Board Of Education |
01/25/2006(Special Meeting)January 25, 2006 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING
Attendance: Gary Brochu Julie Erickson Michelle Hartel Diane Mancini Kathleen O’Donnell-Moss Arrived at 7:50 p.m. Christopher Puzio Anthony Recck Arrived at 7:35 p.m. John Richards Rachel Rochette
Also in attendance: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Cicchetti; Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Ford; Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta; and Director of Pupil Personnel Services Margaret Butler
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Brochu called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Board of Education (“the Board”) meeting room at 238 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT.
II. BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
A. Special Education Budget Mrs. Butler's presentation followed an agenda and handouts, which were distributed to the Board and to the audience. She presented the board with an overview of her department discussing the services offered at each school, as well as the responsibilities within the individual schools. She discussed the enrollment ratios of students to teachers, the number of students served in each capacity participating in special services programs and related services for the current school year compared to last year. Mrs. Butler discussed the Distribution of Student by Exceptionality Code. The most prevalent disability in the district is Speech and Language with 158 students. Mrs. Butler noted that we are continuing to see students with a complexity of disorders, and we are trying as best as possible to keep students in their neighborhood schools. One of Mrs. Butler’s requests is a 0.5 FTE Special Education Teacher at the Griswold School. Four students, currently in the Willard Special Education Program with autism and challenging behaviors, will be returning to Griswold next year for first grade. These students require a level of service beyond what is normally provided at Griswold. This Berlin Board of Education Special Board Meeting January 25, 2006 half-time teacher will support direct instruction, discrete trial instruction and inclusion activities for students who require a very individualized approach in order to benefit from typical instruction. With regard to Student Support, Mrs. Butler is requesting the 0.5 FTE Speech and Language Pathologist. The complexity of disabilities is increasing, and they require a greater amount of skill development than we have seen in a long time. We currently have 218 students receiving speech therapy in the district, a ratio of 40.4:1. This position will help the needs of an increasing complexity and number of students who need communication services, particularly those with autism and severe communication disorders. It is recommended that this position be funded from the special education grant. Another major component under Student Support is Tuition. Special Education tuition is a big part of the budget. Mrs. Butler discussed the out of district tuition as outlined in her handout for the school years 1988 -89 through the present. In 1988 – 89, 12% of the special education population was placed in out of district facilities compared with 2.8% for the current school year, with ten students placed by Berlin and two placed by DCF. She noted that we have been able to keep our numbers down because of the wonderful resources given to the department. She reported on the range of tuitions being paid now, the least expensive being $12,371 for a placement at Southington Vo-Ag and the most expensive being $138,460 for a placement at CREC Coltsville for a student with very complex disabilities. The budget Mrs. Butler is presenting is based on an anticipated 19 students to be out of district. Mrs. Butler also made note or her request for a social worker to ease the disparity between services provided at the elementary levels and that at the middle school and high school. She also discussed the request for four additional aides to support students with challenging behaviors and autism. These requests for additional staffing did not get submitted as part of the Superintendent’s budget proposal.
Mrs. Butler noted that Professional Development is essential and that special education and related service staff participate in the district offerings because they need to know what is happening in support of student achievement. She also spoke of the Curriculum Development that occurs over the summer and its usefulness.
With regard to technology, Mrs. Butler offered support for the need of the Data Specialist position as there is a tremendous amount of data to be analyzed in the Special Education Department. Currently, all this is being done by hand, which is very time consuming. She also spoke of the benefits of Assistive Technology and how important it is to Special Education. She is also requesting 12 computers to update what the department has. Berlin Board of Education Special Board Meeting January 25, 2006
Mrs. Butler discussed the space challenges with NET, preschool/kindergarten, learning centers and occupational and physical therapy. She reported, currently at the Griswold School, the occupational therapist and physical therapist currently share a room the size of 13’.5” x 10’.1”. Mrs. Butler answered questions from the board concerning her presentation of her budget as well as discussed the State's inability to fund the "excess costs" for special education, which are those services and transportation costs that exceed four and one half times Berlin's per pupil expenditure. She reported that anything paid over $41,274 should come back to the district in its entirety. Two years ago, the state reduced that by 44%. This current year we are anticipating a reduction of 25%. Prior to two years ago we were getting 100% back on every tuition that cost over five times the per pupil expenditure. Now, they have lowered it to four and one half times and reduced the reimbursement. A short break took place from 9:07 p.m. to 9:17 p.m.
Mr. Czuchta gave an overview of the Fringe Benefits Budget, Transportation Budget, Contracted Services Budget and Utlities Budget as outlined in the handouts. He also discussed the Site and Building Maintenance Budget and Capital Equipment Budget, which are not part of the Board’s Operational Budget.
Mr. Czuchta reported that Medical Insurance is the largest driver in the Fringe Benefits budget. Preliminary information from Anthem Blue Cross given to us and the town, back in November, projected a rate increase of 12.6% or $369,101. Mr. Czuchta reported that he recently received a phone call from our consultant and that percentage is now 15%. The consultant is confident he can bring it back down to the 12.6% range, and he should have a final number for us within a week’s time.
With regard to the transportation budget, projected fuel costs account for approximately $31,000 of the total transportation increase of $62,079.
With regard to the contracted services budget, Mr. Czuchta listed some of the types of the expenditures that come under the broad definition of contract services and highlighted the budget drivers for same.
Of concern in the Utlities Budget was the overall increase of 44% in the electrical budget over the current year amount. The natural gas budget is based on average usage levels and a $1.56/ccf cost. The current cost is approximately $1.75. In 2005 – 2006 the budgeted amount was $1.05 per ccf. Berlin Board of Education Special Board Meeting January 25, 2006
Mr. Czuchta distributed a handout of the capital expenditures guidelines for annual maintenance compiled in March 2001 and indicated he would provide an update with current figures.
The next meeting will take place on February 13, 2006 for the adoption of the budget. Mr. Brochu requested that if anyone needs additional information, or has questions, to please email Dr. Cicchetti and let the administration know. On behalf of the Board, Mr. Brochu thanked Dr. Cicchetti and his team. The presentations were very thorough, focused on priorities and all sessions were very beneficial. Mr. Brochu indicated that is very important that the board members understand and grasp what we are doing; not just what the budget request is but also what we hope to accomplish as a result.
Dr. Cicchetti reiterated to the Board his hope that the Board will make the connections to what is being requested, our future work and what we have done this year in preparation for continuing improvement.
Mrs. Kathleen O’Donnell-Moss reported that having elementary principals come together as a team, as well as the middle school and high school principals as a team, was a huge step in the right direction.
III. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Mr. Recck, seconded by Mrs. O’Donnell-Moss, to adjourn the meeting at 10:37 p.m.
FAVOR: ALL MOTION CARRIED: 8:0
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