SAU #35 EXECUTIVE BOARD                                                          DATE: OCT. 3, 2007

SAU CENTRAL OFFICE                                                                     TIME:  5:30 PM

262 COTTAGE STREET

LITTLETON, NH 03561

 

 

 

MINUTES

 

PRESENT:      Chairman James Payette; Board Members Mary Beaudin, Tina Peabody, Oliver Cole, Barry Liveston, James Colongeli; Superintendent Patrick Low.

 

Chairman Payette called the Board meeting to order at 5:35 PM.

 

PUBLIC INPUT – None

 

MOTION BY TINA PEABODY, SECONDED BY BARRY LIVESTON TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SEPT. 5, 1007 MEETING AS WRITTEN. The following corrections were requested:

 

            Page 2, paragraph 3, line 5 should read It was noted . . .

            Page 3, paragraph 2, line5 should read LEAVE REQUEST AS PRESENTED.

 

 ALL IN FAVOR WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED CORRECTIONS, MOTION CARRIED.

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS / FINANCIAL REPORT

 

Manifests were circulated for Board review and information.

 

In the absence of Business Administrator Sally Waterhouse, Superintendent Low presented the Financial Report.

 

Superintendent Low distributed copies of the Financial Report for Board review and information noting that the current projected year end balance is $11,084.78. Superintendent Low outlined the changes in the balance since the prior reporting period noting that there has been an increase of $3,589.90.

 

Barry Liveston requested additional information on the purchase of the switch in the amount of $3,505.00 resulting from the crash of the e-mail system. He would like clarification as to why this is not listed under repairs to equipment or new equipment. Superintendent Low advised that he will discuss with Mrs. Waterhouse and report back to the Board.

 

Superintendent Low also advised the Board that he will seek further clarification pertaining to the Office Copier Lease programs and the over expenditure in this account.

 

Superintendent Low advised that he has information to present to the Board on the proposed Budget for 2008-2009 later in the meeting. Chairman Payette advised that he could proceed with this information at this point.

 

BUDGET

 

Chairman Payette distributed copies of the first draft of the 2008-2009 proposed Budget for Board review and information.

 

Superintendent Low advised the Board that the budget is based on staffing at the current status in the SAU Office. Superintendent Low outlined the major highlights of this draft noting that Health Insurance has been budgeted at a 9.5% increase (average of the last four years); Dental Insurance at a 5% increase; Retirement Rates remain the same as the current year and wages have been budgeted at a 3.5% increase.

 

Chairman Payette further commented that the Superintendent’s salary for the 2008-2009 school year was set at $93,000 for the third year of his contract plus a 3.5% increase to the stipend for overseeing Special Education.

 

Chairman Payette commented that the starting balance of $91,181.00 which was to be carried over has been set aside due to the ongoing litigation with SAU 84. This was done on the advice of legal counsel with both Attorneys Boynton and McLaughlin concurring on this decision. The monies remain in the SAU budget as a carry over and are offset by an expenditure. Chairman Payette further commented that the increase to the proposed budget of $134,728.00 is really more in the realm of approximately $40,000 if one takes the beginning balance into consideration. A brief discussion ensued.

 

Superintendent Low advised the Board that the Office staff met this week to discuss job mapping and will be meeting on the 16th, 23rd and 30th to continue this process. It is anticipated that all will have their preliminary report on the 16th with their final report due by Friday, October 26th to allow the Superintendent to draft a full report and send to the Board not later than Friday, November 2, 2007.

 

Superintendent Low advised the Board that the he intends to be very up front with the staff on the 30th advising them of his recommendations. Superintendent Low gave the staff a written sample of how he is proceeding with the mapping of his position. This is a very significant and important undertaking requiring all to provide an accurate perception of time spent on tasks. Superintendent Low noted that the staff have been updating their job descriptions in order to proceed with the mapping task.

 

Mary Beaudin questioned the ADM’s shown on the pie chart of the proposed budget asking where and how the figure of 24.8 was arrived at. She further expressed concern that Landaff’s increase is higher than any of the other districts. Superintendent Low will relate these questions to Business Administrator Waterhouse.

 

Tina Peabody asked why the function – PRIDE Program – 1650 still shows on the revenue report of the proposed Budget (page 2) as the program has been defunct for the past several years. Is this just the need to rename the category? Superintendent Low advised that he will discuss Mrs. Waterhouse and report back to the Board.

 

Chairman Payette advised the Board that a Budget Committee needs to be formed. Tina Peabody and Barry Liveston served along with Chairman Payette in this capacity last year and at the Board’s request, agreed to serve again.

 

LITIGATION UPDATE

 

Chairman Payette distributed a listing of Legal Expenses for Attorneys Boynton and McLaughlin showing what has been paid to each by SAU #35 for the 2007-2008 school year. The report also shows what was paid to Attorney Boynton during the 2006-2007 school year which totals $12,697.41. Attorney Boynton has advised that in order to pinpoint the exact amount of monies spent on Littleton’s withdrawal and the ensuing lawsuit will take quite a bit of time to reconstruct. In many instances several topics were discussed in one phone call so he will need to review his notes to be able to indicate only the time pertaining to the lawsuit. In view of this, Chairman Payette asked if the Board wishes him to proceed with this breakdown. Chairman Payette further noted that he has been advised by Atty. McLaughlin that the possibility of the court awarding legal expenses in this type of case is very remote. Following a brief discussion it was the consensus of the Board that this type of breakdown is not necessary at this time.

 

Chairman Payette advised the Board that the SAU will be suing for other assets (i.e. spatial technology equipment; computer repair program equipment). He requested that the members consult with their individual Boards and perhaps past Board members to ascertain if there is any recollection of additional expenditures on assets which may be of assistance to our attorney.

 

Chairman Payette advised the Board that the Motion to Dismiss was denied by the Court. A brief discussion ensued.

 

DISCUSSION ON FUTURE SITE OF SAU OFFICE

 

Chairman Payette distributed information prepared by Business Administrator Waterhouse pertaining to the possible relocation of the SAU office as previously discussed. This packet contains information from DOE Consultant Ed Murdough along with estimated debt schedules for the anticipated costs of building a new office. Chairman Payette noted that the rate or reimbursement is 40% regardless of the district of the timing of this project. A new building, purchasing and renovating a house or including the SAU in a school building would all qualify for the 40% reimbursement. Following a brief discussion it was the consensus of the Board to table this issue for now and revisit at a later date.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

Superintendent Low advised the Board that an 14see student software training workshop was held on Tuesday at SAU #35 for administrators with Paula Churchill of NCES facilitating. This was well attended and very beneficial to all.

 

Superintendent Low called the Board’s attention to his written report which was contained in their agenda packets briefing the Board on the contents.

 

Superintendent Low advised the Board that this Friday is North Country In-service Day and all staff members will be participating in professional development workshops. Principals have provided him with data outlining how there staff will be participating. Superintendent Low will be attending the morning portion of the day at WMRHS.

 

Superintendent Low advised the Board that he recently attended the NEASS (New England Association of School Superintendents Conference in Portsmouth. He found this very informative and brought back valuable information to share with the Districts.

 

Also contained in the Board’s agenda packets was a copy of a report entitled “The American Public Speaks” which pertains to NCLB and the shifting public opinion. Superintendent Low felt that this was a valuable publication. Tina Peabody advised the Board that she had received a copy of an article from the Weekly Standard entitled No Child Left Alone – an education reform run amok which she found very interesting. Copies were distributed to the Board.

 

Superintendent Low advised the Board that a follow up to the Special Education On-Site Audit dealing with out-of-district placements and the proper maintaining of these files will occur on October 31, 2007.

 

Superintendent Low advised the Board that he will be attending a workshop tomorrow in Bedford pertaining to RTE and new LD Definition.

There being no further business to come before the Board, MOTION TINA PEABODY, SECONDED BY MARY BEAUDIN TO ADJOURN AT 6:30 PM. ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Marjorie Brown

Board Clerk