THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL AT THE NEXT BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Suzanne

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THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL AT THE NEXT BOARD OF SELECTMEN WORKSHOP Board of Selectmen Special Meeting May 12, 2008 CALL TO ORDER The Chester Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Monday, May 12, 2008 at the Chester Town Hall, Chester, CT. In attendance were First Selectman Tom Marsh, Selectmen Martin Heft and Bruce Watrous, members of the Board of Finance, and Region 4 BOE members as well as school Administration. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Region 4 Budget. Mr. Kim Caron, Superintendent of Schools reported that the Region 4 BOE is interested in feedback regarding the Region 4 budget. He expressed disappointment in the low voter turnout at the recent referendum. He solicited feedback from citizens regarding their concerns. He continued that after these concerns are discussed, a course of action will be determined. Mr. Caron commented on an adjustment to the Region 4 budget. He reported that a recent legislative update is delaying the state mandate requiring an in-school suspension position from January 2009 until July 1, 2009. This will reduce the budget by $18,000.00. Richard Strauss reported that the average voter turnout in the three towns since 1999 was 1,029. This year the number was down 30% to 697 voters. This is attributed to complacency. He continued that even if a significant amount was taken from the R4 budget, a substantial mil decrease would not be the result. Mr. ...

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• Publié par: Sosul
• Nombre de lectures: 64
• Langue: English

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THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL AT THE NEXT BOARD

OF SELECTMEN WORKSHOP

Board of Selectmen Special Meeting

May 12, 2008

CALL TO ORDER

The Chester Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Monday, May 12, 2008 at the

Chester Town Hall, Chester, CT.

In attendance were First Selectman Tom Marsh,

Selectmen Martin Heft and Bruce Watrous, members of the Board of Finance, and

Region 4 BOE members as well as school Administration.

The purpose of the meeting

was to discuss the Region 4 Budget.

Mr. Kim Caron, Superintendent of Schools reported that the Region 4 BOE is interested

in feedback regarding the Region 4 budget.

He expressed disappointment in the low

voter turnout at the recent referendum.

He solicited feedback from citizens regarding

their concerns.

He continued that after these concerns are discussed, a course of action

will be determined.

Mr. Caron commented on an adjustment to the Region 4 budget.

He

reported that a recent legislative update is delaying the state mandate requiring an in-

school suspension position from January 2009 until July 1, 2009.

This will reduce the

budget by $18,000.00.

Richard Strauss reported that the average voter turnout in the three towns since 1999 was

1,029. This year the number was down 30% to 697 voters.

This is attributed to

complacency.

He continued that even if a significant amount was taken from the R4

budget, a substantial mil decrease would not be the result.

Mr. Strauss expressed disappointment that the recently proposed tuition grants from the

town may have influenced the voters.

He felt this issue diverted the public from the

budget.

Also, he reported that the ADM in Chester this year is above average.

He also

reported that the surplus money was given back to the town this year when in the past it

would have been deducted from this year’s request.

Mr. Strauss reported on the sacrifices made in the past to accommodate the discovery of a

3 year deficit of $170,000.00.

This money came out of the operating budget.

This year,

because of additional financial issues, a $170,000.00 retirement payment was missed.

The school did not go back to the towns for additional money in either of these instances.

Jennifer Wislocki reported that she did not feel that the tuition discussion was a negative.

She felt that the tuition proposal actually raised awareness of the budget vote.

Also, she

reported that the percentage and dollar figures are not the issue.

It is more of a general

sentiment about the economic state.

We are getting less and less from the state and the

burden falls to the towns to pay for education.

She questioned how we can continue to

support a 4% increase each year in the public school system.

She felt that changes need

to be made in how the schools are run.

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Terry Stewart, Chairman of Region 4 BOE, responded that 85% of the budget is

personnel costs.

He expressed a desire to have BOF members involved in teacher

negotiations. He continued that even with their contracted raises, our teachers are still “in

the middle of the pack” regarding salaries.

Terry continued that the union can show that

our towns can afford not only our current agreement/salaries but more.

He stated that we

feel we would lose in arbitration.

Also, because of our school structure, we would be in 5

arbitrations, not one.

Terry continued that the BOE is constantly comparing our system to that of our peers.

He reported that there is nothing in Region 4 that suggests that we are overspending.

Mr. Caron reported that during negotiations, the Board set a goal to remain “in the middle

of the pack”. He continued that there are 8 regional secondary school systems in the

state.

We are 4

th

out of 8 in terms of expenditures.

Also, he reported that we are

approximately 1-1 ½% lower than other board’s increases. Mr. Caron reported that he is

willing to collaborate to solve this problem.

He stated that we have devised extremely

tight budgets.

If there is any unanticipated expense, we cannot cover it.

He reported that

any unanticipated special education expenses will “blow us out of the water”.

Jennifer Wislocki asked if there is any leverage with the union to avoid increases.

Terry

Stewart reported that there is zero leverage and referenced a newsletter from the

Connecticut Educator’s Association. He reported that there is no compromise in the

difficult arbitration process.

A gentleman disagreed that the board’s “hands are tied” during arbitration. He continued

that teachers give up certain rights in lieu of arbitration.

He stated that binding arbitration

works for both sides.

He reported that arbitrators get $1,200 per day.

Terry Stewart

invited this gentleman to be the Chester BOF representative during the next negotiations.

Tom Marsh was interested in determining a strategy to pass the budget.

He felt that the

biggest factor was the turn out in Essex.

A woman reported that the message she received from citizens was apathy.

She

commented on gas and heating oil prices.

People cannot afford higher taxes and voted

accordingly.

A gentleman on the BOF reported that he too talked to residents regarding

higher food costs, energy costs etc.

Residents know that any increase in the budget

comes directly out of the residents pockets.

The perception is that the Region 4 budget is

“out of control”.

Tom Marsh reported on the ECS and ERG factors.

These figures are determined by the

town’s ability to pay. However, our ability to pay is based on how much property we

own, not income levels.

He continued that Essex get $86 per person in ECS money,

Chester gets $217.00 and Deep River gets $395.00.

However, Bridgeport gets $1,390.00.

Tom continued that the residents do not turn the backs on the schools.

The Federal and

State governments have turned their backs.

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Tom Marsh reported that he did not advocate a change in numbers big enough to make a

tax difference.

He felt that this would create another debate and people would vote for

the budget or against it based on those changes.

Terry Stewart asked what it would take

to get an endorsement from the Chester BOF/BOS on the budget.

Richard Strauss reported that throughout the budget process, no feedback was given from

anyone including the BOF and BOS.

Terry Stewart continued that there is nothing

controversial in this budget.

Bruce Watrous reported that Terry Stewart was quoted in the newspaper as saying we

would need to make “painful” decisions. Bruce reported citizens need to be educated on

how the process works.

He continued that Chester sent a letter to every household.

Terry

Stewart reported that the Alert Now system has been used to inform families of upcoming

forums, votes, etc.

This was also done for the Public Hearing yet no one showed up.

Tom suggested mailing a letter to every home in town.

The Boards discussed changes to the Budget.

Bruce reported that he felt money should

be added to the budget for maintenance items especially in the fields.

Mr. Caron

explained the process for developing budgets; simply adding a percentage to last year’s

budget figures was not done this year.

Mr. Caron reported that Bruce Glowac

(Maintenance) is budgeting for his needs to maintain the schools.

Richard Strauss discussed the relationship between property values and a quality public

school system.

He continued that schools districts compete throughout the state for

quality teachers.

There are shortages in science and math teachers.

During binding

arbitration, if you are on the lower tier, most teachers are going somewhere else.

All of

these issues are important in determining how the system will operate.

Terry Stewart reported that he has asked the Superintendent to devise prioritized list of

potential cuts.

After feedback from the towns, the BOE will decide what items on the list

will be cut.

There is a public forum scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2008 for feedback

from residents.

The BOE does not have a presentation planned.

They intend to answer

questions regarding the budget.

A woman reported that the long term solution for the problem is that the state needs to

know the situation. They need to know that their legislation “ties our hands”. The NCLB

Act is extremely costly to the schools.

The Legislature, Governor and Congress must

stop mandating items to the towns without funding.

Tom Marsh reported that there are two “paths” that can be taken. The BOE can market

their product better for stronger support or change their product.

He continued that if

next year’s state budget is as predicted now and if the economy does not turn around;

next year’s budget process will be no better than this year. He reported that we have one

year to change the way the school is marketed or change the way the school is operated.

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Tom Marsh reported that he will not publicly support the Region 4 Budget.

He will tell

people that individuals have worked hard on it.

Richard Strauss responded that the

Region 4 budget is not separate from the town budget.

He continued that Region 4 BOE

has made every effort to communicate with the BOF and BOS.

No member of either

board came to the BOE meetings therefore, the BOE came to the BOF meeting to present

their budget.

This was done is Essex and Deep River as well.

We solicited input from

the BOS and BOF before the BOE voted on their budget and no one showed up.

The

BOE heard no objection.

Richard reported that he did not feel it was right for Tom to

support the town budget and not the education budget.

It is all one budget.

Richard

reported that the BOE cannot afford to not have the support of the BOS.

He continued

that the Region 4 budget is a good budget and it deserves the support of the town just as

the town budget does.

He stressed the importance of the town coming out to vote.

The

people are relying on what the town’s leaders are saying about the budget. It is a

leadership issue, we need the BOS supporting the budget and urging people to get out and

vote.

He felt that the article in the paper diverted people from the budget issue.

A member of the BOF replied that people have an issue with the “extras” in the R4

budget.

Gas prices are soaring yet we fund a lacrosse team at the school.

People support

math, science etc. not the extras.

He continued that we need to look at a different way to

do things.

Not necessarily cutting items.

Lynne Pease reported that the school is looking at different options.

She stated that the

Administration has initiated programs (virtual high school) without the need for

additional teachers.

A BOE member asked what it would take for the R4 budget to get BOS and BOF

support.

She continued that the town looks toward the BOS and BOF for guidance in this

area.

Jennifer Wislocki stated that she was uncomfortable giving specifics as she did not feel

that she had the authority to approve or not approve the school budget.

Jennifer

continued that if it was less than 4%, she would enthusiastically support the budget.

Richard responded that in past years, the surplus returned to the towns this year would

have been applied to reduce billings and the budget would have shown less than 4%.

The

town already has this money back in their coffers.

Richard stated that it is not right if BOS and BOF members “sit on the sidelines” and

privately not support the budget.

Bruce Watrous reported that he felt that a philosophy of no new services, non mandated

programs or staff would be a “sellable” budget. Bruce continued that the current budget,

with good marketing, will pass.

A BOF member stated that having a status quo budget is counter-productive.

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Tom Marsh reported that, at the core of it, he does not believe the majority of the people

in this town can bear the burden of the tax increase, even at the ¾ mil increase.

He

continued that the ¾ mil increase has a significant opportunity to fail.

The economy is

hitting people harder and harder every day.

He felt that we are taking too much out of the

surplus.

He continued that it would be easy for him to come out against the school

budget since it is higher than the town budget.

He reported that he has gone out of his

way to inform citizen that boards are working hard on the budgets.

He is going to the

public hearing on the budget and asking people what they think, what they can afford.

If

the response is no, he will take money out of the budget, not the surplus.

He reported that

we will be voting on the town budget and the elementary school budget the day before

the Region 4 budget.

He really thinks the budget is too much money yet he understands

that it is “too late in the game” to ask the Board to make big changes. He felt that today

is the first day of continuing conversations.

We may need to review the programs and

variety of courses offered to make changes that amount to $500,000.00 or going to the

legislature in the polls in November and saying we’ve been “dumped on” too long. He

cannot speak in support of the budget that is taking most out of their pockets.

He

reported that a big portion of his public hearing message will be the ramifications of state

funding on local programs.

He felt that the representatives should be at a budget meeting

in December before they go back to Hartford to work on the 2 year budget.

The turnout at the recent R4 budget referendum per town was discussed as well as ways

to get more people to vote at the next referendum.

Tom Marsh reported that Chester will hold a public hearing on Thursday, May 16, 2008.

A Region 4 budget presentation can be discussed at that time.

The Region 4 BOE thanked the BOS and BOF for their feedback and interest this

evening.

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made and duly seconded, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,

Suzanne Helchowski

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