MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
January 21. 2014
1. Call to Order: The Jan. 21st meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Genn Anzaldi, Lauren Synnott, Keith Bradley, Fred Nemeth, Dr. Carl Nelson, and Principal, Gayle Dembowski. There were six members of public/staff present.
2. Approve Minutes (12-16-13) –Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Ms. Synnott, that the Minutes of the Dec. 16th meeting be approved as circulated. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
3. Citizen Comments: Gino Funicella provided copy of nine questions he requested the Board consider, including a statement of his conclusions, but advised he was not expecting answers at this meeting. Mr. Funicella questioned (1) the Board’s authority to make nonbudgeted decisions without a town vote; (2) whether the Board has researched the effects of non resident students leaving Jackson for middle schools; (3) he questioned that the Board intends to hold a lottery as well as an interview process and the criteria for turning lottery winners away; (4) he noted town projections for the next five years average less than 3 children per year entering the grammar school, stating in 7 years they will have only 25 students and wished
to know if there is a plan to turn Jackson’s grammar school into an area academy; (5) if a non teacher leaves the school’s employ would their child be allowed to remain in the school; (6) he noted the Superintendent says other schools charge as much as $23,000 for non resident students and questions why the Board decided on such low rates as $10,000 and less; (7) busing of non resident students; (8) whether the Board has investigated the possibility of tuitioning our students and the cost and ramifications of that; and (9) has the Board set a target for how many students they are attempting to attract.
Mr. Funicella made reference to figures provided at the last school district meeting, noting tuition for middle school was reported to be $287,000 and adding that these are raw numbers of what is in the budget. Mr. Funicella then left the meeting.
Robert Davis questioned why we are taking out of town students and why are they not charged the same rate as other students. Ms. Dembowski explained they spent a year studying the impacts of a shrinking population. She said we feel we have a lot to offer as a school and enrollment is declining; the school is the heart of the town and we want to keep kids in school. She noted they looked at various ways to do that; this would be a way to bring in a little bit of income without increasing cost. It is a good opportunity to bring a diversity of students here and keep the school alive and vibrant. Mr. Bradley said they are also hoping to attract families that would make Jackson their home. Mr. Davis stated “he could not see it, if taking them in it should be at the same rate that it cost for our own students.” Ms. Anzaldi stated when they looked at other schools who were tuitioning, and adding on per student the children that we are bringing in, it would help defer some of
our costs – it is not adding anything to our budget by bringing students in. She noted the tuition we are asking for can change depending on whether we get anybody – it is not adding any cost to our taxpayer by having extra students come in.
4. Presentation of School Programs/FYI Items:
- SAU – Other School Board Reports - Dr. Nelson announced a Joint Board
meeting to be held on Jan. 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at Conway Professional Development Center, for a presentation of Program of Studies for Kennett High School and Eagle Academy.
5. Old Business:
A. Set Tuition Rate for Employees for 2014-15 – Motion made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Mr. Nemeth, to set the tuition rate for employees for the 2014-15 school year as proposed. Mr. Bradley noted we have not set the tuition rate for outside people yet and suggested getting that in place first. Motion was then made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Ms. Anzaldi, that Item 5, A, be tabled until the February meeting. Carried by unanimous vote.
B. Consider Third Reading and Adoption of Revised Personnel Policies for Contracted Employees – Motion made by Mr. Nemeth, seconded by Ms. Synnott, to approve and adopt revised Personnel Policies for Contracted Employees at third reading. Dr. Nelson noted change (Pg. 7) corrects performance pay. Change was also noted in Article 28, Reduction in Force (Pg. 14) which had been agreed upon. Ms. Synnott noted the 2nd sentence should read part-time employees rather than full-time. She noted if a person had to be let go and the person came back within three years they would be given first option for that position. Mr. Bradley felt three years is a long time. Ms. Anzaldi said
holding the position for that period of time does not happen anywhere else.
Mr. Bradley said he would be more comfortable with 12 months. Mr. Nemeth said the way it is worded currently meets what we have been discussing – it does not say seniority will not be a factor, but an important factor with other factors to be considered. He feels holding the position for three years is a long time, 12 months might be more reasonable. Ms. Synnott stated if they had done a good job they would be the obvious one to get the position. Mr. Bradley said the reason he suggested 12 months is we do not have a union in Jackson and he does not want to get to the point where we have a union – it would give them peace of mind.
Heather Woodward said the Personnel Committee reviewed several union agreements; she questioned if that happened, would a person pick up where they left off? Dr. Nelson said they would get credit for where they were when they left.
Dr. Nelson offered to develop appropriate wording incorporating the 12 months suggested and bring it back when the full Board is present to vote. Ms. Anzaldi felt it would be nice to say they should be at the Distinguished level, but having the recommendation of the Principal is fine. There was no action taken on Mr. Nemeth’s motion.
6. Instructional Issues: None.
7. Consider Personnel Actions:
A. Accept Retirement of Ann Bennett
B. Elimination of Part-time Clerical Aide Position (2014-15)
C. Elimination of Part-time Technology Coord. Stipend Position (2014-15)
D. Establishment of Secretarial Position (2014-15)
E. Establishment of Technology Coordinator Position (2014-15)
F. Decrease in Hours of Administrative Assistant (2014-15)
G. Appointment of Ann Bennett as Part-time Technology Coord. (2014-15)
H. Appointment of Ann Bennett as Part-time Administrative Assistant (2014-15)
Motion made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Mr. Nemeth and carried, that the Board consider Item 7, A-H, as a block. Dr. Nelson explained this is a reorganization of the front office which eliminates the part-time clerical position (15 hrs.) and creates a 32 hr. school secretary position with benefits. It creates an 8 hr. a week position as Administrative Assistant, and an 8 hr. per week technology position, doing away with the stipend position in the policy now. It accepts Ms. Bennett’s retirement and approves her filling those part-time positions. He noted two positions are greater than 20% and become 53.3%, which would entitle Ms. Bennett to 53.3% of benefits; the total net is about a $16,000 increase in
that arrangement, the big piece of which is the health insurance plan for the 32 hr. position. Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Ms. Synnott to approve Items 7, A-H, as recommended. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
8. Business Affairs:
- FYI – 2013-14 Budget Status Report – Dr. Nelson provided copy of updated
budget, noting they are still “in pretty good shape.” There were no questions or comments.
- Review Draft #3 and Approval of 2014-15 Proposed Budget – Dr. Nelson
noted the revised budget shows a $252,645 increase over the previous draft which includes the reorganization of the front office and one additional middle school student that Jackson has to pick up ($21,500), or about an 11% increase. He said it includes also performance pay for teachers and non teaching staff; there is some reduction in Special Ed cost because they do not need as many services as in the past, and there is an increase in tuition at the middle school, going from 14 to 21 students, and at the high school they are going from 14.3 students to 22.7 students.
Dr. Nelson said Contract Services increased as they will be hiring someone to
do the floors, ceiling tiles ($3600), some insulation ($5,000) and some electrical work ($300). Grounds work has increased to pay for JGS’ share of paving the lot next door (about $12,000) and striping ($2,000) which is by contract and deed. He noted the SAU Share increased because of equalized valuation in Jackson and increase in number of students.
Unencumbered fund balance and expenses and expenditures and revenues: It was reported they have about $116,000 or $16,000 down from last year; also Building Aid ($73,000) is gone, so it is down about $95,000 total.
Dr. Nelson said the estimated tax rate is a $.78 increase, or 15% before any Warrant Articles, adding Warrant Articles would bring it to an $.87 increase. He noted if all Warrant Articles passed it would result in a tax rate of $5.90, pointing out that in 2011 they were paying $5.80.
Warrant Articles: Motion made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Mr. Nemeth, to consider Warrant Articles 1 thru 5.
Article 1 – Budget - $2,524,035. Motion carried by unanimous vote (4-0-0).
Article 2 – School Bus Capital Reserve Fund - $15,000. Dr. Nelson reported there is presently $73,575 in that account, this would bring it up to $88,575. Motion carried by unanimous vote (4-0-0).
Article 3 – School Building Maintenance Fund - $2,000. Ms. Anzaldi noted much work has been done and we are in good shape. Motion carried by unanimous vote (4-0-0).
Article 4 – Whitney Maintenance Trust Fund - $10,000. Mr. Bradley questioned whether we could use the School Building Maintenance Trust Fund for the Whitney Center. Dr. Nelson stated once the funds are created you cannot change the use unless you liquidate the original fund and create a new one. It was noted there is presently $21,014 in the Whitney Maintenance Trust Fund. Motion carried by unanimous vote (4-0-0).
Article 5 – Expendable Trust Fund (Tuition Trust Fund) - $10,000. It was noted there is currently $62,358 in that fund and point was made that we also still have $51,000 coming back to reduce next year’s tax rate. Motion carried by unanimous vote (4-0-0).
9. Administrator’s Reports:
Superintendent – Dr. Nelson said they would be making up two snow days on 1/31/14 and 3/21/14 - teacher workshops for 4 days which will equal the two days lost.
He noted the need to set a meeting date for the Transportation Committee. It was agreed he would choose a convenient Thursday.
Note was made that Ms. Bennett will serve as Clerk Protem for the annual District meeting.
Principal – Ms. Dembowski provided copies of a form to be used for a policy dealing with the use of iPads, e-Readers, Smartphones, ipods and such devices, which are generally not allowed in school noting, however, that policy has been relaxed somewhat and there have recently been some issues “pushing” it a bit. She explained a letter was sent home to parents with a draft permission slip. She explained it is important for the kids at this age, for instance, while riding the bus they are taking photos of other children and posting them. Mr. Bradley said he agrees with the policy for right now, but looking forward, we have to figure out a way to fix it; he is not saying they cannot have them, but cannot take pictures and post them of other students. He
suggested it might pay to have a separate permission slip for special events.
10. Citizen Comments: None.
11. Board Member Issues:
- Set Date for Next Meeting – Wed., Feb. 5th at 6:00 p.m. with budget hearing
following at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Bradley said regarding the snow days, he had had a conversation with two road agents and was told that Bartlett and Jackson (during a recent storm) said “good to go” and Conway said no. He agreed it is a safety issue, but questioned should our students and staff be penalized when our road staff goes out of their way to make sure they can get to school?
Dr. Nelson said, traditionally, when Kennett High School does not have high school, we close the District down, noting we have split families who have to provide transportation - some in a family not going to school and some are. He said if he is making the call he is going to make sure it is consistent across SAU 9. He stated the road agents do an outstanding job, but there are ten towns to deal with. Mr. Bradley suggested they should explore that. Dr. Nelson said it is not a town call, it is a valley call, and SAU, and there are a whole set of conditions. He noted also there is what they call a blizzard day which the State allows, and we did not feel we could meet, in SAU 9, the 80% participation. Mr. Bradley suggested the only way it would work is to do something with
Bartlett.
There was short discussion regarding some of the questions submitted by Mr. Funicella and Mr. Bradley requested Dr. Nelson address them. It was agreed the Board will work on them and eMail comments to Dr. Nelson prior to the next meeting and he will compile the findings and answers.
12. Signing of Manifest: Manifests were duly signed.
13. Nonpublic Session: None.
14. Adjourn: Motion was made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Mr. Bradley, that the meeting be adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Carried by unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
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