BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
Members of the Board Finance Committee, Rosie Amato and Charlene Koch, together with board members Edward Gallagher, Loretta Leeson, Margaret Williams, Joseph Craig, William Heske and Julie Venanzi met with Superintendent Dr. Joseph Lewis, Director of Business Affairs Stanley J. Majewski, Jr., and Assistant Superintendent Michele Kostem, in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Also in attendance were Michael Buffer from the Express Times and Genevieve Marshall from the Morning Call.
OPEN FORUM - Mr. Heske asked if the district could design an
Employe Suggestion Program whereby employes of the district would offer
suggestions on how the district could save money. Such a program would be open to all employes and the best
suggestions would receive a reward.
Discussion followed with regard to the benefits of such a program. It was agreed that Mr. Majewski would
propose guidelines for such a program and report back to the board at the
October Finance Committee meeting.
Mr. Craig questioned how many complaints were received with regard to the ÒGraceÓ period being discontinued with respect to the payment of tax bills. Mr. Majewski stated that approximately twenty-five complaints had been received.
FREEMANSBURG LITIGATION UPDATE - Mr. Majewski informed the committee that a court date of May 19, 2003 in Federal Court has been set. The district is suing at least six companies and the process has been slow. There have been no offers of a settlement from any of the companies. He will keep the committee apprised of all developments.
STATE AUDIT REPORT - Dr. Lewis advised the committee that the exit interview with the state auditors went very well. He commended Mr. Majewski's staff, the Child Accounting staff and the Transportation Department staff for exceptional record keeping. There were no citations.
HEALTH BENEFIT TRANSITION - Mr. Majewski indicated due to the split of Blue Cross/Blue Shield the district had to select a health insurance carrier. The school district decided to contract with Capital Blue Cross and to stay with its current dental provider, United Concordia, even though it is a Blue Shield Company. We are 95% through the transition process.
Meetings have been scheduled with district teachers and representatives from Capital Blue Cross, Carl A. Curcio and Associates, and Hartman Employe Benefits, Inc., to discuss coverages offered through the PPO option. The meetings are scheduled for October 10 and October 15. Mr. Majewski indicated that he was pleased with everyone involved with the transition process.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Minutes prepared by _________________________________________________
Adele Embardino, Confidential Secretary to the Director of Business Affairs