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February 7, 2004 |
The deliberative session was
held in the Nute High School auditorium on Saturday, February 7, 2004.
Moderator Leo Lessard called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. The Pledge of
Allegiance was recited by all. There was a moment of silence to remember
those Milton residents who passed away in the past year. John Parkhurst
announced that Kyle Baker won the school, regional, and state Voice of
Democracy competitions sponsored by the VFW. He will be traveling to
Washington DC to represent New Hampshire at the national competition. Ann
Walsh presented an award to Jessica Hardy for her front cover design on the
annual report, and another award to John Gray (grade 6) for his back cover
design.
Moderator Lessard then introduced the committee members seated at the front
of the auditorium. The School Board members present were Chairman Mark
Currier, Ann Walsh, Kari Lygren, Kimberly Morrill, and Christine McPherson.
The Budget Committee members present were Chairman Bob Srnec, Steve Gagne,
Larry Brown, John Hescock, Luella Snyder, and Kelly Barca. Also present were
School Superintendent William Lander, Special Education Director Paula
Wensley, School District Clerk Jennifer Palmatier, Attorney Diane Gorrow,
and Moderator Leo Lessard. The Supervisors of the Checklist were Rosemary
Jeffries, Karen Brown, and Cherie Gagne. There were 67 registered voters in
attendance.
Moderator Lessard made the rules known: no final votes today, all amendments
must be in writing, no amendments to amendments, the moderator will vote
only to break a tie, no personal attacks, speakers must state their names,
speakers should keep remarks brief, speakers must use microphones, a secret
ballot requires a written request with five signatures of registered voters,
and the Moderator can be overruled.
John Hescock moved to restrict debate to voters, non-resident taxpayers and
administrative heads. Luella Snyder seconded. Motion passed with no
discussion.
Moderator Lessard read the notification for the first and second sessions of
the 2004 annual school district meeting.
Moderator Lessard read each warrant article aloud before discussions,
speakers, and voting.
Article 1: To see if the Milton School District will vote to approve the
cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between
the Milton School Board and the Milton Education Association, which calls
for the following increases in salaries and benefits for a two-year
contract:
Year Estimated Increase
2003-04 $0
2004-05 $245,652
and further to raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred forty-five
thousand six hundred fifty-two dollars ($245,652) for the 2004-05 fiscal
year. Such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the
increase in salaries and benefits over those appropriations at current
staffing levels paid in the prior fiscal year. NOTE: This appropriation is
in addition to Article 3, the operating budget. (Majority vote required) The
school board and the budget committee both recommend this appropriation.
Mark Currier, seconded by Bob Srnec, moved to place the article on the
second session ballot as written.
Ann Walsh stated that last year the teachers worked without a contract and
received a 0% increase. This year the average increase is 9.91% per teacher,
but it covers the lack of increase in the previous year. Senior teachers
will receive a 3.1% increase, while junior ones will receive more.
Additionally, part of the 9.91% increase is due to medical insurance costs,
which went up 12%. The school district is offering a buy-back option for
$1,500 so teachers have an incentive to opt out of taking the medical
insurance.
Bob Srnec said that the Budget Committee approved the increase but reminded
the voters that if this warrant article passes, the $245,652 will become
part of the general budget, and will be part of the budget “forever”.
No amendments were offered. Moderator Lessard instructed the clerk to place
the warrant article on the second session ballot as read. Bob Srnec,
seconded by John Hescock, moved to restrict reconsideration of Article 1.
Motion carried.
Article 2: Shall the Milton
School District, if Article 1 is defeated, authorize the school board to
call one special meeting, at its option, to address Article 1 cost items
only. (Majority vote required). Mark Currier, seconded by Bob Srnec, moved
to place the article on the second session ballot as written.
Bob Srnec stated that the cost of an additional meeting is expensive and
would rather not have one.
Billy Palmatier asked if the district would lose teachers if the contract
were voted down again. Ann Walsh replied that yes, it is a major concern.
She said that four years ago Milton ranked 152 out of 152 schools in the
state for teachers pay. Currently Milton is 120 out of 152, but if there is
no contract, the district will lose teachers.
No amendments were offered. Moderator Lessard instructed the clerk to place
the warrant article on the second session ballot as read. Bob Srnec,
seconded by John Hescock, moved to restrict reconsideration of Article 2.
Motion carried.
Article 3: Shall the Milton
School District raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including
appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted
separately the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant, or
as amended by the first session, for the purposes set forth therein,
totaling six million two hundred and seven thousand, one hundred forty-eight
dollars ($6,207,148). Should this article be defeated, the operating budget
shall be five million nine hundred and one thousand, two hundred sixty-seven
dollars ($5,901,267), which is the same as last year, with certain
adjustments required by previous action of the Milton School District or by
law; or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with
RSA 40:13.X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget
only. (Majority vote required). The school board and the budget committee
both recommend this appropriation. Mark Currier, seconded by Bob Srnec,
moved to place the article on the second session ballot as written.
Mark Currier noted that both the school board and budget committee agreed on
the bottom line of this 2004-2005 school budget. The budget has $62,000
extra. This is because some insurance and benefit money that has been listed
in Article 1 was also placed in the school budget. Since the Budget
Committee agreed to the bottom line budget total, Mr. Currier would like to
keep the $62,000 in the budget and use it for in-school suspension, another
paraprofessional and other programs that were cut to make the bottom line.
Steve Gagne asked how much money would be saved by the medical insurance
buyout, as these savings would be part of the operating budget. Mr. Currier
said that they have no idea how many people will take the buy-out. Nancy
Johnson asked about the paraprofessional salary line item. Mr. Currier
explained that there are already paraprofessionals, but an additional
position is needed and was cut. Part of the $62,000 would be used to add the
additional position back in.
Bob Srnec stated that he was now speaking as a private citizen, not the head
of the Budget Committee. Mr. Srnec moved and John Hescock seconded, to
change the budget amount to six million sixty-six thousand, one hundred
forty-eight dollars ($6,066,148). Mr. Srnec stated that the school has
approximately $786,000 of non-encumbered funds that have not yet been spent
for the 2003-2004 school year. He felt that the school will end the school
year with $141,000 surplus, and that it can be applied to the following
school year. Mr. Srnec stated that next year there will be an urgent need
for the town to address the school facilities, and the operating budget must
be as low as possible in order to afford the facility improvements. Mr.
Currier replied that the unspent, unencumbered money is earmarked for
snowplowing, hourly paraprofessionals, and other variable expenses that
cannot be encumbered.
Victor Joos asked where the 3% limit on budget increases came from, and is
it adequate. Mr. Currier said it was negotiated between the school board and
budget committee. It is not adequate, but it is a compromise between the
needs of the students and the taxpayers.
Scott Berry asked how many home building permits were issued in 2003? Brian
Boyers replied that 45 were issued in 2003 and 43 in 2002. Mr. Berry stated
that he felt that with the school population due to go up, the school budget
couldn’t be reduced.
Steve Gagne spoke against the amendment, saying that it cuts too much from
the budget. He stated that no matter what the budget; the school facilities
will need to be addressed, as they are terrible.
Chris Jacobs stated that he felt that the requested budget is good and
doesn’t wish it to be cut further. His question was that Article 4 requests
for money, yet the school district appears to have a reserve from 2003-2004.
Why not use the reserve to pay off the debt incurred in previous years? Mr.
Currier replied that the school year still has five months to run. Any
surplus from the 2003-2004 school year will be applied to the debt. Any
remaining money (if any) would go back to the town.
Les Elder, Nancy Johnson, Linda Hescock, Joan Srnec and Dennis Carlson
requested that the vote on this amendment be by secret ballot.
Kelly Barca commented that enough cuts have been made. Nancy Drew reminded
the voters to remember the past. A certain minimum amount of money is needed
to run the schools, and if draconian budget cuts are made, the schools end
up overspending. Jennifer Palmatier spoke against the amendment, saying that
special education costs are too volatile to be able to count on a surplus in
the 2003-2004 budget. Larry Brown stated that this year is notable for the
cooperation between the budget committee and the school. He asked the voters
to consider the fact that both groups recommend the budget without
amendment. John Hescock said that he was on the fence about this amendment;
a lot of people can’t pay their existing taxes.
Bob Srnec spoke again, explaining that the 3% limit on the budget increase
is not arbitrary, but is related to the inflation rate. With 656 students,
the budget comes to over $9,000 per student.
Scott Berry moved and Mr. Corbett seconded that the amendment be tabled.
This motion passed and the amendment was tabled. Discussion of Article 3
continued.
Ann Akers reminded the meeting that the school must meet the needs of the
advanced students as well as the delayed ones. Chris Jacobs noted that the
Rochester budget is $12,801 per student, and he feels Milton is getting a
bargain. Lori Smart commented that this is the first year her child has
attended Milton schools, after having been in private schools. She is
appalled at the facilities, and urges all town citizens to get involved in
the system. She stated that she would continue to stand by the Milton school
system.
No further amendments were offered. Moderator Lessard instructed the clerk
to place the warrant article on the second session ballot as read. Mark
Currier, seconded by Ann Walsh, moved to restrict reconsideration of Article
3. Motion carried.
Article 4: To see if the Milton
School District will vote to raise and appropriate up to two hundred
sixty-one thousand dollars ($261,000) to reduce the special education fund
deficit pursuant to RSA 189:28 a. These funds will be used to pay for the
budget deficit from the 2002-2003 school year. This is a special warrant
article appropriation. NOTE: This appropriation is in addition to Article 3,
the operating budget. (Majority vote required). The school board and the
budget committee both recommend this appropriation. Mark Currier, seconded
by Bob Srnec, moved to place the article on the second session ballot as
written.
Mark Currier stated that the original deficit from two or three years back
was about $430,000; now due to careful financial management by the school
district it has been reduced to $261,000. He would like to get rid of this
deficit and move forward. Les Elder asked what would happen if this article
fails? Mr. Currier replied that the district would keep plugging away,
trying to pay it off bit by bit.
Bob Srnec reminded the meeting that special education is an improperly
funded mandate. He urged voters to go to the legislators and get help for
the town. In the meantime, he would like to get the deficit paid off and
move forward.
Steve Gagne said that he had voted against this article. He felt that the
surplus in the 2003-2004 budget has held steady, and can still be used
against the deficit. Then the voters will be more willing to vote for a
facilities bond next year.
Steve Gagne moved that this article be amended to $200,000. John Hescock
seconded the motion. Billy Palmatier asked Mark Currier if it is true that
any surplus would be applied to the deficit anyway? Mr. Currier replied that
the current school board says, “Yes”. Mr. Palmatier noted that the article
as written says up to $261,000. Why reduce the upper limit? He will trust
the school board to handle the money responsibly and not use any more than
necessary. Kari Lygren noted that the auditors have warned the town that if
the deficit is not taken care of this year, it could affect the town’s
credit rating (not just the school district's). Bob Srnec said that the
deficit the school district is paying off is due to people trusting the
school board. He stated that he was concerned that if too much money is
asked for this year, the voters will not be willing to fund facilities
improvements next year, which are needed badly.
John Hescock asked why the similar article at last year’s school district
meeting asked for $430,000 due to a deficit in the general fund, and this
year’s asks for $261,000 due to a deficit in the special education spending.
Mr. Currier said that the amount of the deficit decreased due to good money
management by the school district. The general over-runs have been paid off,
only the special education items still remain in deficit. Steve Gagne
commented that he personally will vote for this article; debts must be paid.
He would like to see the amount in the article as low as possible to ensure
that the voters will pass it in the second session. He noted that 67 people
showed up for this deliberative session and last year there were about 800
people at the polls.
There being no further discussion, Moderator Lessard called for a vote. The
amendment failed. No further amendments were offered. Moderator Lessard
instructed the clerk to place the warrant article on the second session
ballot as read. Bob Srnec, seconded by Mark Currier, moved to restrict
reconsideration of Article 4. Motion carried.
Article 5: To see if the Milton
School District will vote to authorize the school board to enter into a
4-year lease/purchase agreement for the purpose of leasing a school bus, and
to raise and appropriate the sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for
the first year’s payment for that purpose. This lease agreement contains an
escape clause. This is a special warrant article appropriation. NOTE: This
appropriation is in addition to Article 3, the operating budget (Majority
vote required). The school board and the budget committee both recommend
this appropriation. Mark Currier, seconded by Bob Srnec, moved to place the
article on the second session ballot as written.
Kari Lygren stated that there is a dire need for busses. There is money in a
bus trust fund, but it will be used to purchase a van in the spring. Bob
Srnec stated that he is for the article, but that the townspeople should
plan on leasing this bus for the full term so that we can get the bus
permanently.
No amendments were offered. Moderator Lessard instructed the clerk to place
the warrant article on the second session ballot as read. Mark Currier,
seconded by Bob Srnec, moved to restrict reconsideration of Article 5.
Motion carried.
Article 6: To see if the Milton
School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of eighteen
thousand, two hundred eighty dollars ($18,280) to upgrade necessary building
safety needs at Nute High School by installing a sprinkler system to the
stage area and exit areas ($14,670) and light exit signs in doorways
($3,610). Both are mandated by law. This will be a non-lapsing account per
RSA 32:3, VI and will not lapse until the projects can be completed by June
2006. This is a special warrant article appropriation. NOTE: This
appropriation is in addition to Article 3, the operating budget. (Majority
vote required). The school board and the budget committee both recommend
this appropriation. Mark Currier, seconded by Bob Srnec, moved to place the
article on the second session ballot as written.
Mark Currier stated that these safety items are required by law. We should
do it. Brian Boyers added that there is no emergency lighting or sprinklers
in the art room. If they are not added by the end of the school year, the
art room will have to be shut down. Kim Avery asked what would happen if the
article fails? Mr. Currier replied that the money would be taken out of the
general fund. Bob Srnec stated that this was a very straightforward article,
and he recommended that it be supported.
No amendments were offered. Moderator Lessard instructed the clerk to place
the warrant article on the second session ballot as read. Mark Currier,
seconded by Bob Srnec, moved to restrict reconsideration of Article 6.
Motion carried.
Article 7: To see if the Milton
School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand
five hundred dollars ($5,500) to purchase library books for the Nute
Library. This is a special warrant article appropriation. NOTE: This
appropriation is in addition to Article 3, the operating budget. (Majority
vote required). The school board and the budget committee both recommend
this appropriation. Mark Currier, seconded by Bob Srnec, moved to place the
article on the second session ballot as written.
Christine McPherson stated that when the library was built, the high school
had agreed to match the book funds provided by the library trustees. This
hasn’t been done in two years, and the school district must keep its
promise.
Bob Srnec stated that although he doesn’t use the library, he thinks this
article is a good idea. He would like to add that if all these warrant
articles pass, the school district will be authorized to spend $6,752,553
for 2004-2005, which is about $500,000 over what was authorized last year.
No amendments were offered. Moderator Lessard instructed the clerk to place
the warrant article on the second session ballot as read. Mark Currier,
seconded by Bob Srnec, moved to restrict reconsideration of Article 7.
Motion carried.
Article 8: Shall the Milton
School District rescind the provisions of RSA 40:13 (known as SB-2), as
adopted by the Milton School District on March 11, 1997, so that the
official ballot will no longer be used for voting on all questions, but only
for the election of officers and certain other questions for which the
official ballot is required by state law? (By Petition)(3/5 Majority vote
required). Jennifer Palmatier, seconded by Bob Srnec, moved to place the
article on the second session ballot as written.
Jennifer Palmatier said that SB-2 is not working as it was intended. She
said that the question of how to run the town meetings is not black and
white. The “old-style” town meeting would make certain that after hearing
all the discussion, anyone who voted on an article was educated in the
issues involved. The drawbacks are that there is no provision for absentee
voting, and some people may be intimidated to vote in public (even by secret
ballot). Finally, it is theoretically possible for an active minority to
dominate the meeting. However, she said that under SB-2 there are too few
chances for voters to educate themselves, and they are not making the effort
to attend meetings to learn about the issues. She felt that the dangers of
an ignorant majority going to the polls under SB-2 are greater than those of
a vocal minority dominating the old-style town meeting, and she urged the
citizens to vote for this article.
Bob Srnec stated that he is against going back to the “old-style” town
meeting. The deliberative session still has a lot of power, since it can
amend almost any article in the warrant. SB-2 allows all registered voters
the right to vote.
Christine McPherson noted that she used to live in Derry, and people always
showed up for the town meeting. She felt that there is nothing more
dangerous than an uninformed voter.
Chris Jacobs stated that last year 817 people voted on the 2003 budget, but
only 78 showed up for the school district meeting. How can only 78 people
care enough to attend? Additionally, at the old town meeting, the
townspeople had the power of a line-item veto (although it was never used).
This is more power than the deliberative session has under SB-2. Finally, he
noted that he feels that no facilities warrant article will pass in 2005
unless SB-2 is rescinded.
Steve Gagne said that “all the parents” turned up at the polls to vote last
year, and many of the warrant articles still failed. It is not a matter of
going back to the old town meeting and packing the room. He stated that the
principal of the secret ballot is important, and people shouldn’t be
intimidated. Maybe at the old town meeting, people will find they lose more
than they gain. He didn’t want anyone to lose the right to vote by losing
the absentee ballot. He said that the real question is, how can we inform
people of the issues, so they are not “ignorant voters”?
Nancy Drew said that in 1997 when SB-2 was voted in, many people said
afterwards that they hadn’t understood the article. She felt that this
article is an opportunity for voters to revisit the subject. Ann Akers
stated that she agreed with Mrs. Drew. Dave Johnson noted that the
discussion at deliberative sessions and town meetings allows the education
of the voters.
Larry Brown said he was worried that a vocal minority might “sandbag” the
town taxpayers. SB-2 allows majority rule.
Scott Berry moved to limit debate. Motion passed. As this article cannot be
amended, Moderator Lessard instructed the clerk to place the warrant article
on the second session ballot as read.
Bob Srnec thanked everyone for
coming to the meeting and staying for the full duration.
Kari Lygren announced that on the bleachers there were copies of a letter
that could be sent to legislators asking them to fund special education for
the 40% that is allowed.
Peter Essif asked if there are surplus dollars in this year’s budget, why
not just do the emergency lighting and sprinkler repairs now? Mark Currier
explained that the gym has lighted exit signs, which the state considers
emergency lighting. The school district doesn’t know if the existing surplus
will be needed in the next five months.
Robin Roberge noted that special education is a federally funded mandate and
any letters should go to our federal congressmen.
Lori Smart asked when the town website was last updated? Jim Culverhouse
said some of the meeting minutes are over a year old. The updated website is
still under construction. Ms. Smart noted that a town website with
up-to-date meeting minutes would go a long way towards educating voters.
Victor Joos moved, seconded by many, to adjourn. Motion passed
overwhelmingly. Meeting declared adjourned at 3:15 p.m. by Moderator
Lessard.
A true record, attest:
School District Clerk
Jennifer Palmatier |
