Approved:April 26, 2006
School Committee meeting April 10, 2006
Ms. Alcorn called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Members present: Ellen Alcorn-Chairperson, John Coyne, Jonathan Radtke, Susan Hopkins, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Stephen Spring, Otis Thompson, Jason Toothaker, Joshua Waxman, Sarah Muzzy, Lori Gramlich
Mr. Thompson moved, seconded Mr. Coyne to approve the superintendent’s FY07 budget in the amount of $82,202,299.
Mr. Thompson spoke to motion
Superintendent O’Connor:
· Indicated that there will not be a retirement of a social worker and that a social worker position at the East End Community School would be covered by Title I funds. There is no net loss/gain in social workers.
· $3.8 million in increase on budget consists of:
$2.45 million in steps
$300,000 in benefits
$600,000 in energy costs
$363,000 in debt service
$ 90,000 in food service
$ 55,000 in fuel for buses
$ 50,000 in two-way radios
$ 54,000 (approximate) in NWEA testing costs
· 2% of staff salaries devoted to administration – approximately 800 professional staff and 29 administrators, which includes 2 at PATHS and 2 at Adult Ed.
Public Comment:
Fran Schneit – spoke to Committee regarding social worker position
Two members of the public - Steven Scharf and Thomas Zimmerman– spoke to the Committee regarding the FY07 budget
Board discussion/debate:
Mr. Thompson – supports budget. Any additional funding from the state is consumed in fuel costs, national and state mandates for special ed, and ELL student population. Net increase of 15 new positions in budget.
Mr. Radtke – supports budget. Board role is to support vision of schools. Budget is innovative and forward thinking. Education is people business – need to pay qualified staff fairly.
Mr. Toothaker – will not support budget. Constituents pay taxes. Hears colleagues say cannot meet budget unless close buildings and increase class size. Over subscribed in administration. Budget does not deliver tax dollars to point of learning.
Mr. Spring – looking at Central Office staff for administrative costs. Keep cuts from point of learning. Over subscribed in administration re. EPS. Will support budget.
Mr. Meiklejohn – does not support. Hearing from constituents about budget. Process rushed – did not have 2-3 months to process budget. Would support intramurals at middle school, moving to a K-8 school, support looking at administrative positions. Need to be more aggressive with teacher leaders. Would support solar panels on all schools, erect windmills to help reduce energy costs.
Mr. Thompson – concept of self-sufficiency in energy is important. This would take 2-3 years of study before could be implemented. State support of education supposed to be 55% and 100% for special ed. Legislature made decision to implement over time and each year the small increases get consumed. Problem with way state controls taxes. Need to study long-range implications of suggestions – reduce administration to save costs and keep buildings open. Two ways to accomplish this - 1)study over time; 2) with motions/amendments.
Mr. Spring – bold moves displaced by others. Thinks about middle school sports. When is right time to act on these bold suggestions? Board has not done development work. All ideas get shut down quickly. Rethinking budget – now does not support.
Ms. Hopkins – Frustrated with process at workshop. When campaigning heard little concern about school system, but did hear concerns about taxes. Need to do hard work in June/September on proposals on how to save money.
Mr. Coyne – no loss of jobs – increases due to complex needs of students and energy costs, etc. In support of future planning, etc. Need to act as a unified board and work for Portland learners.
Ms. Alcorn – supports budget. Tax situation is appalling. Costs tied to things over which board has no control. Many issues long range, which takes time. Quick changes equal chaos. Talked about exciting things happening in the Portland Public Schools – East End Community School – school of choice; 29 students returning to district; Casco Bay High School; doing work differently – bold and exciting; teacher leadership. State’s select panel report indicates a real need in Maine – create move options for students. Need for strategic plan to direct board.
Mr. Toothaker called for a roll call vote:
Lori Gramlich Yes Stephen Spring No
Susan Hopkins No Ellen Alcorn Yes
Otis Thompson Yes Jonathan Radtke Yes
Jason Toothaker No Ben Meiklejohn No
John Coyne Yes Sarah Muzzy Yes (Student Rep)
Joshua Waxman Yes (Student Rep)
Vote: 5-4 to approve the superintendent’s FY07 budget in the amount of $82,202,299.
(Student reps voted with majority)
Superintendent O’Connor – announced that the School Committee would be presenting its budget to the City Council at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11th and that there would be a 7:30pm meeting for the public to speak to the city and school budgets.
Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Radtke and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. (Student reps voted with majority)
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jo O’Connor
Superintendent of Schools