January 23, 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 U. Lythgoe

David G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa

W. Wat Hopkins (7:05 p.m.)

Staff Members Present

Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent

Daniel A. Berenato Mark J. Pasier

Christine C. Burton Walter L. Shannon

Christina T. Gilley Patricia Talbot

Harvey C. Goodwin Jeanette D. Warwick

Anita P. Johnston

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. Lythgoe, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.

Work Session

On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, the Board voted unanimously to enter into work session at 7:01 p.m.

Item 01/07-20 Discussion of Superintendent’s Budget Request: Walt Shannon, Director of Management Services, told Board members that there was one change in the rollover budget in that the health insurance increase had been changed from 12 percent to 14.9 percent.

Mrs. Bond said she doesn’t think the school division needs another gifted resource teacher because the program is not running successfully in her opinion. Mrs. Lythgoe agreed. She stated that changes need to be made within the program before hiring additional staff. Mr. Jones expressed his concern that the program does need help. Dr. Hopkins said

Item 01/07-20

he has been a harsh critic of the gifted program in the past, but he is going to vote to keep the position in the budget at this time. Mr. Dunkenberger and Mrs. Morikawa also supported keeping the gifted position in the budget.

Ms. Franklin was in favor of taking funding allocated for an additional gifted resource teacher and increasing funding for math specialists since the school division is struggling in math.

Board members proposed and debated options for the budget to include compensation changes and discussion of items such as the gifted resource teacher, math specialists, bus aides, custodial maintenance and equipment, special education, etc.

Return to Regular Session

Mr. Dunkenberger moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to return to regular session at 8:00 p.m.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to amend the superintendent’s budget request (designated as option two) by increasing total compensation from a total of 5 percent to a total of 6 percent (a step increase of 1.6 percent in the rollover budget and an increase in compensation of 4.4 percent) and by adding a math specialist.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the amended 2007-2008 School Operating Budget of $6,647,313 and to advertise the budget for a public hearing on February 6.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to cancel the January 25, 2007 budget work session.

Agenda Preparation

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)

February 20, 2007 School Board and Clerk’s Appreciation

Recognition of National Board Certified Teachers

Hiring Policy (Second Reading)

Item 01/07-20 (Continued)

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. on motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mr. Jones, and passed unanimously.

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board