1. Â Manifest of $2.921 million approved. Â Most of this is High School tuition. Â Discussion of HS attendance and cost (Part 1, 11:52 elapsed).
2. Â 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. Â Discussion of Rye Junior High School boiler and replacement cost in hundreds of thousands of dollars. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â State restrictions on Unassigned Fund Balance use and matching of cost year to benefit year are discussed (Part 1, 62:58 elapsed).
7. Â Teacher Kim O’Connell’s resignation was accepted. Â That led to discussion of how quickly after internal posting outside advertising for the replacement teacher may begin. Â The teachers’ union likely disagrees with the administration on this issue (Part 1, 80:27 elapsed).
8. Â 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. Â See Herald article: Â Â http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20160617/rye-teacher-shocked-by-layoff. Â Chairman Marion stated that he believes there should be no further discussion. Â Board Member Kevin Brandon agreed. Â Superintendent Vin Petralia said that this had been “well stated.” (Part 1, 98:59 elapsed).
9. Â 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. Â Rye Elementary School enrollment for next year is projected to be 280. Â Enrollments for Kindergarten for next year are now at 42. Â Grade 3 is currently at only 36, with only two classrooms planned, so is being watched (Part 1, 153:25 elapsed).
11. Â Incoming Rye Junior High School Principal Marie Soucy reports on meetings during her first two weeks of work (Part 1, 160:32 elapsed).
12. Â Recent parent survey results were disappointing (44 from Junior High and 77 (?) from Elementary School). Â Chairman Marion states that this is not enough data to make decisions. Â Discussion over what to do with the information and what data to release follows (Part 1, 161:57 elapsed).
13. Â 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. Â Communication has been added as a goal this year. Â 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. Â Data needed to determine whether the new Rye Junior High structure is succeeding was discussed (Part 2, 41:42 elapsed).
16. Â 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. Â 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).
