Members Present:

Richard Kowalski, President; Dawn Klida, Vice-President; Terrence O’Hare, Treasurer; Barbara Skowronski, Secretary; John Loop, Trustee; Patrick Shaffer, Trustee; Scott Sturm, Trustee

Members Absent:

None.

expressions/communications from the public

Mr. Kowalski acknowledged receipt of a letter from Brian Taylor.  President Kowalski stated that the Board will consider the matter stated in the letter.

stargram recipients

budget update – steve lenar

reports

Mr. Andress recognized four middle school teachers who received Stargrams from a student.

Mr. Lenar presented an update for the 2004/05 budget and reviewed budget cuts and figures for those that have been made to date. 

Mr. Kowalski requested copies of the accounts showing monies that have been received from different areas, i.e., auditorium use, facilities use, etc.  Mr. Lenar said that he would get this information for all Board members.

Mr. Kowalski also asked Mr. Lenar to advise the Board what the most prudent way would be to replace the auditorium person.  Mr. Lenar said that Holly had ended up paying a person for extra duties per a Schedule B to coordinate activities.  Holly also used students who were trained on the sound equipment.  The students earned money for extra duties.  Staff members associated with the Fine Arts program were used, as well as the students.

Mr. Kowalski stated that there had been other positions eliminated that were not reflected on the budget reduction sheet they had been given.  He referred to the number of aides that had been eliminated earlier this year.  Mr. Kowalski said that students have a problem with writing and the district is cutting in an area they are trying to make improvements in.  He asked if Mr. Lenar knew the cost involved for these cuts.  Mr. Lenar did not have the information at this time.  Mr. Kowalski said that these people were in an area that was affecting the students.  He would like to keep an eye on this.  When the fund balance is known at the end of June, if they have the opportunity, he would like to look at this as a number one priority to bring these people back.

Mr. O’Hare had questions regarding the COPS grant and the amount shown as a reduction.  Questions were asked at an earlier meeting about a grant that another district had received for a similar position.  Mr. Andress informed the Board that the grant the other district had received was not a COPS grant.

Mrs. Klida said that the money for the position in the other district had come through Homeland Security.

Mr. Lenar stated Holly has a police liaison officer who is paid approximately $20,000 per year.  During the summer the person is deputized and works for the Holly Police Department.  This person is present at all events, but does not do DARE.  He does other intermediary types of things.

Mr. Andress said his concern was the salary and never getting leeway for the use of this officer.  Mr. Lenar reassured Board members that the numbers for the budget and cuts were all good numbers.  Mrs. Klida asked Steve when he would have what he thought would be a solid breakdown of the $200,000 depicted on the reduction sheet under “Other Reductions.”  Mr. Lenar said that he may be able to get that information e-mailed to Board members in the next ten days to two weeks.

Discussion took place about concerns Board members have voiced about the bumping process and leaves of absence being taken by teachers.  He asked how, once the bumping process took place, the Board would know what the actual savings would be.  Mr. Lenar said that the numbers were based on very specific numbers involving salary steps, FICA, and retirement.  Mr. Shaffer asked if the three teachers had been notified.  Mr. Andress said they had been notified a long time ago.  He explained the positions that had been eliminated and that one person may be called back.  Questions were asked about this, and Mr. Andress explained that the BTEA has a person who is K-12 certified in music. 

Mr. Loop asked if Mr. Lenar felt good that the Board made the cuts necessary to have a balanced budget.  Mr. Lenar affirmed this.  Discussion took place about possible state aid changes.  Mr. Kowalski asked, per the budget information presented, if the district will need to make $1 million in cuts in the next two years.  Mr. Lenar felt that by 2006/07 this would be needed.

Mr. Kowalski asked Mr. Lenar what the most economical program would be to obtain buses.  Mr. Lenar discussed the cost for leasing and the savings that Holly has seen for supplies and employees over the past year.

Board Committees/Board Members: 

Mr. Loop reported on a recent Buildings and Grounds committee meeting.  Mr. Haeger and Mr. Kennedy will be giving an update later in the meeting on the construction projects and budget items.

Mrs. Skowronski reported on items that were discussed at a recent Curriculum Committee meeting.  Some items included a K-12 curriculum developed for Fine Arts and student social promotion. 

Mr. Andress felt that a policy needed to be developed for students going from grade to grade.  Promotion is something that needs to be earned.  He asked for permission from the Board to work with Mr. Allsopp to develop a policy for this. 

Mr. Loop said this group did a good job on the curriculum which can be adopted with no additional cost.  Mr. Andress distributed copies of the curriculum on CD to Board members for them to review before Monday’s meeting.  He will be asking for approval at that time.

Mrs. Klida thought that at an earlier student discipline hearing the Board had discussed social promotion.  Mr. Kowalski stated that, since this has been brought up again, with Board consent he would direct Mr. Andress to work on this. 

Mr. Kowalski also said that he had received a letter from Mr. Allsopp regarding concerns that one of the administrators had about parent volunteers.  Mr. Allsopp felt that the Board should review the policy regarding volunteers and add background checks and screening.  He asked that this be placed on Monday’s agenda also.  Mr. Kowalski stated that the Board has had tremendous issues this year regarding Board policy and asked that Mr. Andress get a figure from NEOLA and MASB to get the Board policies update.  Mr. Andress said that he would get the information and discuss it on Monday or at the June work session.

Athletic Director: 

Mr. Ruhlig reported on a recent soccer game that had taken place in the football stadium, hosting certification classes for coaches, not switching of seasons for 2005/06, and hosting the NEMC track event next week.  He also reported that the Tri-Valley Conference would not accept us into their league due to our size.

Mr. Ruhlig then reviewed budget cut information as presented to Board members.  Various questions were asked about the trainer’s supply budget cuts.  Mr. Ruhlig explained what was included in the “miscellaneous funds“ account.  Mrs. Klida was concerned about the large cut out of training supplies which was dropping from $12,000 down to $2,000.  Mr. Ruhlig said that he would like to spend as they go.  Once the season begins, then they will take out of “miscellaneous supplies” what they need to purchase.  Mr. Ruhlig has talked to Mr. Lenar and Holly spends about $2,000.  He said that the funds would be available to the trainer as necessary, but they would spend only what they needed for the fall.

Mr. Kowalski raised a question about the boys’ golf coach.  Mr. Ruhlig said that he had reduced this by one position.  It is an area they can make reductions in.  Mr. Kowalski was concerned about a large number of students coming out for sports and only having one coach.  He felt that if the numbers were there, two coaches were necessary.

Mr. Ruhlig said that it was his personal, professional opinion where they could manage their money.  It was his opinion they could coach the team with one coach.  Mr. Kowalski wanted to make sure that the recommendation came from Mr. Andress and the Board.  Mr. Andress said that Mr. Ruhlig was going by past participation.  Mr. Ruhlig reviewed the number of students currently signed up.  Mr. Kowalski said that, if it looks like there is a potential for an added coach, the Board needed to have dialog so there is not a problem with parents later.  Mr. Andress said they needed to sit down and make a presentation to the Board.

Mr. Shaffer said that he has a personal issue with some cuts being made.  It took a long time to build the program up to where it would warrant a second coach.  The Board approved a new varsity coach that took the kids to a state tournament, and to elevate the junior varsity coach to the varsity position was absurd. 

Mr. O’Hare said that the Board had given the Athletic Department the authority to make the decisions on cuts.  He did agree about revisiting this situation should a large number of kids come out.

Mr. Sturm said that, just as a thought, bowling is a high power sport in Bangor with three volunteer coaches.  They do not all have to be paid.  Working things out as they go with plans and cuts is fine.

Mr. Ruhlig said that he started this dialog a couple of weeks ago with the coaching staff and tried to maintain stability.  Obviously people’s tastes are not the same as his.  If somebody else has a better idea he would be happy for the advice which would take the pressure off of him.

Mr. Andress referred to the number of coaches for football in the district.  Mr. Ruhlig has a tough job here, and we all have our favorites. 

Mrs. Klida said that she did not want to cut teams, which means cutting coaches, until they know the numbers.  It seemed like the cuts could be made more across the board.  There was also a suggestion regarding transportation that may not be within Board policy.  

Mr. Ruhlig explained his thought about using parent drivers on Saturday for sporting events.  He stated that there is a lot of down time for a driver over a weekend.  That is something they need to be discussing as a group.  The bus drivers will not be happy about it, but it saves on the Athletic budget.  A lot of schools do that in this area.  Mr. Andress is to check on this.  This will be brought back in June for more discussion.

Discussion also took place regarding controlled substances versus “performance enhancing drug.”  Mr. Kowalski said they needed to look at doing something for this fall regarding steroids.  There is a whole process that some schools are taking up for this fall about this.

Mr. Loop felt that it was just a matter of amending the Athletic Code to add the term “steroids.”  He agreed with Mr. Ruhlig about “performance enhancing” drugs which a local store sells.

Director of Recreation:  Mr. Ruhlig gave a brief update about Recreation activities.

Director of Buildings and Grounds:  Mr. Balash reported on items that included a recent soccer event on the football field, a construction update, and Monday’s boiler situation.

Mr. Haeger presented Change Order #3 and reviewed items for the Board.  Mr. Kowalski asked that Item 7B from the Regular Agenda be acted on upon completion of Mr. Haeger’s report.

A motion was made by Patrick Shaffer, supported by Dawn Klida, to approve Change Order #3 of Phase IV of the Bond Project.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Haeger then reviewed the current construction budget.  Mr. Kennedy gave an update on an opinion from the DEQ regarding the pool.  Options were discussed regarding pool renovations.  Mr. Loop wanted to make sure that groups are informed that the pool is closed.

At 9:40 p.m. a five-minute recess was taken.

At 9:45 p.m. the meeting reconvened.

Financial Consultant:  Mr. Lenar reported that the Request for Tax Levy, Form L-4029, will be on the agenda for Monday’s meeting for approval.  He has received a draft policy regarding investments that he will forward to Mr. Andress to bring to the Board for revision and approval at a later meeting.

Assistant Superintendent/Director of Special Education/Federal Programs:  None

Superintendent:  Mr. Andress reported that he and Mr. Heinrich will be working with the auditors regarding monitoring of payrolls.  He also reviewed the assignments for Family Services Coordinators.

Mr. Kowalski asked Mr. Andress to tell administrators, on behalf of the Board, that they have done a good job putting the Family Services Coordinator information together.

Mr. Andress stated that the new Employee Handbook would be on the agenda for Monday’s meeting.  The handbook would include an expanded sexual harassment section.

consent agenda

A motion was made by John Loop, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

a)      Approval of Minutes – May 9, 2005 (special meeting and executive sessions)

b)      Personnel:  Approval of Retirement:  Dorothy Martin – Bus Driver

Motion carried unanimously.

regular agenda

other items for discussion

adjournment

Recommendation to Approve Resolution Designating District’s Election Representative:  President Kowalski reviewed the candidates running for two open seats on the ISD Board.   A motion was made by John Loop, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve Robert Baker and William Jordan as the candidates for this election.  Motion carried unanimously.  (Exhibit A)

Mrs. Klida asked what the status was on a recent FOIA request that had been received.  Mr. Andress stated that an extension had been requested, but the district has not received the information in question at this time.

Mr. O’Hare received a recent communication from the Good Samaritan Mission which he gave to Mr. Andress for further consideration.

Mr. Kowalski asked where the district was regarding the auditorium technical position.  Mr. Andress said that he would be bringing a recommendation to the Board.

Mr. Shaffer said that the district has a Technology Coordinator who is still spending part of her time working in the auditorium during the hours she is supposed to be working on technology.  He stated that he has a problem with that.

Mr. Kowalski said that he understood this also.  The district did not need her as a technology person if she works there.  Mr. Andress said that she has been volunteering her time in the auditorium.  Mr. Kowalski said that if the district needs her for technology, then she should be doing that job. 

Mr. Kowalski said that Mrs. Klida had asked months ago about thirty computers that were in Bangor Edison supposedly being used for training.  He asked for clarification on the use of these, and also requested an update about where $400,000 had been spent through the Technology Department.  Mr. Andress said that he will have the Technology Coordinator give a presentation on those issues.

Mrs. Klida reiterated an earlier statement that the Board would not build the district’s fund equity on the backs of its employees.  She felt that they needed to look at the custodial staff that they said they were going to cut.  She hoped that, if they brought employees back in any area, they would do that.

Original:  Mr. Loop said that as soon as the contracts are negotiated and student enrollment numbers are clear, if they have a budget update and find out they have $150,000, he hoped they would entertain bringing back all personnel.

Correction:  Mr. Loop said that when negotiations are done and there is a best estimate of enrollment, if we find we have excess revenue factoring in the cuts, that they look at calling back personnel.

Mr. Lenar said that by the Organizational Meeting they will have a good handle on year-end figures.

Mr. Andress stated that the Personnel Committee meeting with the bus drivers will need to be rescheduled.  Members of the committee will be called.

At 10:15 p.m. a motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by John Loop, to adjourn the meeting.