular compliance.
d. Mike asked what the software line is specific to. Mr. Olstad replied that the line is for Aerobics and Fast Math at VVCS, a Photoshop upgrade at the HS and Fast Math at HWMS 4-6.
e. Mike asked what line 10-1100-7345 (Reg. Ed.) is for. Mr. Olstad replied it is for 2 desktop computers, a sound system in the gym, a new LCD projector and a new laser printer (all for the HS). Arthur asked if he had actual numbers for this line and Mr. Olstad replied he does for the computers.
f. Mike asked if every classroom has a printer and Mr. Olstad replied no he is working to set-up a printer network so each room has access to a printer.
g. Mike asked what line 10-1290-7340-01 (equip/new) is for. Mr. Olstad explained it is for two desktop computers for the Learning Academy.
h. Gail asked how many computers were purchased with the lease program. Mr. Olstad replied 135 laptops and 42 desktops.
i. Gail asked how many students are enrolled in the Learning Academy. Ms. Langa replied that there are twelve currently with a waiting list of 4-6 students. Cindy asked why we have an out-of-district student enrolled if there is a waiting list. Ms. Langa explained that the student was a Farmington student when enrolled and when he moved out of district the placement never stopped so the student would continue to be successful.
j. Mike asked if there is room to expand the Learning Academy and Ms. Langa replied that they would need another teacher and more space to expand the program.
k. It was asked what line 10-2120-6500-31 (software) is for and Mr. Olstad explained it is for a careers program.
l. Ms. Langa explained that the 40-3120-6500 (service software) section is for the POS system for food service and should not be in this budget but in the food service budget.
m. Arthur asked why the technology coordinator (line 10-2820-1100-01) shows a 20.8% increase. Ms. Langa explained that this line was negotiated with the school board and the employee.
n. Arthur asked what line 10-2820-6420 (E rate expense) is for. Mr. Olstad explained that this is a wash item for free/reduced lunch and such programs that can be spent on any technology issues (grant).
o. It was asked why line 10-2820-8100(dues and fees) is for. Mr. Olstad explained it is for MMS fees (student grading system) and Aruba maintenance (a maintenance program).
p. Mike expressed that the bottom line for this budget is $432,660.74, which is a 37.1% or $159,761.71 increase.
q. Ms. Langa expressed that the district is also currently working on creating a storage system for K-12 for the state digital portfolio mandate.
r. Ann asked if Mr. Olstad felt he had enough staff for his work load. Mr. Olstad replied that they fell behind when they were down a person at the beginning of the year but that ideally he could use 2 more people. However he does have an NHTI intern right now that is working out great.
a. Ms. Langa informed the committee that the 2007 Freestar Van was totaled earlier in the day, as a result of an uninsured, unlicensed driver rear ending Bonnie Tellis after she had dropped a student off and was returning to Farmington. Ms. Tellis is okay but will be out for the remainder of the week and there were no students on the bus. Arthur asked what the deductible is and Ms. Langa said she was unsure, but she would check.
b. Arthur Capello motioned to reschedule the 12-11-08 meeting to 12-18-08 if the weather is not favorable for a meeting, 2nd Ann Titus. Motion carried with all in favor.
Jim Horgan motioned to adjourn, 2nd Arthur Capello. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 9:17pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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Mike Morin, Chairman
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