NORTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE APPROVED 3-8-06
February 16, 2006
6:30 PM Budget Meeting
Central
Administration Building
“Challenging Student Excellence” |
I.
Meeting
Organization
A. Call to Order; Pledge of Allegiance
B. Roll Call
Present: Barry Martasian; Bill Mudge; Renee Cockerill; Melvoid Benson;
Chairperson Don DeFedele (arrived 8:00pm)
Absent: Vice Chairperson Dr. Denise Coppa; Dr. Janice DeFrances; William Brennan, Jamestown Representative
Administration Present:
Dr. Halley opened the meeting at 7:00pm and called for nominations for a temporary chairperson. Chairperson, Don DeFedele was delayed in traffic because of an accident on the Newport bridge. He would take over as the chair when he arrived.
Renee Cockerill nominated Barry Martasian. The Committee was in agreement.
II. New Business
A. 2006-2007 School Budget:
Dr. Halley referred to a letter of advice that he had given to the School Committee in their packet concerning the handling of the 06-07 school budget. It was suggested that the current budget be adopted, pending changes, allowing specific budget items to be advertised for discussion over time in order to inform the public what action might be taken, thus avoiding any possibility of OMA violations (Appendix A).
Mr. Mudge felt that this action would be too restrictive in talking about the budget. All issues concerning the budget should be able to be discussed without restriction.
Mr. Martasian, Mrs. Cockerill and Mrs. Benson felt it would be appropriate to discuss budget items at one meeting, and take action at the next meeting. This would allow time for items that are scheduled to be voted on to be properly advertised, and inform the public about specific votes that would be taken.
There was discussion about the intent of the ruling of Judge Savage in a recent court decision. The judge was concerned about specific advertising. The topic of budget needed to be separate from a school closing. The public needs to know what topics will be discussed and what votes will be taken on a topic. The intent of the court decision wasn’t to restrict discussion and breadth of discussions are needed before the Committee votes on anything.
Mrs. Cockerill stated that she would not be willing to approve the Superintendent’s budget suggestions, and felt cuts need to be made.
Mr. Mudge agreed and stated that the Town Council has given the School Committee a cap and we have ignored their advice for the last three years and we should not disregard what they have said. This would not be giving a good faith effort.
Motion was made by Bill Mudge that by the
close of business on February 25th, Dr. Halley provide a budget that
complies with the request of the Town Council.
Seconded by Melvoid Benson.
There was discussion concerning the bottom line that the Town Council requested, and that the School Committee should be the ones to make the cuts.
Mr. Mudge withdrew his motion.
Motion was made by Bill Mudge to forward a
budget of $53,081,700 to the Town Council.
Seconded by Renee Cockerill.
It was suggested to apply to the Town Council for an exception to the cap in order to utilize the revenue that will be received from the Governor’s budget to offset pension costs.
Amendment to the motion was made by Renee
Cockerill to state that any additional special revenue or state aid for education
that comes in be directed to the School Department. Seconded by Bill Mudge.
There was concern if this amendment could legally be enforced.
Vote on amendment: Melvoid Benson Yes Barry
Martasian No
Renee Cockerill Yes
Bill Mudge Yes
Amendment passes 3 to 1.
Maureen Buck made a statement to clarify for the Committee that if it votes to send a bottom line budget to the Town Council, the $565,274 of non-restricted additional state aid will not be considered excess. It may be included in the $53 million figure and that will be the final bottom line. The Governor intended to give that money to the schools to pay for retirement costs, but it is not restricted money.
Public Comment:
Muriel Cammara stated that it is inappropriate to send the budget “as is” to the Town when they have set a cap. The School Committee should send the amount that was requested.
Louise Denette, principal of Quidnessett Elementary School, invited the Committee to come to the schools to see how they are struggling. Mrs. Denette stated that the schools are under funded. Schools have felt cuts from music, art, PE, drama/dance and more. Common planning time has been cut for teachers and it has been very difficult and stressful. Mrs. Denette urged the Committee to think of the impact of cuts. If we want to continue providing quality education, we have to continue properly funding the schools. Everything that is done impacts the students now and in the future. They need the skills today. We also have to look at the safety of students. Dr. Halley always puts in a fair budget.
Paul Dion stated that the bottom line from the Town Council is a 4.67% increase over this year. The Governor’s proposal regarding additional education aid is tied to pensions. $574,000 is targeted for pension obligation and the state is talking about a 40 – 50% raise in aid in 2008. Mr. Dion felt there could be a risk to a cut in the Capital Reserve Fund, but supports the motion. The Committee should make a solid effort to stay within the cap but it needs to be clear to the Town what the impact of the cuts will be. Make the cuts and get the parents involved. It is important that the current school budget that is presented to the Town be under the cap and then augment that.
Doug Roth agreed with Mr. Dion. He felt the Committee should make the Town Council see that they are making the cuts. Parent will fight for the kids. Mr. Roth asked the Committee to look at details of where to cut to not impact kids, and show what the cuts will mean. The Town is deficit spending and not applying the cap to themselves.
Committee Comment:
Renee Cockerill stated that she doesn’t think that Dr. Halley presents a “moon and stars” budget. If we submit more than the Town Council requests it will only end up with a fight. The Committee needs to come together to work out this resolution. We should submit what the Town Council has requested and if more state money comes in, if we make a good faith effort she feels they will give it to us.
Dr. Halley stated that in order to continue to provide our current services there is a 5.58% increase over this year. That already puts us at 1% over the budget cap and we would have to cut one-half million dollars from what we are doing this year to meet the cap. Currently, the technology services are not meeting the needs of the students and they are beginning to suffer in technology. We now have a cohesive curriculum but have not done grade level expectations in social studies or science, which is needed if we want the students to succeed. Dr. Halley stated that we have the greatest teachers in the world and we attract them because it is a great school system. We provide professional development to give them good skills and now could be losing it. At some point this will make a big difference if we continue in this direction. The high school was a low performing school and is now rated as high performing but it won’t stay in this category if we don’t provide administrative support for curriculum and instruction.
Don DeFedele arrived at 8:00pm.
Dr. Halley continued that he doesn’t see that Mr. Dion’s strategy is best. It was tried last year and didn’t work. Last year the Town overestimated state aid and the schools didn’t get any of it. It is not just the School Department who should advocate for the students. The School Committee was not elected to cut the school budget. It is imperative that the School Committee stand up for the children of the district and be advocates for the children of the district. This suggested budget strategy is a failed strategy and it won’t work for the students of North Kingstown.
Don DeFedele took over the meeting as chairperson at 8:05pm.
Vote on motion to forward a budget of
$53,081,700 to the Town Council:
Barry
Martasian Yes Don DeFedele Abstain
Bill
Mudge Yes
Melvoid
Benson Yes
Renee
Cockerill Yes
Motion passes 4 to 0, 1 abstain.
Motion was made by Bill Mudge to adjourn
the meeting. No second.
Mr. Mudge withdrew his motion.
Mr. DeFedele clarified that a bottom line budget had been approved and that specific cuts had not been made to the budget and suggested that the meeting adjourn.
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by
Don DeFedele. Seconded by Melvoid
Benson.
Vote: Don
DeFedele Yes Bill
Mudge No
Barry
Martasian Yes Renee Cockerill No
Melvoid
Benson Yes
Motion passes 3 to 2.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10pm.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________
Karen A. Nutini
Administrative Assistant
to the Superintendent/School Committee