REDDING BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2019
ATTENDANCE:
Board of Education: Irwin, Hoeing, Hoffman, Parkin, Pilato, Reilly, Whaley
Administration: McMorran, Reiss, Hammond, Wallin, Kirby, Twiss
Members of the Public: Approximately 9
CALL TO ORDER:
Dr. Irwin called the meeting to order at 7:46 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education approve the minutes of the February 5, 2019 Regular Board of Education Meeting. Hoffman, Reilly, Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education approve the minutes of the February 7, 2019 Regular Board of Education Budget Workshop Meeting. Whaley, Hoffman, Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Kristen Anstett, Whortleberry Rd., commented that the requested grant for $50,000 from Friends of Redding, Inc. is “interesting” against the backdrop of continued cuts to the education budget. She opined that the community should be thinking more about the schools.
Sarah O’Dell, Black Rock Turnpike, commented that class size is very important to her and class sizes should be kept small.
Jeff Fligelman, Pocahantas Rd., asked what was discussed regarding Latin at the Curriculum Committee meeting.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS:
C. Pilato thanked H. Whaley for her work with the Facebook page and coordination of the meeting at Meadow Ridge.
L. Hoeing complimented the communications committee for their continued efforts to disseminate information.
M. Hoffman noted that he feels less prepared to vote on a budget at this point in the process than in prior years.
Dr. Irwin praised the JRMS staff and students for the recent eighth grade Poetry Slam event and thanked C. Parkin and H. Whaley for driving the Board’s process on submitting testimony to the legislature regarding regionalization.
BUILDING ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
Dr. Martin discussed the Poetry Slam and N. Hammond provided an update on kindergarten enrollment.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: 2019 – 2020 PROPOSED BUDGET
Dr. McMorran walked the Board through a presentation regarding additional changes to the budget since the February meetings and proposed a budget increase of 4.69%, which would eliminate RES world language, reduce several teaching positions, and absorb contractual and insurance increases, $877k in special education increase, and $124k in teacher pension obligations. No new programs are proposed. Some, but not all, extra curriculars are restored.
The Board engaged in lengthy deliberation regarding all facets of the budget proposal and areas where numbers may shift going forward.
Motion: move to approve a 2019-2020 operating budget of $22,121,619, an increase of 4.69%, as
recommended by the Superintendent. Hoeing, Whaley.
Additional discussion followed.
The question was called and carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: UPDATE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Dr. McMorran announced that a candidate to serve as permanent Special Services Director has been identified to begin on 7/1/19. A formal announcement will follow.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: VOLUNTARY EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PLAN
Dr. McMorran announced that seven teachers had accepted an early retirement incentive, the savings from which had been built into the budget proposal.
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
None. Budget discussion included substance of S. Reiss report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
H. Whaley expressed appreciation for the thoughtful discussion throughout the budget process.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Whaley, Reilly. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 10:36 p.m.
Recorded and Submitted by
Chris Parkin, Redding Board of Education Secretary