A. OPENING

PRESENT: Crockett, Edwards, Golas, Hackett, Huyler, Rizzo, Rowe, Small-Miller, Stafford

ALSO
PRESENT: Superintendent of Schools Ouellette, Director of Student Support Services Tait, Director of Business and Operations Brooks

A. OPENING
A1. Call to Order
Ms. Hackett called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

A2. Pledge of Allegiance
Ms. Hackett led the Pledge of Allegiance.

B. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None

C. CONSENT CALENDAR
C1. Approval of Bowers Elementary School Educational Specifications
C2. Approval of Buckley Elementary School Educational Specifications
C3. Approval of Highland Park Elementary School Educational Specifications
C4. Approval of Keeney Elementary School Educational Specifications
C5. Approval of Martin Elementary School Educational Specifications
C6. Approval of Verplanck Elementary School Educational Specifications
C7. Approval of Waddell Elementary School Educational Specifications
C8. Approval of Washington Elementary School Educational Specifications

Ms. Brooks stated that these Educational Specifications were discussed at the Building and Sites Committee meeting before the Board meeting, and she explained that they are for the change in programs to accommodate the 6th grades from Bennet and Illing Middle Schools, which are being put back into these elementary schools. These are the renovation projects on these schools.

MOTION: Golas/Rizzo vs. The Manchester Board of Education adopts the Consent Calendar Items as outlined by Ms. Brooks and detailed in the agenda packet. 9/0/0

D. OLD BUSINESS
D1. Superintendent's Recommended Budget

A motion was made and seconded to adopt the budget with revisions.

An amendment to the motion was made and seconded.

The Board briefly discussed the amendment to the motion which centered on the pros and cons of purchasing versus leasing computers.

MOTION: Edwards/Rizzo vs. The Board of Education moves to amend the motion by reducing the Program Improvement Line in the budget by $320,000 to reflect a change from
out- right purchase of new computers to a three-year lease purchase. 5/4/0 (Defeated)

A vote was taken:
Mr. Stafford - No
Mr. Edwards - Yes
Mr. Rizzo - Yes
Mr. Golas - No
Ms. Huyler - Yes
Ms. Small-Miller - No
Mr. Rowe - No
Mr. Crockett - Yes
Ms. Hackett - No

MOTION: Rowe/Rizzo vs. The Board of Education adopts the 2006-2007 Budget in the amount of $90,147,794 with the following revisions:

1) Reduce the budget by $46,210 by eliminating the proposed Dean of Students position.

2) Increase the budget by $46,210 toward the funding of a new Grant Writer position, with the balance of funds, if so needed to come, from grant funding. 8/1/0

A vote was taken:
Mr. Stafford - Yes
Mr. Edwards - Yes
Mr. Rizzo - Yes
Mr. Golas - Yes
Ms. Huyler - Yes
Ms. Small-Miller - Yes
Mr. Rowe - Yes
Mr. Crockett - No

Ms. Huyler pointed out all the hard work that was put into the budget.

Superintendent Ouellette commended the Board of Education for their strong leadership and their enduring commitment to providing such quality education for the students of Manchester.

In addition, she thanked the staff for the many hours they dedicated each day for the students in preparing this budget.

Ms. Hackett acknowledged the efforts of the Administration, staff members, and the public who attended the workshops. She explained that this budget is helping Manchester Schools prepare for the future and sited the remaking of the middle schools and the 6th Grade Academy. She stated that she is pleased that the budget will fund some of the NEASC initiatives at the high school, and the investment in technology.

E. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None

MOTION: Edwards/Huyler vs. The Board of Education adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

David Golas, Secretary
Manchester Board of Education