Draft Minutes of the

Litchfield Budget Committee Meeting

Held on 7 December 2006

Attendance: B. Lemire, Chair; J. Caynon,  J. Harte, B. McCue, D. Miller, C. Couture, S. Martin, C. Hamblett, M. E. Flynn
Excused:  B. Spencer, M. Falzone
Absent:  A. Raccio, C. Williams

Mr. Lemire called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.  He mentioned that today is the 65th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

1)         Public Input

Mr. Jack Scheiner commented that the Committee indicated they would like more information on the Town Administrator position for the 2007 warrant articles.  Mr. Scheiner indicated that there was some confusion over the wording of the article and that he revise the wording so as not to cause voter confusion.   Mr. Lemire thanked Mr. Scheiner for coming before the Committee.

2)         Approval of minutes of previous meeting

Mr.Caynon made a motion to approve the minutes.  Mr.Miller seconded.  The motion carried 3-0-1, with Mr.McCue abstaining.

3)         School Budget – continue presentation

Mr. Lemire welcomed Superintendent Hamblett and Mr. Martin, Business Administrator.  Mr. Lemire offered the District administrators time to discuss the Proposed 2007 Budget, asking that they highlight changes.

Mr. Martin indicated that the Executive Summary covered the major changes, however, he would be happy to review the changes with the Committee.   Mr. Martin noted that a major change is the implementation of a new Special Education IEP reporting system mandated by the State of NH DOE.  The new system requires that minutes are taken at each IEP meeting for which each school will be equipped with a laptop computer for use at each meeting. 

Ms. Hamblett indicated that the new system called SPEDIS is requiring more information to be entered into a web-based program as the student’s education plan is reviewed.

Mr. Martin noted there is an increase in the Special Education transportation account, which is due to an increase in 504 needs and vocational transportation and scheduling.  He added that many students are attending vocational classes at Nashua North High School, which has caused the scheduling problems and the need for more transportation capacity.  Mr. Martin reported that next year we are expecting more Special Education students (age 18+) that need transportation, so you will see a major increase in the Special Education travel account.   

Mr. Martin pointed out that new staff hiring will reduce the cost of the 6th period classes at CHS and that may reductions have been made to the budget already.  He also noted that more employees are moving from individual medical plans to family plans, which increases the cost of benefits.  A new nurses’ substitutes account was added with a new, Board approved rate increase.  He added that there may be an increase on the substitutes account next year as many teachers are looking at maternity leave. 

Ms. Hamblett mentioned that the NWEA (MAPS) testing will be implemented at more grade levels district-wide next year and the District is requesting a wireless lab for each school, which will result an increase in the budget.  NWEA testing is a web-based testing application that uploads information overnight and scores the tests with the information available to teachers over the next day or two.  This enables teachers to identify student needs more efficiently and tailor their instruction. 

Mr. Caynon asked about the donated computers and why they can’t be utilized for NWEA testing.  Mr. Martin noted that the donated computers are all desktop PC’s.  Ms. Hamblett added that the District has been supplied with a Federal grant to help fund this endeavor.

Mr. Martin indicated that they are not budgeting for a $50,000 under spend and added that the District gave the Special Education under spend back to the voters last year.

Mr. Lemire gave members of the Committee an opportunity to ask Ms. Hamblett and Mr. Martin questions about the 1100 Series Account – Regular Programs.  Members raised concerns about salaries and benefits, substitutes, teachers’ retirement, the leasing of instructional equipment increase, classroom supplies shipping charges, and Project Lead the Way. 

Ms. Hamblett explained that Project Lead the Way is a collegiate level pre-engineering program for high school students.  Mr. Martin noted that the budgeting costs were reflected in the Science and Math budgets.  Ms. Hamblett added that this program attracts students who take Tech Ed back into Science and Math coursework.  She extended an invitation to the Budget Committee to attend a presentation to be made by teachers of the course who will come before the School Board.  She mentioned that the District received a $24,000 grant for the start up of this program.

Mr. Lemire asked Mr. Martin and Ms. Hamblett to review the 1200 Series Account – Special Education.  Mr. Martin noted that tutoring salaries are up and amounts will vary depending on students’ needs and which account is charged for the tutoring services.  A second severely handicapped student is increasing the cost of services; the hiring and mileage of paraprofessional is contributing increases as well. 
Ms. Hamblett turned the Committee members’ focus to the Special Education camps pointing out that these are not summer camps, but an extended year, resident program for Special Education students that the District pays for.   

Mr. Caynon asked about the Special Education tuition account and if the anticipated out-of-district placements are confirmed.  Ms. Hamblett noted that Mrs. Gregg, the Director of Special Services, only budgets if she knows about the placement of the student in advance.  After the student completes the program, he/she is reintroduced back into the District.

Mr. Lemire commented that most of the equipment, supplies and texts are driven by IEP’s and mandates by Federal law. 

The Committee finished the 1100 and 1200 Series’ and Mr. Lemire advised that the Committee continue at the next meeting.

4)         Miscellaneous business

Ms. Hamblett invited Committee members to give their input on the revised mission statement at the next meeting.  Mr. Martin requested that the Revenues and Default budgets be reviewed at the next meeting.

5)         Member Input

Mr.Caynon made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.Mr.McCue seconded.  The motion carried 4-0-0.