Columbia Board of Education

Special Meeting

March 31, 2008

7:30 P.M.

Horace W. Porter School Cafeteria

Board Members Present: Paula Belekewicz, Carol Coley-Vice Chairperson, Linda Green, Lisa Jurovaty, William Mulcahy, Michael Neckermann, and Nelson Petrone-Chairman

Administration Present: Richard Saddlemire, Francine Coss, and Jean Trask

Staff Present: Laurel Albair, Kathy Edenburn, Ann Clairmont, Judy Zemantic, Tammy Nye, Eileen Paulhus, Lynn Mondazzi, Steve Piro, Jill Pompa, Kathy Francis, Peggy Stickel, Thomas Doyle, Gail McGrath, Madeline Skinner, Gerry Saez, Lucinda Marsalisi, Aliza Berger, Janet Denley, Barbara Hilbie, Sharon Leahy, Anne Rowe, Dale Kukucka, Laura Lawton, Cheryl Munoz, Carolyn Ritchie, Cassandra Rowett, Theresa Cooper, Justin vanGelder, Diane Nolette

Citizens Present: Ann Kollegger, Chris Albair, Alicia Houle, Sonja Fleming, Amy Raffa, Connie Medeiros, Nicole Vacila, Maryann Potter, Eva Bulley, Robert Zemantic, Earl Nye, Brad Earness, Mike Foss, Melissa Petrone, Selectman Carmen Vance, Geoff and Maria Gratton, Mark Gudnundson, E. Jay Starkel, Kerry Hoffman, Chris Paulhus, Nancy Leardi, Karin Coughlin, Patricia Jenkins, Jen Dehnel, Jeanette Morales, Joanne Everett, Kate Starkey, Lauren Perrotti, Jeff Habakangus, Stacey Parla, Connie Gorman, Lorraine Nalewcyk, Justin Holbrook, Wendy Pallas, Brian Golembiewski, Megan Duffy, Karen Woodward, Jennifer Bright, Jim Grasso, Carol Albert, Felicia Acerbo, Bev Ciurylo, Darra Stephens, Bob Stickel, Genoveva Persen, Joanne Doyle, Nicole and Tim Golubeff, George Skinner, Ann Shutler, Keith and Mary Ellen Fritz, Jessie Dupont, Laurie Rogers, Chris Leger, Sabena Escott, Robert Ferrigno, Bobbi Grzych, Jessica Buchanan, Deidre McGlynn, Gina Mangano, Sarah Meshanic, Michele Dumaine, Carolyn and Gray Godfrey, Susan Keegan, John McDunnah, Kyle and Cindy Moseley, Tracy Brooks-Szegda, Matt Hermann, Diane Schatz, Jen Kelly, Kathleen Eaton-Robb, Richard Cooper, Tamara Buonocore-Hay, Sebby Randazzo, Selectman Lisa Roy, Selectman Rebecca Stearns, Jim Green, Senator Edith Prague

Media Present: Chronicle Reporter Zach Janowski

I. Call to Order

Chairman Nelson Petrone called the March 31, 2008 special meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.

II. Comments from the Audience (Bylaws of the Board #9300)

Time allotted for public participation-30 minutes, time allotted for an individual speaker-3 minutes)

Dr. Saddlemire explained that comments from the audience would be accepted after III. Budget Discussion.

III. Budget Discussion – Dr. Richard D. Saddlemire, Superintendent

Dr. Saddlemire reviewed the material handed out this evening: a Florida class size ballot proposal article, important budget meeting dates for parents, and a Columbia FIPAC/BOS address and phone listing. He commented on the black and gold colors parents in the audience were wearing and thanked citizens for attending this meeting and showing their unity for the children of Columbia. He asked parents to sign the petition requesting a special town meeting for the action of overruling FIPAC’s vote and have $400,000 restored to the Board of Education budget. He reviewed the 3/26/08 FIPAC meeting. The Superintendent said the children of Columbia cannot vote but their parents can and asked parents to vote down the May 20^th budget vote and return weekly thereafter until the requested $400,000 is restored to the Board of Education budget. He recommended that the Board of Education refuse to make the $400,000 cuts. (Applause)

The Superintendent invited Mr. Chris Albair to read a statement he prepared after he attended the 3/26/08 FIPAC meeting. Mr. Albair’s “original intent was to attend the public forums regarding the town budget and impact on Porter School in silence, my presence alone designed to demonstrate support for Dr. Saddlemire and the Board of Education in the face off over their budget. I was moved to become a more vocal participant when I attended the budget hearing of the Financial Planning and Allocation Committee on Wednesday, March 26^th. As a citizen and a taxpayer of the Town of Columbia I was humiliated and appalled by the arrogance with which that board demonstrated it’s outright contempt for the people of this community and for the Democratic process.” Mr. Albair read the rest his statement and concluded, “I believe it is time we, the citizens of Columbia, send a very loud, very arrogant message of our own in return.”

IV. $400,000 FIPAC-Directed Budget Discussion

· W. Mulcahy is against cutting teachers for the 2008/09 school year. Programs are in place for improving elementary CMT scores and raising class size will not help.

· C. Coley would like the Board to be unified in their decision to not cut teachers.

· L. Jurovaty would like to support all members of the community and feels the Board has a responsibility to respond to FIPAC in a respectful way.

· L. Green does not want to hurt Porter and elementary test scores but she would like to work together and get serious to make reasonable cuts.

· P. Belekewicz thanked citizens for coming. The Board made $100,000 in cuts without losing a teacher and feels another $100,000 could be cut by negotiating new insurance coverage with the unions’ approval. We can still educate our children, make decisive cuts, and compromise to find a peaceful resolution.

· N. Petrone said it would be nice if $100,000 could be cut out of benefits but the Board must deal in reality. This may not happen. He reminded the audience that three years ago, parents asked the Board to improve test scores and add a teacher to grade 4. This should continue to be the Board’s fundamental interest.

V. Comments from the Audience (Bylaws of the Board #9300)

Time allotted for public participation-30 minutes, time allotted for an individual speaker-3 minutes)

· Senator Prague reminded citizens that a town budget has never, not been supported and it is important to consider what parents have told Board of Education members over the last three years.

· Selectman Lisa Roy asked the audience to please not use the phone number listed on the handout as it is her work number. She explained that because the 3/26/08 FIPAC meeting was a working meeting rather than a regular meeting there was no audience of citizens. It was not intended to keep citizens out or from being heard. The FIPAC recommendation is not set in stone and the $400,000 amount will be revisited. She guaranteed that all citizens will be heard and she will be happy to talk to anyone regarding this budget issue.

· Jim Green said the strategy being presented is a suicide pact: win: $100,000, lose: $400,000. He suggests negotiating with FIPAC to come up with the best alternative to educate Columbia children.

· Maryann Potter said her husband could not be at the meeting and we are all here for the same reason. Columbia is a family and we are all feeling a heavy load. She would like to brainstorm what the options are and consider doing things differently to find cost savings. She and her husband both disagree with cutting staff and feel that the current class sizes are fantastic.

· Senator Prague said the audience is here to protect their most precious possessions – kids. (Applause) People who serve on Town committees are all volunteers and everyone must work together. This budget is huge and citizens cannot afford to pay higher taxes. Columbia Boards and seniors care about kids in town. Because of the times we are living in, we need to look at all areas for cutting costs, every bit of the budget must be looked at. There may be other places to cut. We must all work together because we all care about this town.

· Selectman Carmen Vance reviewed Porter enrollment and class size. Since 2000/01 there are 118 fewer students, a 17% decline. Class size has gone from 20.3 in 2000/01 to 16.2 in 2008/09. Certified staff has increased by 2. FIPAC has supported educating Columbia children. If the budget passes as is, there will be a 9% tax increase. Because of this, FIPAC is taking a serious look at all department budgets.

· Sarah Meshanic was appalled at FIPAC’s behavior. She feels the commission was recommending teacher cuts and did not want to hear about compromise.

· Lauren Perrotti came to Columbia for the schools. Columbia is a model for special education, fine arts, and P.E. She thinks it is great the BOE wants to fight for children. This is like being in the 4^th quarter and we are down. She was upset when Mrs. Ramsey left but then her child got Mrs. Lawton, a little pricey but

that’s okay. She would like to become a senior citizen in Columbia and not damage the BOE budget.

· E. Jay Starkel voiced concern about the flyer his 9-year old granddaughter brought home. Her teacher told her if the budget was cut, teachers were going to be fired.

· Kate Starkey feels respect is the key to working with FIPAC. As elected officials we expect phone calls and respectful conversations. A Language Arts Instructional Specialist and Enrichment Specialist have been hired since 2000/01 to maintain Porter’s educational program. Per contract, if there is a reduction in staff the BOE cannot just hire new people at a lower rate.

VI. Board of Education Response to FIPAC Cuts

· C. Coley would like to keep full day kindergarten, current class sizes, and not cut staff. The Board of Education can find some areas to reduce the budget but not the requested $400,000.

VI. Board of Education Response to FIPAC Cuts - continued

· W. Mulcahy – respect is a 2-way street and there was no respect at the 3/26/08 FIPAC meeting. The Board made cuts and now the current budget is at risk. He is in favor of negotiating and willing to look at more areas but cutting teachers is unreasonable. In order to cut FIPAC’s proposed $400,000, the Board will need to look at the big accounts: certified salaries, tuition, transportation, non-certified salaries, insurance. He is willing to go with the $100,000 cut and look for more.

· Dr. Saddlemire reported that he has been informed of 2 students who will not require special education services next year. The budget cost for the 2 students was projected at $100,000. (Total possible budget savings: $100,000 prepared for the 3/26/08 FIPAC meeting, $100,000 savings in special education tuition, $100,000 possible benefits savings = 300,000.)

· P. Belekewicz implored citizens to take the high road when contacting FIPAC and Board of Selectmen of their budget concerns. She is happy to hear the Board has $300,000 in cuts to propose to FIPAC.

· N. Petrone explained the Town/BOE tuition agreement: if the BOE has leftover tuition funds, this money is returned to the town. If the BOE incurs extra tuition costs, the town will cover the costs. High school projections are made in early winter. By this time of year the figures are more solid, but some budget information is still pending. If the unions agree, he is in favor of reducing benefit costs.

VII. Comments from the Audience (Bylaws of the Board #9300)

Time allotted for public participation-30 minutes, time allotted for an individual speaker-3 minutes)

· Selectman Carmen Vance asked the Board to look at the cost of substitute teachers. Since 2000/01, there has been a 233% increase in this line item.

· Tim Golubeff would like the town to be forward thinkers, roll with what has to be done, and carefully budget items such as fuel costs.

· Laurie Rogers moved from Coventry because she wanted her children in this school system. She feels the federal government has caused many of our problems. She asks why we need this budget cut, where will these dollars go, and what is being cut from other budgets. If bad decisions were made by town officials, why must we pay for it?

· Carol Albert agrees there are other things to look at and asked if teachers are retiring (2), are there any current openings? (no)

· Maryann Potter asked if FIPAC wants the school to do the same as last year plus improve scores?

VIII. Action Items/Discussion

W. Mulcahy MOVED and C. Coley SECONDED to present to FIPAC $100,000 in budget cuts and to reduce the budget by approximately $100,000 for the cost of the actual number of special education students who will be in the district for the 2008/2009 school year.

MOTION CARRIES 4-3-0

C. Coley, W. Mulcahy, M. Neckermann, N. Petrone VOTED FOR THE MOTION

P. Belekewicz, L. Green, L. Jurovaty VOTED AGAINST THE MOTION

IX. Adjournment

C. Coley MOVED and W. Mulcahy SECONDED to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m.

MOTION CARRIES 7-0

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Coley, Vice Chairperson