Filed subject to approval
REDDING BOARD OF EDUCATION
Special Budget Workshop
January 8, 2018
Minutes
ATTENDANCE:
Board of Education: Hoffman, Parkin, Hoeing, Pilato, Reilly, Whaley
Administration: McMorran, Reiss, Hammond, Martin, Torre, Visners
Members of the Public: Approximately 6, including staff
Mr. Hoffman called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT:
Mr. Hoffman commented that Board members should channel budget questions to the administration through the chair and asked that answers to such questions be distributed to the entire Board.
Mr. Parkin commented on the need to ensure FOI compliance in communications outside meetings and noted that the Town Clerk was scheduling FOI training for new and returning board members in town.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: CONSIDERATION OF 2018-2019 PROPOSED BUDGET
Mrs. Torre and Mrs. Visners gave a presentation on the special education program, enrollment, and budget demands.
Lengthy discussion followed regarding the special education budget, including the preschool, appropriate staffing levels, and legal costs. Broader budget discussion also included discussion of appropriate class and staff sizes.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: POLICY REVIEW: 5118.2 TUITION, CHILDREN OF NON-RESIDENT CERTIFIED STAFF – 4TH reading
Mr. Parkin presented a revised draft of the policy. Discussion followed.
Motion: move to approve Policy 5118.2. Reilly, Whaley. Approved. Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Jeanne Wendschuh, Deer Spring Road, Redding – Mrs. Wendschuh complimented the Board for its thoughtful questions and efforts made to fully understand the budget request so as to have informed discussions with the broader community.
Mike D’Agostino, Glen Hill Road, Redding – Opened that the current Redding RES preschool program is ideal as to its structure and wonders whether its optimal structure has an impact on enrollment.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT:
Mr. Hoffman again reminded the Board to channel questions to the administration through the Chair.
Mrs. Whaley asked what the focus of the next workshop should be and asked for a presentation on the efficacy of gifted and talented and RES world language program. Dr. McMorran suggested that the focus of the next meeting should be operations.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Hoeing, Reilly. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Recorded and Submitted by
Chris Parkin, Redding Board of Education Secretary