Rochester School Board
Finance Committee Meeting
Central Office Boardroom
May 1, 2008
7:00 PM

 

Members Present:

Mr. Robert Watson, Chair

Mrs. Audrey Stevens

Mrs. Peggy Parker

Dr. Anthony Pastelis

Mr. Frank Callaghan

Mrs. Pam Hubbard

Ms. Caroline McCarley

Mrs. Anne Grassie

Members Absent:

Mr. John Connelly

Also Present:

Mr. Michael Hopkins

Ms. Linda Casey

Mr. Richard Kalisz


 

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum present. 

 

Mrs. Casey reviewed the monthly financial statement.  The time elapsed in the current budget is 80.80 percent of the year.  The overall expenditures are at 85 percent; but the salary and benefit line has been expended by 9.4 percent.  We are on track to have a balance of $20,000 at the end of the year and additional revenue of $125,000.  The Special Education lines are being closely monitored to ensure a positive balance. 

 

Mr. Hopkins and Mrs. Casey are recommending a change of insurance plans for the AFSCME Bargaining Unit (custodian/maintenance workers) and non-union personnel.  This would save approximately $30,000 for the District and also for each employee.  Next year’s rates have been provided that guarantee a 6.9 percent increase in Health Insurance. 

 

Mrs. Grassie moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, to recommend to the Board approval of the change in Insurance plan from Harvard Pilgrim to Healthtrust for the District’s AFSCME Bargaining Unit and non-union personnel.  The motion passed unanimously.          

 

Mr. Callaghan moved, second by Ms. McCarley, to recommend to the Board approval of the multi-year insurance program from Primex .  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Callaghan moved, second by Ms. McCarley, to recommend to the Board acceptance of $500 from Northern Strafford County Health and Safety Council to provide CPR training for students and parents in the District.   The motion passed unanimously.   

 

The Committee discussed the proposal to phase out Latin at Spaulding High School.  This was discussed at the Instruction Committee and is on the agenda to be approved at the Board level.  The Committee members had various views on Latin instruction. 

 

Financial Items from the Building Committee

 

Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Ms. McCarley, to recommend to the Board approval of the bid for toilet partitions to J. Sallese & Sons, Inc. of Wakefield, MA for $34,650.  This is contingent on the approval of the CIP by the City Council.  The motion passed unanimously.    

 

Ms. McCarley moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, to recommend to the Board approval of the angle frame bleacher bid for the baseball field to CB Seating of Somersworth, NH for $15,395.   This is contingent on the approval of the CIP by the City Council.  The motion passed unanimously.     

 

Mrs. Grassie moved, second by Ms. McCarley, to recommend to the Board approval of the bid for 22 Smartboards from CCS Presentation Systems of Chelmsford, MA for $50,954.  The motion passed unanimously.    

 

Ms. McCarley moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, to recommend to the Board approval of the bid for enrollment projections to Planning Decisions, Inc. of South Portland, ME for $4,500.  The motion passed unanimously.    

 

Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Ms. McCarley, to recommend to the Board approval of the bid for 15 LCD projectors from SDF Professional Computers, Inc. of Greenville, NC for $8,985.    The motion passed unanimously.    

 

Financial Items from the Personnel Committee

 

Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Parker, to recommend to the Board approval of the following grant funded stipends:

 

Nicole Bandera - $3,000........................................................... Safe and Drug Free Community Liason
Danielle Inkel - $1,709.85.................................... School in Need of Improvement Tutoring Coordinator
Susan Richman - $1,500.................................................................... Reading First Grant Co-Manager
Barbara McDowell - $2,000.............................................................. Reading First Grant Co-Manager
Robert Hanson - $4,600.......................................................................... Reading First Grant Manager
Maggie Skafidas - $1,500...................................................................................... Mentor Coordinator
Debra Hoyt - $1,500............................................................................................. Mentor Coordinator

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mrs. Hubbard moved, second by Mrs. Grassie, to recommend to the Board approval of a one year trial of the City and School Technology Department merger.  David Yasenchock, the current School District Network Administrator will oversee both Departments.  The City will pay for an additional technician that will work in both the schools and city programs.  The merger will be evaluated during the year to see if we want to continue with the program beyond one year. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Connelly moved, second by Mrs. Parker, to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.    

 

Mr. Robert Watson, Chair