Wentworth School Board

January 9, 2006
BUDGET WORK SESSION #2
Wentworth Elementary School

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mrs. Dustin, Mrs. Mack, Mrs. Gelsi

OTHERS PRESENT:

Mrs. Gaides, Mr. Keene

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Mrs. Melanson, Mrs. Douchette, Mrs. Gaudette, J. Comeau, G. Hinckley, T. Blake, P. Sanborn

CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM.

The School Board reviewed Draft #3 of the budget. Mrs. Gelsi stated there will be the potential for 8 kindergarten students next year so the school board voted to increase the amount of tuition to include 8 students.

Mrs. Gelsi asked if they had to be members of NHSBA (savings of $2,000). Mrs. Gaides will look into it.

A discussion ensued on the differences between the 3% teacher increase and the 3.8% projected support staff increases. It was noted that the support staff (aides) currently make between $9.00 and $9.58 per hour.

A discussion ensued on the Principal’s salary and the differences between Regular Education Salaries (1100.110 account), Purchase Prof & Tech Services (1110.300 account), and the Principal’s Office (2410.110) accounts. The public suggested that there were hidden costs. It was explained that all teachers working at Wentworth will be on a Wentworth teacher salary schedule. The School Board requested an explanation of the Principal’s salary. Mrs. Gaides will complete a handout on teachers and principal salaries similar to Rumney’s blue book.

The meeting with Warren was discussed. The School Board requested that “Tuition Agreement with Warren” be placed on the next school board agenda. The School Board would like to consider a number of tuition students (maximum of 5) from Warren for grade 7 in Wentworth next year. Mr. Keene will discuss this with his staff on Wednesday. Maximum class size needs to be determined with regards to the classroom space. The School Board requested a copy of Plymouth’s application process.

The School Board discussed the warrant articles. Mrs. Gelsi asked that the article on School Board membership be changed to reflect a special district meeting (per the RSA that Mrs. Gelsi read). Mrs. Gaides will look into it.

Mrs. Gaides reported that no new bids were presented to Jon Francis. There is a bid from Johnson Controls (through Jon Francis) that will be available to the School Board at the next School Board meeting.

The School Board requested that Jon Francis attend the budget hearing and district meetings. Glen Hinckley left a copy of the proposed mechanical renovations with Mr. Keene so that the community can visit the school to review them. The School Board requested that Jon Francis write up a fuel consumption comparison of costs over the past few years and guesstimate what the payback might be over the next few years with the mechanical renovations if the entire project is approved by the voters.

The School Board decided, after input from the public, to have two warrant articles for the proposed mechanical renovations. One of the articles will be for the entire project. The other warrant article will be for Phases 2 and 3.

Much discussion ensued on the presentation of the budget. Glen Hinckley felt that the current budget packet was too confusing for the public. He stated that the public are not accountants. Mrs. Gaides suggested that Mrs. Gelsi meet with her at Central Office to decide on the presentation.

At 7:20 PM, The Board moved to non-public.

During non-public, the School Board discussed the need for an Out-Of-District placement. A Kindergarten issue was also discussed.

At 8:15 PM, the Board moved to return to Public session.

The School Board voted to eliminate $30,000 (OD placement) from the budget.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ethel Gaides
Assistant Superintendent