Approved: June 14, 2006
School Committee meeting May 15, 2006
Under Report of the Secretary
Ms. Alcorn called the meeting to order a 5:30 p.m. in the State of Maine Room at City Hall.
Members
present: Ellen Alcorn-Chair, John Coyne, Jon Radtke, Otis Thompson, Susan
Hopkins, Stephen Spring, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Lori Gramlich, Sarah Muzzy
Members not present: Jason Toothaker, Joshua
Waxman
Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Thompson to approve a $500,000 reduction
in the FY07 budget and to adjust all previous FY07 budget items accordingly.
Mr. Thompson reviewed previous meeting with
joint finance committee. City finance
committee requested that school budget be reduced by $500,000. He indicated that the city budget is at
3.7% on tax rate and city finance committee has added items to city manager’s
proposed budget.
Public comment:
Steven Scharf addressed the committee
regarding the $500,000 reduction.
Discussion/debate:
Mr. Thompson – political situation. How can school committee effect a response
to council to send message that school committee is responsive to concerns?
Mr. Meiklejohn – asked if source of $500,000
reduce has been identified. Happy to
hear that reductions will come from non-staff positions. Voted against budget, but in a position to
support this motion. Would generally be
opposed, but think reductions can be without impact to staff/students.
Ms. Alcorn - responded that the purpose of the
meeting is to consider approving a $500,000 reduction.
Mr. Thompson - indicated that funds have been
generated from the retirement incentive and other reductions (e.g., 5%
reduction regarding ADE). Staff needs
time to figure this out and will come back to the School Committee with their
recommendations.
Mr. Spring – Would like to support keeping
cuts further away from learning.
Conserve funds by having positive outcomes, creative savings, and
leaner/meaner system. 5% across board
cut is one way, but concerned about that.
Would like to see the School Committee think about areas to cut e.g., no
teachers losing jobs, will not support damaging kids (cut foreign language a
few years ago).
Vote: It was voted unanimously to approve a $500,000 reduction in the
FY07 budget and to adjust all previous FY07 budget items accordingly. (Student
rep voted with majority)
Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Thompson
and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 5:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jo O’Connor
Superintendent of Schools