SAU 34 proposes minimal increase

The Hillsboro-Deering, Windsor and Washington SAU board proposed a 0.8 percent increase for the 2009-2010 school year on Wednesday. The proposed budget of $943,519 would be defrayed by $40,000 from the unreserved fund balance. The board has yet to finalize the numbers in meetings to come.
Board member Rich Pelletier moved that the budget be proposed at the $943,519 number. Board member Sue Hoffstetter seconded the motion. It was approved by a weighted vote of 4 to 3, with Pam Butler, Paul Plater, John Segedy and chairman John Corrigan dissenting.
There is currently $115,000 left in the unreserved fund balance. With $40,000 allocated to the budget, that leaves $75,000 in unreserved fund, the sum that business administrator Lisa Braiterman explained is approximately what the SAU needs on a monthly basis. The unreserved funds are typically used for cash flow coverage during any given month.
The statutory alternative budget, which is based on the budget from the preceding year in a way similar to how school default budgets are calculated, is proposed to be $932,461. The bulk of the difference between the two budgets is $13,600 for a new superintendent of schools search, in case Superintendent Dr. Barbara Baker either decides to step down after her current contract expires or the board decides to look for a new superintendent at that time.
Dr. Baker is currently in the second year of a three-year contract. In the case that the board members need to begin a search to replace her, they would do so midway through next school year. The $13,600 for a possible search was placed in the SAU school board line, which is generally used for extra expenses.
Board member John Segedy remarked several times that voters were likely to vote for the proposed budget, even though it is higher, because it includes funding for a new superintendent search. His sentiment was not echoed by any other board member present.
Board member John Hyland of Washington pointed out that if the alternative budget passes and a superintendent search becomes necessary, then the board would have to access reserves to finance it.
As board members looked over the proposed budget, they noticed that the increase for the bookkeepers’ position did not appear to be 4 percent. It was agreed that all SAU employees be given a four percent raise, and board members asked Braiterman to look into why the bookkeepers’ position was not up to four percent.
The four percent increase for SAU employees is budgeted for, but it is up to Dr. Baker to give raises according to performance up to 4 percent. It is possible that an employee’s salary would see no increase.
Dr. Baker and Braiterman will both see automatic 4 percent increases per their three-year contract agreements. Dr. Baker’s salary will go up from $111,136 to $115,582. Braiterman’s salary will increase from $88,400 to $91,936.
Both Helene Bickford, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and Patty Parenteau, Director of Student Support Services, also have three-year contracts and will be given 4 percent increases. Bickford’s salary will increase from$76,786 to $79,858. Parenteau’s salary will increase from $70,304 to $73,116.
Board member John Hyland from Washington pointed out that the Cost of living or COLA increase this year is 5.8 percent.