302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741 BOARD OF FINANCE MINUTES REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 17, 2015 7:00 P.M. Second Floor Conference Room |
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BOF Attendant Members Absent Members
David LaMay, Chairman Barry O’Nell
Brad Thorpe, V. Chairman Greg Gernhardt
Tom Stevenson
Breck Lindley
John O’Brien
In Attendance
Carl Fortuna, Selectman
Bob Fish, Treasurer
Jan Perruccio, Superintendent of Schools
Mr. LaMay called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. LaMay led in the pledge.
III. MINUTES 01/20/2015; NONE
IV. MINUTES 02/03/2015;
A motion by Mr. O’Brien to approve the minutes of 02/03/2015 was seconded by Ms Lindley.
Motion approved.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT; NONE
VI. BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT
Ms. Perruccio reported the following:
2014-15 -- Year in Review
- Began the year with savings:
- $100,000 in savings from hiring turnover
- $115,000 in health insurance savings based on allocation rate
- Additional Costs:
- $80,000 additional transportation costs per contract
- $90,000 in two additional vehicles for special education transportation
- $140,000 predicted deficit in Special Education costs has increased by $75,000
- some repairs to heating system at start of heating system
- At this point anticipating small balance in unencumbered funds
- currently anticipating upwards of $13,500 fund balance (as of last projection on February 3, 2015) at the end of the year
- Excess Cost Reimbursement for tuition:
Continued moving target through the end of the year will be special education outplacement tuition and possible transportation.
- 2015-16 -- Proposed Budget
- 3 Budgets
- Sustained Services Budget – same services no savings sought – %4.17
- Administrative Request Budget –%5.42
- Superintendent’s Budget – %2.99 ($24,934,326) $724,206 increase
Includes staffing, supplies consolidation and initial savings from vendors and ACA
Board of Education Approved Budget: -- %3.18 ($24,979,948) $769,887 increase
- Board’s Budget Additional FTE:
Add one FTE – for 10 months because anticipate hiring in September of 2015
.5 Math Coordinator
.5 Educational Technology Coordinator
- Supports Initiatives in the Strategic Plan Areas
- Assessing Program Effectiveness – Math curriculum and rigor, math test scores
- differentiating instruction
- Personalizing instruction
- Critical Thinking – using digital tools/technology to provide critical thinking and problem solving opportunities for all students
- Potential Fluctuations in the 15-16 Budget Include:
+ Health Insurance Premium Allocation Rates – continue to look for savings
+ Consortium -- Self Insured for Dental and Rx looking at rates for self-insuring for medical – something we wouldn’t consider doing on our own – numbers may be favorable there
- Pending Special Education Expenses could be additional $100,000 in new placements; just waiting for some information from the state – that number is hard to predict at this point.
Mr. Stevenson asked if our town was a draw for special needs students to which Ms. Peruccio replied that she felt that it was not. Ms. Lindley asked if there was anything we do for Special Needs students that other towns don’t do. Ms. Perruccio noted that she was told that “we care.”
Mr. Thorpe inquired if there were cuts in staff. Ms. Perruccio noted that yes, there were 1.8 positions cut. Ms. Perruccio explained the Consortium and answered questions that Mr. Stevenson, Mr. LaMay and Mr. O’Brien had regarding the insurance. She explained that the Consortium held the reserves and paid the bills.
Mr. Stevenson asked if there was an update on the turf field to which Ms. Perruccio replied in the negative. Mr. Thorpe asked if legal fees could be recouped and if there was a clerk of the works
to which Ms. Perruccio replied no to both. Mr. Thorpe asked about locking in the gas. Ms. Perruccio reported that all utilities were locked in. Mr. O’Brien asked about runs/overruns and how school is notified. Ms. Perruccio reported that vendors are required to give a report. Mr. Fortuna gets the report for the public works tank.
Ms. Perruccio also noted that with regard to the Middle School roof and Goodwin windows, they were waiting for a letter from the State. When they receive the letter, they will proceed with the RFP.
VII. AUDITING SERVICES RFP; MOTION REQUESTED
Mr. Fish, in Ms. Carver’s absence, asked the board of they had any questions with regard to the Auditing Services RFP, bid document that they received at the previous Board of Finance meeting. After a short discussion the following motion was made:
A motion was made by Mr. Thorpe to make a resolution to send out the bid document for auditing services for the town of Old Saybrook, seconded by Ms. Lindley and motion passed unanimously.
VIII. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT - See above
IX. SELECTMAN REPORT
Mr. Fortuna discussed the following:
- 2015-16 Budget: 10% increase in health insurance;
- Governor reveals his budget February 18th; several concerns including car tax and loss of local revenue;
- OSPD: On time and on budget;
- Snow budget;
- 2 vacant positions in DPW;
- Testified to mess on causeway;
- Spoke with Geoff Jacobsen (engineer) regarding Transfer Station;
X. LIAISON REPORTS
Mr. Stevenson noted that Ms. Perruccio covered anything he had to report.
XI. CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS: None
XII. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
These minutes are recorded in their entirety on CD in the Town Clerk’s Office.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Thorpe and seconded by Mr. O’Brien at 8:02 p.m.
Submitted:
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
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