I. 
Call to order, roll call, and Pledge of Allegiance - President Nolte called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following ROLL CALL:
PRESENT
Mr. Powers
Mrs. Dale
Mrs. Nolte
Mrs. Zelenka
Mr. Hervas
Mrs. McDonald
|
ABSENT
Mr. Torii
|
Also Present:
Dr. Kenneth Cull, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Reinhard Nickisch, Principal, F.E. Peacock Middle Schol
Dr. Joanna Medwick, Principal, Franzen Intermediate School
Dr. Dawn Turner, Principal, Benson Primary School
Dr. Marcia Tornatore, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Mr. Charles Kapachinski, Director of Technology
Mrs. Catherine Seger, Recorder
Mrs. Nolte led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Nolte stated that the format for the meeting would be as follows. The
Board had received numerous suggested cuts from members of the staff and community. The different buildings categorized these cuts. The board would discuss each topic individually. Following that discussion, Mrs. Nolte would ask for comments and suggestions from those present. Following suggestions, the board would have discussion and then move onto the next topic.
President Nolte asked Dr. Cull to review the budget. Dr. Cull reviewed the process. He stated that the budget should be recognized as a plan and is not written in stone. It’s important for the public to understand that the tentative budget has been adopted. The March meeting presented a draft budget that was in deficit by $200,000. The board had asked the Superintendent to balance the budget. The tentative budget already has $280,000 in cuts from it.
Dr. Cull talked about the importance of a balanced budget as the district will have a shortfall for next year. He also discussed the fact that cuts being made need to be ongoing cuts. If cuts are only going to be made now and be put it off for a year, this is not really a solution. Dr. Cull reviewed handouts that had been distributed explaining how the cuts were determined.
Dr. Cull had edited the lists received from the schools and this would be what the board would be discussing.
Mr. Hervas asked who had put the recommendations together. It was determined that the building administrators had put it together with input from the staff. Mr. Powers reiterated that if something is taken out, it is a permanent departure.
II. Review of the proposed FY 2005 tentative budget.
The review began with the building lists with Benson.
No individual staff member would be discussed – only positions. Dr. Cull said that each of the teacher aides were assigned to a specific child. Since these children were moving on, these aides were being released.
A discussion ensued about the travel expenses and suggestions were made regarding cutting some of these expenses. This item will continue to be monitored.
There was discussion about capital outlay expenses and how some of this couple be supported with fund-raisers.
It was suggested that AVID be cut for next year.
The Media Center book budget could support future library purchases with revenue increase.
Though field trip expenses couldn’t be zero, it could require parents to pay for field trips. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Nolte did not want to cut this item out. More discussion ensued.
Many items were based on the concept of charging parents for various activities. Discussion ensued.
Another suggestion was that something could be done with various stipends but the positions have to be hourly. Changing hours is related to the stipends.
Revenue ideas were discussed. For example, charging a rental fee for the buildings/fund raisers, etc. Also, possibly cutting down on paper costs by producing less newsletters.
Mrs. Nolte asked for people in the community, teachers, staff, etc., to talk about the budget cuts for Benson.
Parents made some suggestions. The possibility of a field trip fund due at the beginning of the year was raised. Discussion ensued.
Teacher Linda Schaschwary commented on field trips. As a kindergarten teacher, field trips are bonuses to the curriculum. The idea is to look at what’s core and what is extra.
Discussion ensued about the dollar amount for the media center aides. It probably was about $50,000. The board would need to find $50,000 in other cuts and/or revenues.
Following this discussion, the next building list discussed was from Franzen.
Topics covered included many that were on Benson’s list. In addition, conference workshops were discussed. Dr. Medwick said that staff had done in-house workshops this year and it was very beneficial. But teachers had to learn how to do this.
Some outside speakers could probably be cut.
Numbers in the after-school program have gone down. It was suggested to keep the program for 3rd grade.
Other suggestions included dropping transportation for before and after school activities at Peacock as well as the Outdoor Education Program.
The current tech plan was reviewed including the upgrading of the phone system at a cost of $20,000 to $25,000 per building. Discussion ensued. This may not be an area that could be cut. The district may be able to just do one building or cut it out completely. Dr. Cull will review the tech plan with regards to the phone systems (Peacock and District Office). He needs to verify the cost. The board is interested in leaving the district office out at this point.
Discussion ensued regarding the cost of the Science Fair. It was suggested to keep it for the Peacock students using in-house residents to judge. Discussion ensued. One suggestion made that it might possibly be part of the 6th grade curriculum.
Other areas of possible revenue sources were admission costs and concessions sales through the musical and talent show.
Tests should be reviewed. However, the District needs to consider which tests be eliminated as the District has to stay with the state. Discussion ensued.
The entire community needs to be communicated as to the need for money. Dr. Cull is putting a place on our web-site to discuss school finances.
Franzen secretaries distributed a log of their daily activities.
Mr. Hervas discussed the fact that he believes legislators are not concerned about school funding and how it will affect the collar counties. It doesn’t matter how much is cut this year as the District will have to raise revenue. He stressed the importance of the community knowing that School District #10 is in need of more funding. He feels that it is absolutely essential that a message be sent to the community that the District needs to have a referendum now. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the board is the board should wait. Mr. Hervas said his time would be for next year in the fall and that is still a year and a half away.
Jean Gronkiewicz asked why the public is not aware of the budgeting problems. Mrs. Nolte said that at the town meeting next week, she will be addressing this issue.
It was suggested that perhaps some type of committee be created to study this situation consisting of parents, teachers, and administrators.
Next followed the recommendations from Peacock.
Items on that list were consistent with the other schools including the elimination of the Stanford test. Also, cutting down on travel budgets; eliminating capital outlay for one year; and outsource tech management. Discussion ensued. All building recommendations were considered and discussed.
Board members had some additional extra cost savings. Mrs. Dale wants to discuss personnel issues in closed session. She does not understand stipends – what is in the teachers’ contract and what does not have to be paid for. Dr. Cull explained that prior to last year, it was not segregated in the budget. This year’s budget reflects more than what happened in last year’s budget.
Mr. Powers directed the Superintendent to do the following: Try and do something about looking into user fees – how much revenue it will generate and what other districts are charging. Also, look into the phone system - one or two of the buildings? See how to get out of the AVID Contract. Also review the board travel and see what value it is to board members to attend workshops. Also, memberships to EDRED and the NSBA should be reviewed. Please include the administration. Review the jobs of the building secretaries and outside conference workshops as well as the benefits of doing more in-house conferences. Review the additional burden of letting go of the aides and the District Office receptionist.
Mrs. Zelenka discussed the fact that aides are not factored into the budget. She also would like to look at the need for administrators? Do we need everyone? Mrs. Dale will e-mail some questions to the Superintendent. Dr. Cull will put dollar figures on the cuts and will have them on the agenda with a budget section next month.
Mrs. Nolte thanked all community members, teachers, and staff members that had attended the meeting. All discussion would be taken into consideration.
III. Adjournment - There being no further business, President Nolte adjourned the meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m. P.M.
