Milan School Board

Minutes 12/16/03

 

The Milan School Board met to review the 2004/2005 budget on Tuesday, December 16, 2003, at 6:30 p.m., at the Milan Village School, Milan, NH.  In attendance:  Andrew Mullins, Patricia Shute, Jacqueline Quintal.  Also:  Sarah Sarette, Pauline Plourde, Rebecca Hebert-Sweeny, Steven Welford (arrived at 6:45 p.m.) and Susan Enman

(recording secretary).

 

I.          Call to Order:  Andrew Mullins called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

 

II.        Budget: 

            Patricia Shute questioned the rationale for taking the bean bag chairs out of the

            budget for the Title I room, noting that the teacher wanted these chairs in order

            to make a reading nook. 

 

            Mrs. Hebert-Sweeny reviewed the special education portion of the budget and

            pointed out the increase in tuition costs.  She reviewed how many

            paraprofessionals were needed and where they were utilized. 

 

                        Motion by Patricia Shute – Seconded by Jacqueline Quintal

                        MOTION:  to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A Section E

                        at 7:04 p.m.

                        Vote on motion:  Roll call taken; all in favor

 

            Special education student issue discussed.

 

                        Motion by Jacqueline Quintal – Seconded by Patricia Shute

                        MOTION:  to come out of non-public session under RSA 91-A Section

                        E at 7:11 p.m.

                        Vote on motion:  Roll call taken; all in favor

 

            Mrs. Hebert-Sweeny informed the school board that she would like to reduce line

            item 40-100-1200-6410-15 to $644.00.   She would also like to remove one

            student from the preschool line as they will be in kindergarten  next year.  This

            will reduce the budget by $1,080.00.  Mrs. Hebert-Sweeny reviewed the need for

            summer school and explained how the decision was made on what students might

            need this service.  It was suggested to change the wording “summer school” to

            “extended school year”. 

 

            Mrs. Sarette informed the School Board that she is asking to increase the

            guidance position to full-time next year.  This person would work two days in

            guidance and three days to assist students.  Two days of this position would be

            paid through the budget and the other three days would be paid by grant money.

            Mr. Welford offered to look into the legal standards pertaining to a guidance

            counselor and will get back to the school board on Thursday. 

 

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            It was noted that the health salary had been decreased due to the decrease

            in enrollment and different students’ needs.  Mrs. Sarette would like the nurse

            to work 4.50 hours per day during the busiest time of the day. Mrs. Shute

            expressed her feelings that a nurse should be available to students at all

            times in case of an emergency.  A lengthy discussion was held pertaining to

            whether or not there is a need for  a full-time nurse.  The consensus was that it      would make more sense to have a part-time nurse rather than cutting two      teachers out of the budget.  Mr. Welford gave his opinion that he felt it did not             make sense to have $500.00 budgeted for nursing conferences for a part-time       nurse.  It  was agreed to remove $500.00 from the line item 40-100-2130-8110-10      and put into the account 40-100-2210-3220-10.  This would increase the       professional  services instruction line to $5,500.00. 

 

            Mrs. Sarette reviewed the section of the budget pertaining to staff and school

            expenses. 

 

            Mr. Welford asked the school board members if they might consider using

            some of the fund balance to help support the Milan Village School’s portable         computer lab.  The Superintendent suggested that the school keep the position of          library the same next year instead of paying for advertising. 

 

            Mrs. Sarette pointed out that line item 40-100-2220-7330-10 should be $2,450.00

            instead of $2,000.00.  Mr. Welford asked to add ten chairs to this line item and      the school board agreed.  This would increase this line item to $3,000.00. 

 

            It was pointed out that the budget reflects a 5% raise to the Principal’s salary.   It

            was decided to table this discussion for another time.  It was agreed to change the

            administrative assistant’s time to seven hours a day for 190 days per year, which,             would make her eligible for retirement.  The School Board approved a 3%

            increase to the administrative assistant’s salary. 

 

            The decision was made to change  line item 40-100-2410-5500-10 from $666.00

            to $675.00.

            Account #40-100-2410-7390-10 is listed in budget notes, however, is not included

            in actual budget.  This will be corrected. 

            Maintenance salaries reflect a 3% increase.

 

            It was suggested that the front stairs should be repaired with 2003/2004 budget

            money.  Mrs. Plourde agreed to present an estimate at the next meeting.

 

            Line item 40-100-2600-7310-10 will be reduced to $3,500.00 as a microwave

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            oven has already been purchased. 

 

            Mrs. Plourde stated that a 2% increase has been added to the transportation line,

            however, the CPI is not known at this time.  It was decided to table this     discussion for another time. 

 

III.       Non – Public Session RSA 91-A Section E

           

                        Motion by Jacqueline Quintal Seconded by Patricia Shute

                        MOTION:  to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A Section E

                        at 10:40 p.m.

                        Vote on motion:  Roll call taken; all in favor

 

            Teacher’s position discussed

 

                        Motion by Patricia Shute – Seconded by Jacqueline Quintal

                        MOTION:  to come out of non-public session under RSA 91-A Section

                        E at 11:10 p.m.

                        Vote on motion:  Roll call taken; all in favor

 

IV.       Other:

            Mrs. Shute expressed her concern over the lack of communication to some people

            about the first school cancellation.  A discussion was held on the procedure that    will be followed in the future.

 

V.        Next Meeting:

            The next Milan budget session is scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2003,

            at 2:30 p.m., at the Milan Village School, Milan, NH.

 

VI.       Adjournment:

 

                        Motion by Patricia Shute – Seconded by Jacqueline Quintal

                        MOTION:  to adjourn the meeting at 11:15 p.m.

                        Vote on motion:  Roll call taken; all in favor