GILL-MONTAGUE REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
GMRSC Members Joyce Phillips – Chair Jane Oakes – Vice Chair Sandra Brown – Secretary Misty Lyons Lesley Cogswell Michael Langknecht Marjorie Levenson April Reipold Jennifer Waldron
Turners Falls High School 222 Turnpike Road, Turners Falls
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Minutes JANUARY 20, 2015 6:00 PM
Erving Advisory Members Kelly Loynd - absent Beth Lux - absent Mackensey Bailey - absent
Student Representative Nadia Hansan
GILL-MONTAGUE REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT Challenging and supporting every student to succeed through strong leadership, excellent teaching, and community engagement Others present: Chani Craig; Faith Kaemmerlan; Heidi Schmidt; Donna Fitzpatrick, MS Principal; Karl Dziura, GMEA President; Michael Sullivan, Superintendent; Robin Hamlett, Recording Secretary . I.
CALL TO ORDER The chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
II.
ROLL CALL OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS [quorum =5]
III.
WELCOME TO VISITORS A. Opportunity for Public Participation - Policy BEDH, #1 At the start of each regularly scheduled School Committee meeting, individuals or group representatives will be invited to address the Committee. The length of the public participation segment shall be determined by the chairperson.
IV.
FY16 Budget The Superintendent reviewed with the committee the budget drivers, the affordable assessment from Montague, the projected revenues of the year, the history of the revolving accounts and the budget summary. He explained what the rising costs were along with the slower revenue growth that started the budget process off with a $1,096,759 revenue shortfall. The superintendent then continued to address the major FY16 budget changes. The driving objectives in handling the budget shortfall were: Retain focus on district priorities /strategy Minimize impact on school day programs offered Minimize increases in class size Take actions that are sustainable
January 20, 2015 Page 2 of 2 A summary of the major actions are: Reductions in Force: 4 FTE positions from among the administrative assistants, custodians, maintenance and technology support 3 Paraprofessional positions 1 Administrator 3 Middle School Faculty 4.8 High School Faculty Additional positions: .5 HS Spanish .6 MS/HS Sped. Team Leader 1 MS Technology Teacher The elimination of elementary summer school program and restructuring of after school program resulting is a $65,000 savings to use to retain Title I positions. Not funding a school resource officer position. Deferment of computer and elementary literacy program purchases The superintendent assured the committee that everything that is being offered to students K-12 in FY15 will be there is FY16. Nothing has been removed. The committee asked questions of the business director on the detailed line item budget. The chair indicated if there were any more questions to please email the superintendent and business director. It was also suggested by a member that if there were questions that would be of interest to other members perhaps a Q&A sheet could be developed and distributed to committee members. Sandy Brown inquired as to whether or not the next two to three years were sustainable.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mike Langknecht moved and Marge Levenson seconded to adjourn at 8:11 p.m. All voted in favor.
Turners Falls High School 222 Turnpike Road, Turners Falls
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Minutes JANUARY 20, 2015 6:00 PM
Erving Advisory Members Kelly Loynd - absent Beth Lux - absent Mackensey Bailey - absent
Student Representative Nadia Hansan
GILL-MONTAGUE REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT Challenging and supporting every student to succeed through strong leadership, excellent teaching, and community engagement Others present: Chani Craig; Faith Kaemmerlan; Heidi Schmidt; Donna Fitzpatrick, MS Principal; Karl Dziura, GMEA President; Michael Sullivan, Superintendent; Robin Hamlett, Recording Secretary . I.
CALL TO ORDER The chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
II.
ROLL CALL OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS [quorum =5]
III.
WELCOME TO VISITORS A. Opportunity for Public Participation - Policy BEDH, #1 At the start of each regularly scheduled School Committee meeting, individuals or group representatives will be invited to address the Committee. The length of the public participation segment shall be determined by the chairperson.
IV.
FY16 Budget The Superintendent reviewed with the committee the budget drivers, the affordable assessment from Montague, the projected revenues of the year, the history of the revolving accounts and the budget summary. He explained what the rising costs were along with the slower revenue growth that started the budget process off with a $1,096,759 revenue shortfall. The superintendent then continued to address the major FY16 budget changes. The driving objectives in handling the budget shortfall were: Retain focus on district priorities /strategy Minimize impact on school day programs offered Minimize increases in class size Take actions that are sustainable
January 20, 2015 Page 2 of 2 A summary of the major actions are: Reductions in Force: 4 FTE positions from among the administrative assistants, custodians, maintenance and technology support 3 Paraprofessional positions 1 Administrator 3 Middle School Faculty 4.8 High School Faculty Additional positions: .5 HS Spanish .6 MS/HS Sped. Team Leader 1 MS Technology Teacher The elimination of elementary summer school program and restructuring of after school program resulting is a $65,000 savings to use to retain Title I positions. Not funding a school resource officer position. Deferment of computer and elementary literacy program purchases The superintendent assured the committee that everything that is being offered to students K-12 in FY15 will be there is FY16. Nothing has been removed. The committee asked questions of the business director on the detailed line item budget. The chair indicated if there were any more questions to please email the superintendent and business director. It was also suggested by a member that if there were questions that would be of interest to other members perhaps a Q&A sheet could be developed and distributed to committee members. Sandy Brown inquired as to whether or not the next two to three years were sustainable.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mike Langknecht moved and Marge Levenson seconded to adjourn at 8:11 p.m. All voted in favor.
