The next report will come back with a budget that assumes the $32.4 for the schools from Alan and Nancy

Attending: Al Tosti, Paul Schlichtman, Suzanne Owayda, Nancy Galkowski, Kathleen Dias, Diane Mahon, Sen. Bob Havern, Kay Donovan, Jack Hurd, Kevin Greeley, Charlie Lyons, Charlie Foskett, Rep. Jay Kaufman, Rep. Anne Paulsen, Fred Fantini

Our representatives informed the task force that it is likely that local aid will be held harmless this year, meaning it will be the same amount as last year with no increases for increasing costs. It is unknown how large the state deficit will be, but it will be large. The School Building Assistance Program (SBAP) may be funded to pay off the schools already on the list and may include new schools with a payback rate of 40 year bonds rather than the current 20. Our representatives need to be vigilant to make sure that Pierce and Dallin don't lose their place in the 1st 100 schools on the list by having new desegregation priority projects jump ahead.

Our legislators all also support the Charter School Moratorium and question the State Board of Education's neutrality on this issue as several of them earn money from charter schools. They do think the State Board of Ed needs to be held accountable for their decisions.

Al Tosti wondered when the budget numbers from the House and Senate would be ready. Our legislators said they are making it a priority in both houses to have local aid numbers out in March before the entire budget is finished so towns can do their budgeting.

Kay Donovan said we have 2 options for rebuilding the Dallin including using debt service to pay off the bond. We also need to get the plans ready for the Stratton and Thompson schools because we promised the voters we would rebuild them.

Kay also presented the preliminary school budget which includes increasing fees and to realize that some of the increase is offset by savings in the health care expenses. In FY03: $31.8M went down to $29.9M FY04. For FY05 the schools are asking for a 2% cost of living increase + STEP increases + only $800,000 in add backs which includes the Pierce field upgrade extra expenses and minimal required new employees for a total increase to $32.4M. Kay felt this was fair and doable even though it will still be difficult for the schools, but it will replace the minimally required staff to meet student's needs and contractual obligations. Charlie indicated this was the most reasonable school funding request he had seen in a long time. He called the preliminary school budget “an excellent starting point.”

Nancy Galkowski presented preliminary town budget figures as all department heads haven't turned in their final budget reports. There are no union salary negotiations occurring this year in town so that is not a question this year. The budget is primarily level service funded and is increasing by 4.5% mainly due to trash and public works and adding 2-3 new employees. It was decided that town department heads would meet and the budget would be further clarified on Feb. 12th at 6:00pm.

Al Tosti's preliminary estimate for our total budget is that we have a $3M gap in the budget.

Charlie Lyons wonders since Symmes will be generating revenues in the near future, can't we use this defined source of future revenue to offset any concerns about using more reserve funds now?

These are my notes, taken to best of my ability and are no way official minutes or notes of any of the boards or individuals sited in my report.