by David Flint
The news from the Governor’s Office received on the day of the Berlin School Board’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 16, was not good. The Berlin Central School District at this point stands to take a “Deficit Reduction” hit of $533,762. The actual reduction in State aid would not be that great because a few categories of aid, including BOCES aid and Transportation aid, would be increased somewhat, but the overall reduction still amounts to over $444,000. This cutback combined with expenditure increases puts the Board in a bind as it enters into the 2009-10 budget process.
Interim Schools Superintendent Charlotte Gregory said she would lay out a list of non-required courses and programs and the Board might have to decide which ones it wants to continue. Board Member Tom Morelli said that District savings from closing Stephentown Elementary School should mean that programs are saved whole. He said that the teaching staff and the CSEA, too, would have to be engaged in helping the Board develop a budget without cutting programs and without passing the cost of aid reductions on to the taxpayers. He asked to know what process would be followed to “inform the staff that we have a major problem.” Gregory responded that she would confer with staff, but “I can’t compel them.”
Morelli asked what the confidence level was regarding the estimated $465,000 savings from closing Stephentown Elementary. Interim Business Administrator Scott Hunter replied it was 90% sure. But Morelli questioned whether it could be that high given that the savings would entail letting go a principal, a nurse, a teacher, a secretary, teaching assistants and a custodial person and there didn’t seem to be consensus among the Board and administration that that would actually happen.
Making Meetings
Manageable
Following upon some very late running meetings, Board Member Elizabeth Miller asked, as the Board’s Parliamentarian, for changes in the conduct of meetings. She wanted student presentations and guest speakers to be moved to the top of the agenda following the President’s report so that they would not be kept longer than necessary. She also asked that the administrators who attend the meeting be dismissed no later than 9:30 pm. Miller said the Board needed to follow Roberts Rules of Order and get things done in a timely fashion. Information gathering and preparation for debate at the meetings, she said, should be done ahead of time and administrators need their sleep in order to do their job well. Board President Zwack agreed, saying that some people had complained that they have had to leave meetings before they concluded. Board Members Morelli and Don French had no problem with modifying the agenda, but they demurred on dismissing the administrators early.
Raymond Preusser, CPA was present to answer questions regarding an audit report delivered at the October meeting. But since the questions had to do with a management statement written by a CPA who assisted in closing out the District’s books last summer, Preusser said he would research the situation and respond later. Board members were especially concerned about a statement that the net increase in the District’s liabilities was due to the Cherry Plain bond being paid off. They also wanted to know whether the $1.4 million in a reserve fund for employee benefits is sufficient or more than sufficient, and if more than sufficient what flexibility do they have to shift the excess for other purposes. Morelli said the Board needed a better handle on what the reserved and unreserved capital of the District is and how it figures in the ability of the District to take on debt. Preusser said he thought the District generally had a good blend of reserves but he was willing to take another look at them and sit down with the Board and administrators at a workshop meeting, respond to concerns and go over the whole topic of allocating money to reserve funds. The Board agreed to set a date in January for this meeting when all parties would be available.
Don French questioned a budget transfer of $9,710 from a Maintenance area to a Transportation code. Hunter explained that it was for emergency repair work at the bus garage and was necessary because potholes in the yard had become a hazard for both equipment and staff. A complaint about the condition of the yard had been filed with the Public Employee Safety & Health Administration. Buildings & Grounds Superintendent Cyril Grant added that the budget transfer from Maintenance to Transportation would make the repair eligible for 79% State aid.
High School and Middle School Principals Dennis Healy and Cathy Allain reported on a visit to a Distance Learning demonstration at Maple Hill High School in Schodack. They found that the system had generated excitement and interest for both students and faculty, offered course variety in math and science, more advanced level electives, advanced placement courses and some college level courses. Potential course offerings covered a wide gamut of fields. Other advantages were that it teaches student independence with minimal conflicts with other courses and also offered options for after school hours. The cost of the system was estimated to be $124,220 for the initial program and equipment and $6,804 per year in successive years. Discounts for hosting courses would be available, and E-Rate and BOCES aid would apply. Board members and other administrators were invited to attend a similar demonstration at Maple Hill, and it was suggested they bring selected students with them.
Board Member Morelli said he was all in favor of utilizing the best technology but questioned whether the District was making the best use of the existing T-1 line in the District either in terms of its educational impact or its technological effectiveness. He said the District needed a Chief Information Officer to advise on the District’s technology platform and help make important decisions regarding the latest technology. To Scott Hunter’s comment that the District was close to having “maxed out” the T-1 line, he suggested a closer look at what the traffic is and whether it might not be the deployment of servers that is hampering its effectiveness.
Don French asked about testing for radon in the schools. Preliminary testing was done earlier in the fall but was not conclusive. Gregory said a second preliminary round of testing would be done this week and results will be available in five or six weeks.
French asked for the results of special testing in ninth grade Algebra and Geometry to see how students are progressing. Dennis Healy said that there had been progress in that class in Algebra with proficiency levels rising from 28% to 54%. French said he wanted actual grades, not pass/fail results because passing scores could range anywhere between 65 and 100 and would be misleading if 85% were reported passing when the majority actually scored below 80.
French asked for a report on the construction of outdoor volleyball and basketball courts at the High School/Middle School. Cyril Grant responded that $37,055 had been spent leaving a balance in the fund of $2,343. The courts will not be completed until spring. French wanted to know what additional work is required and whether the work meets all State requirements as far as retaining walls, lighting, fencing, signage, etc. Grant said he would provide additional information. Scott Hunter added that he had spoken with the District’s insurance company and was assured that moving the volleyball court and adding the basketball court should not affect insurance costs but the company will inspect the installation when finished.
French asked about a parent-teacher conference that was cancelled due to the weather. He asked if that would mean another half day of school closing to accommodate a rescheduled parent-teacher conference. Administrators said the conferences would be scheduled with parents at a mutually agreed upon time outside of school time or they would take place by telephone.
The Board set their next regular meeting for Tuesday, January 20, at 7 pm in the High School auditorium.