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First Session of the Annual Meeting

The first session of the Annual Meeting includes voting for school board members and approval of the school district's operating budget. The budget highlights include decreases in healthcare costs and one less full-time position.

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First Session of the Annual Meeting

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  1. First Session of the Annual Meeting Deliberative Session February 5, 2015

  2. Article #1 To Choose the following School District Officer: • School Board Member (3 Years ) • School Board Member (3 Years ) • School Board Member (2 Years ) • School District Moderator (3 Years) • School District Clerk (3 Years) • School District Treasurer (3 Years)

  3. Article #2 “Shall the Northwood 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 budgets posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling Twelve Million Fourteen Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars ($12,014,988)? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be Eleven Million Nine Hundred Thirty One Hundred Forty Two Dollars ($11,931,042)”, “which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Northwood School Board 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.” The operating budget warrant does not include appropriations contained in other warrant articles. The School Board recommends this appropriation by a 4-0 vote. The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a 15-0 vote. The tax impact if this article passes is $0.91 per $1,000.

  4. Budget Highlights • Budget reflects an $8,929 decrease after taking into account mandatory $118,861 health care and $29,602 NH Retirement System increases. Both increases are beyond School Board control. • Budget reflects one less full-time position, a Math Specialist.

  5. Operating Budget History

  6. Article #3 “Shall the Northwood School District vote to approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Northwood School Board and the Northwood Educational Support Personnel Association which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level: Fiscal Year 2015 – 2016 – Estimated Increase $52,363 And further to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Two Thousand Three Hundred Sixty Three Dollars ($52,363) for the 2015-2016 fiscal year such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing in the prior fiscal year?” The School Board recommends this appropriation by a 3-0-1 vote The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a 12-0-2 Vote The tax impact if this article passes is $0.11 per $1,000

  7. Highlights of the Support Staff Contract • One year contract • Supported by both the School Board and the Budget Committee • $0.20 increase/hour in all steps • One step increase • Secretary 2 eligibility requirement reduced • Temporary leaves of absence eligibility for only those over 32.5hrs/week • All support staff will now be on same HMO with identical contributions (90% single, 80% 2 person/family)

  8. Article #4 “Shall the Northwood School District vote to approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Northwood School Board and the Northwood Teachers Association which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level: Fiscal Year 2015 – 2016 – Estimated Increase $88,449 And to further raise and appropriate the sum of Eighty Eight Thousand Four Hundred Forty Nine Dollars ($88,449) for the 2015 – 2016 fiscal year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing levels in the prior fiscal year?” The School Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 4-0. The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 14-0. The tax impact if this article passes is $0.19 per $1,000.

  9. Highlights of the Teacher Contract • One year agreement • 15 minute instructional time increase to the school day = 45 educational hours increase per year. • Some teachers to pay more for their insurance. • Elimination of the JY insurance plan (the most expensive). Those currently enrolled will move to considerably cheaper Blue Cross Blue Shield 3 Tier Plan. • School Board will no longer have to match or contribute to the Teacher Sick Bank. • Rubric chart to ensure fairness in the event of a reduction in force. • Club stipends to increase by $5,000 to accommodate more clubs. • Teachers have not had a raise in 4 of the last 5 years. • Each step will increase $1,500. • 1 step increase to all eligible teachers.

  10. Article #5 “Shall the Northwood School District vote to raise and appropriate ‘up to’ Fifty Six Thousand Dollars ($56,000) to be placed in the High School Tuition Capital Reserve Fund, established in March 2010, for the purpose of funding tuition payments of Northwood High School students with such amount to be funded from year-end undesignated fund balance (surplus) available on July 1, 2015? Current balance at 12/31/14 is $56,000. The School Board recommends this appropriation by a 4-0 vote. The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a 14-0 vote. There is no additional tax impact if this article passes.

  11. Importance of the High School Tuition Capital Reserve Fund • No additional tax impact. • Unexpected students move into the district each year. • A funded capital reserve fund will eliminate the need to budget for a “cushion” in high school tuition each year, thereby keeping the overall operating budget lower. • The goal of the school board is to maintain a Reserve Fund balance equal to 10 Coe-Brown student tuitions.

  12. Article #6 “Shall the Northwood School District vote to raise and appropriate ‘up to’ Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) to be placed in the Building Capital Improvement Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of financing any and all capital improvements to school buildings as well as all or part of the cost of new construction for the Northwood School District, with such amount to be funded from year-end undesignated fund balance (surplus) available on July 1, 2015? Current balance at 12/31/14 is $67,973.” The School Board recommends this appropriation by a 4-0 vote. The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a 14-0 vote. There is no additional tax impact if this article passes.

  13. Importance of the Building Capital Improvement Capital Reserve Fund • No additional tax impact. • Protects the school in the event of an unplanned major facility expenditure. • Allows for timely repairs without the need for special meeting approval. • The goal of the School Board is to maintain a reserve fund balance of $100,000.

  14. Article #7 “Shall the Northwood School District vote to raise and appropriate ‘up to’ Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) to be placed in the Special Education Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of meeting the expenses of educating educationally disabled children for the Northwood School District in accordance with the provisions of RSA 35:1-b, with such amount to be funded from year-end undesignated fund balance (surplus) available on July 1, 2015? Current balance at 12/31/14 is $25,297.” The School Board recommends this appropriation by a 4-0 vote. The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a 14-0 vote. There is no additional tax impact if this article passes.

  15. Importance of the Special Education Capital Reserve Fund • No additional tax impact. • Unexpected students may require special educational services each year. • A funded capital reserve fund will allow for tighter budgeting in Special Education tuition each year, thereby keeping the overall operating budget lower. • The goal of the School Board is to build and maintain a Special Education Capital Reserve Fund balance of $100,000.

  16. Article #8 “Shall the Northwood School District vote to raise and appropriate the sum of ‘up to’ Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) to be placed in the Retirement Benefit Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of funding the retirement benefits of Northwood School Teachers, with such amount to be funded from year-end undesignated fund balance (surplus) available on July 1, 2015? Current balance at 12/31/14 is $15,000.” The School Board recommends this appropriation by a 4-0 vote. The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a 14-0 vote. There is no additional tax impact if this article passes.

  17. Importance of the Retirement Benefit Capital Reserve Fund • No additional tax impact • Large percent of teachers near or at retirement age. Multiple retirees in a single year reduces the approved budget dollars meant for educational purposes. • The town has had a similar reserve fund in place for several years. • The potential School District liability is $106,779. • The goal of the School Board is to maintain a reserve fund balance of $45,000.

  18. Article #9 “Shall the Northwood School District vote to raise and appropriate the sum of ‘up to’ Sixty-Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Dollars ($68,620) for the purpose of hiring a full time Grade 7/8 Teacher?” The School Board recommends this appropriation by a 4-0 vote. The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a 9-5 vote. The tax impact if this article passes is $0.14 per $1,000.

  19. Benefits of Adding a Grade 7/8 Teacher • Strengthens core specific instruction • Helps meet Highly Qualified Teacher requirements and certifications • Provides opportunities for flexible scheduling • Increases grade specific collaboration • Facilitates grade specific interventions

  20. Article #10 “Shall the Northwood School District vote to raise and appropriate the sum of ‘up to’ Sixty-Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Dollars ($68,620) for the purpose of hiring a full-time Math Specialist?” The School Board recommends this appropriation by a 3-1 vote. The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a 10-4 vote. The tax impact if this article passes is $0.14 per $1,000.

  21. Benefits of Hiring the Math Specialist • This is a position which the school currently has today but has not been budgeted for next year. • Math curriculum is an area of emphasis • A new program is planned to be implemented in grades 7 & 8 • Provides early math interventions K-8

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