Cavendish Town Elementary School Board Minutes        Cavendish Town Elementary School   Tuesday, December 14, 2010    4:00 p.m.      Present Board:  Dr. Bont-Chair, Jim Ballantine, Sharon Huntley, Peter Gregg, and John McLean Administration:  David P. Adams-Superintendent, George Thomson-Principal, and Meredith Austin-Business Manager Public:  Virginia Walsh Mack, Jenn Harper, Connie Kendall, Mike Ripley, Peggy Svec, Sara Stowell, Mary Ormrod, Jennifer Leak, Robert Ruhlin, Gloria Leven, and Claire Walker Call to order Dr. Bont called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. Approval of Minutes of November 16, 2010 Jim made a motion to approve the minutes of November 16, 2010 as presented.  Peter seconded.  Motion approved. Comments from the Community Dr. Bont said questions regarding the budget can be asked when it is discussed. Nomination – School Nurse Dr. Bont said this nomination is for a school nurse to fill in for Leigh Dakin who is going to the legislature.  David said he is sure she will be able to attain a provisional license.  David recommended hiring Mary Wilson as a school nurse from January 3, 2011 until June 30, 2011.  Peter Gregg nominated Mary Wilson as presented.  Sharon seconded.  Motion approved. Approval of Proposed Budget FY’ 11-12 George gave the board copies of the proposed budget and possible adjustments.  George went over the adjustments: Contract services for technology-up $583.00, supervisory union assessment-up $3,374.00, collaborative preschool-down $6,316.00.  EEE has been level funded.  The possible reductions for Para professional’s time, food service personnel, maintenance staff and the elimination of one bus are included in the budget. The target was a $26,000 reduction and this budget has a $41,434.00 reduction.  George said this reduction is due to the teachers not taking raises for next year.  George talked about the impact of reducing a bus.  He talked about what the impact will be by reducing the Para professional’s time and the reduction in maintenance; he said someone else will have to do the duties that are currently done by these individuals.  Areas of Discussion:  The bus fuel,  the savings in paras, maintenance, the bus; the impact on the students with these reductions and why  the board is making these deep cuts when the teachers are taking a pay freeze; the inflationary cost line-this line is because the administration is in negotiations with the support staff.  David said it was generous for the teachers to forgo a salary increase for next year; he discussed the 2% reduction and the choices the board has; what will be reported to the state.  Meredith handed out and explained the budget stats and the impact of adding the reductions back into the budget; the budget would still be under by .73%.  Discussion ensued regarding the budget reduction impacts and which is most important.  No other school in the SU is going to meet the 2% reduction; adding back the reductions except bussing was discussed and the bussing policy was discussed. Sharon said she feels the school should meet the 2% reduction after all the work that was done on this budget.  David said the board may want to consider a 1% reduction as it has done in past budgets.  The importance of the 2% reduction was discussed.  With the 2% reduction there will be approximately $15,000.00 that will be put back in the budget.   Sharon made a motion to reach the 2% reduction with the budget.  Peter seconded.  Discussion ensued.  Motion approved. 3 yes; 2 no. The board agreed to meet on the regularly scheduled date of January 18th at 5:30 p.m.              Reports:     Principal George gave the board the budget summary. Events:  Thursday at 7:00p.m. - Holiday concert; December 17th- American Legion party, a Cuban band will do a workshop and performance on Monday December 20th. Superintendent David thanked the Board, George, and Meredith for their hard work on the budget. He said the Curriculum management policy has been adopted by the WSWSU executive committee.   Board None Committee None Other Business None Executive Session – (Negotiations) Peter made a motion to go into executive session at 5:40 to discuss negotiations.  Sharon seconded.  Motion approved.  The board came out of executive session at 5:50 p.m.  No action taken. Adjournment Sharon made a motion to adjourn.  Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Virginia M. Walsh Mack Recording Secretary