See attached files as per norm.



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\paperh15860\margl1080\margr1080\margt1080\margb1080\widowctrl\ftnbj \sectd \sbknone\linemod0\linex0\cols1\endnhere \pard\plain \ri180 {\f20 \'00\'00\'00MORETOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL\par
Special School Board Meeting Minutes\par
Tuesday, November 19th, 2002\par
\par
DRAFT\par
\par
}{\f20\ul Present}{\f20 : \par
Board members - Kent Holden, Wavell Cowan, Deb Hunter, Karen Horn and Amy Kuzio.\par
Principal - Roberta Barone\par
Moretown Harwood Board Member - Bob Holden\par
\par
Meeting called to order at 4:10 pm by Chair, Kent Holden\par
\par
}{\f20\ul Harwood Budget}{\f20 :\par

The Moretown board and administration have over the past few years worked hard to keep the Moretown Elementary School budget increases to a minimum in spite of large increases in special education costs. Under these circumstances it is frustrating when the
 Harwood board consistently promote much larger percentage increases in the Harwood budget, as has been the case for the past several years (22% increase in 3 years).  In a
 discussion of these concerns with Bob Holden the board expressed the view that Harwood should focus on reducing costs by more extensive use of now available interactive video courses as a substitute for small class size optional courses; make hard decisio
ns about the number of optional courses being offered in order to avoid scheduling inefficiencies which reduce the average percentage of time teachers are actually engaged in classroom teaching; maximize the effectiveness of an early retirement program to
provide the incentives needed so that any long-time teachers who really would prefer to move on, will do so; and be proactive in searching for areas where WWSU integration should replace Harwood's current go-it-alone approach (e.g. business and technology
areas).  Bob indicated he was sympathetic to the boards concerns and would communicate them to the Harwood Board, where he felt such concerns were growing and perhaps could achieve a majority presence.  He also suggested that he report to the Moretown boar
d on the results of the Harwood budget debate as it progresses.\par
\par
}{\f20\ul Moretown Budget}{\f20 :\par

The Moretown Elementary School is facing declining student enrollment which reduces state block grant revenues at the same time that special education costs continue to accelerate.  The administration in response to these tough realities is proposing to re
duce the regular ed teacher FTE from 9.0 to 7.5 and the paraeducator FTE from 10.9 to 8.7.  This would result in there being two classes for each of grade 1/2, grade 3/4 and
grade 5/6, with a half time teacher providing regular morning instruction in the grade 1/2 area.  Also current regular classroom aides would be eliminated. Concern was expressed as to the impact of these cuts on the quality of the educational program and t
he administration was requested to provide a careful assessment of this question.\par
     The possibility of expanding preschool services to generate additional revenue was discussed.  This would require significant start-up costs to outfit a second classroom
 as well as the introduction of a day care component.  It was agreed, however, to at least have Michelle run some numbers to see what the revenue potential was.\par

     A document of responses to the list of questions flowing from the initial budget draft proposal submitted by board members was distributed.  This will be reviewed prior to the next board meeting.  Further it was hoped that by that time preliminary est
imates of expected revenues would be available. \par
     \par
}{\f20\ul Adjournment}{\f20 :\par
The board meeting was adjourned at 5:20 pm.\par
\par
APPROVED\par
\par
Date:  __________________              _________________________________________\par
\tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab Wavell Cowan - Board Clerk}\par
}