Regular Meeting
March 24, 2008
7:30 P.M.
Board Members Present: Paula Belekewicz, Carol Coley-Vice
Chairperson, Linda Green, Lisa Jurovaty, William Mulcahy, Nelson Petrone-Chairman
Board Members Absent: Michael Neckermann
Administration Present: Richard
Saddlemire, Francine Coss, Jean Trask
Staff Present: Cheryl Parrott, Heather Montanile
Citizens Present: Jennifer Bright, Connie Medeiros, Wendy
Pallas, Sabena Escott, Selectman Rebecca
Stearns, Kate Starkey, Cindy Moseley, Mary Ellen Fritz
I.
Call to Order
Chairman
Nelson Petrone called the March 24, 2008 regular meeting to order at 7:32
p.m.
II.
Approval of March 10, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes
- Take Action
C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED
to approve the March 10, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes
as presented.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
III.
Comments from the Audience (Bylaws of the Board
#9300) - None
Time allotted for public participation–30 minutes, time allotted for an
individual speaker–3 minutes
Kate Starkey asked the Board to
review the athletic participation health assessment policy and consider having parents
submit this form once a year rather than for each seasonal sport the student participates
in. This would be less cumbersome for
parents, school nurses, and coaches.
IV.
Correspondence/Communications/Information
A. Willimantic
Chronicle Album Saturday Special – Joey Morgan, Grade 3 H.W. Porter Student
B. Grade
6 N. E. Math League Contest Winners: Spencer Leger, Alex Parsell, Austin King, Andrew Senechal,
Stephanie Tulis
C. Grade
7 N.E. Math League Contest Winners: Kyle Erickson, Austin Nolette, Caitlin Eaton-Robb
D. Grade
8 N.E. Math League Contest Winners: Tim Bright, Keith Chamberlain, Thomas Donlon, Joshua
Ethridge,
Nicolas Barros, Kelley Leist, Amanda
Moreau
Dr. Saddlemire congratulated the
Porter New
E. Grade
4 Teachers Ms. Bedard, Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Persons, and Mrs. Traber to Porter
Administrators – Gratitude for School-Wide CMT Initiatives
F. March
13, 2008 Porter Principal’s Weekly Newsletter
G.
H.
I. March
11, 2008 Fiscal Policy Meeting Minutes
V. Board of Education Response to FIPAC Cuts
Mr. Petrone explained that on
3/19/08 both the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen presented their
budgets to the Financial Planning and Allocation Commission. With the Board of Education budget increase
of 5.1% and the Board of Selectmen budget increase of 4.8%, the mil rate would
increase approximately 9%. FIPAC has
requested a BOE budget cut totaling between $200,000 and $300,000. Per state statute, FIPAC can cut the Board of
Education budget but not mandate what the cuts will be. This cut will have a significant impact on the
regular education program since special education costs cannot be controlled or
cut. In the past, surplus dollars have
been used to buy down the mil rate.
V. Board of Education Response to FIPAC Cuts
- continued
Dr. Saddlemire reminded the Board
that they represent the children and parents of
Board members discussed:
·
The
risks of cutting the budget
·
Capital
expenditures
·
PreK
playscape
·
Getting
the best for our children during this “strapped” time
·
Using
new vendors and getting new quotes
·
Working
cooperatively with FIPAC and the Town
·
Enrollment
down/budget up
·
Defending
the Board’s transfers and spending
·
Transportation
and special education costs
·
Justifying
the approved 5.1% increase
·
Going
forward with a $100,000 cut to the approved budget
·
Cutting
capital expenditure requests
·
The
impact of cutting an additional $200,000
·
Cutting
staff
·
Class
size
·
Fuel
costing more than the budgeted $2.60 per gallon
Board members agreed to go forward
with cutting $100,000 from the approved budget in addition to foregoing the
proposed capital expenditure requests.
Dr. Saddlemire will prepare the budget cut information for the 3/26/08
FIPAC meeting.
VI.
Financial Review
A. Payment of Bills - Ms. Parrott provided answers for Board member’s questions
pertaining to in-house/out-sourcing psychological testing and special education
tuition.
VII. Reports/Discussion
A. Board of Education
Chairperson
B. Board of Education
Subcommittees
1. March 25, 2008 – Budget Subcommittee
Meeting 7:00 p.m. @ H.W.P. Conference Room
C. Superintendent’s Report
1. Safe Routes to School Grant
2. Technology Grant
Application/Awards – 2000 to Present
Dr.
Saddlemire verified his part in writing the Safe Routes to School Grant and
reviewed the grants awarded to the district since 2000.
3.
High School Choice and Success
Pamphlet –
4.
Class of 2007/2008 Porter Grade 8
High School Choices Update – On April 7, the BOE will approve the 18 grade eight
students wishing to attend
VIII. Action Items/Discussion
A. 2007/2008
This item was tabled. The Board will vote on this item after the
adjournment of the executive session.
IX. Future Agenda Items
·
Middle
School Athletic Participation Policy
·
·
April
7 – 2008/09 Bolton High School Grade 9 Students (action item)
X. Board of Education
Member Comments
XI. Executive Session for the
Purpose of Personnel Discussion
C. Coley MOVED and P. Belekewicz SECONDED
to enter into executive session for the purpose of personnel discussion at 8:25
p.m.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to
adjourn executive session at 8:50 p.m.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
P. Belekewicz MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to
approve the revised 2007/08
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
XII. Adjournment
L. Jurovaty MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED
to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 p.m.
MOTION CARRIES: 6-0
Respectfully submitted,
Carol S. Coley, Vice Chairperson