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MANCHESTER
BOARD OF EDUCATION
BUDGET WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2006 |
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I N U T E S
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7:08
p.m.
Robertson School Cafeteria |
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A. OPENING PRESENT:
Crockett, Hackett, Huyler, Rizzo, Rowe, Small-Miller, Stafford A1.
Call to Order A2.
Pledge of Allegiance Ms. Hackett thanked the staff and the public for attending the final budget workshop. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 24, 2006 and February 1, 2006 MOTION: Rizzo/Stafford vs. The Board of Education approves the minutes for the January 24, 2006 Budget Workshop. 7/0/0 MOTION: Rizzo/Stafford vs. The Board of Education approves the minutes for the February 1, 2006 Budget Workshop. 6/0/1 (Mr. Rowe abstained) C. PUBLIC COMMENTS 1) Tamara Tretter, 15 Oakland Terrace. Ms. Tretter mentioned that she has two children that attend Robertson Elementary School, and she is the PTA President for Robertson School. She mentioned that they have raised their PTA membership from 29 members last year to 85 members this year, and have increased the field trip funding by 12%, with many other accomplishments. She thanked the Superintendent and Principal Wolf, along with Mr. Bishop, for all their work in the safety of the children. However, her concern is that both the front door and back door of the school remain open and unlocked during the day without being monitored. She knows there are other schools with the same concern, and other schools have a buzzer system in place to help address the safety and security of the students. She asked that the buzzer system request for the schools be continued in the budget. With Robertson having portables, there also needs to be additional construction to the back door, besides a buzzer system, to lock the doors and close the gap between the portables to ensure the safety of the children. She would like to have this request put into the budget. 2) Tom Stringfellow, 183 Hillstown Road. Mr. Stringfellow mentioned that with the advance of technology, all students should be computer literate. He mentioned that some students may not have computers at home, and asked if we ever get help from corporations that have older, adaptable computers that might help by making donations to lower, working-class citizens. He also mentioned student athletes and how they fit into the budget, with time management and student learning, and recommended at book called College Admissions for the High School Athlete. 3) Sherry Kerran, 86 Barry Road. Ms. Kerran stated that her children attend Buckley Elementary School. Two of her children have been put on waiting lists to learn the fundamentals of reading, and she finds that very disheartening. Two of her sons have stayed back, and one is in jeopardy of staying back this year, as he is still waiting to get reading assistance. She stated that they need more reading tutors at Buckley School. D. OPENING REMARKS Mr. Rizzo mentioned that he had no opening remarks and asked Mr. Rowe if he had any comments. Mr. Rowe thanked the Board and the public for their expressions of concern for him and his daughter last week, and mentioned she is fine now. He turned the meeting over to the Superintendent. E. BUDGET DISCUSSION Accelerated
Schedule Funding - Specialty Areas Dr. Gasper
explained that the Superintendent created a subcommittee with the purpose
of proposing scheduling options for grade 6 during the 2006-07 and 2007-08
school years, and during the years of the Bennet construction. He mentioned
that the committee was comprised of five elementary school principals
and the four program coordinators. The focus was to generate proposals
as to how to schedule the 6th grade curricula into the elementary school
scheduling model, without a negative impact on curriculum and instruction.
Dr. Gasper believes that the committee has found the task is feasibly,
although challenging. The current proposal on the table, in which Technology
Education, Family and Consumer Science, and Health, which were formally
separate courses from academics, will be integrated with academics.
In his opinion the proposal is a very productive one, although it has
not been finalized as yet, and will serve all students' learning. He
stated that delivering the middle school curricula from Art, Music,
Physical Education, Health, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Technology
Education, which are currently delivered at 2 locations, and begin delivering
them at 9 locations (8 elementary schools plus Illing Middle School)
there will be difficulties that will have to be overcome. from school to school during the school day. That requirement presents an originally unexpected benefit. By having the people in the building, they can enhance student instructional experience, to bring the district closer to ERG and State averages, which are areas that the district is currently deficient in. Dr. Gasper stated that the two areas that he oversees directly are Technology Education and Family and Consumer Sciences. They are delivered at only grade 6, and they are not proposing at this time to deliver to grades K-5. He does not anticipate that any additional teachers will be necessary to deliver this curriculum. He actually has more than enough teachers who have volunteered to deliver this curriculum. Dr. Gasper stated that the curriculum would need to be adapted, but not significantly changed, with sequencing being looked at for middle schools. He mentioned that he does not anticipate any extra funding needs for instructional supplies. Mr. Keith Berry, K-12 Music Coordinator, stated that he, Cathy Peck, and Karen Fiedler work very closely together during the year and their disciplines are very much moving together. Annually, they plan for the next school year together and try to link programs. He stated that their request in the budget for staffing is for 2.5 positions in Art and 2.5 positions in Music. This will address the issue of spreading the students out from 2 to 8 locations, as well as help address a long-standing issue of being sited by the State Department of Education for being deficient in hours of instruction for Art and Music. They will be able to handle servicing the distribution of the 6th graders, and at the same time start to approach the State Department of Education guidelines for time in Music. Mr. Berry mentioned that they would rather have the teachers teaching, rather than traveling and this will help cut down on travel time and also give principals flexibility in their buildings to help schedule teachers as they need for programs. Mr. Rizzo stated that the main problem is that teachers have to move from one building to another, and that travel time and waste of time is causing the main problem. He asked if by adding 2.5 Music teachers and 2.5 Visual Arts teachers, if it will give each of the 8 locations one teacher for the building for the whole day. Mr. Berry said they are currently looking at schedule configurations, and they believe that some teachers may have to service more than one school; however, it depends on how their schedule finally comes out. The final schedule will have a big impact on that, and that every building will have a main specialist with one or two teachers having to move around the district. Mr. Rizzo asked if the classroom teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences and Tech Ed are taking on the responsibility of incorporating that curriculum into their classroom. Dr. Gasper said the current model that they are investigating would be akin to the co-teaching model in special education. Mr. Rowe asked about the 2.5 positions each for Art and Music, and if those teachers would be going to the 6th Grade Academy once Bennet is renovated. Mr. Berry stated that they have not moved that far with the curriculum and the 6th Grade Academy, but in a general sense they would. The Superintendent said that "not necessarily" would be the best answer at this point and time, as there is a possibility that they would keep this level of service in place and reorganize at the Academy. They have not really designed the 6th Grade Academy in all the curricula areas. The hope with this improvement plan is to keep it in place, and reorganize and reschedule when the 6th Grade Academy comes on line, in order to provide both services in a cost effective way. Ms. Hackett mentioned that there is a long way to go with the 6th Grade Academy and it will take significant effort to plan it and do it right. She stated that the way the different departments are coming together and collaborating sets a great example for their peers and the staff in the district. She thanked them for the work they have done. The Superintendent introduced Ms. Linda Gejda, the K-12 Math, Science, and Technology Supervisor, who gave a brief presentation to the Board and public on Technology Funding. Technology
Funding Ms. Gejda
gave a summary of what the letter states saying the district is:
Moving
to:
Ms. Gejda gave her PowerPoint presentation, which highlighted the following topics: Educational
Technology
Background:
Legislation:
Good News:
Concern:
Proposed Budget Will Provide:
Summary:
Technology purchasing decisions for 2006-07 will be made by a district committee based upon:
Ms. Hackett mentioned that Board members have debated whether a direct purchase versus a lease purchase is better, and asked for a comment on what they intend to do and why that direction was sought. Ms. Gejda mentioned that the district has leased computer equipment in the past and one of the concerns is that typically a lease will run three to five years, and the life of the technology is good for an average of three to five years, so in some cases we would be looking to start over again all at the same time. She is not sure the Board would want to replace everything at one time, as it could be a substantial lease to do that. In order to get on a cycle of acquisition and replacement, the Board would have to look long-range to get the technology over the next couple of years, and then a cycle could be started. Ms. Brooks stated the Board is still paying for the last lease with another payment in FY2007, with 40% of our computers over 5 years old, and there is no replacement plan. The hope is to establish something like the 3510 account, where a percentage of the budget every year is put towards technology. She mentioned that she asked other districts their opinion on leasing vs. purchasing and some do lease stating that sometimes it does work, but leasing works better on musical instruments than computers. With lease payments you have old computers that you are still paying on, and this new plan would inject new technology every year into the budget and curriculum. Ms. Hackett asked what kind of inventory and assessment management does the district have with the computers. Ms. Gejda stated that every year the buildings inventory their computers and a file is kept with identification numbers. Last year, the buildings were asked to determine how old their equipment was. This is done for security and insurance purposes. Ms. Hackett asked about software licenses and whether the district has valid ones. Ms. Gejda mentioned that the district has been very careful with that, and there are specific locations where certain licenses are held. Ms. Gejda mentioned a citizen's comment earlier on student access of computers at home, and according to a recent survey last year, the survey showed that approximately 70% of the district's children have access at home, and also, the Town has a Y5 program that gives students access to the Internet. The district is looking for various ways to put technology into the hands of all its students. Ms. Hackett asked if the new computers, that are being asked for in the budget, would be up and running for the start of school next year. Ms. Gejda said that they aren't installed in the buildings before school starts up due to security issues, but are installed when school starts. Ms. Brooks commented on a question earlier in the Public Comments session regarding computer donations from corporations, saying that the district cannot accept an old computer. A State law says that in order to donate a computer, a company must deliver them, train on them, and support the computers that are donated, and the district has to pay a lot of money to get rid of these useless computers. The district needs to maintain the same updated software at all locations, and many of these computers are too old already. Mr. Rizzo stated that he has always supported having more technology funding in the budget, but it seems to be the first thing reduced or taken out every year. He agreed with Ms. Brooks that a policy needs to be written for an account like 3510 for purchasing technology, where the Board commits to it every year. Mr. Rizzo asked why Mac computers are primarily used at the elementary level as opposed to PC's. Ms. Gejda stated that 9 out of the 10 elementary schools use Mac computers because there are certain programs that Mac has developed that are a better platform for elementary schools. With the instructional software that is in place now, it would be a very large project to switch to PC's in the elementary schools, but there are discussions going on at the building level to look for ways to use both platforms. Ms. Huyler said that having worked on a PC and a Mac, the Mac is easier to use and adapt to. Ms. Small-Miller stated that a Mac is more user-friendly and easier to adapt to, as a PC can be somewhat intimidating for a new user. Ms. Brooks stated for clarification that the purchase of computers being asked for in the budget is for 12 computers for each elementary school. F. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS The Superintendent answered a question from the last budget workshop regarding substitutes and Title I funding, under the provision of the "highly qualified" teacher. She stated that after consulting with Ms. England, she was informed that a short term substitute does not need to be considered "highly qualified", and notification must be sent to parents notifying them that a teacher has not been deemed "highly qualified". A long-term substitute of 30-40 days or more should be "highly qualified". The Superintendent referred the Board to a list of new positions handed out by Mrs. Brooks. Mrs. Brooks briefed the Board on the justification for a second shift custodial supervisor and for an additional electrician. Justification for Second Shift Custodial Supervisor Ms. Brooks
stated that the current staffing of the Buildings and Ground Department
includes 35 custodians and 4 maintenance personnel working on second
shift. During the current school year there have been no less than six
incidents where a custodian had to leave the work place suddenly due
either to work related injury, or personal family emergency situation.
In most of these incidents, there was no one available for the employee
to notify to make arrangements to have his/her cleaning responsibility
covered. She further stated that most notably in November the person
responsible for cleaning the Recreation Building at Bennet following
the Recreation Department use of the building fell ill prior to the
Recreation Department leaving for the evening. He called the Custodial
Supervisor's office phone to let him know he
was leaving. The Custodial Supervisor received the call about 6:30 am
when he arrived for work. In order to clean the entire area prior to
the start of school, several first shift maintenance people were pressed
into the effort. The normal duties of the second shift custodial supervisor
would include the regular inspection and supervision of the daily cleaning
through the system. He/she would be available to correct unacceptable
cleaning methods and/or practices before these methods and/or practices
result in a poorly cleaned section of a building. He/she would be available
to observe work being completed by maintenance staff, and redirect that
effort if, and when, the circumstances warranted. Mrs. Brooks mentioned
that several of the schools are used quite heavily during the second
shift by a wide variety of local organizations. The Second Shift Custodial
Supervisor would be available to address questions that arise as to
who is allowed to use what area and what time they are to be allowed
access to parts of the schools. He/she would be available to ensure
access when the custodian cannot be reached. She stated that this situation
did arise at Highland Park this school year when the custodian was cleaning
in the portable classroom and did not hear individuals at the front
door. Mr. Stafford asked if this would be a 12-month position, and Mrs. Brooks said it would be. He also asked if second shift custodians are still on second shift during the summer months, or if they are pulled back to 1st shift. Mrs. Brooks said they are pulled back to 1st shift, with the exception of the 3rd shift at the high school. Mr. Rowe asked if this Custodial Supervisor would be promoted from within the current custodial staff. Mrs. Brooks stated they would be if we had someone who met the qualifications. Mr. Rowe asked how many custodians are out a year on average. Mrs. Brooks said that there are custodians out every day, and coverage has to come from the electricians and plumbers because of the number of custodians out for injuries, illness, and vacation. Mr. Rowe asked if the person who investigates students who don't belong in the district, if that person also investigates the injuries of the custodians. Mrs. Brooks stated that on-the-job injuries are usually looked into by the Custodial Supervisor and herself, working with the Workman's Comp. Insurance Company. She stated that she receives monthly and quarterly reports on injuries so she can see and rectify any unsafe areas or conditions. Mr. Crockett said he was concerned that there are 35 custodians and 4 maintenance personnel reporting to no one. Mrs. Brooks stated that they report to the one, daytime Custodial Supervisor. She stated that the situation regarding 2nd shift custodians leaving phone messages on the Custodial Supervisor's phone has been rectified. Ms. Small-Miller asked when an accident happens, does an accident report need to be filled out. Mrs. Brooks stated that the incident needs to be reported and the Custodial Supervisor needs to investigate and review what the person says happened, and then submit a Supervisor's report on the injury. Mr. Rowe asked how much is paid out in workman's compensation per year. Mrs. Brooks said she did not have those figures, but she would get them for him. She mentioned that the time out is not just injuries; it includes time away such as illness, personal time, and vacation. It's a matter of not being fully staffed when custodians are out, and those are the times when we need to have someone oversee the entire program. Justification
for Electrician Mrs. Brooks said that in addition, many preventative projects need to be done such as circuit breaker testing and emergency lightening checks. With the hundreds of circuit breaker panels in our schools we are susceptible to a fire if taps are loose. Usually emergency lighting has to wait to be checked annually by an outside firm because there is no manpower to check it during the school year. Mr. Rizzo said it was alarming that there are 600 open, electrical work orders, some of them 4 years old. Mr. Crockett asked if a third electrician is added, if one will be made Head Electrician with an additional stipend. Mrs. Brooks said that during the day there is a Lead Electrician who directs the work and helps with the vendors. Mr. Crockett asked if there were any possibility of the two job descriptions being combined and done by one, and Mrs. Brooks said she did not see how an electrician could oversee the custodial work and staff. She didn't feel it would work. Ms. Hackett asked if there was a projected timeline for completion of the 600 work orders. Mrs. Brooks said she could not come up with a timeline as it depends on how long each job takes. The Superintendent asked Ms. Tait to comment on a question brought up at the last budget workshop regarding the cost of educating expelled students. Ms. Tait shared the following information: Cost
of Educating Expelled Students Oakbridge
(private school) - $184.61/day per child - grades 4-12 Ms. Tait explained that this is the money that they are trying to put towards the new Alternative to Expulsion Program. Mr. Crockett asked how many students is the district paying for to go to the Oakbridge School. and to the CREC APEC School. Ms. Tait explained that Oakbridge and CREC APEX are generally used for children with special needs, and there is one expelled student, as well as a couple of non expelled students at Oakbridge right now. Ms. Tait mentioned that with the new program, they would like to bring back the expelled student into the district. Ms. Tait said there were 4 students attending the CREC APEC School, with one just returning at this semester and two who will return at the next quarter. Usually there are about 4 -5 students attending these schools at any given time. F. QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS G. PUBLIC
COMMENTS 2) Silvio Pattacini, Cheney Lane. Mr. Pattacini asked if the budget could be accessed on-line, and also if it is broken down into line items so the public can understand it. Mrs. Brooks stated that the Superintendent's presentation from the January 19, 2006 Budget Workshop is on-line and in that presentation the budget is broken down by Object Code, which is heat, electricity, certified salaries, substitutes, etc. Mr. Pattacini asked what the schools do with old computers; are they destroyed or donated to private schools. Mrs. Brooks explained that the district puts on a Surplus Auction, which goes out for anyone to make bids on the surplus equipment. They are usually done every 6 months. Mr. Pattacini stated that he appreciates and commends the work that the Manchester Board of Education is doing, and said they have much integrity and passion for the school system. He asked when the budget would be a finished product, and the Superintendent said it was her hope that would happen at the Special Board of Education meeting on Feb. 9, 2006. 3) Tom
Stringfellow, 183 Hillstown Road. Mr. Stringfellow commended Ms. Gejda
on her presentation on computer literacy and what needs to be done with
funding, and he mentioned a cover story in Time Magazine about students
failing and what can be done to improve the situation. He also mentioned
that he has read about Title I funding cuts from the Federal Government
and wasn't sure if the State would cut our funding. He mentioned the
media could help out students with Math and Science with such programs
as Dragon Fly and NOVA. 4) Jerry Bujaucius, 88 Ambassador Drive. Mr. Bujaucius mentioned the age of computers and how his company has a plan in place to replace computers as they age. He asked the Board to look at the Tech support numbers to see if they could stretch out the life of some of the computers for another year or more, as it could be cost effective. He talked about asset strategy and how those assets are used. G. Closing
Comments Mr. Crockett mentioned the Living Wage Ordinance that the Board of Directors' are looking into, and wanted the Board to give some thought on how it might affect the Board of Education's budget. MOTION: Stafford/Crockett vs. The Board of Education adjourned at 8:59 p.m. Respectfully submitted, David Golas,
Secretary |