GRAND ISLE SCHOOL BOARD-MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY 8 JANUARY 2007-7:00PM   

BOARD ATTENDING:

Herb Durfee, Becky Turner, Ira Trombley, Pat Parker, Scott Brown;

OTHERS ATTENDING:

Troy Watkins, Stephanie Taylor, Brenda Juaire, George Nelson,  Bev Gover, Kathy Dubuque, Shevonne Travers, Pat Travers, Dorothy Sacca, Teri Geney, Rachel Smith, Barb O'Donovan

 

PROCEEDINGS:

HD-CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:04PM

 

ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA:

None tonight.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

7:09PM-HD moves to approve Minutes of 11 December 06-PP 2nd-GC;

7:10PM-BT moves to approve Minutes of 18 December 06-HD 2nd-GC.

 

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA:

 

 

GEORGE NELSON REPORT/BUDGET DISCUSSIONS:

PRELIMINARY REMARKS RE BUDGET-

-Expenditures/revenues/is the tax reasonable?;

-Act 68=cost Per Pupil;

-FY 07-Current Data-Handout Package: 310 students @ $11301.32 per student;

-Income Sensitivity-Tax owed based on income;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FY08 BUDGET ITEMS:

- Increased 5.03%;

-Assumed 5% increase in Secondary Tuition;

-Special Ed down ~$35,000;

 

HD-Public input sought-MONDAY 22 JANUARY-next budget meeting & the formal decision for the Warning;

 

Teri Genet: Is ELF in the Budget?

HD-yes;

 

ELF PRESENTATION:

-Summary of YTD activities;

-Consensus is that the Program is being very well received;

Rachel Smith-affirms value of ELF Program & community support for it;

ST-verifies intensity of parental involvement; Becky says so too!

 

Kathy Dubuque:  inquiry re UAPK- $15000 cost offset by Medicaid funds? Reduced to $7500?-will it cost $24000 in 08?

GN responds-$15000 Medicaid for 1st year; more students=lower tax rate;

ST-its based on 2 yr ADM;

IT-program will not add $9000 to the budget;

GN-expense & revenue are offsetting;

KD-yes, it doesn’t cost anything unless you are a childcare provider with less than full enrollment…

BT-6 kids this year;

HD-10 kids projected for next year;

KD-how are projections determined?

IT-projections are accurate;

KD-doesn’t see the equity;

TG-it is not need-based-her son participates subsidized unnecessarily;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bev Gover: there are increases at the Elementary level?

-GN explains;

-BG-negotiations are underway?

HD-yes:

ST-increase to Health Care is now known to be 7.5%

HD-hard to nail down salaries without a contract-therefore best guess is used it preparing budget;

GN-Health ins will be $310000;

 

GEORGE NELSON SUMMARY OF AL RUSSELL BUILDING EVALUATION:

-Mostly good news;

-Sections defined per CSI format;

-Survey was Exterior;

-13 items on the recommended to-do list at an estimated cost of $20000;

-Generally in pretty good shape-list should be prioritized;

-Interior Specifications now available-carpet, eg;

-VOSHA came through about 5 years ago-good review received;

HD-are there any liability issues?

GN-No;

 

KD-High School tuition is up $73000?

GN-there were 100 students warned/102 actual; estimating 103 for next year-a 5% tuition increase; total student count is up by 14-this is a positive influence on the bottom line;

 

GN-distributes updated Budget Book Tabs: G-updated-not official; D-Special Ed Alternate Placement (see Tab K);

Tab J-HD we usually overbudget? GN-can do!-it’s a crapshoot based on history;

HD-round down in all cases;

GN-Tech Ed is a 2yr avg & hard  to control-they look at total dollars & student count;

Tab V; 8.5% goes to 7.5%;

HD: 5.3%-3.5% increase=1.8% to take out;

IT-re grounds: notes that should include mowing the drainage ditch;

GN- notes that surpluses=revenue & deficits=negative revenue

HD-can we show Tech Ed somewhere else?

GN-no.

 

GN-FY 04-05 Special Ed Audit resulted in $100,000 being disallowed which resulted in a $59,000 reduction in Spec Ed revenue;

HD-can this be appealed?

GN-the Audit was reviewed thoroughly-it was a Time & Motion Study Analysis & the issues were clear;

 

HD-need to reduce budget by $78,000-look at HS tuition;

GN-will check audited actuals;

GN-is the North Hero 7th & 8th coming to GI?...How many?...Should we show that as revenue?

IT-not until they show up;

HD-don’t show as revenue;

IT-put a Letter of Invitation to NH students on the website?

HD-would it be ok to send a letter to NH parents?

RT-yes; this years High School Fair will include a presentation for Middle School at GIS & Folsom; NH has 15 7-8 students;

 

GN-next Budget Meeting is Monday 22 January;

TG-has a question re line item 1200-561-GN explains;

 

HD-Methods of Public Information

            -1st Tuesday in March;

            -Cards to each household;

            -notices in Islander & Wildcat;

            -other Board members should participate-note to Kevin Steady, eg.

Annual Report Highlights:

            -Principal Search Process;

            -5th Grade mprovements;

            -New Social Studies teacher;

            -Basketball Program;

 

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS:

9:22PM-PP moves to approve payment of $ 29,846.52-IT 2nd-GC.

 

 

 

RT ITEMS:

-Contract for a High School Special Ed Instructor: Rebecca Moss;

9:24PM-HD moves to sign contract-PP 2nd-GC.

 

-VSBA-Chittneden/GI not currently represented; IT volunteers to go to nxt mtg; a governmental liason is needed-HD will serve as info conduit;

 

-White Paper-presentation will be WED 7 FEB 6PM GIS CAFETERIA;

HD-notes that publicity will be needed.

 

9:32PM-HD moves to enter ExecSess for Contract issues-IT 2nd.

9:52PM-Exit ExecSess & Mtg adjourned.