BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES

FEBRUARY 6, 2006

 

Members of the Board Finance Committee met on Monday, February 6, at 6:30p.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room. Present were School Board Members Dr, Craig Haytmanek, Rosario Amato, Diane Rowe, Joseph Craig, Judith Dexter, Loretta Leeson and Margaret Williams. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools, Stanley J. Majewski, Jr., assistant to the superintendent for finance and administration, Robin Lutcher, director of information and technologies, and members of the press.

 

Courtesy of the Floor - None requested.

 

Open Forum – Nothing for discussion.

 

2006-2007 Proposed Budget Guidelines – Mr. Majewski reviewed the budgeting guidelines. These guidelines develop staffing and are used to create the budget. A 3% increase in building allocations is proposed.

 

Mrs. Leeson questioned what items are purchased with these funds. Mr. Majewski responded that the monies are used for replacement of consumable products, as well as, desks, textbooks, and technology items. Mrs. Leeson requested a listing of purchases from budgets in the past. Mr. Majewski will provide the list to the board.

 

It was noted the 3% increase has varied through the years based on the budget approval process.

 

2005 Year End Audit Update – Mr. Majewski stated the audit report for 2005 has been finalized and will be brought before the board for acceptance at the February board meeting. He noted that there were no significant changes since the November presentation. The management letter added a report that one individual currently compiles all data entry for dining services and suggests that additional individuals be instructed in this process. Mr. Majewski stated that steps are already in progress to improve the handling and verification of this data.

 

The audit report noted some students, (who do not qualify for free/reduced lunch) received lunch without paying. Mr. Majewski explained that it is district practice to provide lunch to all students and recoup the funds later if a student did not have the funds available on a particular day.

 

E-Rate Bid Review – Robin Lutcher presented six E-Rate bid resolutions for review and explained the process for obtaining E-Rate funds. Due to specific timelines, the board will be asked to accept theses bids at a Special Board Meeting later this evening.

 

Holy Ghost Lease Renewal – Mr. Majewski informed the committee that the district needs to notify Holy Ghost Church by March 1 each year of its’ intent to renew the lease. Since the enrollment at Donegan School continues to rise, he is recommending that this lease be renewed for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by :                                                      

Confidential Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Administration