CHICHESTER SCHOOL BOARD

CHICHESTER CENTRAL SCHOOL

CHICHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2005

Present: John Poirier, Ben Brown, Nancy Fraher, Dave Dziura, Pam Stiles, Irene Derosiers

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chairman John Poirier at 6:35 P.M.

2. Immediate Business

A. Citizen/Staff Comments

Irene Derosiers provided the School Board with information in support of the proposed 2006/07 budget initiative to increase the art teacher position from a half-time to a 60% position.

B. 2006/07 Budget Development

Dave Dziura presented the Board with a proposal from HealthTrust, a service provided by the NH Local Government Center, to change employee health insurance coverage in SAU #53 from the current CIGNA coverage provided through the SchoolCare consortium to Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage provided through HealthTrust. Mr. Dziura reviewed the summary document for this proposal prepared by the SAU office which included a comparison of rates, comparison of benefits and an outline of steps that would need to be followed if the Chichester Board decided they wished to further pursue this proposal.

There was consensus among Board members that steps should be taken to pursue making this change. Ben Brown indicated that he would be willing to sit down with officials from the CTA to discuss this proposed change and to seek their input. The School Board also asked that the SAU make arrangements for representatives from HealthTrust and Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield to conduct an employee information session.

Dave Dziura also explained to the Board, the process to be followed in the search process to locate a new assistant superintendent. The Board discussed the superintendent of schools request that Chichester appoint either a school board member or their building principal to serve on the 7- member search committee to be formed. After a brief discussion, the Board decided that they would prefer to have a board member as their representative, and Nancy Fraher agreed to serve as that representative.

The Board then began a page-by-page review of the budget proposal brought forth to them by the administration. During that review, the Board amended the high school tuition line to reflect budgeting for 139 students rather than the 142 shown in the initial budget draft. At the recommendation of the principal, the Board also agreed to decrease the building secretarial salary line to reflect a reduction from a full-time year round position to full-time for 200 days per year. As part of that recommendation, the Board also agreed to increase the summer secretarial budget line to $400 to provide for some part-time as-needed secretarial work during the summer months.

Pam Stiles also reviewed the prioritized list of budget cuts for three different levels of total dollar reductions to the 2006/07 proposed budget that she had prepared at the Board’s request. During her review, the Board requested that she contact Marston Transportation sometime prior to the next meeting to inquire as to daily ridership on the two high school buses being used this year.

The Board agreed to continue their budget development at their

December business meeting scheduled for next week.

3. Adjournment

At 9:00 P.M., hearing no further call for additional business, John Poirier adjourned the meeting.

The next scheduled meetings is Monday, December 12, 2005 at 6:30 P.M.