TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL/BOARD OF EDUCATION JOINT BUDGET WORK SESSION
ROOM ALT. 6 DATE: MARCH 23, 2009
TIMOTHY EDWARDS MIDDLE SCHOOL TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Streeter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Town Council
Members Present: Mayor Cary Prague
Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor Lisa Maneeley
Councillor Kevin McCann
Councillor Paul Oates
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan
Members Absent: Councillor Kathryn Hale
Board of Education
Members Present: Chairman Janice Snyder
Vice Chairman David Joy
Sheila Appleton
Jack Chinsky
Kathleen Soucy Daugherty
Carolyn Egan (left at 7:25 p.m.)
Timothy Kenefick
Richard Mabey
Also Present: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Kozaczka
Asst. Superintendent Daniel Hansen
Asst. Superintendent Ania Czajkowski
Business Manager Donna McKenty
Members Absent: Anthony Duarte
ITEM:
3. Public Participation
None
4. Items for Discussion
- Board of Education and General Government Proposed Budgets for Fiscal Year 2009/2010
Answering questions from Council members, Dr. Kozaczka explained that class sizes are as follows:
K-3 has a cap of 24 students per class
4-5 has a cap of 26 students per class
7-12 has a recommendation of 25 students per class
There is a contractual union obligation that allows a certain number of students per class which is as follows:
K-3 – not to exceed 24 students
4-5 – not to exceed 26 students
6-12 are recommendations, not contractual
Dr. K. stated that typically if there is going to be more students then allowed, another teacher is hired for that grade. After the school year begins, if another student is placed in a class room and the number is larger than allowed, an aid is hired for that room.
Mr. Hansen explained that six positions will be reallocated from existing positions. There will be three (3) Reading Teachers, one (1) Intervention Specialist for Reading and two (2) Intervention Specialists for Math. There is a need for these positions after examining test scores for the past two years.
Dr. K. stated that there are approximately eighty (80) students that attend Two Rivers, but if there were five students that decided to come back to South Windsor, there would not an impact on classroom sizes. Special Education is a major increase in this year’s budget. Parents have become more aware to the special educational system which provides students with extra services from the district if it is felt necessary. There are also students coming into the school system with increasing complex problems and the Board of Education is finding a need to outplace these students. Dr. K. went on to explain that the
ITEM:
4. A. (continued)
renovations to the athletic fields at the High School are not included in the Board of Education budget.
Ms. Donna McKenty explained that changes to the pension calculation are due to the contract and portfolio values. The long-term sub account is volatile and predicts how many teachers will be out due to maternity lease, etc.
Councillor Yagaloff voiced his concern regarding regular education students and gifted students receiving less staffing and less programs while more money is being increased in special education and intervention positions. Dr. K. explained that specialized resources will assist the regular teacher and allow the regular teacher to teach more effectively.
Board Members Dr. Jack Chinsky responded to comments made by Councillor Yagaloff regarding “consensus among Board of Education members” regarding staff reductions. Dr. Chinsky stated that there was no consensus regarding staff reductions, and he had a problem with some staff reductions. Board member Tim Kenefick stated that classroom sizes have not been changed significant from the past, even though there will be eliminations of teams. Board member Richard Mabey also stated that there was no consensus regarding the budget that was proposed at a 4.09% increase. The only consensus was that 4.09% was a starting point for some Board members and bottom number for other Board members. Board Member Kathy Daugherty felt that there has to be an opportunity to see how the new efficiencies
work to level class room sizes to be consistent with each other instead of having a teacher teaching ten students. Mayor Prague felt that the budget is sized properly and he is comfortable with the class room sizes.
Answering questions from Councillor McCann, Ms. McKenty explained that once an IEP for the outplacement of a student is complete, that student is not included in enrollment numbers. Mr. Hansen explained that the Board of Education Administration will use a projection of students being enrolled into the school system up until May when actual enrollment numbers come in. Staffing numbers are decided on real numbers. Dr. Kozaczka stated that after last years budget was complete, there was a need for an additional Special Education Teacher, which was not budgeted for. The anticipated reduction in positions was explained to the Town Council. The items that have changed significantly in this year’s budget are health insurance and pension. The items
ITEM:
4. A. (continued)
that are made up of most of the budget are personnel costs and special education costs.
Council members and Board members discussed shared services between the Town and Board of Education. Dr. Kozaczka stated that the Board is waiting for a report from me prior to any more discussions regarding shared services. Further questions from the Town Council members were answered by the Board Administration.
5. Executive Session
None
6. Adjournment
Councillor Pelkey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m.; Deputy Mayor Bazzano seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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