BERLIN BOARD OF EDUCATION
January 7, 2008
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
Attendance: Gary Brochu
Gary Lukens (non-voting)
Julie Erickson
Michelle Hartel
William Lutz (non-voting)
Kathleen O’Donnell-Moss
Christopher Puzio
Anthony Recck
John Richards
Also in attendance: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Cicchetti; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Rena Klebart; Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta; Director of Pupil Personnel Services Margaret Butler; and Director of Human Resources Joseph Costa.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Brochu called the meeting to order at 8:11 p.m. in the Board of Education (“the Board”) meeting room at 238 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT.
II. 2008-2009 SUPERINTENDENT’S PROPOSED BUDGET PRESENTATION
Superintendent Cicchetti presented his proposed 2008-09 budget to the Board, which was distributed to all present. Dr. Cicchetti noted that his cover letter in the budget document provides pertinent information for understanding the budget request. He believed the past three years’ budgets allowed the Board to convey the priorities and vision for the district in addition to the numbers. The presentation was guided by the budget priorities that were identified this fall by the Board and Administrative Council; these were all linked in some way to the continuous improvement work that is ongoing in the district. This was the first overview of the budget. Dr. Cicchetti recognized and thanked the administration team and staff in each of the schools and also recognized significant support from Roman Czuchta, Margaret Butler, Rena Klebart and Joseph Costa.
Dr. Cicchetti reported that the proposed budget has an overall increase of $2,108,688 or 6.14% from last year, which represents a 4.93% increase to maintain the current level of services and a 1.21% increase for new staff/programs. The proposed budget reflects what he feels are priority needs for improving student achievement and success, which is the Board’s overall goal focus area. Dr. Cicchetti outlined the components of the increase in the Operational Budget to maintain the current level of services. Dr. Cicchetti reported that the major budget drivers are contractual obligations for certified and non-certified staff; tuition; and benefit costs associated with collective bargaining agreements. Special education tuition costs are expected to increase by approximately $100,000. Mandated magnet school tuitions are anticipated to add another $40,000 to the budget. This increase is a result of June 2007 legislation that now requires all school districts to fund tuitions for students who choose to attend a magnet school rather than one of the Berlin Public Schools. This year’s small increase of .067% in utilities is due largely to Mr. Czuchta working with the Town to lock in electrical generation rates for five years in 2006.
Dr. Cicchetti reviewed the New Staff/Programs Requests – originally a 1.830% increase that was offset by approximately $213,445 in funds through reassignment and reallocation of existing staff, grants, and anticipated retirements, which represents a net 1.209% increase to the budget. Dr. Cicchetti noted the prior two years’ offsets indicating, along with the current offsets, a total of almost $700,000 has been identified to use differently to support some of the new staffing programs over the past three years.
Using the budget priorities as a framework, Dr. Cicchetti reviewed each of the new staff/program requests as they relate to the budget priorities. Enrollment projections were reviewed as they related to staffing requests.
Dr. Cicchetti noted that the gap between Berlin’s per pupil spending and the State average per pupil spending is $1,246. In order for Berlin to meet the State “average” for per pupil spending, an additional $4.07 million would need to be added to the budget. This would equate to an additional 11.6% increase above and beyond the 6.14% requested. Dr. Cicchetti noted that Berlin’s NCEP rank is 123 out of 169 towns, while Berlin’s wealth rank is 82 out of 169 towns. This data indicates that Berlin has the capacity to fund education higher than its current level.
As the Board moves forward in their budget development process, they will have individual presentations from the elementary, middle school and high school principals, as well as Mrs. Klebart on teaching and learning; Mrs. Butler on special education; and Mr. Czuchta on operations and non-instructional programs. These presentations will allow more in-depth discussion and questions. The Board’s Resources and Capacity Committee will meet following those presentations to review the budget requests and develop a recommendation for the full Board for the February 11 meeting. Dr. Cicchetti, on behalf of the entire administrative team, conveyed his support of the Board in providing information that would help them finalize their 2008-09 budget for submission to the Town.
III. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Mr. Recck, seconded by Mr. Puzio, to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
FAVOR: ALL
MOTION CARRIED: 6:0
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Hartel, Secretary, Berlin Board of Education