Minutes
Donna Goodrich – Gorham, chairperson
Leona Guay – Gorham
Michael Waddell – Gorham
Charles Brown –
Carol Gagnon –
Robert Leclerc -
Wendy Niskanen – Shelburne
Patrick Low – Superintendent, SAU #20
Pauline Plourde – Business Administrator, SAU #20
Jacqueline Tetreault – Recording Secretary
Members of the press
Donna Goodrich, chairperson of the Cooperative School
District Planning Board, called the meeting to order at
Motion by Michael Waddell, second by Charles Brown
Motion: to approve the minutes of
Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.
The members in attendance agreed to schedule the following dates for future Board meetings:
Wednesday,
August 18th at
Thursday,
September 2nd at
Wednesday,
September 15th at
Wednesday,
September 30th at
Ms. Plourde presented a variety of information for Board members regarding the breakdown in the formula for methods of appropriation. One of the handouts presented was a listing of school financial terms. Ms. Guay recommended reviewing this list and placing it on the agenda for acceptance at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Ms. Plourde went through a handout which showed the budget of a joint cooperative school district. This was reviewed in detail. Ms. Plourde continued to explain a variety of methods of appropriation in different scenarios. She reminded Board members that with the formation of a cooperative school district, any ‘tuition cushion’ would be removed providing greater efficiency for the taxpayer.
Charles Brown left the meeting at
It was recommended, after reviewing the handouts presented, that the formula for appropriation be broken down to 85/15 without any negative impact and presented for the Board’s possible final vote at the next meeting. The Board also requested the figures for the average cost per student, which Ms. Plourde figured to be $6,770 per student using the figures for one year ADM.
Some discussion was held regarding the possibility of bonding, which would need to pass by a 2/3 majority in each of the three towns. It was also stated that each town would need to raise the same amount of monies for a new building, and that capital costs have been figures on 100% 3-year State equalized valuation. Mr. Low commented that the Cooperative Board would need to highlight operational and political efficiencies with the renovation or building of a new facility.
After some further discussion, it was recommended that at the meeting to be held on
August 18th, a final decision on a breakdown for a method of appropriation will be decided. Board members stated that they would like to see a 90/10 breakdown with the impact of a school bond, and what the change in the cost per student would be.
Motion by Michael Waddell, second by Wendy Niskanen
Motion: to accept Article 10: Transfer Schedule as follows:
A schedule of monthly payments based on the sum of the respective shares of
the towns of Gorham, Randolph and Shelburne for operating expenses and capital
expenses shall be established and revised as necessary by the school board of
the Gorham Randolph Shelburne Cooperative School District.
Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.
Motion: to accept Article 13: State Aid as follows:
All aid from the State of New
Hampshire to which a pre-existing district would be entitled if it were not
part of the Gorham Randolph Shelburne Cooperative School District shall be
credited to said pre-existing districts toward its share of the total operating
and capital budgets. State building aid
which may be available to the
Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.
Article 15 (formally Article 16)
Motion by Michael Waddell, second by Robert Leclerc
Motion: to accept Article 15: Community Use of Facilities as follows:
Facilities and equipment under the control of the
District may be used for civic, town, and other non-district purposes as may be
determined by the policies of the
Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.
It was recommended to hold off a vote on Article 16 (formerly Article 17). It was further recommended to draft articles of agreement for contracts with teaching personnel and service providers.
The following agenda was set for the meeting of August 18th:
I.
Call to Order
II.
Approval of Minutes (7/28)
III.
Acceptance of school financial terms
IV.
Methods of appropriation – final vote for breakdown
V.
Articles of agreement
-review draft language and
finalize article 16 and contract articles
VI.
Other
VII.
Agenda for Next Meeting
VIII.
Adjournment
Motion by Wendy Niskanen, second by Robert Leclerc
Motion: to adjourn the July 28th meeting
of the
Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted
Jacqueline Tetreault
Recording Secretary