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 TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Board of Finance |
302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741 |
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 6, 2012 5:300 P.M. Old Saybrook Town Hall First Floor Conference Room 302 Main Street |
CALL TO ORDER Chairman LaMay called the special meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
BOF Attendant Members Absent Members
David LaMay
Grant Westerson
John O’Brien
Barry O’Nell
Tom Stevenson
Brad Thorpe
Derrik Kennedy
In Attendance
Scott Giegerich, Selectman
Joe Onofrio, Superintendent of Schools
Oliver Barton, Principal OS High School
Tara Winch, Ass’t. Principal OS High School
Shiela Brown, Principal Goodwin School
Mario Gaboury, Chairman, Board of Education
Mike Rafferty, Principal OS Middle School
Julie Pendleton, Director of Finance, Facilities & Operations
Joanne Sullivan, Chair, Budget & Fiscal Committee BOE
Bob Fish, Treasurer
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
Chairman LaMay welcomed the Board of Education and thanked them for coming.
Chairman Gaboury gave a short introduction and thanked the BOF for the opportunity to present their budget. He noted that the BOE appreciated their cooperative efforts during the development process and that they look forward to working with the Board of Finance.
Superintendent Onofrio thanked Chairman LaMay and the board for the opportunity and noted that their budget came with hard decisions during these extremely hard times. Mr.
Onofrio noted that they had to shift their needs but that this budget mirrors their visions. They worked diligently to construct a careful budget that would maintain high-quality educational programs during this fiscal uncertainty.
At this time he introduced Ms. Pendleton. Ms. Pendleton noted that the areas of significant change were health insurance, salaries and special ed.
Ms. Pendleton noted that the proposed budget incorporates necessary adjustments for increases in special ed placements during the 2011-12 year that will continue into 2012-2013 school year, as well as additional cost increases in all other areas for 2012—2013.
The state’s Special Ed Excess Cost Reimbursement Grant now has an estimated cap of 75% in the current budget. It is expected to continue.
Payroll expenses were projected for 2012-2013 based on existing collective bargaining agreements. Estimated costs for benefits were added to determine total personnel costs. Non-personnel costs were calculated based on current expenditures considering the needs of the district and escalating fees for goods and services.
The amount needed to pay the contractual wages and benefits for the certified and non-certified staff next year increased $548,888 or 3.14%. These expenses are the result of contractual wage increases and are partially offset by medical insurance savings following negotiated plan changes.
The FY 2012-2013 non-personnel related budget line items total $4,913,6 91, or a 2.03% increase to the overall budget.
Ms. Pendleton noted that the BOE has entered into a consortium agreement for electricity, heating oil, diesel, gasoline, and natural gas pricing to lock in their rates. To conserve energy and save money, evening and weekend usage of school facilities will be limited.
Overall enrollment is projected to decrease by 68 students. Certified positions have been, and will be, reallocated to keep class sizes within the goals established by the Board of Education.
Ms. Pendleton reported that the BOE has requested $165,000 in capital technology purchases as well as $55,000 instruction related licensing, software, repairs and maintenance. She noted that this $24,000 increase brings the funding back to the 2010-2011 level.
In an effort to maintain building infrastructure, the 2012-2013 budget reflects an $89,000 increase to $303,000 to complete certain projects that had been previously re-scheduled due to budget constraints. The Board of Education feels strongly that its Capital Improvement and Maintenance plans need at least this much support to avoid the obvious risks of deferred improvement and maintenance. The Maintenance Bond Budget request of $205,000 is based on the scheduled payments for 2012-2013.
After a question and answer period, Chairman LaMay thanked the Board of Education and commented that the education in our town is very good and a great education comes at a cost.
Mr. Gaboury thanked Chairman LaMay and noted that the Board of Education was very committed to the budget development process and noted that he and the Board of Education looked forward to working with the Board of Finance during the anticipated public hearings.
At this time Chairman LaMay asked for a motion to adjourn the special meeting.
Motion: To adjourn the special meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Moved: B. Thorpe Second: B. O’Nell
Discussion: None
Approved: 7-0-0
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Respectfully Submitted,
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
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