LINDEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Special Meeting

Linden High School

7201W. Silver Lake Road

Linden, Michigan  48451

(810) 591-0410

December 21, 2009

7:00 p.m.

 

 

Members                      Laura Starrs, Pam Snyder, Mike Murphy, Steve Murphy, Rick Kursik, Scott Maker,

Present                          Rob Rossow. 

                                       

Members                      None.

Absent

 

ADOPTION               Moved by M. Murphy, supported by Snyder to adopt the agenda as presented.  

OF AGENDA             All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

114-09                          

(P)                                  

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

State School                 Mr. Koledo gave an explanation of the School Aid Act and how the district would save

Aid Act-Minimum    $45,568.99. by reducing the number of days to 170.  This would require an additional 30 

Number of Days of    minutes a day.  He shared information from Mrs. Thomas that did not show an educational

Instruction                   effect by reducing the number of days.  However, from Mr. Koledo’s standpoint he believes

                                        more days are better.

 

                                        Mr. Koledo also shared the general fund budget information which included the $127 per

                                        Pupil cut that may happen after Jan. 11th.

 

                                        Mr. Kursik asked for clarification on the area that showed an increase to the POLD and

Admin. Assistant group.  Mr. Engelter explained that those people would have to work more hours due to the additional 30 min. per day.

 

                                        S. Murphy stated that he thought 170 days was do-able.  He thinks the expanded hours that the

                                        High school has seems to be working well.  He also made comment that he was not in favor

of the furlough days and 3% cut.  He also believes that Administration not in school buildings (Central Office Staff) should be subject to the same 3% cut.   

 

S. Murphy also made comment to the extra hours secretaries will be required to work and it

was his suggestion that building administrators could cover that time.

 

Mr. Koledo didn’t think that was a good idea because the beginning and end of the day are

the most busy times of the day.

 

Mr. Kursik asked what the next step would be to reduce days and increase time each day.

 

Mr. Koledo replied that each group would have to renegotiate.

 

S. Murphy asked Mr. Engelter if we would pay a penalty to the transportation for reducing the

number of days.  Mr. Engelter stated that he already calculated this in his savings spreadsheet.

 

Pam Snyder asked if there were any critical groups other than the teachers to get on board with the fewer days.  Mr. Koledo responded, “no”.

 

Mr. Rossow said that he would like to see a deadline for a response from the bargaining groups if we are going to try to go forward with asking for a reduction in days.

 

 

 

Mr. Kursik stated that he would like to know by the next Work Session meeting on 1-6-10.

       

Mrs. Starrs believes that it is a shame educationally that we are being forced by the state to cut these days.

 

Pam Nicole commented to the Board that under Article 5 the contact time with students is already in place.  She stated that it would be very difficult to come up with a new schedule.

 

Meg Walton, LEA President reminded the Board that if would affect sports schedules, per diem rate that has been negotiated under Schedule F and that most countries educate

more than 170 days.  She also thinks that discussing issues with guidelines that are impossible to meet.  She welcomes the option of talking about this, but that it won’t happen before January.

 

At this time there was a motion by Kursik, seconded by S. Murphy to direct the Superintendent to attempt to reopen contracts with all employee groups for the purpose of reducing the student scheduled days to 170.

 

 

NEW                            

BUSINESS

 

Policy 6220,                 Mr. Koledo shared the policy that indicates “The Board shall ensure that adequate funds

Budget Preparation  are reserved for the General Fund to maintain a secure financial position whereby the fund

- (5% Fund                   equity shall not fall below five percent (5%) of the preceding year’s expenditures.

Equity Balance)          With the current budget, we are projected to drop below 5% fund equity and more cuts are likely this year.  If the Board does not change the 5% floor on fund equity, I will bring

                                        Recommendations to future meetings for Board approval in order to maintain the 5% fund

                                        equity.

 

                                        At this time Mike Engelter gave a presentation on fund equity and how the fund balances have

                                        fluctuated over the years.

 

                                        Rick Kursik asked what the fees were for the 3 mil. borrowed this year.  Mr. Engelter replied that they were $80,000.

 

                                        Rob Rossow asked if lowering our balance would affect borrowing credit rating.  Mr. Engelter

                                        Stated that the federal rates are low, which is good, but yes it would affect our credit rating.

 

                                        There was much discussion about the implications of going under the 5% and why there is a

                                        need to keep it at that percentage.  Mr. Engelter also stated that funding will likely go down, but that we will know more after January 11th.

 

                                        Pam Snyder believes that is necessary to maintain the 5% equity balance as good fiscal management. 

 

                                        S. Murphy doesn’t think there is evidence to show what percentage is the right number to maintain.  He believes we need to consider a minimum that we can live with.

 

                                        Scott Maker did some research online and was he found was that 15-20% is what is recommended.  The lowest percentage he could find within our state was 2% fund equity balance.  He also commented that in 2003 the state hit us with a reduction of per pupil funding and we have to draw a line in the sand-the community expects us to be responsible with their money.

 

                                       

                                        Mr. Koledo told the Board that he would bring recommendations for cuts to maintain the 5% fund equity balance to the next meeting.

 

                                        At 8:36 p.m. there was a brief recess taken.

 

Race To The                Superintendent Koledo explained the RTTT information.  He indicated that the RTTT is 

Top Memorandum    still not defined.  We need to think about that before we sign onto the plan.  Research from

Board Resolution      the GISD watchdogs indicates the West coast is further ahead.  The Board Resolution would

have us sign on, but also allows us to opt out.  The draft letter of understanding with the LEA will ensure that they can opt out of RTTT.   This was based on the written statements made by State Superintendent Flanagan on December 18, 2009.  He also said the State Superintendent suggests that all districts sign on to received the RTTT funding.

 

Motion by Kursik, supported by Snyder to approve the Board Resolution for the RTTT Grant, as presented.

 

Roll call vote taken.

                                        Yea Votes: Starrs, Snyder, Kursik, M. Murphy, Maker, Rossow

                                        Nay Votes: S. Murphy

Motion carried 6-1.

 

                                        There were comments from S. Murphy that he would like the Superintendent to take time

                                        Before the next meeting to research the RTTT.  He also urged everyone to read the MASB news    on this topic.

 

                                        Mr. Maker said the RTTT legislation is being hammered in to school districts.

 

                                        Mr. Engelter commented that the plan will be written 60 days after the state applies.

 

                                        Pam Snyder feels there is no risk since we have an out.  She is comfortable with passing the

                                        Resolution.

 

                                        Mr. Kursik noticed the large difference if RTTT funding from Linden Community Schools vs.

                                        Linden Charter Academy.  Mr. Koledo clarified that it is due to Title I being higher for them.

 

 

                                                               

ADJOURNMENT

 

                                        Board President Starrs adjourned the meeting at 9:01 p.m.

 

                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                                ___________________________

                                                                                                                Steve M. Murphy, Board Secretary