1. Manifest of $2.921 million approved. Most of this is High School tuition. Discussion of HS attendance and cost (Part 1, 11:52 elapsed).
2. Unassigned fund balance (surplus) will be up substantially this year (i.e. 2015-2016 school year), creating concern of next year’s tax rate needing to be larger in comparison (Part 1, 14:26 elapsed).
3. Discussion of Rye Junior High School boiler and replacement cost in hundreds of thousands of dollars. Enrollment may be at 130 in four years and it is conceivable that the Board may want to look at where the building is going. (Part 1, 21:25 elapsed).
4. Board votes to set aside the maximum allowed 2.5% of the District Assessment rather than return it to taxpayers this year, possibly avoiding a substantial tax increase next year (Part 1, 45:20 elapsed).
5. Limitations of the new accounting system, particularly the ability to “encumber” funds from one year into the next, are discussed (Part 1, 51:29 elapsed).
6. State restrictions on Unassigned Fund Balance use and matching of cost year to benefit year are discussed (Part 1, 62:58 elapsed).
7. Teacher Kim O’Connell’s resignation was accepted. That led to discussion of how quickly after internal posting outside advertising for the replacement teacher may begin. The teachers’ union likely disagrees with the administration on this issue (Part 1, 80:27 elapsed).
8. Chairman Scott Marion stated that the School Board has drafted a response to the teachers’ union, apparently related to the termination of Social Studies teacher John Waters last month and his replacement by a newly-hired teacher. See Herald article: http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20160617/rye-teacher-shocked-by-layoff. Chairman Marion stated that he believes there should be no further discussion. Board Member Kevin Brandon agreed. Superintendent Vin Petralia said that this had been “well stated.” (Part 1, 98:59 elapsed).
9. Assistant Superintendent Kelli Killen spoke of the need for a strategic plan, particularly as it relates to facilities planning and enrollment projections (Part 1, 141:00 elapsed).
10. Rye Elementary School enrollment for next year is projected to be 280. Enrollments for Kindergarten for next year are now at 42. Grade 3 is currently at only 36, with only two classrooms planned, so is being watched (Part 1, 153:25 elapsed).
11. Incoming Rye Junior High School Principal Marie Soucy reports on meetings during her first two weeks of work (Part 1, 160:32 elapsed).
12. Recent parent survey results were disappointing (44 from Junior High and 77 (?) from Elementary School). Chairman Marion states that this is not enough data to make decisions. Discussion over what to do with the information and what data to release follows (Part 1, 161:57 elapsed).
13. Implementation of co-teaching model for the Junior High will be the major initiative there for the next year (Part 2, 8:42 elapsed).
14. Communication has been added as a goal this year. The lack of sufficient positive communications and the fact that parents of Junior High children were receiving information via their children was discussed (Part 2, 24:02 elapsed).
15. Data needed to determine whether the new Rye Junior High structure is succeeding was discussed (Part 2, 41:42 elapsed).
16. Next year’s budget will include funds for video streaming, in part because RCL-provided videos are being watched extensively (120 views for June) and are valued by parents. Whether useful feedback on new Rye Junior High structure can be obtained prior to next year’s budget cycle was also discussed (Part 2, 73:04 elapsed).
