MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE WESTON BOARD OF FINANCE ON FEBRUARY 15, 2006

The Board of Finance of the Town of Weston met on Wednesday, February 15, 2006, at the Weston Town Hall.  Members of the board present were: Messrs. Sargent, Atkinson, Nichols, Carter, O’Brien, Muller and Ms. Kopas.  Also present were:  Lynne B. Pierson, Supt. of Schools: Mr. Richard Miller, Asst. Supt. of Schools: Diane Raymo, Director of Finance: Janet Rosenbaum, Director of Pupil Personnel Services: Arvid Anderson, Director of Human Resources, as well as many faculty members of the school system.  Board of Education members:  Mrs. Ellen Uzenoff, Chairman; Mr. P. Schaefer; Mrs. Lynn Kimberly; Mr. L Wolf; Mr. J. Fitzpatrick  and Mrs. M. Koller.  Also present were faculty members from the various schools in the system.  Chairman Sargent called the meeting to order at 8:02 pm. 

 

Supt. Pierson gave an overview of the Bd of Ed proposed budget for 2006-7 which indicates a request for $40,401,522; - an increase of $2,221,899 over last year or a percentage increase of 5.84%.  She went on to outline the factors impacting the budget.  She reported on the results of the many testing requirements within the schools and the results that they obtained.  She also outlined many competitive situations with other schools and the success they have met in various categories. She outlined the enrollment data (NESDEC) and discussed the increases and decreases in the enrollment – which, at this moment, shows a total of 2566 for 2006-7.

 

Chairman Sargent took this opportunity to welcome all representatives of the School system and to point out that the Board of Finance will be looking at many phases of the budget.  In answer to questions about Special Education, Ms. Janet Rosenblum outlined some of their work with such students and what is done and where the figures show these items.  She outlined what is being done and why and how they feel that these efforts will benefit the students.  There was much discussion on the Special Education offered here in Weston and if people were satisfied with what is offered.  Ms. Rosenblum said that most seemed to be satisfied.

 

Dr. Pierson continued her overview of the School System Budget.  There was some discussion about maintenance expenses for upkeep of the buildings, particularly discussion as to the fact that they are used for so many hours and that there must be overtime, etc. to keep all the facilities in good order.

 

Chairman Sargent asked for certain information to make it easier for the Board of Finance to work through their review of the Board of Education budget.  There was much discussion about maintenance expenses for upkeep of the buildings, particularly discussion as to the fact that they are used for so many hours and that there must be overtime, etc. to keep all the facilities in good order.

 

Chairman Sargent asked for certain information to make it easier for the Board of Finance to work through their review of the Board of Education Budget.  There was much discussion about where the point is that the enrollment will be too great for our facilities and what could affect same.  There was discussion about financing and how the Board of Finance must look at things one way and the Board of Education must look another way.

 

There was also discussion about the number of administrators and mentors within the School system and their duties.  Dr. Pierson and Mr. Miller outlined the need for these people and what their duties are.

 

 

There was also discussion on the insurance coverage and how that looks for the future.  Mr. O’Brien gave an outline of the problems and the discussion they have had on this matter with the Insurance Committee.  Ms. Kopas asked about roof repairs, windows and other repairs which reappearing budget after budget.  These recurring items are odd.  Mr. Sargent said that many repairs are more or less only ‘band-aid” repairs and do not solve the problem completely and the problem still needs work.  This particularly referred to the curtain drain project.

 

Chairman Sargent took this opportunity to thank Dr. Pierson and the Bd of Ed as well as members of the faculty for their time and attention to furnishing information that the Board of Finance needs. The Board of Finance will continue their discussion of the Board of Education budget at their next meeting which will be on 3/9/06 at the Weston Town Hall.  The meeting of the Board of Finance tentatively scheduled for 2/26/06 is cancelled.

 

There being no further business to properly come before the Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 11:40 p.m.

 

Respectively submitted,

 

Betty B. Greaves, Recording Secretary