North Hampton School District Deliberative Session February 6, 2018
Article 1: Operating Budget Shall the School District raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $8,707,609? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $8,923,623, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the School District or by law; or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. (Majority vote required.) Note: Warrant Article #1 (operating budget) does not include appropriations in any other warrant articles. Not Recommended by the School Board: 4-0 Recommended by the Budget Committee: 5-4
Article 1: Operating Budget The budget process involves multiple stages of review with budget iterations from the administration, school board, and the budget committee: The School Board proposed a budget of $8,795,565 which represented a 0.56% increase over the 2017-18 budget This budget included a reduction of 1.0 FTE regular education teacher, 1.0 FTE special education teacher, and two 0.5 FTE specialists (Math & Literacy) The Budget Committee s proposed 2018-19 operating budget, brought forth this evening, is: $8,707,609. This represents a decrease of -0.45%, which is ($39,140) less than the 2017-18 budget and ($216,014) less than the default budget of $8,923,623 This budget reflects a 1% ($87,956) reduction of the school board s proposed budget (The Salaries Certified Staff; Regular Education account has been reduced by the $87,956 1.0 FTE staff) This budget was recommended 5-4 by the budget committee and NOT recommended 4-0 by the school board
Article 1: Operating Budget The following chart outlines accounts with significant proposed increases: Account: Increase ($): Reason: Professional Services Special Education Salary; Director/Manager Improvement of Instruction Software License/Support Technology Salary; Ed Assocs/Aides/Mentors Special Education $90,500 $72,000 $27,706 $19,468 Psychologist and BCBA no longer qualify for IDEA grant transferred to operating budget New Curriculum Coordinator position (replaces half-time Math & Literacy Coordinator positions) Software/Backup Services to support new 1:1 computer initiative for grades 6-8 Additional Educational Associate position based on incoming identified student needs Transportation Special Needs $19,220 Due to out-of-district placement that requires transportation
Article 1: Operating Budget The following chart outlines accounts with significant proposed reductions: Account: Decrease ($): Reason: Legal Special Education ($148,500) Salary; Certified Staff Regular Education Salary; Certified Staff Special Education Salary; Certified Staff Guidance Salary; Certified Staff Technology Health Insurance Employee Benefits ($55,088) ($61,260) ($50,425) ($29,422) 2017-18 budget included a one-time Settlement payment Reflects 3.0 FTE reduction in staff despite CBA increases and Interventionist 1.0 FTE reduction in certified staff to address decreased student enrollment Due to restructuring, a counselor position was changed to an Interventionist position (reflected in Salary; Certified Staff Regular Education) 2017-18 budget included a one-time retirement stipend/sick leave buy-out ($19,112) Due to plan changes and reduction in staff
Article 2: Seacoast Educational Support Personnel Association To see if the School District will vote to approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the North Hampton School Board and the Seacoast Educational Support Personnel Association which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the proposed staffing levels: Year Estimated Estimated Salary TOTAL Salary Increase Driven Benefits Increase Estimated Cost 2018-19 $26,840 $2,442 $29,282 2019-20 $20,887 $1,973 $22,860 and further to raise and appropriate the sum of $29,282 for the 2018-19 school year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at proposed staffing levels in accordance with the current collective bargaining agreement. (Majority vote required.) Recommended by the School Board: 5-0 Recommended by the Budget Committee: 9-0 Note: In order for this article to be adopted, it must be approved by the voters of the school districts of Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Seabrook, South Hampton and the voters of the Winnacunnet Cooperative School District (which includes Hampton voters).
Article 2: Seacoast Educational Support Personnel Association 2 Year Agreement: July 1, 2018 June 30, 2020 Salary Schedule: Year 1: 2.50% Cost of living adjustment Year 2: 2.75% Cost of living adjustment Sick Leave (non-cost item) Provides employees two (2) additional paid sick days Personal Days (non-cost item) Provides employees two (2) additional paid personal days Holidays Provides employees two (2) additional paid holidays Language adjustments in the following sections of the CBA: Grievance Procedure Employee Evaluation Work Duties and Compensation Professional Development Sick Leave Bank
Article 2: Seacoast Educational Support Personnel Association A failed contract means that all items from the 2015-2018 contract would remain in effect: Staff would receive NO step or cost of living increase Could negatively impact our ability to attract, support and retain valuable paraprofessionals: Our rate of pay is lower relative to comparable districts Most area school districts offer a full benefits package Difficult to attract new employees, and retain current employees who need health, dental, or retirement benefits Our SESPA employees work with students who are at highest risk and most in need. These employees are an essential component of Special Education (SPED) programming. Without these highly qualified and capable low cost team members, we are at higher risk of additional out-of-district placements, outsourcing at a higher rate of pay, or other related costs. In addition, our SESPA employees work with ALL our students in the classroom every day.
Article 2: Seacoast Educational Support Personnel Association The CBA is a collaborative agreement. So, it is important to note that the CBA needs to pass in all 5 school districts within SAU #21 in order for it to take effect in any one district. If any one CBA fails, they all fail. Therefore, all 5 towns need to vote and pass the following CBA s for it to pass and take effect in any one district: North Hampton: North Hampton CBA & Winnacunnet CBA Seabrook: Seabrook CBA & Winnacunnet CBA Hampton Falls: Hampton Falls CBA & Winnacunnet CBA Hampton: Winnacunnet CBA South Hampton: South Hampton CBA
Article 3: Natural Gas Conversion To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $375,000 for the purpose of replacing the heating oil-burning equipment with natural gas fired equipment. Project includes, but is not limited to; replacement of two oil fired boilers with natural gas boilers, installation of natural gas line to the school, controls integration, removal of existing underground oil tank and conversion of kitchen equipment to natural gas. Funding for the project will come from the withdrawal of $150,700 from the previously established Energy Improvements Expendable Trust Fund created for this purpose and to raise the remaining amount through taxation. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until the projects are completed or June 30, 2020, whichever is earlier. (Majority vote required.) Recommended by the School Board: 5-0 Recommended by the Budget Committee: 8-1
Article 3: Natural Gas Conversion The proposed project represents the conversion of the North Hampton School to Natural Gas from an Oil heated facility This will involve extending the natural gas line from Route 1 to the school, removing the existing oil tank, replacing two boilers, controls integration, and converting the kitchen from propane to natural gas The district expects this project to recognize a cost savings while operating in a cleaner more environmentally friendly manner The district s financial model and analysis indicates a conservative payback timeframe of 8 years $150,000 of the project has already been funded via the Energy Improvements Expendable Trust Fund
Article 4: Special Education Expendable Trust To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $75,000 to be added to the existing Special Education Expendable Trust Fund. (Majority vote required.) Recommended by the School Board: 5-0 Recommended by the Budget Committee: 8-1 Note: This article is separate and independent of Article #6. Trust Balance (as of 10/30/17): $155,123.04
Article 4: Special Education Expendable Trust Budgeting and associated funding for Special Education continues to present fiscal challenges to the district Current 2017-18 Special Education costs are over budget in excess of $130,000, due to unanticipated SPED costs The Special Education Expendable Trust was established for the purpose of funding these unanticipated costs Due to the current year unanticipated expenditures, the district expects to deplete the trust with a significant withdrawal toward the end of the year It is important to replenish the SPED expendable trust to safeguard the school district against future unanticipated costs
Article 5: Long Term Maintenance To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $27,500 to carry out long term maintenance work in the North Hampton school building and grounds with an amount of $12,000 to come from the New Hampshire Public School Infrastructure Fund and to raise the remaining amount through general taxation. If the NH Infrastructure funding is not received the article will be funded through taxation. Anticipated projects include, but are not limited to, security cameras and library/music room carpeting. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until the projects are completed or June 30, 2020, whichever is earlier. (Majority vote required.) Recommended by the School Board: 5-0 Recommended by the Budget Committee: 8-1 Note: The school district has received conditional approval of anticipated offsetting revenue in the amount of $12,000 for the security cameras portion of this project from the New Hampshire Public School Infrastructure Fund.
Article 5: Long Term Maintenance The proposed warrant article addresses the ongoing long term maintenance projects at the North Hampton School Projects the district intends to address: Security camera installation Library and music room carpet replacement The district has been notified that the security camera project has been conditionally approved for $12,000 in funding from the New Hampshire Public School Infrastructure Fund (which will be reimbursed)
Article 6: Special Education Expendable Trust To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $75,000 to be added to the existing Special Education Expendable Trust Fund, with up to $75,000 to be funded from the June 30, 2018 unassigned fund balance available for transfer on July 1, 2018. No additional amount to be raised from taxation. (Majority vote required.) Recommended by the School Board: 5-0. Recommended by the Budget Committee: 8-1 Note: This article is separate and independent of Article #4. Trust Balance (as of 10/30/17): $155,123.04
Article 7: Building Maintenance Expendable Trust To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $25,000 to be added to the existing Building Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund, with up to $25,000 to be funded from the June 30, 2018 unassigned fund balance available for transfer on July 1, 2018. No additional amount to be raised from taxation. (Majority vote required.) Recommended by the School Board: 5-0 Recommended by the Budget Committee: 8-1 Trust Balance (as of 10/30/17): $125,190.75
Article 7: Building Maintenance Expendable Trust The Building Maintenance Expendable Trust was established for the purpose of safeguarding the school district against building and facility related costs, or unanticipated building maintenance related expenditures Important Note: Funding for the Building Maintenance Expendable Trust comes from any potential available year-end fund balance not raised via additional taxation
Thank You! Please remember to vote: Tuesday, March 13 th