Wavell,

Minutes look fine to me.

Kent

----- Original Message -----
From: "Wavell Cowan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2002 10:10 AM
Subject: Special Board meeting re budget


> See attached files as per norm.
>


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\'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
> }