The
ALLENSTOWN SCHOOL BOARD
MINUTES OF MEETING
PRESENT: Tom
Irzyk, Jason Carrier, Evelyn Guilbeault, Karen LaPlume, Louise L’Heureux, Phyllis
Parker, Larry Anderson, Betsey Cox-Buteau, Terri Kenny, Tom Haley.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting
The
minutes of
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION PASSED
3. Immediate Business
A. Citizens’ Comments
None
B. Budget Development
The school board and MBC representatives reviewed an updated budget. Reductions were realized in several special education lines as well as in the health insurance and SAU lines. A number of lines were re-examined. The board decided to leave natural gas and bus fuel estimates as they were, add $4,000 for the ARD late bus and $9,314 for necessary ESOL services and to reduce the budget by $4,400 in the 1410 series to replace the shed and fence with a Conex box. Replacement computers at ARD were reduced by $9,314.
At this point, the board recessed item 3B in order to move to item 3C, Building Committee Report.
C. Building Committee Report
Captain Shaun Mulholland has assumed the chairmanship with the resignation of Ben Fontaine for family reasons. Also present from the building committee were Sandy McKenny, Dennis Carmichael, Sted Holton, Ann Viar and Don Chaput.
All members of the Building Committee are in agreement that some project should be brought to voters. However, 7 committee members voted for an AES addition to bring grade 5 into the school; 3 committee members voted to also bring grade 6 to AES as well. There was one abstention
Dennis Carmichael provided rationale in support of the idea of expanding AES to accept both grades 5 and 6. He felt the time to plan the project was inadequate. He also felt more time was needed to decide on the term of a bond. He feels that bringing both grades 5 and 6 to AES answers all concerns posed to the building committee by the school board.
Jason Carrier noted that some meeting of the minds has occurred. He spoke to the issue of transferring grade 6 and his concern that anything less would preclude needed programs from being introduced at the middle school level. He asked if the committee had time to discuss alternative financing. He spoke about setting up a capital reserve to save for a broader building project that would address all building issues. Karen LaPlume questioned justifying ARD for grades 7 and 8 with only 100 students. Jason Carrier spoke about the need to provide opportunities and keep students engaged, especially in the technical fields.
Tom Irzyk spoke about the current school population and the possibility that the numbers will even out to allow space for more ARD programs while accommodating grades 6-8.
Dennis Carmichael spoke about the insignificant change moving only grade 5 would make, in his opinion. He agreed that more space to accommodate programming at ARD is necessary. He feels Plan A (moving only grade 5) is a band-aid fix.
Captain Mulholland suggested that the school establish a long-term capital plan for the district. He feels that moving the fifth grade encapsulates the elementary students and that is not a band-aid plan. Every year lost results in a cost increase.
Tom Irzyk spoke of the AES addition as phase I of a two-phase plan and that the middle level school will need to be addressed in the near future.
Karen LaPlume noted the current 60% state aid rate and other future projects the town needs.
Further discussion concerning the merits of the 2 plans was held.
Captain Mulholland reiterated that a divided committee is very problematic.
Evelyn Guilbeault noted that additional administrative staff would be needed to run a K-6 school.
Jason Carrier suggested extending the charge of the committee and waiting a year to propose a project.
Captain Mulholland indicated that the committee felt a 15 or 20 year bond should be considered.
The
building committee concluded its report at
The board discussed the building committee’s report. Evelyn Guilbeault does not support a project the size of the one under discussion. She could support a smaller project. She does agree with returning the fifth grade to AES.
The board discussed the timing of bringing a quality plan together by February and the future plan for the building committee. Public relations efforts were discussed.
A motion was made by Jason Carrier to table the project for a year and maintain the building committee. This was seconded by Evelyn Guilbeault.
YES – Evelyn Guilbeault and Jason Carrier
NO – Karen LaPlume, Louise L’Heureux and Tom Irzyk
THE MOTION FAILED
A motion was made by Karen LaPlume, seconded by Louise L’Heureux, to go forward with the addition to AES and maintaining the building committee for future planning.
YES – Karen LaPlume, Louise L’Heureux and Tom Irzyk
NO – Evelyn Guilbeault and Jason Carrier
THE MOTION PASSED
Tom Irzyk indicated that he hopes that the board can now work together as a unit to support the majority vote.
B. Budget Development (Cont.)
At
Tom Irzyk YES
Jason Carrier YES
Evelyn Guilbeault YES
Karen LaPlume YES
Louise L’Heureux YES
THE MOTION PASSED
Present in the non-public session were: Tom Irzyk, Jason Carrier, Evelyn Guilbeault, Karen La Plume, Louise L’Heureux, Tom Haley.
The board discussed administrative contracts and salaries for the 2006/07 year.
At
Tom Irzyk YES
Jason Carrier YES
Evelyn Guilbeault YES
Karen LaPlume YES
Louise L’Heureux YES
THE MOTION CARRIED
Board Chair Tom Irzyk noted that no action had been taken in the non-public session.
A motion was made by Karen LaPlume, seconded by Louise L’Heureux, to approve wage increases for non-union employees of between 3.5 and 4.5%.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION PASSED
C. Building Committee Report (Cont.)
The board continued its discussion on the building committee recommendations. Both Evelyn Guilbeault and Jason Carrier indicated they would support the addition project favored by the majority. Jason Carrier stipulated that support for the project would need to be combined with support from the board for finding solutions to the facility and program needs at ARD. The board also unanimously supports keeping the building committee together with the tasks of helping to publicize and seek support for the AES addition and also beginning a comprehensive study of ARD. The board will seek information on both 15 and 20 year bond schedules.
The board briefly discussed the capital reserve issue but no decision was made.
4. Adjournment
At
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION PASSED
The next Allenstown
Board meeting is scheduled for
5. Informational Items
None