BOARD OF EDUCATION

Shenendehowa Central School District

Clifton Park, New York

 

Study Session

March 25, 2008

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mrs. Bowles, Mr. Casey, Mr. DiLallo, Mrs. Grey, Mr. Huff, Mr. Mincher, Mrs. Wiggins

OTHERS PRESENT:

Ms. DeFeciani, Dr. Dutkowsky, Mrs. Longhurst, Mr. Melia, Dr. Robinson, Mr. Smith, Dr. Snyder, Ms. Wetmore

 

Mr. Casey called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:15 p.m.

 

MOTION BY Mr. DiLallo, seconded by Mr. Mincher, to move into Executive Session to discuss litigation and employee discipline.

 

Unanimously approved, motion carried.

 

Norma Meacham, Esq., was also in attendance.  Mrs. Bowles arrived at 6:19 p.m., Mrs. Grey arrived at 6:23 p.m., and Mr. Huff arrived at 6:27 p.m.

 

The Board of Education moved into the Study Session at 7 p.m.

 

Mr. Casey called the Study Session of the Board of Education to order at 7:05 p.m.

 

Mr. Casey led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Announcements

 

Mr. Casey announced that an Executive Session was held prior to the Study Session to address litigation and employee discipline.

 

Mr. Casey noted that this is the 4th or 5th session dedicated to discussing the budget and it is the Board’s intention to move forward with the budget process.  The agenda has been amended this evening to include public comments related to budget recommendations.

 

Mr. Casey pointed out the exits from the meeting room. 

 

1.   ADOPT AN AGENDA

 

MOTION BY Mr. DiLallo seconded by Mrs. Wiggins, that the agenda be approved as presented.

 

Unanimously approved, motion carried.

 

2.   SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMUNCATIONS

 

Dr. Robinson explained that tonight the Board will be provided with further clarification of budget documentation.

 

STUDY SESSION

Proposed Budget and Bus Purchase Resolution Recommendation

 

Ms. Kathleen Wetmore led the budget discussion.  She noted that new account codes have allowed us to look at the budget in ways we could not have before.  She also explained the various reports that were provided to show the equity across the schools.  (A copy of these documents is on file in the official minutes folder.)  Ms. Wetmore, Mr. Casey, and Dr. Robinson responded to the Board members’ questions regarding graphing calculators, Counselors' Summer Work overtime expenditures, the Freshman Academy, the addition of the Athletic Trainer, and the DARE program moving forward.

 

3.   PUBLIC COMMENTS ON BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS

 

Mr. Larry Brodsky from Rexford expressed a concern regarding graphing calculators.  He commented on a letter that was sent from the District last year suggesting that parents purchase the calculators but assistance would be available in the case of financial hardship.  The State Education Department had published a specific directive approximately seven months earlier instructing districts to provide items necessary to curriculum.  Calculators must be considered a necessary part of the education program.  The school district must provide them and students should not be made to purchase calculators to participate in an educational program, even under a contingent budget.  Mr. Brodsky requested that the letter sent home to parents should include some of the SED regulations.  Mr. Casey responded that the Board agrees fully with Mr. Brodsky and our budget is planned to meet the requirements.  A letter will be provided from the District to clarify that the District will provide the calculators.

 

Mr. William Wrigg from Clifton Park and also a former Superintendent of Schools in New York State was concerned about the maintenance of the athletic field, swimming pool and artificial turf and that these items will become part of the perennial fixed category expense.  The Shenendehowa School District is part of a much greater community that is now in a deep scary recession due to the housing bubble.  The “days of wine and roses” will not go on forever.  Are these sad realities going to be faced by the Board in the future?  Mr. Casey responded that we were encouraged by the fact that with the budget increase last year, the dollars projected for this year were almost $2,000,000 less than last year.  The requests from the various departments were narrowed down to $1,300,000.  We are trying to meet mandates and some commitments that we have made to run the District efficiently.  We have given

 

special significance to athletics, which is also a requirement, and we are concerned with safety issues. 

 

Mr. Wrigg continued by expressing concern regarding the cost of diesel fuel and how that will affect the multimillion dollar projects coming up.  Mr. Casey explained that the projects have already been bid and the contractors cannot modify their contracts.  He went on to say that we buy diesel fuel from state contract and we keep our vehicles well maintained.  The cost of fuel is a fixed bid price and is good through the end of the contract. 

 

Mr. Wrigg went on to say that 90% of the budget is untouchable.  He is afraid our projects will turn into another “Big Dig” as in Boston, MA.  Dr. Robinson explained that everything is taken into consideration very carefully.  If things become as extreme as Mr. Wrigg is concerned about, we will be worried about the regular operations of the school.  We monitor the growth and how we impact the 90% by program decision.  We clearly do a balancing act. 

 

Mr. Art Etringer of Clifton Park expressed concern regarding the cost of diesel fuel.  Another issue is budgeted money for equipment being used to help out in other areas.  He would like to see these funds spent on equipment.  Dr. Robinson noted that we have implemented a districtwide furniture replacement plan which will be much more efficient.  Mr. Etringer also had concerns regarding control of SAVE money.  He thought it would be helpful if we had the 2007-2008 percentages to compare changes throughout the years.  Dr. Robinson explained that that information is published in the newsletter.

 

4.   ACTION ITEMS

 

a.   Adopt Language for Formal Notice and propositions for Annual Budget Vote

 

Mr. Casey explained that the Board is being asked to approve the two propositions contained in the legal notice.

 

MOTION BY Mrs. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. DiLallo, that the Board approve the following two propositions.

 

PROPOSITION NO. 1 – BUDGET

 

RESOLVED:  That the Board of Education of Shenendehowa Central School District is hereby authorized to expend a budgeted amount to be determined at its meeting held on April 1, 2008, during the 2008-09 school year and to levy the necessary tax therefor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPOSITION NO. 2 - BUS AND MAINTENANCE PURCHASES

 

RESOLVED:  That the Board of Education of the Shenendehowa Central School District, Saratoga County, New York, is hereby authorized and directed to purchase thirteen (13) 20-passenger Type A vans, two (2) 7-passenger suburbans, six (6) 66-passenger Type C buses, and one (1) industrial four-wheel loader and expend a sum not to exceed the total maximum estimated cost of One Million Three Hundred Twenty-eight Thousand Dollars ($1,328,000) and that such sum or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be raised by the levy of a tax to be collected in annual installments with such tax to be partially offset by state aid available therefor; and, in anticipation of such tax, debt obligations of the school district as may be necessary not to exceed such estimated maximum aggregate cost shall be issued.

 

Unanimously approved, motion carried.

 

5.   ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION BY Mrs. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. DiLallo, to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 p.m.

 

Unanimously approved, motion carried.

 

                                                                  Respectfully submitted,

                                                                  Linda L. Sparks, Board Stenographer

 

 

                                                                  Approved by: _____________________

                                                                  Kathleen A. Wetmore

                                                                  Clerk of the Board