The Board of Finance held a special meeting on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall of the Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook, CT. Chairman John Kortze called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
PRESENT: John Kortze, James Gaston, Michael Portnoy, Joseph Kearney and Harry Waterbury.
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Bob Tait, Schools Superintendent Dr. Janet Robinson, Assistant Superintendent Linda Gejda, Board of Education members Elaine McClure, Lillian Bittman, Kathryn Fetchick, David Nanavaty, Richard Gaines, Kathleen Chrystie, approximately 170 members of the public and one member.
Mr. Kortze explained that the role of the Board of Finance at this meeting is to ask the Board of Education questions and asked that any public comments be brief as the meetings are limited by time.
VOTER PARTICIPATION:
Don Ramsey, 3 Prospect Drive, Newtown is a technology education teacher that made the decision to come to Newtown because he wanted the challenge of teaching in a district of this caliber. He noted that Dr. Robinson submitted a low budget while still remaining ethical. Mr. Ramsey encouraged the Board to weigh in the variables of what is right for this town, not just the numbers.
Jan English, 3 Curry Drive, Newtown is a resident and a guidance counselor in town and feels the presented budget has been well thought out but doesn’t want to presume that the public will not accept this budget as presented. Ms. English is concerned that if the budget doesn’t pass and more cuts are made could we really survive?
Gail Lynch, 72 Mile Hill Road, Newtown teaches at Reed Intermediate and explained the teachers are not self serving and do not want to “dominate the meeting.” Teachers are “here for the kids, not for ourselves, we care about what we do deeply.”
David Smith, 41 New Lebbon Road has children in the school and is the husband of a teacher in the school system. He urged the Board to consider what is needed to make sure the school system rebounds as the economy rebounds.
Sandy Zuvanich, 8 Chestnut Hill Road, Newtown is a new teacher at the high school and pleaded with the board to invest in the future.
Valerie Pagano-Hepburn, 5 Meadow Brook Road, Newtown has been a teacher for twenty years and works late daily, along with many other teachers. Test scores are very high for the amount of money spent per pupil. Look at what the teachers do daily for the kids.
Susan Lang, Woodbury is a teacher at the Middle School that attended Hawley School, Middle School and graduated from Newtown High School. She feels lucky to have been educated in Newtown and to now teach in Newtown. The education system continues to be excellent at one of the lowest per-pupil averages in the state. Newtown teachers do more for less. People are coming to Newtown to educate their children and people are staying because it is nicer in Newtown. Ms. Lang implored the Board not to cut the school budget.
Laura Newberry, President of the Newtown Tech Team explained that the tech team is voluntary and supplies technical assistance to the Legislative Council, Board of Education, the Board of Finance. They also help assist teachers with video production and video equipment operation and repair. In addition the tech team helps after school with teams and help with community events such as the Relay for Life. Ms. Newberry asked the Board to support the equipment budget.
Elizabeth Ward is a teacher at the high school and calculated that teachers would make $126,000 if they were “paid babysitters” as sometimes implied. They are not asking for $126,000. Teachers want to keep their jobs for doing more than babysitting.
Justin Milas, 8 Lakeview Terrace, Sandy Hook stated the teachers often stay afterschool and are active until the doors are locked. He encouraged the Board to pay attention to the minor details.
Desiree Galassi, 151 Huntingtown Road, Newtown is a parent and a substitute teacher. Her son applied to several private high schools and made it into all. One school offered a scholarship because of his academic excellence. Teachers now have to be social workers and Ms. Galassi is concerned about the long term future of children. She asked the Board to consider, not just the cuts, but the long term ramifications.
Board of Education:
Elaine McClure thanked the Board of Finance for inviting the Board of Education to present the budget and introduced the members of the board that were present. Ms. McClure stated she has been on the Board of Education for twelve years and this is the lowest budget the Board of Education has presented in that time. Together with Dr. Robinson and Lillian Bittman, Elaine McClure presented the Board of Education budget to the Board of Finance. (See attachment A).
Mr. Kortze thanked the Board of Education for their presentations and explained the budget process saying no action will be taken at this meeting. If questions seem unreasonable please understand that the Board needs to understand where the money is going, how it is consistent with last year and what the plan is. The overall budget needs to be taken into account, including requests from both town and school and the revenues. Whatever is not made in revenues has to be made up in either tax increases or in reductions. The Board of Finance is an advisory board that recommends a budget to the Council.
Insurance: Mr. Gaston inquired about insurance savings from 7.5% down to 5%. Dr. Robinson stated 2.5% was calculated in the budget, although Anthem has not officially said the rate has gone down. Dr. Robinson stated she believes this is a very risky budget and is concerned about not having any extra funds anywhere. Built into the budget is the assumption that there will be a 10% reduction in excess cost grant. Mr. Kortze noted that there tends to be excess money in the insurance account and requested that someone come to speak to the insurance item. Dr. Robinson noted often retiring teacher’s insurance normally cost more than a new teacher.
Athletic Trainer: The new athletic trainer will require benefits but provides the school with a reliable person at every sporting event. Dr. Robinson strongly supports the addition of the new athletic trainer.
Lightning Protection: The lightning protection at the Middle School has been eliminated. The protection was intended for protection of equipment because the district servers are housed there. There has been no lightning issues in the past and there are currently surge protectors in place.
Furlough: Dr. Robinson reported the furlough is not part of the administrator’s contract but it is part of the teacher’s contract. Dr. Robinson acknowledged that the furlough is not a teacher union give back but said that it hurts them. She does not believe that the furlough will not have an impact on what teachers do, but will impact education if it goes beyond this year because it will affect professional development. Three days will be taken out of the school days and three half days out of professional development days. The school day will be increased by five minutes to restore the lost teaching time.
Mr. Kearney noted that the furlough is for this budget year and will need to be put back next year in order to not compromise the quality of education. This means next year there will be a near $1,000,000 increase in the budget. Dr. Robinson reported that whether there was salary freeze or a furlough there will be an increase next year.
Unions: All of the unions have made concessions. The teacher’s executive board didn’t believe a salary freeze would be in the best interest of the teachers. The furlough was then instituted. Mr. Gaston asked what concessions the teacher’s are making. Dr. Robinson replied 36% of teachers are making less this year than last. Mr. Gaston stated he has a history of voting for education but noted the teachers union has a 4.9% increase; there is 2% deflation, which is 6.9% increase in real dollars. He is hearing from adamant education supporters that they may not vote for a budget that reflects a 6.9% increase in real dollars. Mr. Gaston noted many teachers he’s spoken to would’ve liked to have voted on this. Dr. Robinson
stated over 1/3 of teachers will go backwards in terms of pay. Mr. Gaston is frightened with respect to the school system and is very concerned the budget may fail. Mr. Kortze reported that every union has agreed to discuss or reopen contracts, with the teachers having less of a desire to do that. The unions agreed to open contracts only if all unions do that same. Mr. Kortze noted the Board of Finance did not vote on a 95% budget goal because they didn’t want to hamper what was going to be approached in regard to the budget. The number was not arbitrary; it was consistent with the data of the time. Mr. Gaston asked if Dr. Robinson could approach the teachers union in regards to their contract. Mr. Kortze would like to know what’s better for students, a furlough or a freeze. Dr. Robinson noted she would like to keep time with teachers and is sorry to see the professional development days cut. Ms. Bittman reported
that Dr. Robinson went to the teacher’s union leadership. The teachers didn’t vote, the leadership did. Mr. Gaston noted that all teachers he’s spoken to would’ve liked the opportunity to vote.
Mr. Waterbury reported that the estimated decrease in revenue to the town is $2.4 million. If the budgets come in with zero increase taxes still need to be increased to make up for the revenue short fall. Mr. Tait reported the town pension includes Board of Education members.
Dr. Robinson reported that she did not reduce requests in anticipation of stimulus money. She spoke of a Special Education grant briefly.
Enrollment/Supplies: Mr. Kearney questioned the calculation used in determining a supply amount. Dr. Robinson will research this.
Technology: Ms. Bittman explained that a technology specialist can help teachers utilize technology in the classroom giving 21st century skills without extra computer funds. Two high school educational assistants will be replaced by a technology specialist.
Custodians: Dr. Robinson reported that the factor of 18,000 square feet determine how many custodians are needed. Mr. Kortze stated that three schools are under that standard.
Small Capital Items: Mr. Kortze noted that the amount of money budgeted for small projects is markedly different than what was spent. Ms. Bittman said that Gino Faiello continually finds ways to save money on projects. Mr. Nanavaty stated that all bills had not been received when the project was finished therefore the numbers don’t show the final cost. Mr. Faiello explained that some new parts needed to be ordered. Mr. Kortze noted he calculated $150,000 in differences in what is budgeted and what is being spent.
Retirements: Dr. Robinson will research but reported that there is a decrease in retirements.
Special Education: Dr. Robinson explained that an educational trainer is a unique position that specializes in behavioral training for autistic children. The projected decrease in the excess cost grants is one reason the special education budget is increased.
Kindergarten Projections: Dr. Robinson explained that kindergarten projections are based on the ten year average enrollments. There is always an increase in first grade because some students go to a full day private kindergarten but return to public school for first grade.
World Language Teacher: Many students have expressed interest in Chinese and it will help relieve congestion problems in other classrooms. Statistics show that one out of six students either speaks or is taking Chinese. It will be less expensive to have a Chinese teacher because there is a possibility of an arrangement to have a teacher come here through an agreement the State of Connecticut has with the Chinese government.
COMMUNICATIONS: none noted.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m.
Susan Marcinek, Clerk
Attachment A: Board of Education power point
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