Salem School Committee
Minutes of Regular Meeting
Monday, December 3, 2007
A regular meeting of the Salem School Committee was held on Monday, December 3, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the School Committee Chambers at Collins Middle School, 29 Highland Avenue, Salem, Massachusetts. Mayor Driscoll called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Michael Allen, Kevin R. Carr, Dr. Janet Crane, Mrs. Norene C. Gachignard, Dr. Brendan Walsh
Members Absent: Mr. James Fleming
Others Present: Dr. William Cameron, Superintendent, Alyce Davis, Assistant Superintendent, and Eileen Sacco, Secretary
Approval of the Agenda
Mr. Carr moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Gachignard and approved.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the School Committee meeting held on November 19, 2007 School Committee meeting were presented for approval. Mrs. Gachignard moved to table the approval of the minutes to the next meeting, seconded by Dr. Walsh. The motion carried.
Approval of the School Department Warrant
Dr. Walsh moved to approve the school department warrants as follows:
November 21, 2007 in the amount of $470,903.70
November 29, 2007 in the amount of $265,868.53
Dr. Crane seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Questions and Comments from the Audience
There were no questions or comments from the audience.
Student Representative Report
Kristen Sacco addressed the School Committee and reported on the following events and activities at Salem High School:
Salem High is getting into the holiday spirit. The French Club and the MJROTC have joined together for a food drive to benefit St. Joseph’s Food Pantry and the MJROTC and NHS have joined together to gather toys for the “Toys for Tots” program. Donations will be made in student’s first block classes.
The Junior-Senior cotillion will be held on Friday, December 7, 2007 at the Salem High School Auditorium.
Fall sports have concluded and the winter sports have begun. Both Basketball and Hockey will play in Jamboree’s this weekend.
The Tri_M Music Honor Society held their induction ceremony that week. Sixteen students were inducted. Congratulations.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Cameron presented the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Award for Academic Excellence to Katherine Nguyen and Timothy Erps.
Dr. Cameron addressed the School Committee and reported that after the last School Committee meeting there was coverage in the Salem News that suggested that if not for the fear and apprehension of the clerical staff in the Business Office the financial situation that we are in would have come to light much sooner. He stressed that the problem was not created or fostered by clerical staff in the Business Office. He explained that two members of the staff came to himself and to Dr. Callahan. He stressed that it was not for a lack of concern of the staff.
Dr. Cameron recommended the following Phase I cost Cutting Measures to reduce the FY 2008 budget:
Leave one (1) Special Education teacher position vacant by resignation in October 2007 unfilled through June 30, 2008 Saving: $48,157
Leave one (1) Assistant Director of Buildings and Grounds position vacant by unfilled through June 30, 2008 Saving: $45,478
Leave one (1) currently vacant custodial position unfilled through June 30, 2008 Saving: $30,000
Reduce contract with North Shore Medical Center for various Special Education services
In 2007-08 Saving: $50,000
Shift salaries of two existing teachers to grant funded positions that are currently vacant
Saving: $113,964
Freeze School Committee Expenses Saving: $5,106.00
Reduce Information Technology Expenses Saving: $40,000
Reduce general operations, legal expenses and Postage Saving: $30,000
Reduce High School Guidance Expenses Saving: $6,000.00
Freeze library – media expenses Saving $10,820.00
Reduce regular textbook & contractual services expenses Saving: $100,000
Reduce non-contractual professional development expenses Saving: $25,000
Two degree temperature reduction on all buildings day settings Saving: $13,000
Total Savings $518,525.00
Dr. Cameron stated that he would be presenting other options at the next meeting.
Mr. Allen stated that it seems to him that reducing the temperature in the buildings would generate substantially more than $13,000. Dr. Cameron explained that Paul L’Heureux worked with the consultant for the gas contract on that calculation and explained that it is a rough estimate. He also noted that they looked at a lot of other areas where you would assume you could realize a savings. He cited the example of closing one of the elementary schools and explained that they found that the savings would be custodial because there would be things to consider like moving charges and storage fees. He estimated that the savings would be $20,000. He also explained that they considered extending the Christmas vacation and the savings would be $60.00 per day.
Dr. crane asked if the reduction in the textbooks means that we are delaying the purchasing of essential textbooks. Dr. Cameron stated that there is still a balance for emergency purchasing.
Mr. Carr stated that he feels that Dr. Cameron and the Leadership team used the right approach noting that there is no wiggle room in the budget as it is. He noted that the budget was not inflated and we have to use creative ideas and outside advice in this process.
Mrs. Gachignard thanked Dr. Cameron for their work on this and noted that this is a tough time and we are all working hard and pulling together.
Mayor Driscoll echoed Mr. Carr and Mrs. Gachignard’s comments and noted that there is no fat in the school budget and this was the easiest part of what is to come. She stressed that there will be a lot more very difficult decisions to make.
Mr. Allen moved to approve the Superintendent’s recommendations for reductions in the FY08 School Department Budget. Dr. Walsh seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Dr. Cameron thanked the School Committee for their participation in the process.
Dr. Cameron noted that today was the last say for interim Business Manager John Britt and noted that his help was invaluable and he set an excellent tone in the Business Office. He stated that he appreciated his advice and professional companionship during this process.
Curriculum Report - Mrs. Davis reported that the District Improvement Plan and the Individual School Improvement Plans will be presented at the next meeting.
Finance Report – Dr. Cameron introduced new Business Manager John Danizio and stated that this is his first day on the job. He also stated that he would like the School Committee to receive regular and accurate finance reports. He stated that we only have a partial understanding of the School Budget as it stands and FY07 is still being audited. He asked Mr. Danizio if he has any suggestions for accomplishing that. Mr. Danizio suggested a line item and category detail. He explained that there is a way to do that using the MUNIS system.
Old Business
a. Deliberation on the third and final reading of the revisions to the 1000 policy series and policy 2200 and 2201
Dr. Walsh moved approval, seconded by Mrs. Gachignard. The motion carried.
Action Items
a. Deliberation on the approval of the Salem High School Ski and
Snowboard Club trips to New Hampshire on the following dates:
Loon Mountain on January 5, 2008
Attitash on January 22, 2008
Sunday River on February 9, 2008
Mr. Carr moved approval, seconded by Dr. Crane. The motion carried.
School Committee Reports
Policy Subcommittee
Dr. Walsh reported that the Policy Subcommittee has reviewed the policies that require annual review and there is no action needed at this time. He also reported that they will be reviewing the 3000 and 4000 policy series.
Dr. Walsh also reported that they reviewed the matter of the policy request by Mr. Fleming regarding class funds and the classes claiming them and are going to get more information on that.
School Committee Concerns and Resolutions
Mrs. Gachignard reported that the School Committee has been negotiating with the Salem Teachers Union and they are working hard towards an agreement.
Mr. Carr recommended that the request from the Salem Cartoon Basketball League be referred to the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee. Mayor Driscoll suggested that the School Committee hold a meeting of the Committee of the Whole to discuss this matter as well as the issue of oversight of the School Business Manager by the Finance Department.
Dr. Crane noted that the School Committee never got a final copy of the School Budget and requested that members receive a copy.
Mrs. Gachignard noted that she found the headline in the Salem News regarding the deficit distressing and stated that in no way was there ever any intention to make the employees in the Business Office scape goats.
Mayor Driscoll noted that there will be highly charged issues facing the Committee in the next few weeks and she offered a friendly reminder to the Committee to be respectful and civil to each other. She stated that we should always be mindful that it is a privilege to sit in these seats and we should treat each other with respect.
Questions and Comments from the Audience regarding the November 19, 2007 agenda
There were no questions or comments regarding this agenda this evening.
There being no further business to come before the School Committee this evening, a motion was made by Mrs. Gachignard to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Carr. The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
_________________________
Eileen M. Sacco, Secretary
Salem School Committee
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