Webutuck Board of Education held the March 26, 2007 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Webutuck High School Library.

 

 

The following Board members were present:

Bernadette Coniglio, President

Joanne Boyd

Dale Culver

Joseph Herald

Susan Lounsbury

Joseph Matteo

John Perotti

 

Also Present:

Dr. Richard N. Johns, Superintendent

Kevin Geoghan, School Business Administrator

Tracy Trotter, Superintendent’s Secretary

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Coniglio called the Business meeting of March 26, 2007 to order at 7:34 p.m.  

 

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

Audience members stated concerns regarding the Agenda and if the Board was aware of what was going to be discussed, enrollment was down therefore the Board has a responsibility to cut costs, and the number of employees and titles within the Maintenance and Operations Department.

 

DISCUSSION

1.  Superintendent’s Preliminary Budget 2007-2008

A Board member commented on the purchase of a new truck in the Proposed Budget.  He stated the District should focus spending on such things as expanding college course offerings so our students are competitive.  The Board of Education continued its discussion on Budget parameters and on the cut list provided to the Board.  The Board members agreed to the following Budget parameters:   

 

Variance                                                            7.6%

Tax Levy (change from previous year)             5.4%

Fund Balance & Revenues as % of Budget   19.3%

Discussion ensued.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Many audience members made comments with concerns about the necessity of the Head Maintenance position and appointment, tenure of H.S. Principal, Budget, Transportation, Speech Teacher shortage, Reserves, the March 19, 2007 Agenda, the March 19, 2007 Board meeting process, State Auditors, letter jeopardizing the Budget and communication among Board members. There were also comments from audience members on the good information presented to the public on the Budget, thanking Board for volunteering and their Budget work.

 

BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS

Board members made statements regarding the process of the March 19 tenure vote for H.S. Principal, the change to the March 19 agenda, how the Board was to proceed from this meeting.  Discussion ensued.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Herald seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting of March 26, 2007 at 10:05 pm. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Tracy Trotter

District Clerk