ROBBINSVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2010 - 7:00 PM
ROBBINSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT ACTIVITIES CENTER
MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Mr. Michael Reca, President
Mrs. Lainie Potter, Vice President
Mrs. Carol Boyne
Mrs. Sharon DeVito
Mrs. Melissa Foy
Mrs. Florence Gange
Mr. Thomas Halm, Jr.
Mr. Matthew O’Grady
Mrs. Faith Silvestrov
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Mr. Steven J. Mayer
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
Dr. Kathleen A. Foster
SCHOOL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR / BOARD SECRETARY
Mr. Robert M. DeVita
ROBBINSVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
February 22, 2010
I. CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC MEETING
President Mike Reca called the February 22, 2010 Special Meeting of the Robbinsville Board of Education to order at 7:03 PM.
II. STATEMENT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS
The New Jersey Open Public Meeting Law was enacted to insure the rights of the public to have advance notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Robbinsville Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time and place thereof posted in the Trenton Times and the Township of Robbinsville Bulletin Board. In addition, this notice was faxed to the Trenton Times and posted at Windsor School, Sharon School, Pond Road Middle School and Robbinsville High School.
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. ROLL CALL
Mr. O’Grady and Mrs. Silvestrov were absent. All other Board members were present. Also present were Superintendent Steven J. Mayer, Assistant Superintendent Kathie Foster, and School Business Administrator Robert M. De Vita.
V. DISCUSSION
Mr. Mayer facilitated a discussion related to the 2010-2011 budget and indicated that the goals for the evening would focus on three things:
· Examining the reality of the budget picture
· Answering questions pertaining to the fiscal outlook
· Holding a preliminary conversation about how to fund the difference between revenue and expenses
Mr. De Vita provided a handout summarizing the 2010-2011 Budget. Additional documentation was provided to Board members including Enrollment Projections, FTE Chart, and a Budget Projection Fund Summary.
Topics of discussion included the following:
· Concern with fiscal responsibility – Funding cuts leave little room for optimal management and responsibility
· Robbinsville averages $4,000 below the state average for per pupil costs – If the district spent according to state averages the 2010-2011 budget would contain an additional $11 million
· Currently the budget shortfall equals $1.97 million – ½ of which is tied to increased spending in Special Education
· Review of expenditures in the following areas included:
o RHS / PRMS / Sharon – Adjustments in supply and other budget lines
o Special Education – Budget includes reserves for up to 2out of district placement / External consulting and summer hours streamlined / Future options include looking into hiring an Occupational Therapist vs: continued outsourcing
o Maintenance – Reclassification of Security and Grounds / Reduction in modular units / 2010-2011 final year of All Clean contract
o Athletics – Slight reduction
o District Office – Increase in the cost of medical insurance
o Transportation – Efficient shop / Using more jointures as a means of saving money
o Technology – Funds allocated for refreshing computers / Replacement servers / MIG on one server
o Curriculum – Curriculum Writing zero-based / Revisions to AP Curriculum (2 classes at $3500 ea.) / K-8, K-8 Science, LEO, 6-8 Technology – 5 year cycle revisions
Break 8:35 – 8:45
Discussion among the Board and administrators continued. The following issues were raised:
· Schools have been informed that purchasing has been stopped for 2009-2010
· Effects of budget on class size
· Budget communications to Town Council – A joint presentation to be scheduled
· Budget timeline is as follows:
o State aid figures due out on March 16, 2010
o Budget workshop – March 18, 2010
o Budget to county – March 25, 2010
o Public Hearing to adopt final budget – April 1, 2010
VI. HEARING OF THE PUBLIC
None
VII. ADJOURNMENT
On motion of Mr. Halm, and seconded by Mrs. Potter, and carried by a vote of 7-0, the Robbinsville Board of Education voted to adjourn the February 22, 2010 special meeting at 9:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. De Vita
School Business Administrator / Board Secretary
February 22, 2010 – Special Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3