HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2018-03-01 Minutes I IF. ' •.I
c' 11. c:1 Nauset Regional School Committee
March 1 2018
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' " ' Brewster Town Hall
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Present for the Committee : Richard Stewart, Ed Brookshire, Deb Beal, Chris Easley, Jim O ' Leary, Sarah
Blackwell , John O ' Reilly, Robert Sinclair, Sallie Probolus
Absent for the Committee : Judith Schumacher
Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad, . Giovanna Venditti , Ed MacDonald and Maxine Minkoff
Call to Order
Chair Easley called the meeting to order at 6 : 04 p .m .
Agenda Changes
It was suggested that the committee consider adding Unfinished Business and Future Business to the
agenda.
Chair Easley requested a moment of silence for the victims and their families in Parkland, Florida .
Citizens Speak — none
PriorityBusiness
FY19 Budget
The Superintendent reviewed where the committee is in the budget process and indicated there were no
changes at this point. He is not changing the salary line items relative to future vacancies .
It was requested that the budget be reconsidered to include safety measures in our schools . Line Items
8322 and 8323 were clarified. A correction was made to the article in the Cape Codder regarding the
OPEB amount which was incorrect and should have stated the amount is between $ 17, 000, 000 and
$21 , 000, 000 . Assessments were discussed, how assessments are determined and the increases to the
towns . A few members wanted to change the capital plan and eliminate the air conditioning at the Middle
School and High School . It was thought that iPads could be moved into the capital plan and then the
additional money in the operating budget could be used for hiring a counselor or to enhance security. It
was indicated that there are two different budgets, capital and operational . It was also indicated that the
budget met the 2 . 5 % guideline from the towns . The Superintendent indicated that the committee is
dealing with two different warrant articles . He also indicated that the iPads were moved out of the capital
plan and put in the operating budget at the request of the towns . The committee was reminded of the
unanimous vote taken on the capital plan and the revenue stream that was anticipated with the installation
of air conditioning and summer concerts at the Middle School . It was suggested that members look at
both the revenue side and the expense side of the budget. It was also suggested that the revenue is
speculative with no guarantee .
Sallie Probolus asked if the committee could decide that they have already approved the capital budget
and move forward with the operating budget or take a vote to reconsider the capital budget.
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Deb Beal made a motion to reconsider the capital budget. The motion was seconded by Ed Brookshire .
Clarification was made that a vote of reconsideration was to put the capital on the next agenda. It was
stated once again that laptops cannot be included in the capital budget because the towns said they are not
infrastructure . A member mentioned that the money saved from the air conditioning could be used to
lower the budget and could not be used for the purpose of giving to E & D . John O ' Reilly called for the
vote .
It was voted 5 yeas and 4 nays(Sara Blackwell, Sallie Probolus, Ed Brookshire and Chris Easley) to
reconsider the capital plan. The Chair indicated a 2/3 majority vote was needed to pass the motion ,
so the motion failed . Members questioned the vote.
Members shared concerns about the balance in E & D and the revenue sources as well as potential
unanticipated costs . It was also stated that revolving funds have been drawn down and E & D is low.
Chair Easley spoke to the security and safety of the students in the school being paramount and that the
conversation around the issue of security is ongoing and a daily topic in the system . He is also concerned
about the diminishing revenues and the 2 . 5 % increase . He reminded the committee that 90 -94% of the
budgets are personnel costs and the cost of health insurance continues to rise . It is difficult to sustain
these budgets going forward .
Ms . Venditti reviewed the town assessments with the committee and indicated they are driven by student
population, noting assessments fluctuate . A member indicated that the only way to reduce assessments to
towns is to cut the program or add funding into the operating costs . Ms . Venditti indicated that the capital
budget is increased by 2 . 5 % each year.
The Superintendent requested a vote on the FYI operating budget at 2 . 49% increase . It was suggested
that the committee adopt the 2 . 49% budget and leave E & D where it is or the committee could ask
Administration to reevaluate the budget, make reductions, and those reductions would go to E & D . It
was mentioned that eventually E & D will not be sufficient . If revenues do not increase or replenish, it
will impact the program or an override is needed . It was explained the Regional Schools cannot go back
to the towns after the budget is voted so it is important to have sufficient funds in E & D for emergencies .
MOTION : On a motion by Ed Brookshire, seconded by John O ' Reilly, it was voted to enter the Public
Hearing of the FYI budget at 7 : 31 p.m .
The Superintendent presented the FYI budget, showcasing highlights, the safe and supportive climate in
the schools, the parent and community involvement, a budget overview, the net operating budget increase,
the total operating budget and debt service and the town assessments with cost increases to member
towns . The Superintendent thanked the School Committee for all their hard work on the budget.
Motion : Sarah Blackwell made a motion that was seconded by Ed Brookshire to approve the FY19
budget as presented in the amount of $22 ,589 ,788 . The vote was 7 yeas and 2 nays (Robert Sinclair
and Deb Beal) , the budget was approved .
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It was suggested one member could not support the budget because of the amount in the professional
development line items . Another member reminded the committee of the presentation by Mr. Gauley
relative to professional development. Other members were concerned about safety and security .
Future Agenda Topics : The Superintendent indicated he is keeping a list of topics as suggested by
members . New items included : exercise at the HS , school security and budget implications, reducing
parts of the agenda/streamline agenda, update on five year strategic plan, and review policies .
Adjournment
On a motion by Sara Blackwell , seconded by Deb Beal , it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting
at 8 : 10 p. m .
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