Present: Board members Foster, Gray, McNally, Sachsse, Vitt; Administrators Greenbaum, Aubin, Weissmann, Edson; and approximately ten members of the public.

1. Call to order

Chair Sachsse called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

2. Report of Chair

Ms. Sachsse announced that two (2) Board seats are up for reelection in March, Paul Foster's which is a two year position and Margaret McNally's, which is a three year position. Filings take place any time from now until January 26, 2004. Candidates must present a petition with 35 signatures to the Norwich Town Clerk.

She also announced that the Dresden School District has filing dates from Monday, January 12 through 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 2. Filing for School District Officers can be done with either the School District Clerk, Deborah Carter, or at the SAU Office, 45 Lyme Road, Room 207, Hanover. Positions open are Moderator for one year, Clerk for one year, Treasurer for one year, and Auditor for three years.

3. Executive session in accordance with Title 1, Section 313 for discussion of negotiations

Linda Gray moved and Margaret McNally seconded a motion to enter executive session in accordance with Title 1, Section 313 for discussion of negotiations (7:13 p.m.). The motion passed unanimously.

4. Return to public session

The Board returned to public session at 7:25 p.m.

5. Approval of collective bargaining agreement

Assistant Superintendent for Business John Aubin reported that the Norwich teachers contract expires in June, 2003. He said that the negotiating teams have met several times since September, resulting in a two year agreement which is expected to be ratified by the teachers. This agreement includes a 4.0 % increase to the base salary for 2004-05 and a 3.5% increase for 2005-06. Mr. Aubin said that a major change is the elimination of the sabbatical, which amounts to a $40,000 + saving for the District. The resulting increase in salaries for the 2004-05 school year is $111,384.

Paul Foster moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to approve the two (2) year (2004-05 and 2005-06) collective bargaining agreement between the Norwich Board of School Directors and the Norwich Teachers Association, as proposed and attached to the original minutes of the meeting. After further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

6. Public Hearing on proposed 2004-05 Budget

Chair Sachsse opened the Public Hearing on the proposed 2004-05 budget. Mr. Aubin reviewed the significant changes made since the January 15 meeting. Items that will increase are annuity ($1,760), teacher settlement ($111,384), and Board salaries ($1,875), items that will decrease are medical insurance ($8,668), and retiree benefits ($7,000), for a total change of $99,351. Mr. Aubin then reviewed all purposes and amounts of the appropriations to be included in the budget. The new proposed budget amount is $3,845,482, which represents a budget to budget increase of $318,548 (9.03%).

Mr. Aubin also reviewed the tax calculations under Act 68 for the proposed budget, and detailed significant changes between the 2003-04 budget and proposed 2004-05 budget. Members of the Board and public then asked clarifying questions regarding salary increases.

Principal Edson responded to a question raised at the January 15 meeting during which he was asked about budgetary implications of projected enrollment changes over the next few years. He said that in reviewing estimated enrollment numbers through 2008-09, he sees no budgetary impact.

Chair Sachsse closed the Public Hearing at 8:12 p.m.

7. Business requiring action

a) Adoption of 2004-05 Budget

Linda Gray moved and Paul Foster seconded a motion to approve the 2004-05 budget in the amount of $3,845,482, to be placed on the Warning and voted on at the March 2 Australian Balloting by Norwich voters. The motion passed unanimously.

b) Approval of Warning

Superintendent Greenbaum reviewed the changes to the Warning offered at the January 15 meeting. One final change was offered, inserting the words, "to be" before the word "deposited" in the school construction aid reserve fund article.

Margaret McNally moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to approve Norwich School District Warning Articles for the March 1 and March 2 Annual School District Meeting, as attached to the original minutes of the meeting, and further to authorize the Administration to make whatever technical changes are necessary in order to ensure that the Warning is legal and that the intent of the Norwich Board of School Directors is conveyed. The motion pass unanimously.

8. Adjournment

Prior to adjournment, the Chair conducted a straw poll asking members of the public if the budget mailer was helpful, and should the Board continue to provide this service prior to the Annual Meeting. Consensus was that the mailer is helpful and should continue, especially in light of the many confusing tax questions this year.

Margaret McNally moved and Paul Foster seconded a motion to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary B. Davis
Recording Secretary

January 22, 2004 (Public Hearing and Budget Adoption)

MINUTES