Budget Hearing 2 - May 8, 2006
Minutes
BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
BUDGET HEARING #2
MAY 8, 2006
BUDGET HEARING #2
The second 2006-2007 budget hearing of the Board of School Directors of the Bethlehem Area School
District was held on Monday, May 8, 2006, beginning at 8:33 p.m., in the Auditorium of East Hills
Middle School, 2005 Chester Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Members present: Directors Amato, Haytmanek, Heske, Koch, Leeson, Rowe, Venanzi, Williams, and
Craig - 9.
OTHERS PRESENT
Others present: Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, Superintendent of Schools; Stanley J. Majewski, Jr., Board
Secretary; administrators, members of the press, and other interested citizens and staff members.
Director Koch chaired the meeting.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS
Director Koch offered courtesy of the floor to visitors. Four members of the public were in
attendance. Speakers are asked to come to the podium, stating their name and address. Public
comment in the first session is limited to 30 minutes. Speakers are limited to three minutes
each. The board requests that, when possible, all individuals supporting a like position on a
topic select a speaker to present their views to avoid repetition. If that is not possible, all
are welcome to speak. As per school board policy, generally, speakers are limited to taxpayers,
residents, or employees of this school district. At the conclusion of the regular school board
meeting, another block of time will be allocated for public comment. At that time, the same rules
will apply. It is asked that speakers observe proper decorum, without personal attacks towards a
specific individual or individuals. It is not the custom for the board to enter into a dialogue
at these meetings about concerns. However, the board does listen with care to issues raised.
Speakers will receive responses, in some form, by the administration. The following persons
addressed the Board of School Directors:
1. John Toth, taxpayer from Bethlehem Township, said he is in front of the board because his
school taxes have gone through the roof. Every year they rise. He doesn't see any cuts being
made to help the taxpayer. Last month he read in the newspaper that sports cost $1,700,000 to
the taxpayer. There are also field trips. With fuel costs going up, he asked why the
district has field trips. If parents want their son and daughter to go on field trips,
parents should pay for the bus, the bus driver, and fuel. It is time the school board starts
thinking about this stuff. If parents want their child to play sports, they should pay.
Regarding contracts, he suggested a zero increase for the first year on that contract, no pay
raise and start cutting health benefits. GM, Ford, Bethlehem Steel went under because of
these unions. Unions don't care about the taxpayer. It is time the school board start
looking at the taxpayer for a change. There are nine people here that can vote for the
taxpayer instead of little Johnny and Susie going to school all the time getting everything
they want. He asked why he had to pay $750 each for students to go to Texas. He is paying
for them to be in school in Pennsylvania, not to go to Texas. Dr. Lewis was all for it. He
asked why it wasn't taken out of his salary. That's a drop in the bucket for him. It is time
that the school board starts making deep cuts to the budget. He said that if they can't do
it, he is asking the school board and Dr. Lewis to step down, resign. These people are
driving us out of our houses.
2. Charles Gorman, Bayberry Lane, in northwest Bethlehem, stated he has come to one of the two
budget meetings each of the last three years and has gone away from each one frustrated and
disappointed. He realizes that the directors have a responsibility to the students of the
school district to afford them the opportunity for a quality education. He thinks the
directors also have a responsibility to the taxpayers of the district, especially those on
fixed incomes. What frustrated him the most is that in prior years there was a reluctance to
even look at holding the line on taxes. Proposals were made to look at a budget that would
have no increase in taxes. Last year and this year, school board members except for two or
three don't want to even explore that avenue. That is doing a disservice to the taxpayers. It
may not be possible, but the directors should at least explore those avenues to see if there
is any way that the taxes can be held to zero or minimum increase. It seemed to him that
people were too content to have a budget increase similar to years past. Those three, four,
and five percent increase, although being the same as they have been maybe for years and
years, now are a lot more dollars than four percent increases that happened 10 years ago. He
asked the school board members to at least explore holding the line on taxes or keeping them
to a minimum.
ADMINISTRATION'S RESPONSE TO BOARD
Dr. Lewis stated that the board directed administration to look at $500,000 increments of
reductions. There are four categories.
Dr. Lewis said that in category one, additional retirements have been received.
Mr. Gross said that as of this afternoon, there are 31 retirements and nine resignations.
Dr. Lewis said, according to Mr. Majewski, due to retirement there can be recouping of
approximately a quarter million dollars. This is the first year, as long as he has been here,
because of the fact the district is shooting for longer-term contracts, that there is not a
contract being negotiated. Dollars are set in budgetary reserve to cover those anticipated
increases. As such, $100,000 can be pulled from budgetary reserve.
Dr. Lewis said administration feels it can look at roughly a 2 to 2 1/2 percent cut in supplies in
specific areas, amounting to about $50,000. That will not impact instructional programs.
Dr. Lewis said there is an adjustment in intersystem payments. Many of those payments are the
result of the district's commitment to things like Colonial Academy which the CIU is running and
other recouping that Mr. Agretto has been working on, placements of students in extraordinarily
high cost scenarios being brought back into the Colonial Academy and other treatment centers and
educational programs at a lesser cost.
Dr. Lewis said there is a $5,000 adjustment in maintenance rental equipment, banking on good
weather and not having the need to secure rental equipment. Vehicles in the maintenance area have
also been reduced.
Dr. Lewis said that Mr. Gilliland has assured administration that maintenance substitutes, even
the additional spaces, can be covered if we retreat on that. It is probably a category that has
shown itself to be not utilized year in and year out. We will hope that history continues.
Dr. Lewis said that Mr. Majewski has delayed the implementation of about $5,000 in business
equipment. It will coincide, perhaps, with the district's financial software investment in the
future in that he will need that equipment, perhaps at a later year. Dr. Lewis stated
administration is recommending, due to the fact that construction impacts and the fact that rifle
is losing more and more competitors across the state, that the program be curtailed.
Dr. Lewis said a reduction of $3,500 is listed because Mr. Gross has delayed the purchase of
computer equipment. Again, a human resources package is being put in that will probably need more
sophisticated equipment. He has agreed to delay that for a year.
Dr. Lewis said special education - homebound has been reassessed. It is believed that many cases
are being handled more expediently and we do not need to use homebound as a compensatory solution
as often. Mr. Agretto feels that adequately cutting that will still provide the necessary funds
to maintain that.
Dr. Lewis stated the total of these reductions is roughly $5,000,000 and administration can take
that first category.
Director Koch said she would like somebody to move this category to be discussed and have somebody
second it. Director Craig moved and Director Rowe seconded the suggestion. Director Koch stated
that the board is now open for discussion of just this category.
Director Craig asked, "When you say 'of just this category,' how about adding to just this
category?"
Director Koch replied, "Yes, just this category."
Director Craig proposed taking another $500,000 from the fund balance and bring category one to a
million dollars. He believes that $4,500,000 which is what it would be if that is not done, past
history has shown that the district has been able to grow that at a higher rate than we actually
planned. He asked Mr. Majewski for his reaction.
Mr. Majewski recapped fund balance to this point. As of the end of last year fund balance had
$8,500,000 in audited funds. He anticipates using about $1,000,000 or closer to $1,500,000 in
this year to balance current year budget which would bring it down to $7,000,000 in fund balance.
If $3,500,000 is applied in next year's budget and used, that will leave the district with
$3,500,000 in fund balance.
Director Craig said he is basing his suggestion on what the district got last time. He thought it
said that after anticipating in the original proposal there would still be $4,500,000 left.
Mr. Majewski explained that was looking at the fact that the district has the $8,500,000 and would
reduce that by the $1,500,000 needed this year, bringing fund balance down to $7,000,000.
Currently, $3,000,000 is in the budget which would have reduced it to $4,000,000. If another half
million is added, it would reduce it to $3,500,000.
Dr. Lewis commented that this is probably the lowest that fund balance has been taken.
Administration would be willing to do what is called "curtailment" perhaps early, as Mr. Majewski
watches our monthly expenditures, unspent monies could be curtailed monies. Another check and
balance would be put in place so that rebuilding of that fund balance is guaranteed. Certain
things impact spending such as the number of snowstorms, number of miles buses are driven. He and
Mr. Majewski feel relatively comfortable that the district could operate with Director Craig's
recommendation.
Mr. Majewski stated that, as indicated at the last meeting, the budget used $3,000,000 because it
was based upon the information that was available to date. Throughout the year the challenge is
that even though at that time the full amount of the fund balance budgeted is anticipated in order
to balance the budget, administration has never been satisfied with that and our staff tries to
find ways throughout the year in order to curtail some of the spending or to acquire additional
revenues or to take some of the expenditures and get grants for those funds so that less fund
balance can be used. At this point in time, that information is not available, so how it can be
done cannot be determined. Confidently, it can be stated that the challenge will be accepted and
a way will be found in order to be able to use less than budgeted.
Dr. Lewis asked the chair (Director Koch) to call the question on category one and then add
Director Craig's suggestion.
Mr. Majewski said he was hoping to give the amount of the millage increase of each category so
that the board could have an idea of the impact. Right now, the proposed budget is a 1.6 mill
increase or 4.53 percent. The category one reduction of $500,000 lowers it to a 1.41 mill
increase of 3.96 percent.
Director Williams asked how many students will be affected by eliminating the rifle program.
Mr. Villani said his understanding is that there are from 20 to 25 students per team.
Director Leeson said she understands we are looking at removing $100,000 from the budgetary
reserve. There currently is $400,000 and it was stated that the district does not have any
contracts in negotiation. She asked why the entire $400,000 cannot be taken out of the budgetary
reserve.
Dr. Lewis said that if you remove it now, you will need to replenish double that amount
immediately upon a contract. A contract is coming up next year. It is not something you want to
wipe out. You will need to come back with it in whole the following year. It also covers some
raises for some categories that you do not determine such as administrative increases that are
determined late in the year, if not early summer.
Director Leeson commented that Dr. Lewis is saying we really don't need it this year, but be aware
because we might need it next year. She would propose that money be removed from the budget
because if it is not needed this year, she doesn't think it should be kept in.
Mr. Majewski stated there are other considerations that need to be thought of with the budgetary
reserve. Throughout the year, whether this year or prior years, administration would come to the
board and indicate one or two more students have been received in a class. Now, administration is
looking at hiring staff based upon current projections. Some of these classes may be at or near
the maximum. Getting one or two more students in a class may cause a need of an additional
teacher or, depending on the year, teacher assistant. Those people are not budgeted anywhere
other than the budgetary reserve. In addition to that, another concern is that we still don't
know where the federal IDEIA monies are. Quite a number of folks are staffed there. If it comes
through with less than anticipated, some of the staff that are expected to be paid through federal
funds are going to need to be moved to the general fund budget. The contingency will not only
cover increases in some of the contracts to be negotiated, it also covers those items that are
unforeseen throughout the year, but must be dealt with year after year. He suggested leaving some
money to allow for those contingencies.
Director Leeson stated she still thinks there is room to move on the budgetary reserve. It could
still be reduced.
Director Dexter said she would like to see the rifle program taken out of category one. She knows
that people came to the meeting last year asking to restore it. Also, there is a lot of data that
correlates participation in extracurricular and sport activities with higher academic performance.
It was learned that rifle program reaches students that don't join other varsity sports. She
thinks if that $10,000 is needed badly enough, the board could reduce some conference spending.
Director Williams agreed with removing the rifle program from the category one reductions.
Director Craig asked Mr. Villani about the fact that rifle competition is becoming scarcer. Our
two teams are, basically, all over northeastern Pennsylvania with contests.
Mr. Villani said there are three other local school districts: Southern Lehigh, Emmaus, and one
other. Other contests are more north, in the Scranton area.
Dr. Lewis verified whether the current space for rifle is being available for 2006-07 with Mr.
Gilliland.
Mr. Gilliland said the current space at Liberty High School will be available for the start of
school year.
Dr. Lewis asked if it would be for the season.
Mr. Gilliland indicated that it might but would be less than ideal because of people working
there.
Dr. Lewis said to Mr. Villani that he has alluded that he felt the Arts in Motion could be covered
through grant.
Mr. Villani said that, typically, a lot of the programs through ASPIRE are similar to the Arts
in Motion.
Dr. Lewis said he is suggesting a flip.
Mr. Villani said that the majority of our schools receive other funding for supporting their arts
programs. This is an elementary and middle school program. Each one gets a small stipend. We
would have to research doing it in other grant areas.
Dr. Lewis suggested flipping those.
Director Williams asked if that would just dilute the Arts in Motion program.
Mr. Villani said, in the past, that money was used to offset some of their arts programs when
bringing in different experiences for the students: assembly programs, artist in residences. Some
of the schools are receiving other grants to do those kinds of things.
Director Williams asked if it would take that program away from the schools that don't have the
ability to get those kinds of grants, creating inequity in our elementary schools in terms of
having the Arts in Motion program.
Mr. Villani said it probably impacts the schools that aren't the title schools more.
Dr. Lewis said you could still leave $5,800 in for that program.
Mr. Villani said he could move some other monies around.
Dr. Lewis said, then, the Arts in Motion will cut $10,700.
Mr. Villani stated that the one reason he offered the rifle was because he was under the
impression there was not going to be a facility available for practice. That would necessitate
having to find a place. If they are going to have a space to practice, it is a different matter.
Director Craig commented that between the two high schools, the rifle program accommodates about
45 to 50 students. Some other sports accommodate a lot less than that. If in looking at number
of students that are participating, that is used as a criteria, if we must cut something in that
line, he thinks there are other ways to look at it, although he is certainly not one that wants to
ever cut programs students are involved in. If rifle's range is going to be available and it
accommodates 50 students and there is something else that may only accommodate 10 or 11 at each
school, that should be re-evaluated.
Director Koch asked all in favor of doing this flip of approximately $10,700 to say aye. All
board members were in favor of the recommendation.
Director Williams said, therefore, if she is correct some amount of Arts in Motion still remains
in category two.
Dr. Lewis confirmed that the amount remaining is $5,800. The amount in category two would be the
$10,678 of the rifle program.
Director Koch asked if there are any other items in category one that any board members would like
to discuss. Discussion having been completed concerning category one cuts, the board approved
category one cuts by voice vote.
Director Craig proposed to add to category one a reduction of $500,000 from fund balance. Director
Leeson seconded the motion.
Director Williams said she has done this in the past and will do it again. She cautioned taking
too much from fund balance. When doing that, somehow it must be found for the next year. If it
is not in the fund balance, a much larger increase in budget will be needed next year. She would
not be happy with doing this if Mr. Majewski couldn't say that he thought it was all right because
he has guided the board in the past. It takes our fund balance to an unprecedented low level in
terms of percentage of the whole budget.
Mr. Majewski said that is true. It has not been this low in at least the last 12 years.
Director Heske said the other point is that if the state doesn't get its budget passed and the
district has to wait an extra month or two to get any money and maybe it is less, that also could
make this more complicated.
Mr. Majewski said it would make it more complicated. Several years ago, when that had occurred
when it took until December, the state legislature could not pass its budget, it had affected many
school districts adversely. One of the benefits of being grossly underfunded by the state is that
the district is less dependent upon them and their cash flow. The district is able to weather
some of those short-term delays. In that respect, the bad news is the good news.
Director Craig said if he felt very uncomfortable with this, he would not have asked for it. He is
looking at some other things he thinks are going on, especially in the Bethlehem Township area,
some other things the district may be able to get some money from in the next year.
Director Koch asked all in favor of adding $500,000 fund balance reduction to category one to say
aye. The recommendation was approved by voice vote 8 - 1, with Director Dexter opposing.
Director Koch asked Mr. Majewski for an updated budget amount, before category two discussion
begins.
Mr. Majewski said these reductions would provide a 1.22 mill increase or 3.43 percent.
CATEGORY 2
Dr. Lewis explained that category two entails $75,000 in elementary replacement computers and
infrastructure; $30,000 cut across building allocations which is the instructional dollars
principals receive; $20,000 cut on various maintenance services; $110,000 for two counselors
beginning to cut into programs and staff; $20,000 on the .4 nurse; the 1.4 ESOL teachers at
$60,000 to $100,000; a .5 high school teacher at Liberty $22,000; $20,000 reduction in regular
education - homebound; $39,000 adjustment in athletic equipment manager going to stipend managers
in both high schools; $10,768 in rifle; $5,800 in arts and motion as just discussed; $25,000 in
curriculum office supplies impacting on professional development and curriculum implementation,
reduction of $64,656 in department chairpersons in the two high schools.
Director Amato questioned the department chairpersons.
Dr. Lewis stated the department chair positions currently existing in the two high schools would
be removed, requiring those individuals to teach full teaching schedules.
Dr. Lewis announced the category two reductions total is $496,534. Discussions concerning
category two continued.
Director Dexter would like to see the following removed from category two: guidance counselors,
ESOL teachers, homebound instruction, and rifle program. She thinks the district is on the right
track to keep the guidance counselors there. She does not know how the district could afford to
do without ESOL teachers if it is difficult to help children to close the gap of achievement. She
is suggesting homebound, but is not sure why it is in the cut.
Dr. Lewis stated that the administration recommended category one only. It is not recommending
category two. The board asked for what it would look like.
Director Dexter said she is all in favor of looking at some category two cuts. That is why she
voted not to tap the fund balance, not because she does not want to save money. She would rather
take the cuts out of category two and then look at whether fund balance should be tapped. Of
category two, she thinks the guidance counselor and ESOL teachers should be saved. The homebound
instruction concerns her, especially some discussion that has taken place questioning whether
homebound instruction is as available as it should be to students who become ill. Also, she
thinks rifle should be off the chopping block entirely.
Director Leeson said to Director Dexter that she thinks Dr. Lewis was referring to regular
homebound instruction as those students who are nonviolent and between suspension and coming to
the board for expulsion. For many years, these students were kept in school until they came to
the board for expulsion. This would be for habitual, nonviolent offenders. She is not sure that
Dr. Lewis is intending to cut homebound instruction for those who are ill and in need of homebound
instruction, but for those students the district can accommodate within our schools.
Dr. Lewis stated that is correct.
Director Dexter said she has no problem cutting it, if it will not affect the instruction provided
to students who are ill.
Director Leeson said she supports exploring the department chairpersons, but she does not think
how that would impact the high schools to having them teaching a full schedule has been studied.
Dr. Lewis said, here again, the high school principals are opposed to the cut. Mr. Villani has
cautioned in cabinet discussions that with everything going on right now, with the new
administration, this might not be the year to do that. He would appreciate more time to explore
it, although he knows Mr. Kritis, who is in the audience, brought this to everyone's attention
previously. However, there may be a residual impact that is greater than $64,000, which is only
the stipends. There would be recovery of staff, as well.
Director Leeson asked if this topic could be put on the agenda to be explored.
Director Koch asked how many directors would be willing accept department chairpersons as an item
to be cut.
Director Heske asked if the board must get the BEA to go along with this kind of action.
Dr. Lewis said that there is some contract language associated with it. A memorandum of
understanding would be needed in that regard.
Director Heske said he suspects that they might not be too much in favor of that.
Dr. Lewis stated there are mixed feelings.
Director Williams said that, even in light with some of Mr. Midway's comments about the number of
new faculty and so on, it seems to her to be bad timing to do this at this time. She is in
agreement with what Dr. Lewis stated about new administrations in both high schools. She could
not be in favor of that.
Director Amato said he can agree with the two guidance counselor, the 1.4 ESOL teacher, and to
hold off on the department chairpersons. He asked administration if there is any reason why the
other cuts can't be made.
Director Koch said she is trying to whittle them away, one at a time.
Director Koch asked how many people would be in favor of cutting department chairpersons from the
budget as stated in category two. A yes vote means it will be a reduction amount. A no vote
means it will be removed from category two. All board members voted no. Department chairpersons
will not be cut now, but it will be discussed in the future.
Director Craig commented on the adjustment of the athletic equipment manager - $39,000. He asked
if the plan is to have an equipment person part-time at each high school.
Dr. Lewis said he believes it was through an adjustment in job description that Mr. Gross, Mr.
Gilliland, and Mr. Villani are involved in, looking at the payment of that individual on the
athletic equipment side being basically equivalent to what is the Freedom contribution to that
supplemental and then using that person in field readiness and grounds readiness which is some of
the work he is doing now.
Director Craig commented that this is a step backwards about 20 years. This position coordinates
the equipment needs of six schools, not just Liberty High School. That person is responsible for
gathering all of the ordering, distribution, fitting at four middle schools and two high schools.
It is a full-time job.
Dr. Lewis said the position was not being eliminated. It was being adjusted.
Director Amato asked Mr. Villani if it is true, as Director Craig stated, that this individual is
responsible for mats and all of that or just equipment.
Mr. Villani said this person gets involved with looking at mat replacements, district set-ups,
etc. What was being considered was that perhaps instead of having one person do all four middle
schools, one person would do two of the two of the feeder middle schools and the other person
doing the other two schools.
Director Amato stated one person would take care of Freedom High School and the two middle schools
that feed it and another person for Liberty High School and the other two middle schools.
Mr. Villani said that is right.
Director Amato told Director Craig that he thinks those two individuals would have a better handle
on knowing what the needs would be of the high school and two middle schools since they can pass
down equipment from the high school to the middle schools.
Dr. Lewis stated that when athletic directors became full-time, they picked up some equipment
oversight as well. It is a change the three divisions have discussed.
Director Amato said that $39,000 is a little piece of change.
Dr. Lewis said that is the adjustment.
Director Amato said it is true that athletic directors and assistant athletic directors to the ADs
were put in those schools that can be involved with some of that. Talking with those ADs, he
thinks they would rather have the proposed set up of two people take care of each high school and
its feeder schools, saving this money through an adjustment. The two can still coordinate
regarding ordering. The athletic program has been added to as far as the administrative end of it
with the assistant athletic directors. He thinks they can play a part in this without hurting
what Director Craig is concerned about.
Director Leeson said she remembers that when the athletic philosophy was adopted, personnel was
added. She asked if we still have a middle school athletic coordinator.
Dr. Lewis said, "Yes."
Director Leeson asked what the function is of the middle school athletic coordinator and if that
position could be considered for elimination.
Mr. Villani said that is considerably less money. The coordinator manages all the athletic
activities, the scheduling of the fields and the officials, all the contracts. He/she is busy for
the stipend they get.
Director Leeson asked if there is a middle school coordinator at each middle school.
Mr. Villani said one coordinator oversees the four schools.
Director Craig said past experience doing it the way he believes administration is looking to do
it was that you had a lot of different things being done at the different schools. The idea of
going to a central person was so that there would be an easier way of buying in bulk. One person
would be responsible for gathering everything together, making the job more efficient and better
pricing. The other position at Freedom High School was a person who had a full-time job at the
school and did the equipment manager, which is what the position was called, as a part-time job
after school. The person at Liberty is working for all six schools full-time. That is all he
does. He thinks it is not nearly as efficient a way of operating a department having over a
million dollars of stuff you want to have watched.
President Haytmanek questioned number one in category two, $75,000 in elementary replacement
computers.
Mrs. Lutcher said it is for computers in the elementary classrooms. It is part of the refresh
cycle Dr. Lewis implemented several years ago. The computers are seven years old, in various
states of disrepair and are not able to do some of the online applications.
President Haytmanek stated he will have trouble voting to eliminate that.
Director Koch asked, when these computers are replaced in the elementary schools, won't the
software also have to be replaced.
Mrs. Lutcher said that is right. The $75,000 includes both the software and hardware purchases.
Software does not have to be replaced in all instances. In many instances, they are looking for
online applications to work with the most current operating system by Apple.
Director Amato asked, if these computers are not replaced, what applications the computers could
not provide for our students at the elementary level.
Mrs. Lutcher said these computers that are seven years old cannot access the Internet, the online
application being run at the elementary school. First in Math, the Power Library, Kid Biz cannot
be accessed. She can provide a list of other online applications.
Director Koch asked how many directors would be willing to include the elementary replacement
computers as a cut in category two. All board members were opposed except Director Amato. That
reduction will be crossed off the list.
Director Koch asked if anybody wanted to discuss building allocations.
Dr. Lewis stated that now $1,561,945 is budgeted to all building principals for various
instructional expenditures. A $30,000 reduction is approximately a two percent cut.
Administration feels, if it has to, it can live with that. The amount has been frozen over time.
He believes one increase has been given in the last four budgets.
Director Koch asked how many directors would be willing to include the building allocation cut in
category two. All board members were in favor except Director Williams. That reduction will be
included in the cut.
Director Amato questioned the vote on replacement of elementary computers. He may have
misunderstood the statement. Another vote was taken. A vote yes means the reduction will be cut
from the budget under category two. A vote no means the voter does not want to cut it from the
budget and wants it eliminated from category two. All board members voted no except for Director
Leeson. The result was the same as the prior vote. The replacement of elementary replacement
computers will be deleted from the list of category two reductions.
Mr. Gilliland explained maintenance miscellaneous services. This is a category for items between
$4,000 to $10,000 for miscellaneous repairs or projects. An example is the Freedom baseball field
where grubs had eaten the infield and they asked to replace it. Originally $150,000 was
allocated; $30,000 was cut, and this is an additional $20,000 cut which will leave about $100,000
in that category.
A vote was taken to include the reduction to maintenance miscellaneous services in the category
two reductions. All board members voted to keep this on the category two list of reductions
except for Director Leeson.
Dr. Lewis remarked that the reduction of guidance counselors is self-explanatory.
Director Craig asked which guidance counselors will be removed.
Mr. Gross said this category would include an additional one guidance counselor at Freedom to
bring the student to counselor ratio in line with Liberty's at one counselor to approximately 300
students. It also would include the additional counselor at three elementary schools that
currently have one counselor to approximately 550 students at Farmersville, Miller Heights, and
Spring Garden.
Director Williams commented that she cannot count the number of times over the years that the
board has discussed the need for more guidance counselors. A vote was taken regarding the
reduction of guidance counselors. All board members except Director Leeson voted no. This
reduction will be removed from the category two list.
Mr. Gross said that the .4 nurse services would be added, primarily, at elementary schools and
nonpublic schools, largely enrollment dependent.
Director Leeson asked if the district is reimbursed for nurses at nonpublic schools.
Mr. Majewski stated the district is reimbursed for medical services. The amount of reimbursement
has not changed for quite a number of years. Plus or minus $360,000 is received. The figure has
probably been the same for as long as he can go back. It is not necessarily based on whether
services are being provided at public versus nonpublic schools. It is a health services
calculation on spending and very dependent upon how much money the governor puts in the budget.
There is very little impact on the subsidy for this type of service whether it is increased or
not.
A vote was taken on the removal of .4 nurse services. All voted yes except Directors Williams and
Heske. This reduction will remain on the category two list.
Director Leeson asked where the ESOL teachers suggested for reduction are employed.
Mr. Washington said it is district-wide because sometimes teachers must be moved around due to the
transient nature of the ESOL students. There are high numbers at Fountain Hill and Donegan at
this point.
Director Leeson asked where the 1.4 ESOL teachers will come from.
Dr. Lewis said ESOL staff is not being reduced. This would be new staff.
Mr. Washington said that, right now, it is a .5 teacher to Donegan, .3 at Marvine which equates to
about a day and a half, a day and a half at Fountain Hill, a day at Clearview, and a .1 or a half
a day where the need is determined to be most intense.
Dr. Lewis stated that there is an increase in our ESOL population. Mrs. Correll and Mr.
Washington have come to cabinet with considerable data on the increase. The administration would
like not to cut.
Director Koch asked if there is any reason to expect that the district might get some grant money
for this.
Mrs. Cintron replied that the district does receive Title III funds for the ESOL program. However,
the district has not been notified of its allocation. She doubts there will be any kind of
significant increase.
Director Amato asked how many ESOL teachers are now on the staff.
Mr. Washington said for 2005-06 there are 12.6 ESOL teachers designated to specific buildings and
5.1 that float between the buildings, a total of 17.7.
Director Amato stated that an addition of 1.4 is requested, based on anticipation of an increase
in population.
Mr. Washington said he is correct. There is an increase in population and also an increase in the
type of student. Students are given more time if less fluent. As they become more fluent, time
is decreased and reallocated to students coming in with very limited English skills.
Director Amato remarked that we are talking about 1.4 staff. He suggested increasing the number
of ESOL teachers to 18 and still saving on one person.
Mr. Washington said the original request was for 2.5. It was narrowed to 1.4.
Director Amato restated that, then, there is an increase. The 17.7 will increase to 19.1.
A vote was taken on the reduction of 1.4 ESOL teachers. Directors Amato and Leeson voted yes; all
others voted no. This reduction will be removed from the category two list.
Dr. Lewis stated that the .5 high school teacher is at Liberty High School in an area yet to be
determined depending on what the schedule generates.
Director Koch asked if he knows for a fact that the .5 teacher is needed.
Dr. Lewis said they have been taken down considerably in numbers to a more realistic yield and
also asked to schedule with more efficiency in elective areas which they have been doing.
Mr. Gross said that Freedom is slated for 1.9 additional teachers. Liberty originally requested
5.1 additional teachers.
Dr. Lewis said that has dropped to 4.6.
A vote was taken on the .5 high school teacher. The vote was yes: Directors Koch, Amato, Leeson,
and Dexter - 4; no: Directors Heske, Rowe, Williams, Haytmanek, and Craig - 5. This reduction
will be removed from the category two list.
Dr. Lewis stated that Director Leeson's clarification on regular education homebound is correct.
This is not impacting students who are ill. This is a reduction in disciplinary situations where
homebound has been applied. More often than not, these students will remain in the regular
program until the board determines their status.
A vote was taken on the homebound reduction. All board members voted yes. This reduction will
remain on the category two list.
A vote was taken on the athletic equipment manager. All voted yes except Directors Craig and
Williams. This reduction will remain on the category two list.
A vote was taken on elimination of the rifle program. The board voted unanimously to remove rifle
program from the category two list.
A vote was taken on the reduction of $5,800 from Arts in Motion. Directors Leeson and Dexter
voted yes; all others voted no. This will be removed from the category two list.
Mr. Villani stated that every year items are budgeted for purchase for trainings and such. Every
year the district buys the new teachers the Harry Wong book, First Day of School. Sets of
standards are ordered from the state which now can be downloaded. It was felt that this budget
could be cut.
Director Amato commented that this is a start in utilizing existing technology.
A vote was taken on the reduction to curriculum office supplies. The board voted unanimously to
keep this on the category two list of reductions.
Mr. Majewski stated the adjusted total of the category two cuts is $154,000. The budget would
have a 3.26 percent increase.
Director Leeson said she had several other items she would like to add to category two. She
thinks that at least another $100,000 could be taken out of budgetary reserve.
Director Amato suggested hearing about the other two categories before suggesting additional
reductions. The rest of the board agreed.
CATEGORY 3
Director Koch said a motion was needed regarding ninth grade computers and Career Academy.
Director Heske moved that the board not cut those. Director Williams seconded the motion.
Directors Heske and Williams also moved and seconded to not take the category four cuts.
Director Amato asked if Career Academy is the alternative education.
Dr. Lewis replied, "Yes."
Director Amato said when this was proposed he was in favor of the alternative ed program and was
promised it would not cost the district any more money, that one program could be swapped for
another. According to the information supplied, two additional staff have been added. In leasing
costs, $180,000 has been added.
Dr. Lewis said the leasing cost is $78,000.
Mr. Majewski said that there is $78,000 in the budget.
Director Koch asked what the leasing is of $15,000 a month which was discussed the other night.
Mr. Majewski said that there has not been public discussion of any lease numbers. It is not
something that is in place right now. The district is in the process of discussion and
negotiation.
Director Amato said that there is a number that it will cost the district to lease. Two teachers
and leasing are added to this program. He asked if any renovations are anticipated to the
building at additional costs to get it ready for this academy.
Dr. Lewis replied, "No." He explained that at one meeting Director Craig asked the board to
reconsider the removal of CA/MP. Administration instructed the board that it could keep some
semblance of CA/MP. The net effect is those two teachers. Probably, with benefits, he would
estimate $95,000 to $100,000. The board also asked that not everybody be included under the same
roof. There have been additional lease costs. There were some other ancillary costs.
Mr. Villani said it is basically for the teaching positions, the leasing. If the Career Academy
would not be offered, he thinks what was left in was what we had for the existing CA/MP. That was
included in the original budget.
Dr. Lewis told Director Amato he is correct. There is a slight override of the $2,300,000
originally stated. There are also adjustments in teacher salaries. It does require another
$180,000 to open this academy. Much of that was due to the request to maintain CA/MP.
Director Amato remarked that he has seen four alternative ed programs come and go. We still don't
have one. This is the one that will be the grandio of them all. But it's going to be a big cost
to this district. He thinks $350,000 by the time it is all done is just money not being spent
properly. If the district had the Student Code of Conduct in place in our schools where it should
be, take care of the pain in the butts we have to take care of. The ones that need to go to
Graterford, go there. He does not think we can take care of every one at a reasonable cost. He
doesn't think we will get the bang for the buck.
Director Williams told Director Amato she can understand his consternation over this. She recalls
the board giving the directive to the administration that this program should not be housed in
Rosemont and that the district needed to look another facility. She believes that is part of the
expense.
Dr. Lewis said that she is correct. He stated what he tried to clarify was the additional two
people were this board's direction. The relocation away from Rosemont was also this board's
direction. Those are the two major impacts. The program can be kept at Rosemont and CA/MP can be
eliminated entirely. But he thinks that is a mistake. He agrees with Director Craig's logic that
there is a need to maintain some semblance of that program.
Director Leeson said to Director Amato that she has been very confused with these figures. In
category four, she is trying to figure out where the RASA $486,000 comes from. Page 25 of the
budget under Career Academy RASA alternative education she gets a total figure of $348,000. That
figure should include the $188,000.
CATEGORY 4
Dr. Lewis explained that the staffing is not in that particular budget area. Staff is reflected
on total staffing budget page including administrator, teachers, etc. for the RASA operation.
That would be recaptured by bringing those people back into the teaching staffs of other schools.
Director Leeson said that $80,000 is listed on page 25 for office administration and $119,000 for
professional salaries. Office clerical is also shown at $39,000.
Mr. Villani said that is existing CA/MP. It is Mark Caccavo's salary, the people at CA/MP that
are not teachers, support personnel, and the clerical person presently at CA/MP who will move to
the Career Academy.
Director Leeson stated that in last year's budget the Regional Academic Academy, the RASA piece,
was budgeted at $15,000 for the Academic Academy. Now it is a budget of $486,000.
Mr. Villani explained that is only the supplies. Their salaries were always in the staffing
budget.
Mr. Majewski explained that what Director Leeson was looking at was just supplies for the Regional
Academy. However, in addition to what was done with CA/MP, combining everything and the other
factor of administrative personnel at $80,831 was previously, at one point, picked up by grants.
It was not part of the general fund budget. That must be brought on to our budget because there
is no funding. Therefore, that individual is not a new person. The only new money not previously
budgeted would be the rentals - $78,000 that was going to be for the facility. If you look at the
increase, the $158,000, you will find that the difference is the $80,000 plus the $178,000 from
the previous year's budget. Those are the only two new items. One of them is because it
previously came out of grant funding.
Director Leeson asked how many people are at the Regional Academic Academy. First of all, those
personnel are needed whether we have the Regional Academic Academy or not because we need to
educate those students. If the Regional Academic Academy is eliminated, the district will not
save $486,000 because we need to educate those students in another setting.
Dr. Lewis said there is a combination of costs. Not all of those students would increase class
sizes to create an equal number of positions. You may absorb 75 percent of the teaching staff.
Associated operating expenses with operating that building would be removed. This is a best guess
estimate of what RASA is costing across a multitude of expenditure items.
Mr. Majewski said Dr. Lewis is correct. This is looking at how much is impacting the general
fund. If you removed the program and students went back to their home schools, if one, two, or
three children went back that may or may not affect the class size. This is an estimate of what
the savings could be.
Director Leeson stated that we know the majority of students are coming from a couple of schools
and are the same age. This is not like moving out to charter schools where these are fifth grade
students and a couple of schools have the highest impact.
Dr. Lewis stated we are talking at the current levels of about 70 children. Director Leeson is
correct that you might see a classroom impact in each of two schools which would be two teachers.
When you take the balance of that teaching staff and an administrator, reintegrate them into your
existing schools or administrative positions, those are savings. We have estimated the savings to
be approximately half a million dollars. It is a pretty solid estimate on what would need to be
put back in to handle those students as well as what would be dispersed into roles opened up
through retirements, resignations, etc., and the reassignment of the principal who could be an
elementary principal next year if the board chose to do away with the program. That is a real
savings - a $90,000 to $95,000 savings. They also have a guidance counselor - another $55,000.
They also have family development specialist, clerical people. There is staff in that building
that would easily generate this along with the expenses of running that particular building.
Mr. Majewski stated that the other consideration in looking at that program, it's a very small
class size, intentionally. When moving students from that program, it is not necessarily a
one-to-one transfer with teachers.
Director Leeson said she finds it very hard to see a $188,000 number against the Career Academy
which is a 250 person versus the $486,000 for a 70 person.
Dr. Lewis said that is because $2,300,000 is being shifted from the Vo-Tech Prep Program, from the
L/AMP Program, etc.
Director Williams stated that there is a motion on the table to not eliminate categories three and
four. She asked Director Heske to repeat the motion he made.
Director Heske said he proposed removing any category three and four reductions. However, that
does not mean that at some future time the board may not take a closer look at the Career Academy
or other programs. But do not cut these four items tonight.
Director Koch asked if any board member has a problem with voting on all four.
Director Dexter answered, "Yes."
President Haytmanek suggested a vote be taken to end discussion.
Director Leeson said that the board hasn't even discussed the ninth grade computers.
Director Koch said since the majority of the board members want to vote on four, the yes vote will
be to keep all four items. The no vote will be to remove all four items from categories three and
four.
Director Craig asked if that means the board will still have the option of looking at these before
finalizing the budget.
Director Koch and Dr. Lewis replied, "Absolutely."
Director Dexter asked if there may be discussion.
Director Williams said that she called the question.
Director Dexter said there has been no discussion on the motion.
Director Williams said that they have been discussing the motion.
Director Leeson remarked that they haven't discussed half of it.
Director Williams said she believes the procedure, when the question is called, is to take a vote.
Director Dexter said she is asking if they might have discussion.
Director Koch told Director Dexter; if she has a question, please ask it. Then the board will
move on.
Director Dexter said, as she understands, the motion on the floor is to vote on all four things
together. This is the only time all evening the board has done it. She realizes the evening is
late. The ninth grade computer issue is a huge item. She would like to take that out and discuss
it separately. She has no problem with voting on the other three.
Director Koch told Director Dexter it could be brought up at a future time. The motion is to vote
on all four.
Director Koch asked Director Heske if he accepts Director Dexter's request to consider ninth grade
computers separately.
Director Heske replied no, stating he thinks it can be done at another time.
Director Koch said the board will vote on it. She told Director Dexter that she can always bring
it up at a future time.
Director Dexter said that she will bring it up in open forum tonight.
Director Koch asked all those in favor of including everything on the reductions list to vote yes.
A no vote would remove the items from the list.
Director Leeson voted yes except for RASA.
Director Koch asked those who were sure they wanted to vote yes to put their hands up.
Director Koch asked how many people wanted to vote no on everything.
The hand vote was not counted because not everyone raised their hand.
Director Leeson said she would like to keep everything except for the Regional Academic Academy.
Director Dexter proposed keeping the ninth grade computers on the cut list. She has no problem
keeping the other items in the budget. Mr. Majewski asked if anybody voted yes for RASA and
curriculum enrichment.
Director Leeson said she voted to keep curriculum enrichment on. If she is correct, that
represents field trips.
Mr. Majewski announced the votes:
Curriculum Enrichment 8 yes - 1 no (Director Leeson)
Career Academy 8 yes - 1 no (Director Leeson)
Ninth Grade Computers 7 yes - 2 no (Directors Leeson and Dexter)
Mr. Majewski stated that after taking category one, category two selected items and adding to the
revenue side of $500,000 fund balance, results in a 1.6 mill increase, or 3.26 percent.
Director Koch commented that at 10:30 at night, several people want to add other items.
Director Leeson said she wants to add $100,000 from budgetary reserve to the cut list. She does
not understand how some items could be put on the list without looking at conferences and travel.
She wants a 25 percent cut in conferences and travel - $88,500. The superintendent's contingency
- $91,000. She believes Dr. Lewis said that $2,300,000 from Vo-Tech Prep would be going to the
Career Academy. She would like that amount as a reduction.
Director Leeson clarified with Dr. Lewis that he stated $2,300,000 was being moved from Vo-Tech
Prep to Career Academy.
Dr. Lewis stated it was not exclusively from Vo-Tech Prep, from all resources including CA/MP.
Director Leeson asked what is needed to keep CA/MP.
Mr. Villani replied that there are five academic teachers at CA/MP that are a part of that
$2,300,000. There are four teachers from Vo-Tech.
Director Leeson said, therefore, she wanted a $2,000,000 reduction from the Career Academy.
Director Koch asked Director Leeson if she is making that as a motion.
Director Leeson replied, "Yes." Director Dexter seconded the motion.
Dr. Lewis stated that the superintendent's contingency is not an "at will" or "walking around"
account. The reduction in that category means the cut of part of a position from his office that
gets reallocated for professional salaries. The cut will affect the food service provisions. It
also cuts all equipment that would be district allocated. It would cut professional services that
may be needed from others such as engineers and outside counsel.
Mr. Majewski further explained that, potentially, because there is another contingency, if, in
fact, tax reform is approved and the district needs to go back and do the homestead mailings, it
is one of the sources the district has in order to have funding in order to be able to have the
mailings go out to the individuals so they can apply for homestead exemptions. That would be
approximately $15,000 to $20,000.
Dr. Lewis stated the reduction would remove all his postage, telephone, and other communications
across the office.
Director Leeson interjected to Dr. Lewis that he has a line item for postage, for professional
services, and equipment.
Dr. Lewis said he does not have these line items in the proposed budget. Those dollars are
redistributed on an as-need basis across all those areas: professional and technical, repair and
maintenance on all the machines being run.
Director Leeson asked why those aren't put into the line items.
Dr. Lewis replied that it is redistributed based on the usage. Historically, that is where it is.
It falls all over the place.
Director Dexter said that at the last budget hearing she had asked if that contingency budget also
covered the conference spending that he has authority to approve without board approval. She
believes he said yes.
Dr. Lewis stated conferences are approved by the board with the exception of day trips.
Principals' conferences in most cases are well above the minimum, so they come to the board.
Director Dexter asked where she can find in the budget the allocation of funds that he has
authority to approve without asking the board for conference and travel.
Dr. Lewis stated that is presented to the board in a monthly conference report for the conferences
under $400.
Director Dexter stated that she finds out every month how the money was spent, but asked where she
sees that in the budget. She asked if it is in the superintendent's budget.
Mr. Majewski stated that it could be from federal/state/local grant sources. It could be from the
general operating budget in any of the categories.
Director Dexter said that clarifies the information she was asking about.
Director Koch asked for a vote on Director Leeson's recommended additional reductions. A yes vote
will include the list as budget cuts.
Director Dexter voted yes - cut $100,000 in budgetary reserve, cut 25 percent conference and
travel, keep superintendent's contingency fund, keep $2,000,000 for the Career Academy.
Director Amato said he wants to put a figure on Career Academy that he thinks might make sense.
Director Amato said he will abstain on Career Academy.
Mr. Majewski summarized the votes:
Budgetary Reserve 2 yes (Directors Leeson and Dexter) - 7 no
Conference 25 percent cut 2 yes (Directors Leeson and Dexter) - 7 no
Superintendent's Contingency 1 yes (Director Leeson) - 7 no - 1 abstention (Director Amato)
Career Academy 1 yes (Director Leeson) - 7 no - 1 abstention (Director Amato)
Director Koch announced that this proposed category has been defeated.
Director Amato asked the administration to go back, as was originally discussed about an
alternative ed program without any increase to what the present programs, CA/MP and L/AMP, with
the same personnel. He thinks right now, in order to put in the alternative ed program being
proposed will cost about $400,000. The way it is structured with the 17 people versus the 15
people, versus what the district is paying partially for and what the district is not paying for,
and what is being received through grant money, he still thinks if all that stays in place it will
still cost with leasing and additional people, etc., around $350,000 to $400,000. He would like
to see administration look into being able to put that program in without those additional people
and additional costs and do what needs to be done to house the program within the present
facilities. He is not asking for a vote, but just that administration take a hard look at it.
Director Koch asked if he wanted that studied by the next time the board meets.
Director Amato replied, "Yes."
Director Koch confirmed with Dr. Lewis that administration can study this by the next meeting.
Director Craig remarked that this is basically the original proposal.
Dr. Lewis stated, "Not necessarily." Mr. Villani and his staff, as well as many volunteer
principals, worked today on the student names, but they are not prepared to report. Administration
will bring information on whether it can or can't be done.
Director Koch asked when the next meeting is scheduled for.
Mr. Majewski replied it will be next Monday, May 15, at the regular board meeting for tentative
adoption.
ADJOURNMENT
Directors Heske and Amato moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Director Leeson stated that
the board has not addressed all items on the agenda and has not had open forum.
Director Dexter moved that the meeting be reconvened to permit people who came and sat for several
hours to have a time to speak. Director Williams agreed.
The motion to adjourn carried by voice vote of 7 - 2. The meeting adjourned at 10:37 p.m.
Attest,
Stanley J. Majewski, Jr.
Board Secretary
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