March 22, 2007 Minutes

Bimonthly Meeting Minutes:

Ginger Shaw, newly re-elected member from Randolph was sworn in before the meeting by Norine Leathers, Notary Public

PRESENT:Mr. Paradee, Chair, Mr. Rogers, Vice-Chair, Mrs. Avery, Mr. Chase, Mr. Hunnewell, Mr. Jermyn, Mrs. Kelley, Mrs. Shaw, Dr. Knowles, Ms. Rebar, Mrs. Leathers

ABSENT: Mrs. Dunn, Mrs. Fles, Mr. Shea

Mrs. Paradee called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and declared a quorum present.

Dr. Knowles stated the air quality testing has been done at the high school and he hoped to have the results by tomorrow. He also stated that Bill Stockmeyer, Esq. is drafting an article for the expenditure of the money for Pray Street School for the Board’s consideration.

Dr. Knowles presented a draft of the budget, but cautioned the Board there was no revenue projections for the budget. He stated there is no word from the State as to when the subsidy print-out will be available. He stated if the print-out was not available by the May meeting, the Budget Referendum might have to be delayed.

The budget is up $888,881.19 or a 4.24%, $87,000 of which will be offset by additional revenues. The budget contains the following:
1. No new positions
2. Textbooks for the high school
3. 20% of the salary of the School Health Coordinator
4. Accreditation stipends
5. Reduction of a social worker at the high school, reduction of a middle school
teacher, reduction of an elementary teacher

Positions that were requested but not funded were:
1. G/T Ed Tech
2. Additional secretarial time at River View
3. Summer School

Dr. Knowles stated there were still unresolved issues that might affect the budget:
1. Teacher contract
2. Custodian contract

Mrs. Leathers provided a spreadsheet detailing the breakdown for each cost center.
Dr. Knowles explained the difference in cost centers due to the new state Handbook II
numbers and explained line by line increases or decreases. Mr. Hunnewell asked Mrs.
Leathers if she could provide figures broken down with the same cost centers as last year for comparison. She stated she would try to provide those figures for the Finance
Committee meeting.

Mrs. Kelley stated taxpayers at the Pittston town meeting were in favor of a consolidated school.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.