MINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING, BOARD OF FINANCE & BOARD OF EDUCATION
April 28, 2015
A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING of the Board of Finance and the Board of Education was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, April 28, 2015.
Present were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, and Board of Finance members Frank Rubino, Joshua Ferreira, Bill Lamoin, Mark Bushka, Thomas Scoville and Laurene Pesce, along with Board of Education members Kenneth Traub, Ellen Hoehne, John Kissko, William Knight, Fiona Cappabianca and Daniel Thibault. Also present were Comptroller Alice Proulx, Deputy Comptroller Gina Casper, Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Kloczko, and Director of Business Services Hugh Potter.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
TORRINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUDGET FY2015-2016
Mrs. Kloczko said this budget reflects the District’s improvement plan for the past two years, is based upon State and Federally mandated expectations, demonstrates their expansion to improve secondary education through the Options program for students that are not ready for high school but can look forward to a career, demonstrates their efforts to keep students with special needs within our District for 25% of the price, demonstrates the rising increase in magnet and charter schools, and demonstrates the increase in electricity, fuel and housekeeping of eight buildings.
Mr. Traub said the Superintendent reduced the ‘all-in’ budget by 1.3 million dollars and the Board reduced it further from a 7.1% increase to a 3% increase over last year.
Mayor Carbone said she appreciates the magnitude of the cuts. Some math errors and reporting discrepancies were discussed, and she asked for accurate figures before final approvals are voted on.
Mr. Ferreira asked why the particular technology option was chosen. Mr. Traub said the goal is to get 25 to 30 laptops into each elementary school grade level to assist with mandatory testing.
Mr. Rubino asked if there were savings from the Forbes Roof project, and Mr. Scoville asked for an update on in-house Special Education services. Mrs. Kloczko listed the programs within the district that make it possible to avoid extra transportation costs and tuition costs. She said there are still 70 students who cannot receive services in-district, because of their needs. Mr. Traub said the district is $1,313,702 over budget this year due to Special Education out-of-district tuition. Cost increases were discussed. He said $40,000 is spent on Special Education students that are kept in-district, while $72,000 is spent for every one that goes out of district.
Mr. Lamoin said that total operating costs divided by the total enrollment is a cost per student of $16,834, a $2,200 per student increase over the past three years. He said the Boards should understand what the real cost drivers are.
Mayor Carbone listed the information the Board of Finance would like to see, including a breakdown about placements in Special, Regular Education and Magnet Schools; a breakdown on the number of students served in the district-wide student services programs; aggregate information from the State; and the number of students served per program. She reminded the Board of Education the the Transaction Report is tremendously helpful.
Mr. Traub pointed out that the Board is trying to avoid the sacrifice of middle and high-end students’ services because of the driver costs of Special Education. He noted that there are smaller student-teacher ratios in many programs at the high school because the Board felt those programs are important to keep.
Mrs. Kloczko said that insurance, salaries, wages, transportation and utilities are the costs that have increased.
Mr. Ferreira said he counted a reduction of 341 students since 2009 and that although decisions should not be number-oriented, the numbers should be a factor in the decisions made.
Mr. Lamoin noted that in the same years that the student population was reduced by 341, the teacher population was increased by 20.
Mr. Bushka asked the Board of Education what they have prioritized as cuts to be made, should the Board of Finance require a cut in this budget. Mr. Traub listed the potential cuts including the removal of a Grade Level at the Middle School and four teachers; revisiting the increase in numeracy and literacy teachers at secondary and elementary levels; and looking at the Elementary Assistant Principal position, extended day buses, stipends for Drama, Arts and Music which would reduce those programs and TAG.
Mayor Carbone requested a breakdown of costs that were moved into the Medicaid account and an explanation for where the funding is for the teachers’ retirement benefit, saying that is a $406,000 discrepancy. She suggested that the program data be looked at, as there may be opportunities for cuts there.
Mr. Lamoin said there may be some opportunities to save with natural gas, as the prices are down 30 to 50% and are not reflected in the Board of Education budget.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Scoville, seconded by Mr. Ferreira, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:15 p.m.
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MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING
April 28, 2015
A PUBLIC HEARING was held by the Board of Finance in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, April 28, 2015.
Present were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, and Board of Finance members Frank Rubino, Joshua Ferreira, Bill Lamoin, Mark Bushka, Thomas Scoville and Laurene Pesce.
Mayor Carbone called the public hearing to order at 7:15 p.m.
Asst. City Clerk Carol Anderson read the legal notice.
BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET
There was no one present who wished to speak.
Mayor Carbone closed the public hearing at 7:18 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, MCTC, CMC
Asst. City Clerk
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