BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
JULY 17, 2006
Members of the Board Finance Committee met on Monday, July 17, 2006, at 7:40 p.m. in the Dining Room. Present were School Board Members Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Diane Rowe, Joseph Craig, Loretta Leeson, and Judith Dexter. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools; Stanley J. Majewski, Jr., assistant to the superintendent for finance and administration; Kim Hayes and Jane Buttermore from Sodexho, and members of the press.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR - None requested.
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE PROPOSAL - Mr. Majewski presented a proposal for Student Accident Insurance for the 2006-2007 school year received from Stocker, Hoffman and Shantz. The annual premium is $19,800 which is only a slight increase from last year. This policy is for Interscholastic Sports Insurance and includes band members, cheerleaders, physical education class, intramurals, recess, non-sport extracurricular activities and mandatory community service activities. This item will appear on the July 24, 2006 Regular Board Agenda for approval.
DINING SERVICES SOFTWARE INSTALLATION - Mrs. Kim Hayes from dining services gave an update on the installation of the new dining services software. The new software will contain a district-wide database which will allow for tracking of students throughout the district. Free and reduced price lunch applications will be scanned into the database and electronically approved, if eligible, creating significant reduction in processing time. Free and reduced lunch applications will be available in both English and Spanish. Parents will also be able to view what their children are purchasing for lunch and check the balance on their child's account on line as well as provide payments on account electronically. Mrs. Hayes will keep the committee informed of the installation process. It is planned that a few schools will be used as "pilot" schools to reify the accuracy of the software. Upon verification that the software is functioning properly the entire school district will be able to use the program.
MANDATE WAIVER - Mr. Majewski would like the support of the committee to apply for a waiver from the state with regard to the bidding and quotation process. He would like to request that the amount for bidding be changed from $10,000 to $20,000 and the quotation limit be changed from $4,000-$10,000 to $10,000 and $20,000. It costs approximately $550 to $600 for the cost of advertising each bid.
The process is extremely time consuming. If we solicit quotes for up to $20,000 we will get a minimum of three. Quotes can be negotiated, bids cannot. We expect to save time and money and allow for improved purchasing efficiency. The committee supports this request. A Resolution will be prepared and brought to the board when ready.
PUC COMPLAINT - UGI - Mr. Majewski would also like the committee's support to file a complaint with the PUC against UGI. The district purchases gas units through a broker when the market price is favorable. However, UGI owns the pipelines and charges transportation rates for the use of these lines. The price increased for transportation of gas 527 percent in two years. Mr. Majewski has made several inquiries with other districts and has become aware that the rate charged to districts varies at times and has no quantifiable justification. He feels this is unfair and desires to file a complaint with the Public Utilities Commission. The committee agreed to proceed if deemed necessary.
SCHOOL BUDGETS AND PROPERTY TAX - ACT I - Mr. Majewski advised the committee that due to state mandates the budget process must be changed drastically. He submitted a proposed calendar of dates for review. Under ACT I the district cannot raise property taxes above an index set by the state without a voter referendum. The budget process for the 2007-2008 must begin in August with the first public hearing taking place in January. A Tax Study Commission must be established and the district will advertise for members of this commission. Mr. Majewski is asking that the committee approve the advertising for submittals of applications from community members to form this commission. The committee agreed that the process should begin.
OPEN FORUM - Mrs. Dexter asked for a breakdown of costs for the computer wiring at Sts. Cyril's and Methodious School. The information will be provided by the administration.
Questions were asked about applying for grant money for a resource officer at the Alternative Education Program. Dr. Lewis stated that the deadline was missed and the district will proceed with a different venue.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m
Minutes prepared by:
Confidential Secretary to the Assistant to the Superintendent
for Finance and Administration