FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES

DATE OF MEETING:  Sept 8, 2008 at 6:00 Superintendent’s Conference Room

MEMBERS PRESENT Sue Campbell, Bill Burney, Darek Grant and Sue Dowling

OTHER BOARD MEMBERS: Willie Emerson

OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent Connie Brown, Elementary Principals  Michelle Michaud, Lori Bolster, and Sue Dionne, Middle School Principal Kathryn Hollicker, Food Service Director Barbara Nichols and Business Manager James Jurdak

 

AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSED:

 

1.   Transportation and Pre-K Staffing – Due to enrollment increases and delays in transporting east side students to Gilbert or Lincoln, Dr. Brown requested increasing the current Pre-K teacher from half time to full time.  Anticipated increased cost is $15,000 which is equal to the additional cost of transportation.  This will better balance the number of students in each Pre-K classroom and reduce the time students are on the buses during the mid-day Pre-K run.  It was moved, seconded, and unanimously voted to support the recommendation.

 

2.   Enrollment numbers of students attending as of September 5th were distributed by Dr. Brown.  These numbers are not the official October 1st counts but present the actual students in seats as of last Friday.  This information will be distributed to the Board at the Wednesday night meeting.

 

3.   Hodgkins lunch program and ala carte offerings – Mrs. Nichols has been working with the middle school café manager to make the selection more nutritional and affordable.  Mrs. Nichols said she is planning on working closely with the Principal and other stakeholders, including students, to develop nutritional educational information and help students make more informed and healthy choices.  She will update the Committee in a few months.

 

4.   Middle School Team Leader stipend increase – Mrs. Hollicker presented a request to increase the current stipend, by $500 from $1,100 to $1,600 for four teachers.  The job description was reviewed by the Personnel Committee earlier tonight and new duties were discussed and added to the description.  Mrs. Hollicker spoke about the new progressive process and mentioned that she has received positive feedback from Staff.  It was moved, seconded, and unanimously voted to support the recommendation.

 

5.   Facilities update – Mr. Burney asked about the study that the Department commissioned and PDT performed.  After some discussion it was decided to distribute the PDT study’s executive summary.

 

6.   CATC renovation status – Mr. Jurdak presented a brief summary of the funds available as compared to the bid that was received last month.  John Pucciarelli worked with the contractor to reengineer the project, reducing almost $36,000 but still left the project $56,000 over the funds available.   Mr. Jurdak, Mr. Pucciarelli, and Scott Phair will meet later this week to consider solutions and Mr. Jurdak will report back at the October meeting.

 

7.   Financial statements for two months ended August 31st were presented.  No unforeseen occurrences, as we are only in the second month of the fiscal year.  The Committee members requested quarterly updates on the items that Administration is keeping watch on.  These were presented at the July meeting.  Mr. Jurdak will provide quarterly updates starting with the October meeting.

 

8.   Other items discussed:

 

a.    Bussing – Mr. Jurdak stated that there have been several challenges the first week of school.  Of concern is the number of spare buses that had to be used and the buses that broke down.  Dr. Brown was visited by the Department of Transportation the Friday before school started concerning buses not passing inspection.  Mr. Jurdak met with First Students and was assured that buses will pass this week’s scheduled inspection.  The Committee asked that a letter be sent to First Students expressing our concern.

b.   Lettering of Cony High School – Mr. Pucciarelli has worked with contractors and has received quotations for lettering “CONY HIGH SCHOOL” on the building.  The lettering will match existing lettering.  No firm date yet on delivery and installation.  Committee will be updated in October.

c.    Alumni Field – Mr. Burney mentioned that a volunteer group is being formed to work towards upgrading the playing field and  Dr. Brown said that the City will be redoing the track.  There was some discussion about the funds from the sale of the Cony Circle site.

d.    Pre-K student performance – Committee asked Dr. Brown how our students who attend Pre-K perform.  Dr. Brown said that overall these students are better prepared for Kindergarten and perform at or above grade level.

 

 

      Meeting adjourned 8:00 PM

Next meeting October 6, 2008