The Board of Finance held a special meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 in the Multi-Purpose Building, Riverside Road, Sandy Hook, CT. Chairman John Kortze called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm.
PRESENT: John Kortze, James Gaston, Harrison Waterbury, Michael Portnoy, Joseph Kearney,
John Torok
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Ben Spragg, Schools Superintendent Dr. Evan Pitkoff, Assistant Superintendent Alice Jackson, Schools Business Manager Ron Bienkowski, Board of Education members Elaine McClure, David Nanavaty, Andrew Buzzi, Paul Mangiafico, Lisa Schwartz; Legislative Council members Dan Amaral, Keith Jacobs; seven members of public, one member of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION: None noted
2006/2007 Proposed Board of Education Budget
Schools Superintendent Dr. Evan Pitkoff gave an overview of the proposed budget (written copy attached to original minutes). Board of Finance members then had the opportunity to ask questions and make comments.
Mr. Torok urged the Board of Education, when going into negotiations, to try to keep track of the national average for employees percentage of premium cost. Dr. Pitkoff advised that the teachers negotiations start this summer for the following year. Mr. Torok asked about the total cost of the recommendations for accreditation and the time frame. Dr. Pitkoff answered that the commission will vote in April and we will receive their official report. We expect to have a plan of action immediately and begin to move forward. He will put together a cost estimate. There are new teaching positions in this budget but the technology improvements are not included for this upcoming year. Mr. Torok asked how the Bothwell enrollment projections
have been, historically, against the state projections. Dr. Pitkoff stated that Bothwell’s middle standard is almost the same as the state projections. Mr. Torok asked if a part-time HR Director is adequate. Dr. Pitkoff stated that they would like to have a full time person but he reduced that position to part-time as a way to have it happen without a huge expenditure. Regarding transportation costs, Mr. Torok asked if the Superintendent is comfortable with the number of units and the schedule they are keeping. Dr. Pitkoff feels it is “tight” with our growing population.
Mr. Portnoy asked if Dr. Pitkoff agrees with the observations about overcrowding in the NEASC Report. Dr. Pitkoff replied that he does. Regarding enrollment projects, Mr. Portnoy pointed out that the state projections actually show total enrollment decreasing in 2013/14 by 282 students. Mr. Mangiafico stated that he researched the projections going out five years and going back five years. The average inaccuracy was 4.6% on the low side, which indicates to him that they have been historically low. The further out they project, the more inaccuracy. Mr. Portnoy asked if the Board has considered a magnet school to alleviate some of the space needs. Dr. Pitkoff stated that magnet schools tend to be small schools – 360 students. We would have to partner with other schools and go through a lengthy planning process. Magnet schools reserve a higher percentage of enrollments for urban students, i.e. the magnet school opening next fall will include 50 to 60% of students from
Danbury. This would probably not resolve our space problem in a timely manner.
Mr. Waterbury asked if the modulars will be installed at the high school this summer and was told that they would. He asked what was the criteria for cutting capital items out of the budget. Dr. Pitkoff replied that the items were prioritized.
Mr. Kearney asked about the item for window replacement at the maintenance and laundry buildings. Dr. Pitkoff stated that is for buildings at Fairfield Hills that the schools maintenance group shares with the town. Mr. Kearney asked if the town is sharing in the cost. Dr. Pitkoff replied that they believe the town and schools are one. Mr. Bienkowski stated that the buildings are used by the schools for storage of supplies, such as paper. The windows need to be replaced for security and climate control issues. Dr. Pitkoff had cut $86,000 from proposed projects in those buildings.
Mr. Gaston asked about the early intervention program, which we did not have two years ago. During the current year, it was paid 100% by grants. Dr. Pitkoff stated that this was a pilot program which they feel has been a significant component for students entering school without the necessary pre-requisite skills. There are currently 15-20 students in each of the four elementary schools. This program now requires funding for 1.6 teachers. Mr. Gaston asked if some of this could be handled by parents, volunteers or high school/college students who need to perform community service. Dr. Pitkoff stated that this program has to be under the supervision of a trained professional. This is a case where students are coming in without the
skills we would expect of students this age. He believes this is one of the more important programs that has been initiated since he began here. Mr. Gaston asked about the need for an additional bus. Are the high schools buses being used to capacity. Mr. Bienkowski pointed out that high school bus routes now include middle school students riding at the same time.
Mr. Portnoy asked if the Board is meeting with T. R. Paul and looking at other options to help reduce the cost of health care insurance. Mr. Buzzi stated that they have had a few meetings before teacher negotiations begin this summer to get some ideas about what to expect. They have also met with T. R. Paul to see what can be done to put together a plan where there are options available that might save money. Mr. Portnoy asked about the substantial funds for new textbooks. Ms. Jackson advised that this is for revisions to curriculum.
Mr. Kortze noted that the figures show the state reimbursement figures going up next year. Mr. Bienkowski advised that the percentage of reimbursement may be going up for Newtown but we actually get less revenue because there is a state cap on all reimbursement except construction. Mr. Kortze stated that it has been very helpful getting copies of Board of Education minutes and transfers on a timely basis. He asked if there were any surprises during the past fiscal year. Mr. Bienkowski replied that last year a lot of the transfers were planned to cover the oil spill. This year, the big issue has been energy. The benefit this year is that there were balances in the medical benefits account. There were 15 less “family group”
members resulting in savings of approximately $200,000. Mr. Kortze asked how we stand on fuel consumption year to date. Mr. Bienkowski feels we are doing better than last year. Mr. Kortze asked if anything useful came out of the internal control audit that was done. He was advised that the Board of Education expects to receive the final report soon and will discuss at their 3/21/06 meeting. They will provide a copy to the Board of Finance.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment to original minutes: Schools Superintendent’s Overview of Budget
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