January
18, 2007
The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a budget work session.
Board Members Present
Penny J. Franklin, Chair B. Wendell Jones
Jamie M. Bond Amy J. Lythgoe
David G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa
W. Wat Hopkins
Staff Members Present
Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent
Harvey C. Goodwin Walter L. Shannon
Lisa R. McAlexander Patricia Talbot
Mark J. Pasier Jeanette R. Warwick
Call
to Order
Ms.
Franklin called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag
at 7:00 p.m.
Adoption
of Agenda
On motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.
Work Session
On motion by Mrs. Lythgoe, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board voted unanimously to enter into work session at 7:00 p.m.
Item
01/07-18 Discussion of Superintendent’s Budget
Request: As Board members reviewed the superintendent’s proposed budget,
Walt Shannon, Director of Management Services, provided additional information
about specific budget requests. School Board members felt the full budget
request as submitted by the superintendent might not be favorably received by
the Board of Supervisors. Therefore,
each School Board member spoke of the items he/she could support in the
proposed budget.
Item
01/07-18
After reviewing salary and benefit
information in connection with the budget, several board members indicated an
interest in examining the possibility of raising the salaries of specific
employee groups whose salaries are extremely low. The budget proposal was
presented with a compensation increase of 6.8%. Mr. Jones asked if a 5.5% and a
4% increase could be figured into the next proposal that is presented to the
School Board so Board members may determine the impact this would have on the
overall budget. Comments of School Board members will be incorporated into a
new budget proposal, which will be emailed to board members in the form of a spreadsheet
prior to the meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2007.
Item
01/07-19 Health Insurance Update: The School Board discussed the renewal
proposal for health insurance for the plan year beginning October 1, 2007,
which was recently received from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. It was noted that the utilization and claims
paid has increased by 29.1% for medical claims and 17.3% for prescription drugs
during the past 12 months. The renewal
proposes a 23.8% increase in premium cost for the current plans and
benefits. The School Board reviewed two
additional options that could reduce the premium increase to 14.9% (option 2)
or 9.5% (option 3). School Board members discussed the possibility of getting quotes
from other carriers and the fact that this could negate the current proposal
from Anthem. Mr. Shannon pointed out that Anthem does have the best network as
compared to the other carriers. Mr.
Shannon agreed to work with the consultant to gather information on market
trends, etc. and also to present the “pros” and “cons” of going out to bid and
will present this information at an upcoming work session. He will also present
additional options at the request of board members.
Return to Regular Session
Mr.
Dunkenberger moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to
return to regular session at 9:42 p.m.
Agenda Preparation
January 23,
2007 Budget Work Session, 7:00 p.m. at
the School Board Office
Item
01/07-18 (Continued) and Item 01/07-19
January 25,
2007 Budget Work Session, 7:00 p.m. at
the School Board Office
February 6,
2007 Public Hearing on the 2007-2008
School Operating Budget, 7:00 p.m., CMS
Approval of
Initial Budget Request
Hiring Policy
(First Reading)
Process for
Community Input on Division Mission,
Vision and
Goals
February 20,
2007 School Board and Clerk’s
Appreciation
Recognition of
National Board Certified Teachers
Hiring Policy
(Second Reading)
Adjournment
The
meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m. on motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mrs.
Lythgoe, and passed unanimously.
School Board Chair Deputy Clerk of the School Board