Vice Chairman Joe Young called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM

Present were: Budget Committee members Robin Veysey, Joe Young, Hubene Brodie, Linda Feury; School Committee members Tammy Dickey, Bonnie Marckoon, Frank Murray, Faith Perkins; Principal Val Perkins, Business Manager David Bridgham, Selectman Jo Cooper and Administrative Assistant Stu Marckoon.

Minutes – Hubene moved to approve the minutes of January 5, 2004 as written. Robin 2nd. Vote in favor was 4-0.

School Budget Review – Joe asked Mr. Bridgham to review the school budget line items. Mr. Bridgham spoke about the following:

• Legal costs - an increase is associated with a special education lawsuit, and its anticipated high cost.
• Superintendent’s Office – Lamoine’s share is down.
• Transportation – A new bus contract with Laidlaw starts, and the cost is up 10%, but increases in future years are only 3%.
• Fuel Price – Expected to rise.
• Salaries – The increase is $26,000 but a purchased services line for world languages has been moved to this line. The rest of the increase is for contracted salaries.
• Summer Program – This is a new line, but it was previously budgeted under special education.
• Insurance Costs – A 15% increase is budgeted.
• Purchased Instruction – Included in this is a Natural History Program, the DARE program, and extending the Open Door program to 7th and 8th grade.
• Service Contract – This is for the copier and computers
• Supplies – This will purchase some more science kits. Mr. Perkins explained the science kit program. Hubene asked if once they get the kits, is the future cost on re-supplying them. Mr. Perkins said it was.
• Equipment & Technology – Mr. Bridgham said this includes 6 computer workstations, some furniture, wall maps and a laminator.
• Guidance – the only increase is for salary and benefits.
• Health – The school nurse is shared by the union and she serves Lamoine more than the other schools.
• Operations and Maintenance – The biggest increase is for building insurance, as rates are up. New equipment includes a floor burnisher, a curtain between the 7th and 8th grade rooms, entry carpets and two new tables for the cafeteria.
• Portable Classrooms – Mr. Bridgham is not sure if the town will continue to get a state subsidy for the classrooms.
• Capital Projects – The first grade entry way is back on the budget, but it has been for four budget cycles now and seems to get cut each time.
• Secondary Tuition – The spike for Lamoine has gone through, and the number of high school students will drop – a lot – from 100 to about 80. Mr. Bridgham predicted lower numbers of high school students for the next four years.
• Special Education – Mr. Bridgham said he was unsure why the special Ed teacher salary is down, and that might be wrong. He said much of the increase in the budget is attributable to a kindergarten student who will attend Bangor Christian School, and requires some OT, PT and Speech therapy. Hubene asked if we pay 100% of the cost. Mr. Bridgham said only of the special Ed cost. Hubene asked if the service is provided at Lamoine, and the parent decides the child will go to another school, would we pay? Mr. Bridgham said no, the program would be provided at the Lamoine School. Hubene asked if we pay tuition to Bangor Christian. Mr. Bridgham said no, it’s not an approved school, and we do not pay tuition for K-8 students anyway.
• Secondary Special Ed – Mr. Bridgham said decreases in PT, OT, and Speech have been moved to the tuition line, which is one big bill. Stu asked if the potential costs that are the subject of the lawsuit are included. Mr. Bridgham said yes, they’ve budgeted for the KidsPeace program. He said a 9th grader and a 10th grader will need one-on-one Ed Techs, and there is one out of state student. He said both Ellsworth and MDI impose a surcharge. Discussion of the potential costs from the lawsuit followed.
• Bottom Line – Mr. Bridgham said the state subsidy is up a bit, and the budget calls for a 4.7% increase in local appropriation.

There was a brief discussion on state special education policy. Linda asked if Mr. Bridgham would check on the special Ed teacher pay issue.

Joe said the Budget Committee feels the school committee did an excellent job on the budget. He said the meeting is a good opportunity to get together and be in full agreement. Mr. Perkins said it was helpful to have the town meeting in March, as it forces the administration to begin planning early.

Next meeting – The next meeting will be Monday, January 26, 2004 at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall to make recommendations. Faith Perkins asked if the Budget Committee wanted anyone from the School Board to attend. Joe said they’re always welcome.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:48 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Stu Marckoon, Adm. Asst.