Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – March 28, 2005

Sharon High School Library – 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  Brian Fitzgerald, David Fixler, Kenneth Goldberg, Charles Goodman,

                               David Hearne, Jonathan Hitter, Ira Miller, Paul Pietal, Gloria Rose,

                               Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Michael Feldman

1. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGET REVIEW.  Present were Dr. Claire Jackson, Superintendent of Schools, Barbara Dunham, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, School Committee Members, Andy Nebenzahl, Chair, and Tom Gilligan.

2. Dr. Claire Jackson made the presentation on the budget.  She stated that the Sharon schools are the finest asset in town.  She pointed out many pluses and explained the comparative data on per pupil expenditure.  The goals were to provide the best education for every child in the least restrictive environment and to reduce the number of students in outside Special Education placement.

3. Discussion continued on Maintenance of Effort and Maintenance of Effort + 1%.  The School Department stated that both the 5.7 increase and the 6.7 increase would leave the Sharon Public Schools unable to fulfill important staffing.

4. Discussion on upcoming renovations, especially to Middle School, security, fees for athletics, utilities, and revolving account.

5. Discussion on benefit of having intervention services at every school.

6. Discussion on the renovation on schools and the need to discuss this with the Standing Building Committee.

7. OTHER BUSINESS

8. It was announced that the Warrant will be ready on the 6^th.

9. The next regular meeting will be on April 4.

10. MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

11. VOTED:  10-0-0.

12. The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 P.M.

Open Action Item
Action Item	Responsible	Start	Due
Determine number of union contracts	Group	12/13/04	1/31/05
Analyze effect of union contracts on different departments and on budgets overall	Group	1/10/05	2/15/05
Develop a model for salary projections	Pietal and Grasfield to help out	1/10/05	3/31/05
Follow up ZBA budget for more concrete numbers	Pietal	1/31/05