Holderness School Board Unofficial Minutes
HOLDERNESS SCHOOL BOARD
Holderness, NH
Minutes
January 4, 2012
Board Members Present: Jonathan Stewart, Bonni Acton, Carolyn Mello, Jennifer Morris, Joseph Casey
Administration Present: Kathy Boyle, William Van Bennekum
Others Present: Sam Brickley, Dan Molinari, Rich Cocchiero, Bob Maloney
Discussion Items
A. Budget work session 2012-2013: The board was presented with the draft 2 of the budget. There was discussion about the budget process and the unreserved fund balance that was returned to the Town. Mr. Stewart discussed the major increase in the budget include $77,000 in salaries, $68,000 increase in health insurance and $33,000 increase in retirement, there were also increases in FICA, unemployment, workers compensation and longevity. There was discussion about the cuts made to salaries for aides and special education tuition to other LEA’s, project class and the after school program, co-curricular salaries, nurses supplies, occupational therapy, instructional staff training services, building operations. There was discussion about the line item for instructional aides; these are not special education
aides. This year we have a full time aide in Kindergarten and are planning for a part-time aide for Kindergarten next year. There was discussion about the number of students that need one-on-one aides and that the aides fill-in in other areas where needed. The aides we currently have also cover the playground. There was discussion about the lines for Tuition to Other LEA’s and Preschool Tuition. On a motion by Ms. Morris seconded by Dr. Casey the board voted unanimously to reduce line 1210.561 to $5,000.00.
There was discussion about staffing in the middle school. Mr. Van Bennekum spoke about the half time position in middle school and that this position has allowed better scheduling for Algebra 1 and French 1 students. There was a question about bringing a lower grade teacher up to the middle school to teach a class. The state regulations would allow someone to teach K-6 but cannot teach 7th or 8th grade. With benefits would be about $23,000 if the half time position were to be cut. The impact on the budget would be about a 3.6% if that position was cut. The board agreed to cut the half time position in middle school.
There was discussion about the Gifted & Talented line item. Students in Grades 5-8 have project class. The only students who do not have the class are students who participate in both Band & Chorus. The board agreed to keep this line item as is for now.
There was discussion about the increase in supplies for the School Nurse. The board agreed to cut this line to $1,000.00
There was a discussion about line 188 for Occupational Therapy. Ms. Boyle indicated that the increase is driven by IEP’s.
There was discussion about line 208 for Instructional Staff Training Services. The board agreed to cut this line to $28,000.00
There was discussion about line 312 for Operating Building Services.
Mr. Stewart has a meeting with the budget committee on Thursday January 5th and suggested that we wait to have any other budget suggestions until next week.
On a motion by Ms. Acton seconded by Ms. Morris the board went into non-public session at 7:37 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann McKenney
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