Call to Order, and Welcome

Michael Hussin called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. 

Minutes

Minutes of October 5, 2006 were approved as written.

Announcements and Public Comment

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Superintendent and Principal Update

Supt. Hochman introduced Debbie Jacque, Pelham Kindergarten teacher, who shared the Guggenheim Art as Inquiry Project being implemented at PelhamSchool.  She illustrated how to use inquiry to discuss Camille’s Pissarro’s painting, The Hermitage at Pontoise.

Unfinished Business

School Policy Update—The following policies were approved as written:  110.13 (School Committees:  Communications and School Visits), 110.17 (Use of Electronic Messaging by School Committee Members), 400.14 (Students:  Non-Custodial Parent Rights), 410.17 (Students: Hazing), 410.19 (Students:  Student-to-Student Harassment), 110.07 (Additional guideline:  Minor Change to Policy), and 410.02 (Enrollment:  Entrance Age).  410.18 (Students:  Bullying) was tabled until after the Regional Committee review. 

New Business

Budget Projection, 2007-2011:  John Trickey presented a five year financial forecast for the Town of Pelham, 2007-2011.  His assumptions included level funded Chapter 70, lottery aid, and local receipts, and no or only a small increase in new growth for the town and school choice enrollment at the elementary school.   His assumption were that town expenses each year would include 5-6% increases in the elementary and regional school budgets, 4-5% increases in general government, and fully funding the Town’s capital plan.  Supt. Hochman asked how school choice money was included in the revenue estimates.   John Trickey stated that the money was not included in the revenue lines, but the town’s appropriation was included in the school account.  He then presented ways to balance the budget through additional revenue (faster growth, additional state aid, new sources of revenue, and/or tax overrides) or reduced spending (elementary school, police department, fire department, public works, building and grounds, library, and/or town offices).  Tracy Farnham asked if the community is looking at some clean businesses for specific areas of Pelham.  John Trickey said that a minor zoning change was made at Town Meeting and the Planning Board is also looking at this.  Maureen Ecclestone asked what would happen if the Town of Pelham could not support itself.  John Trickey said that he did not have an answer.  Michael Hussin asked if changes in the tax rate and assessments would help the situation.  John Trickey said that if nothing changes, at the end of five years the tax rate would be $27/thousand, which would be exorbitant for many homeowners.  Now, the Finance Committee is working with a total increase of $75,000 for FY08. 

FY07 Budget Update—Rob Detweiler presented the FY06 budget reconciliation, which showed a balanced budget total of $1,297,077.  Michael Hussin asked if the school has looked at solar panels such as the ones that the ShutesburySchool has.  Supt. Hochman will ask Ron Bohonowicz to look into it.  Rob Detweiler next presented the FY07 Operating Budget, which indicates that the budget is very close to balanced at this time.  The Pelham School Committee approved a $1,362,539 budget with any difference from the appropriated amount from the Town of Pelham of $1,232,539 to be made up from school choice funds.  Supt. Hochman also reported that there is about a 12% increase in health care costs for the second half of FY07, which Rob included in his FY07 Operating Budget.

HEC:  Michael Hussin recused himself from the vote to withdraw membership in HEC because his wife is a HEC employee.   Supt. Hochman reported that the district is looking at withdrawing membership from HEC to save money.  The Committee will vote on this at a later date. 

Reports

None

School Committee Planning

A.  Calendar Review—Future school committee meetings:  December 14, January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7. 

B.  Items for Upcoming Meeting:  World Language in the Elementary School, AYP/MCAS

C.  Sub Committee Reports

Adjournment

Michael Hussin adjourned the meeting at 8:53 PM.

Next Meeting

Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 7:00 PM in PelhamSchoolArtRoom.