City Council

City of Laconia – City Council Budget Work Session Monday, May, 9, 2016 – 6:00 p.m. City Hall – Conference Room 200A CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Engler called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. RECORDING SECRETARY: City Clerk Mary Reynolds ATTENDANCE: Councilors Ava Doyle, Brenda Baer, Bob Hamel and Armand Bolduc Henry Lipman joined the meeting at 6:05 p.m. STAFF ATTENDANCE: City Manager Scott Myers LACONIA SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Stacy Sirois, Michael Persson, Scott Vachon, Heather Lounsbury LACONIA SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Dr. Phil McCormack, Kirk Beitler, Ed Emond LACONIA SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET Dr. McCormack addressed the Council and reviewed the proposed budget attached herein. Needs of special education students, preschool placement, homeless students in the district, demographic data were discussed by Dr. McCormack. E. Emond addressed the Council regarding the specific line items in the proposed budget including the revenue sources, the elimination of the child care program with the expansion of a half day preschool program for four year olds, Medicaid reimbursements, insurance cost increases, workers compensation and reductions made to meet the Tax Cap requirements but continue to fulfill the needs of special education students. Mayor Engler asked for an explanation of moving the elementary band program to an after school program in light of the attention it has received the community. E. Emond explained that the small groups are held during the school day and they are not receiving the academic needs met therefore it was important to the elementary school staff to move band instruction to a position that it wouldn’t affect the academic program which is after school. The band teacher will be assuming the vacancy due to the retirement of the high school band instructor and it will save $50,000 to have the elementary program be held after school. Mayor Engler confirmed that this was an educational decision as much as a budget decision. E. Emond confirmed this is correct. The high school band program was also discussed and the program will be held after school, again making the academic availabilities more available to students. Page 1 of 2 Councilor Hamel asked if advanced/high honors classes have been cut. E. Emond explained that as the high school population shrinks the needs to these classes are assessed based on the class sizes that are needed. It would not make sense to offer more classes with less students as opposed to less classes with more students to have a larger impact on more students. E. Emond also reviewed the teacher salaries for the State and emphasized that a collective bargaining agreement is crucial to maintain quality teachers in the district. There was discussion on stipends, health insurance increases and the need to continue with pay increases to avoid the loss of teachers. Mayor Engler stated that he would like an evaluation of the significant class room cuts and how they will impact the students on a daily basis. Councilor Hamel commented on the attendance changes in the Huot Center enrollment and asked if there is any indication why some municipalities have reduced. E. Emond explained that this is a direct effect of the State no longer funding the increases in the programs and as a receiving district the sending district is billed and they are getting bills at year end for large amounts therefore they are limiting the number of students they will sent. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Engler adjourned the budget hearing at 6:58 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Mary A. Reynolds City Clerk Accepted as distributed at the meeting of May 23, 2016 Page 2 of 2