PLAINFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT

Plainfield School Board Meeting

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Plainfield Elementary School

 

APPROVED MINUTES

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:06 pm. Present were Board members Reynolds, Houde Hardy, Ferguson, Bucklin and Cogan. Also present were Superintendent Collins, Principal Langsner, Finance Director Moorman, some members of the town Finance Committee (Margaret Drye, Tom Lappin and Joella McCarragher) and members of the public.

 

Public Hearing on Proposed 2006-07 Budget

Board Chair Reynolds summarized the ‘bottom line’ for the proposed 2006-07 budget: the total spending plan is proposed at $4,942,509, which is an increase of $172,314, or 3.6% from the current year’s budget; if the two special warrant articles proposed (one for a kindergarten aide and one for a half-time Assistant Principal) are accepted, $50,000 will be added to this budget which will change the spending increase to about 4.6%. Reynolds went through the budget block by block, highlighting important changes and taking questions from the floor as they came up.

 

Business for Discussion and/or Action

A. District Meeting Warrant

Reynolds discussed the question of changing the School District meeting from Friday to Saturday following this year’s meeting. She said that putting the question on a paper ballot during the town vote would be ideal but the school’s attorney informed Superintendent Collins that it would not be an appropriate question for a paper ballot. Given no other choice to receive feedback from the town on the issue, Reynolds proposed that the Board place it as the second warrant at this year’s District meeting. She suggested the School Board organize a ride system to help people reluctant to drive after dark and emphasized that the issue will be advertised to get the maximum response. She also said that she has been encouraged by Steve Halleran to consolidate the Friday School District meeting and the Saturday Town Meeting to occur on the same weekend. School Board member Houde Hardy added that she sees a lot of merit in the suggestion by Margaret Drye at the last Board meeting to stagger the Town and District meetings, with Town meeting occurring first one year and District meeting occurring first the next year.

 

Town member Dennis Girouard requested that the Warrant for the separation of salaries be placed third. Superintendent Collins said he would check if there are any restrictions to where petition articles can be placed.

 

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:08 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Annette Moore

Recording Clerk