CulpeperCountySchool Board10/18/2018 ~ 11:35:43 AM
Minutes
June 21, 2006
Page 1
CulpeperCountySchool Board
Budget Work Session
June 21, 2006
The Culpeper County School Board held a budget work session on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 in the Colin Owens Conference Room at 450 Radio Lane, Culpeper, VA 22701. Present were Elizabeth Hutchins (Cedar Mountain District), Chair; Robert Jenkins III (Catalpa District); Claudia Vento (West Fairfax District), Vice Chair; Jennifer McCauley (Salem District); Division Superintendent Dr. David Cox, Clerk of the Board Jeff Shomo, Director of Human Resources Starr Rowe, Budget Analyst Lauren Willis-Thomas, Executive Director of Administrative Services Dr. Larry Carter, Parliamentarian Dr. Eric Conti, and Deputy Clerk Pearl Jamison.
Robert Beard (East Fairfax District); George Dasher (Stevensburg District); and Leanne Jenkins (Jefferson District) were absent.
At 6:03 p.m. Ms. Hutchins called the meeting to order and Dr. Cox called the roll.
The board did not adopt the agenda because there was not a quorum.
Dr. Cox said the purpose the meeting today is to give board members opportunities to ask questions about the proposed budget. Dr. Cox said Senator Houck emailed him today and said we finally have a budget. Dr. Cox said we used Governor Warner’s proposed budget in preparing our FY07 budget. He described the difference between Governor Warner’s budget and the actual budget adopted. He said they are very similar.
Mr. Jenkins joined the meeting at 6:06 p.m.
Dr. Cox said we have cut approximately $2.2 million dollars to balance the budget. He said he respectfully requests that the board adopt the FY07 operating budget at their meeting on June 26, 2006. He referred members to the highlights of the recommendation presented which are included in his cover memo dated June 15, 2006.
Mr. Shomo reviewed the proposed budget cuts to balance the FY07 budget (see page 1).
Mr. Shomo said we can utilize some savings in utilities by using more exact figures, as requested by Mr. Bossio and Ms. Lamb. He said we would have to go to the Board of Supervisors if we need additional funding for utilities.
Mr. Shomo said the increased miscellaneous revenues include rental of gyms, cafeterias, and auditorium, etc. He said it also includes some regional special education reimbursements. Dr. Cox said the building rental increases revenues but also affects operational costs.
Mr. Jenkins expressed concern with eliminating two maintenance positions.
Mr. Jenkins asked if we have investigated purchasing classroom sets rather than books for each student. Dr. Conti said we are doing some classroom sets but a lot of money goes into just supplying books for incoming students.
Ms. McCauley expressed concern with eliminating the groundskeeper person. Mr. Shomo said the staff at the high school currently does the upkeep of the grounds. Mr. Shomo said our grass crew consists of 3-4 retired employees who work during the summer months.
Mr. Shomo said our annuity company suggested that in the first year only ½ of the employees would participate in an annuity program; therefore, we can utilize some savings in this line.
Ms. Vento asked when the bid with service solutions expires. Mr. Shomo said it would go out to bid in the Spring 2007.
Dr. Cox said we have been trying really hard to manage our spending to June 30, 2006. Mr. Shomo said initially we were given a dollar amount of $5,900,681 for sales tax revenues. He said if we do not receive all the revenues we could experience a short fall of $303,881.
Dr. Cox said this is a very difficult year to budget due to the fact that the state budget was just adopted today. He said it puts a great deal of pressure on the finance department to finalize the FY06 budget and trying to balance the FY07 budget. He said we are doing the best we can with the information we have. He said we have to make decisions early on with the information we have.
Mr. Shomo said all employees will be held harmless for insurance increases. Mr. Shomo said the school system will contribute $470 for each employee toward insurance.
Dr. Conti reviewed the Power Point Presentation on pages 70-73. Dr. Cox said 3 paraeducators equate to 1 teaching position. Dr. Conti reviewed the actual positions remaining in the budget listed under amended on page 71. Dr. Conti said we have 8 preschool programs but they are not in full-size classrooms.
Ms. McCauley asked if the test coordinator will do anything else. Dr. Conti said the primary responsibility will be scheduling testing but this staff member will also help with counseling as well. Dr. Conti also referred to the ½ time position which will be funded by GermannaCommunity College. Mrs. Hutchins asked if the testing coordinator will have a caseload. Dr. Conti said no. He said the caseloads will be balanced amongst the counselors alphabetically rather than by grade. Ms. Hutchins expressed concern that the testing coordinator, which is greatly needed, doesn’t relieve any of the caseload on the counselors. She said they still won’t have time to see their students.
Dr. Conti presented members with the projected enrollment and ratios for 2006/2007. He said the numbers do not reflect any growth in grades 1-5. Dr. Conti said with the opening of a new high school and new elementary school in the upcoming years there will be additional staff needed to operate the new schools.
Mrs. McCauley said she initially requested the two security positions; however, it is her understanding now that the high school is properly staffed relative to safety and security. She said she would prefer to reinstate the groundskeeper position. Dr. Cox said he feels the staff at the high school would be appreciative to have another security officer but that decision would be left up to the School Board.
Ms. Hutchins asked what would be left in the Title IIA fund after the positions were taken out of the fund, how much would we have left in the account to use in both Title IIA and VI. Dr. Conti said each elementary school has a math specialist that is funded from Title IIA.
Ms. McCauley asked for clarification on the amended elementary positions. Dr. Conti said the general music position would be allotted to Emerald Hill, the art position would be allotted to Farmington, and the gifted position would be allotted to Pearl Sample/A. G. Richardson.
Dr. Cox said the salary scales in the packet tonight are the same as presented originally. Ms. McCauley said she would like to see the benefits profiles for different levels of employees.
Mr. Jenkins suggested that each person be allotted 14 minutes to speak at the retreat with the chairman having 20 minutes to speak.
On motion of Ms. Vento seconded by Ms. McCauley, the board voted to adjourn at 7:23 p.m. Motion carried 4-0 by voice vote.
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JEFFREY R. SHOMO, CLERKELIZABETH HUTCHINS, CHAIR