Approved  5/7/2007

 

 

 

 

BOF Members Present:  Messrs. Atkinson, Muller, Carter, Nichols, O’Brien, Chairman Sargent and Ms. Kopas. Donna M. Anastasia, Secretary.

 

Weston Public School Administration:  Superintendent Lynne B. Pierson EdD., Director of Finance/Operations Dr. Jo-Ann Keating, Asst. Superintendent Jerry Belair and Principal Mark Ribbens.

 

BOE Members Present:  Chairman Ellen Uzenoff and Les Wolf.

 

Residents:  Robert Schaaf, Old Hyde Rd

 

 

 

 

Chairman Sargent thanked the Board of Education and the School Administration for their ongoing efforts of budget preparation. Chairman Sargent requested the BOE to think in terms of managing down especially with a declining enrollment. This must be addressed both this year and the next several years. The Board of Finance did caution the BOE on those demographic trends two years ago in a general way and last year in a very specific way asking the BOE to recognize the demographic trends. The BOE budget must reflect both the current year and also how to plan for subsequent years. Chairman Sargent said he would urge the BOE to go through an intensive planning exercise that addresses the reality of the demographic change and to manage accordingly. Chairman Sargent would like to propose a reduction in the BOE proposed budget increase of 5.5%.

 

Ms. Kopas complimented Janet Rosenbaum, Director of Pupil Services for her outstanding work on the Special Education budget. Ms. Kopas showed concern regarding the increasing per pupil cost and suggested a new initiative for the BOE to assess this escalating cost. Ms. Kopas compared per pupil cost to district and to state comparisons and although we have the same instructional time our cost is 25% more. Ms. Kopas prepared an analysis of per pupil cost from 1991-2006 and felt this rate has increased quickly and at times at a higher than average rate. In light of the enrollment a 7.8% increase in per pupil costs seems high.

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Finance  3/21/2007

 

 

Mr. Carter wanted to recognize the many accomplishments of our education system; CMT scores, SAT scores, athletics, music. He explained his approach  to the budget was a cost/projected cost over a five year period assuming a student growth rate and a 5.0% budget increase. Mr. Carter discussed the projections and commented on some items having an effective increase of 50% or more given the current trend. (See attached)

 

Mr. Atkinson mentioned the increase of Administrative costs and this also drives the steadily increasing fixed costs.

 

Mr. O’Brien commended Dr. Jo-Ann Keating on the BOE budget document. Mr. O’Brien stated there are areas of the budget (contractual commitments, regulated activities, SPED) where the Board has very little control. Mr. O’Brien felt that student success in our education system used as a measure would indeed show we are in very good shape. He felt that there are some areas to explore. The budget indicates an enrollment shift that does trend cost-up and student population down. The other aspect is an 8-11% upward trend nationally for health benefits. (Mr. O’Brien, Chairman of the Insurance Advisory Committee) There currently is an initiative with Lindberg & Assoc. to look at the employee health/medical plans. We have 9 RPs out and we have received 9 responses. There are 3 competitive packages to be evaluated.  Mr. O’Brien said there should be at least a $200,000.00 savings out of this plan. The cost/output matrix is very difficult to measure. Mr. O’Brien emphasized a procurement discipline for all purchases/services within the budget which will better control costs.

 

Chairman Sargent would like to plan group meetings in the coming months to discuss, for example total school population against staffing. We can share ideas, compare numbers, go over certified, non-certified staff and administrative costs. Mr. Sargent studied some prior budgets noticing a 7.1-7.2 student enrollment per total staff. This number moved up to 7.5-7.6 and stayed there for about 10 years. In 2001-2002 this ratio began a steady downward trend to 6.8-6.9. This ratio is the driver of the budget. If the student/staff ratio moved to 7.0 the result would be a 6- 7 reduction in staff. The system has consistently delivered an excellent education but current trends could result in a 6.0 ratio in 3 years.

A 6-7 staff reduction monetarily is approximately 300,000-350,000.

 

Mr. Nichols would like to see a less difficult document to get through. The new initiatives, technology component and Transportation Coordinator did not stand out clearly. To pass a reasonable judgment with this current format is very difficult. Mr. Nichols suggested a format indicating more apparent additions to the budget. He added that the Transportation Coordinator builds in a fixed cost and these are the kind of costs building year after year. Mr. Nichols commented on the new open communication with the BOF and the BOE and it has been and will be very productive to continue these discussions this way.

 

 

 

Board of Finance  3/21/2007

 

 

Mr. Muller stated that he is troubled in cutting the budget. He felt there is a small area (24-25%) of the budget where the BOF has discretion. The largest and most significant portion of the budget is contractual and costs out of the board’s control. Mr. Muller stated that a 100,200 or 500 thousand budget cut goes into that discretionary piece that is the quality of the education. It is a concern that cutting even a small piece will have a disproportioned impact.

 

Mr. O’Brien stated that 200,000 as a partial reduction in the benefits plan seems a reasonable number. All plans must be assessed before an actuarial projection can be done.

 

Mr. Atkinson commented on the size of the reduction (350,000). He expressed concern over the quality of education. He suggested a gradual scale of reduction.

 

Despite 10% trending Mr. O’Brien emphasized the options available to reduce health care costs and alternatives should be discussed. Mr. O’Brien feels there can be serious savings in this area i.e. HSAs, indemnity plans. Ms. Kopas mentioned the added benefit of incorporating town and school plans.

 

Dr. Pierson mentioned that when change is negotiated for healthcare benefits this is a very delicate process. The way this is approached is largely responsible for its success. Management is responsible to demonstrate that benefits are not being diminished.

 

There was some discussion regarding the timing of a possible insurance change. Dr. Pierson explained that changes can not be finalized for employees until negotiations are complete.  

 

Mr. O’Brien clarified that even with no change in benefits the process of switching to a new company does take an amount of time. In addition there is the Union negotiation process and the roll out to be done. Dr. Keating felt most of the time spent in the process lies with Union negotiations; Dr. Keating’s estimate from implementation to completion is 6 months.  

 

Chairman Sargent noted the Insurance Stabilization Fund (325,000).

 

There are two motions on the floor:

 

 

Motion:   Mr. Muller made a motion to reduce the BOE budget request to $41,840,058.

                 Mr. Atkinson seconded.

 

Motion:    Mr. Nichols made a motion to reduce the BOE budget request to $41, 690,058

                 Ms. Kopas Seconded.

 

Board of Finance  3/21/2007

 

 

 

 

 

 Discussion/decision regarding the Town Proposed  $10,161,694  2007-2008 Budget 

 

 

 

Discussion regarding the proposed salary increase for the First Selectman to begin after the Municipal election November 2007. 

 

Mr. Carter made a motion to approve 603,357. Mr. Muller seconded.

 

 

            Sargent, Nichols, Kopas opposed; Carter, Muller, Atkinson, O’Brien in favor.

 

Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 3,084,791. Ms. Kopas seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve 248,160. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 4,900, Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Board of Finance  3/21/2007

 

 

Mr. Atkinson made a motion to approve 36,900, Mr. Muller seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Atkinson made a motion to approve 48,000, Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 23,600. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 117,030, Ms. Kopas seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve 107,185.  Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Carter made a motion to approve 500. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve 189,900. Mr. Carter seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 120,404. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve 100,145. Mr. Muller seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. O’Brien made a motion to approve 450. Ms. Kopas seconded.  Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 2,250. Ms. Kopas seconded.  Motion passes.

 

 

Board of Finance  3/21/2007

 

 

 

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve 109,954. Mr. Nichols seconded.  Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Nichols made a motion to approve 1,200. Mr. Muller seconded.  Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 1,573,530. Mr. Atkinson seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve 203,245. Mr. O’Brien seconded.  Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. O’Brien made a motion to approve 57,133. Mr. Muller seconded.  Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Carter made a motion to approve 67,056. Mr. Muller seconded.  Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Atkinson made a motion to approve 328,557. Mr. Carter seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Nichols made a motion to approve 1,300. Mr. Muller seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 11,437. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve 124,085. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 1,633,380. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

Board of Finance  3/21/2007

 

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 109,823. Ms. Kopas seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve 178,396. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Carter made a motion to approve 1,545. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 72,099. Mr. Nichols seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. O’Brien made a motion to approve 20,030. Mr. Muller seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 36,480. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 72,346. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve 49,239. Mr. Atkinson seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve 80,668. Mr. Atkinson seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Atkinson, recused           

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 372,362. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Atkinson made a motion to approve 171,385. Ms. Kopas seconded. Motion passes.

Board of Finance  3/21/2007

 

 

 

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve 127,741. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Ms. Kopas made a motion to approve 71,121. Mr. Muller seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

Mr. Muller made a motion to approve 10,161,694. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion passes.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Carter made a motion to approve 7,391,543. Debt Principal and Interest, Mr. Muller seconded. Motion passes.  

 

 

 

Some discussion regarding the new Dial A Ride van; Mr. Landry explained that half of the cost for the vehicle is included in the Capital Improvement budget and the Town has applied for a State grant which, if approved, will pay for half of the cost.

 

 

With no further business coming before this Board, Chairman Sargent made a motion to adjourn, Ms. Kopas seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:20 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted

Donna M. Anastasia, Secretary

3/30/2007

Corrected: MO 6/14/07