BANGOR TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

                                                                               SPECIAL MEETING

                                                                              DECEMBER 13, 2004

 

The Bangor Township Board of Education held a special meeting on Monday, December 13, 2004, at Bangor Edison School.  President Kowalski called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

 

Members Present:      Richard Kowalski, Dawn Klida, Barbara Skowronski (arrived at 5:37 p.m.), Terrence O’Hare, John Loop, Patrick Shaffer, and Scott Sturm (arrived at 5:34 p.m.)

 

Members Absent:       None.

expressions/communications from the public

None.

discussion of cost savings for 2004/05 and 2005/06

 

Mr. Heinrich distributed copies of proposed cuts and freezes that are being suggested for immediate implementation.  Copies of general fund revenue and expenditure information was also given to Board members. 

 

Declining enrollment was discussed, as well as ways to bring revenue into the district.  Board members mentioned the competition between the surrounding school districts to bring in Schools of Choice students.  Cutting sports programs could also reduce the number of Schools of Choice applicants.  Mr. Andress stated that a savings could be found if the district went back to one-half day Kindergarten.

 

Mr. Kowalski asked if any communication had been made with the parents of current Schools of Choice students.  Discussion covered issues that could be done to attract students to the district. 

 

Mr. Kowalski stated that input needed to be gotten from all employees about what they think could save money.  Mr. Andress informed the Board that the proposed cuts/freezes were compiled with input from the administrators.  Mr. Loop felt that the cuts proposed did not even cover the surface.  He asked that everybody’s input be gotten with nothing being golden.  As a Board member, Mr. Loop wanted to see that information.

 

Mr. Andress suggested that a new enrollment projection be done for the district by Skanska.  He will put this on the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting.

 

Mr.  Heinrich stated that, prior to the economic summit in January, he would like to receive information in order to cost out dollar amounts.  He distributed a copy of a sampling of position costs that represented savings information.

 

Mr. Kowalski asked that administration review proposed cost saving measures with employee groups sometime before the next Board meeting.  A recommendation should then come to the Board to implement cost savings for next semester.

 

Mrs. Klida asked if Mr. Andress or Mr. Heinrich had sat down with the union presidents and reviewed this information, and if they had any input.  She hoped that the union people had been talked to about the specific positions that were on the list.  She stated that she would not approve anything if she did not know if everyone did not have a say in this.  Mr. Andress reported that an economic summit was being scheduled for either January 11 or 13, depending upon Mr. Lenar’s schedule.  Mr. Heinrich said that they did meet with the administrators and union presidents, but did not have input from them for the list.  He said it was clear that the unions had a lot of ideas, but this list was just a summation or a starting point.

 

Mrs. Klida said that the information should be open to everybody.  She felt this was unfair to the employees.

 

Mr. O’Hare said his biggest concern is to get the buy in.  He also did not want to lay anybody off until it was time.  He recommended that the people get involved, and that he would not approve anything until this happened.  Mr. Loop suggested setting a time line to look at cuts for next year.  Mr. Kowalski stated that the bottom line was to cut $1.5 million by next year.

 

Mrs. Hurley wondered where the information had come from.  The time line for layoffs was not conducive for second semester.  Mr. Loop asked what Mr. Lenar’s opinion for this year was.  Mr. Andress said that Mr. Lenar had not said anything about this year other than the adoption of a negative budget.  Mr. Heinrich stated that any money saved this year would help in the transition.  Mr. Kowalski asked Mr. Andress to look at figures between now and next Monday’s meeting to come up with a realistic amount and time line. 

 

Mr. Loop wanted an expert’s opinion.  He wanted the man we pay to do that to tell the Board that “this is what we are doing.”  Mr. Kowalski asked what the quickest way was to get together with the people to come up with cuts.   Mr. Kowalski said that if there was a need to lay off, Mr. Andress needed to make the call with the least disruption.

 

Mrs. Klida said that Steve Lenar needed to get them the information on the amount they need to look at this year.  Something needs to happen immediately with the groups.  Mr. Kowalski asked that one week from today that Mr. Andress come up with the best he can.  Mr. Andress stated that Mr. Lenar would be at the group meeting. 

 

Mr. Heinrich asked for clarification for the audience that administration was to contact Mr. Lenar to nail down the target number for additional cuts for this year and that they are also to get input and a consensus from the association groups to come back to the Board for approval next Monday.  Mrs. Klida said that this should be discussed with the employees before bringing it back to the Board.

other items for discussion

 Mr. Andress requested an executive session for Wednesday’s meeting for the purpose of updating the Board on negotiations.