TOWN OF HARVARD
TRI-BOARD and FINANCE MEETING
Minutes
Meeting Date: May 1, 2008
Meeting Place: Bromfield School-Media Center
BOS Members : Leo Blair, Chair, Tim Clark, Ron Ricci, Lucy Wallace, Peter Warren.
Fin Com : Steve Colwell, Terry Mead, Marie Crowley-Sobalvarro, (left at 10:08)
George McKenna , Debbie Ricci,Chair,
School Committee : Keith Cheveralls, Willie Wickman, Stu Sklar, Chair, Patty Wenger
Others: Lorraine Leonard, Finance Director
Tom Jefferson, Superintendent of Schools,
Ginger Kendall,Library Trustee, Davida Bagatalle, Library Trustee, Mary Wilson,Library Director Pete Jackson, Library and Bromfield Trustee
Meeting Time: 7:37 pm
Adjournment Time: 10:20/10:30 pm
Discussions and Actions
l Debbie Ricci presented the agenda for this evening: presentation of suggested budget, public comment, and Leo Blair will then take over the meeting to discuss structure and warrant.
l Summary of where we have been and where we are now for a FY09 Budget with $200K override, including Library Service Contracts -$12,000. and other adjustments. Using the Stabilization Fund to cover items from the Capital plan
PUBLIC COMMENT and BOARD RESPONSES
l Deborah Skauen Hinchcliff- distress that there are no cuts in the administration
l Stu Sklar presented DOE statistics that Harvard is 18% lower than State average for school administrative costs
l George Randig- wanted to see a zero balance budget. Lorraine Leonard discussed the round two and round three cuts.
l Ed Barron- Any teaching positions eliminated from Round 1? What are the Schools cutting to get to the zero-balance budget. Dr. Jefferson presented the budget cuts for materials, programs and staff.
l Wade Holtzman- Wished this session was taped-- concerned that the public has not received the results and comments of the survey especially since the Triboard has had access to them .
l Lorin Johnson -Why hasn't the schools presented an itemized list. Dr. Jefferson itemized the cuts for $100 K.
l The School Committee had not received the amount of cuts to their budget until today ($100K)
l Marie Kauffman-questioned the details of the fire department , DPW, Dispatchers cuts. Lorraine Leonard answered with the details
l Dr. Jefferson-itemized the cuts: Middle School Special Ed. Position-needed to service students-not getting this will give not as optimum student teacher ratio.
Custodian position-not filled this year will not be filled, Learning Center at the Bromfield services extra support for Students- downgrade from a certified special needs teacher to a teacher's aide at a savings. Grade 5 position will be cut- this will increase class size 20 to 24 students, at the the top of the School Committee's class size recommendations, eliminating the Writing Assistant at the Bromfield.
l Joe Hutchinson-wonder if there is a job description for the administrative assistant.
l Lucy Wallace was concerned about second guessing each other
l Stu Sklar was concerned that Harvard is below State averages in almost all areas.
l School Committee will be evaluating the administrative staff over the year and clearly explain to the town what it takes to run the school
l Wade Holtzman hears that the schools are working on things-where is it?
l Joe Theriault-the public wants an explanation of how the Schools made their cuts.
l Terry Mead was concerned that the library cuts will impact student performance- Stu Sklar suggests that the School Committee could give a little for the Library. The School will offered to cut $3819. Mary Wilson states that the Bromfield school students come to the Library to research with their teachers
l After much discussion,Selectman Chair Leo Blair asked to move the questions for straw vote on the acceptance of a $200K budget. The Tri-board unanimously agreed to this.
l Debbie Ricci- must know where we will be for a zero-balance budget. Additional cuts would include $55 K from municipal and $145 K from the Schools.
l Lucy Wallace gave an update of the Capital Planning Committee - recommends 4 items :25K-DPW boilers, $25K Electrical upgrade at DPW, $10K for HES fans- for installation only. Fans have been donated., High School boiler at $140K All four items will be taken from Stabilization Funds. These would be bundled in one warrant article with the option to amend at town meeting if one or more item(s) is not approved at Town Meeting. Line Item for Capital Warrant Articles will not on the Omnibus budget for FY09. George McKenna clarified DPW burners will pay itself over 2 years due to savings. The electrical upgrade at DPW
There will be fuel savings with the new Boiler at the Bromfield.
l Willie Wickman itemized the suggested cuts to get to the zero-budget. Keith Cheveralls suggested using the word“staff” instead of “Teacher” when discussing a cut.
l Holly Rothkopf-recognizes that the School Committee is not trying to be fuzzy.
l Davida Bagatelle—questioned the DPW changes. One option to use mixed paper collection system which pays the town for paper/ton. Tim Clark clarified the BOS are looking at DPW future structure.
l John Drummey asked who services the boiler at Bromfield?
l Steve Colwell had an issue using the Stabilization Fund for all the small warrant articles—just the Bromfield boiler. Fans could be paid for through Shaw Trust. Steve was concerned that upgrades to the DPW electric is done before a finalized plan for the recycle center /solid waste center.
l Ron Ricci suggested that students from Monty Tech could install fans at a reduced rate.
l Marie Crowley-Sobalvarro voiced support for Steve Colwell's suggestion for setting up policy for the use of Stabilization Fund.
l John Drummey had questions on the waste oil burner proposed at DPW building and the maintenance costs, George McKenna clarified his questions.
l One warrant article is requested by the School Committee for less than a $100K for the
Schools which would definitely included a Special Ed. person at the Middle School, Davida clarified the need for this position from her perspective as a current Special Ed teacher at the Bromfield.
l Marie Crowley Sobalvarro requested clarification on Override/warrant question/structure.
l Leo Blair feels that we should listen to all boards or citizens for warrant. But does not want to give false hope that any or all requests will be honored.
l The Library would request an override to cover substitute stipends for $11,905, due to the PTO contract item. Mary Wilson explained how the PTO item impacts the service,coverage and costs.
l George Randig -concerns DPW costs for fuel /Concerned about fuel and electrical costs with school
l Terry Mead clarified that the School and Municipal budgets are set up differently by State Law. The School budget is a bottom line figure and is spent by the decisions of the School Committee, whereas the Municipal side of budget is voted by line item.
l Maria Kaufman wanted to know if there will be an opportunity for the public comment on the BOS—yes --on May 5 at 9:00 am at Town Hall.
l Ed Barron clarified his understanding that the School Committee could switch priorities and spend the moneys on changing priorities.
l Willie Wickman asked for clarification on using Warrant Article for a new position.
Much discussion followed with various positions stated on both extra ballot questions and warrant articles.
l Holly Rothkopf-Question for BOS. If there is a warrant on the ballot does this assume the support of the BOS? answer--Not necessarily
l Leo Blair gave caution to the School Committee that asking too much might lose everything.
l Connie Larabee requested that the COA be put on the BOS agenda for Monday, May 5 at 9:00 am to discuss an additional warrant article.
l The FinCom will be meeting on Monday, May 5, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall.
Final budget for the Warrant is needed, request money from the BOS for a mailing, Talk about position of warrant article and ballot questions,
l Lucy Wallace moved to adjourned the BOS meeting at 10:20 pm
l The School Committee will continue their meeting tonight
The Finance Committee has a posted meeting for Wednesday , May 7 2008 at 7:30 pm
l Steven Colwell moved to adjourn the FinCom meeting at 10:30.pm
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