Town of Lyme
Budget Committee
Wednesday
November 27th, 2007
7:00PM
Fire Station Training Room
Approved: December 19th, 2007
Present at this meeting: Budget Committee Members: Acting Chairman Dave Caffry, Jeff Lehmann, Josh Kilham, Gibb Cornwell, & Elizabeth Glenshaw. School Board Representative: Kathy McGowan. Selectmen: Dick Jones. School Superintendent Gordon Schnare. School Board Members: Peter Glenshaw & Audrey Brown.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Acting Chair Caffry.
Mr. Jones moved to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2007 meeting. Seconded by Mr. Kilham. Corrections were offered to add “acting” to chair. The motion was voted unanimously in favor.
Mr. Jones moved to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2007 meeting. Seconded by Mr. Cornwell. The motion was voted 5 in favor, 2 abstentions (Mr. Caffry & Mr. Lehmann)
Peter Glenshaw presented the Lyme School strategic plan. The previous strategic plan focused on the building and now those items have been resolved. Mr. Glenshaw discussed the process that was done to look at financials. The committee focused on items that are growing at a rate higher than CPI (5.9% over the 7 year period) and items that are a big part of the budget. High School Tuition, Special Education Costs, Teachers’ Salaries and Benefits account for 75% of the budget. Mr. Glenshaw noted that while Teachers’ Salaries were 20% of the budget, this item has only been growing at CAGR of 3.7%.
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2008 |
Total Expenses |
CAGR |
High School Tuition |
1,400,221 |
31% |
5.7% |
Special Education Costs |
781,381 |
17% |
11.0% |
Teachers' Salaries |
883,903 |
20% |
3.7% |
Teachers' Benefits |
309,576 |
7% |
9.3% |
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Mr. Glenshaw then focused the committee on the specific finance recommendations in the strategic plan (Appendix B). He highlighted the following:
· Set budget growth target for the school district to the Northeast Urban Consumer Price Index plus 1 percent, excluding special education and high school tuition.
· Possibly establish new health care plan for all faculty and staff.
· Look at compensation plan to reward both performance and longevity.
· Review relationship with Hanover and rate of tuition.
· Look for revenue opportunities (there is one tuition student now).
There was a discussion about special education. It was expressed that we need to keep the reserve funds at the level that helps to smooth the tax impact. There was also a discussion about high school choice.
Ms. Brown presented the library recommendation. The facility was discussed and based on the size of the town and school, a shared facility makes sense. However, it would be better if the facility was attached to the school but we know this is something we will have to live with. The library is sharing books with the school and there is a rotating collection in the school. Personnel was also reviewed and the committee looked at all responsibilities required and man hours required. The other seven schools in the state that have shared services have a clear divide between town and school. The committee recommended a dedicated person for school library services with a minimum of 20 hours. This is to maintain the current program, but doesn’t enhance the middle school
program. In June 2009, the certification that the current librarian has expires so after that another certified person will be needed to supervise this program. The certification could be with the person delivering the service, or it could be another teacher, etc.(refer to footnote on page 12 of strategic plan). The third recommendation is to set up a library services advisory committee.
The committee then discussed briefly the historical analysis done and some next steps.
At 8:30 pm, Mr. Lehmann moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mrs. McGowan. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathy McGowan
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