REGION 9 BOARD OF EDUCATION
ANNUAL DISTRICT HEARING
Monday, April 5, 2021 – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/97869178031?pwd=Q0dtSERQRjJvdEtHOEdiRUJ1RW5XUT09
Meeting ID: 978 6917 8031 Passcode: 449316
Minutes
ATTENDANCE
Board Members: T. Johnston, C. Graziano, M. D’Agostino, M. Pampel, G. Denny, M. Williams, K. O’Brien
Absent: J. Berry
Administration: G. Pin, Dr. Harrison, C. Zachary
Public: 5 members of the public were in attendance
CALL TO ORDER
The Region 9 Board of Education Annual District Hearing meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by Chairperson T. Johnston.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED 2021-2022 OPERATING BUDGET FOR JOEL BARLOW HIGH SCHOOL/REGION 9 SCHOOL DISTRICT
T. Johnston reminded the public tonight’s meeting was for the Board Chairperson to present the Region 9 proposed 2021-2022 operating budget and allow the public to comment or ask questions. The next Region 9 budget meeting will be the Annual District Meeting on May 3rd which will be recessed to a machine vote on May 4th in the town referendums. The same budget presentation recently given at the Town Boards of Finance meetings was presented by T. Johnston.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Anne Manusky, 20 Morning Glory Drive, Easton asked about the 2020-2021 unexpended funds and if they impacted the 2021-2022 proposed budget. T. Johnston explained Region 9 may use the unexpended funds on the pension fund, health insurance reserve and capital reserve or return to the towns. The decision on this year’s remaining unexpended funds will be made prior to the end of the fiscal year in June and is approximately $215,000 to $250,000 at this time, which is subject to change, due to school operations over the next few months. The unexpended funds from last year’s budget have already been returned to the towns or included in the pension fund, health insurance reserve and capital reserve and have no impact on the 2021-2022 budget. A. Manusky asked how taxpayers will know if unexpended funds will be used for unbudgeted items similar to last year’s DEI and DBT consultants.
T. Johnston replied that any unbudgeted items will be discussed and approved by the Board and the public was welcome to attend those meetings and express their opinions. A. Manusky asked why 515 courses were offered. M. Johnston, K. O’Brien, and Dr. Pin explained the courses were not offered at the same time every semester. Only courses in which students enrolled would be offered from the potential 515 courses, and courses along with state graduation requirements, may be found on the school website. M. Williams and C. Graziano recommended A. Manusky find more information about the course offerings on the school website, by attending Curriculum Committee meetings, or in a separate conversation, and recommended Chairperson T. Johnston keep the public questions focused on the 2021-2022 operating budget. There were no other questions from the public.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
None
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Move to adjourn the Region 9 Board of Education Annual District Hearing meeting (K. O’Brien, G. Denny). Approved, 7-0.
The meeting of the Region 9 Board of Education Annual District Hearing was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Recorded and Submitted by
Todd Johnston, Chairman Region 9 Board of Education