Employees and Bargaining Committee

of Lisbon/M.S.A.D. No. 75 RPC

Minutes

October 10, 2007

The Employees and Bargaining Sub-committee of the Reorganization Planning Committee (RPC) met at 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday, October 10, 2007, Mt. Ararat Middle School in Topsham, Maine.

Committee members present were: Steve Harris (Chair); Prudence “Prudy” Grant; Kim Totten; Jim Henderson and Kim Benjamin.

Also present were Lisbon Superintendent Shannon Welsh and Lisbon Business Manager Catherine Messmer.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harris at 7:10 p.m.

Mr. Harris opened the discussion with the recommendation of obtaining a chart of comparable benefits for both Lisbon and M.S.A.D. 75, with the history that goes along with it.

Mr. Henderson and Ms. Benjamin both asked questions about goals and task delegation of this subcommittee. Superintendent Welsh directed the group to Page 15, Section 7, of the Drummond Woodsum Reorganization Plan Template. She explained it is the Committee’s task to draft the language of the proposal, collect the data as outlined in our template, and to offer recommendations of how the transition plan should move forward as current agreements and contracts expire or duplication of services exist.

Ms. Grant advised the group she was meeting with Sue Rowe, MEA UniServ Director, and recommended we prepare a side-by-side comparison of contract differences, along with our concerns. Mrs. Totten recommended we add cost differences as part of the analysis as well.

Lisbon Business Manager Catherine Messmer was asked to join the meeting at 7:30. The discussion, led by Superintendent Welsh, continued with the Committee listing what data is needed from both Lisbon and M.S.A.D. No. 75 as well as outlining the current structure of Lisbon’s Central Office (see attached outline).

Items requested from both Superintendents’ offices are:

(1) list of all contracted employees

(2) list of all “at will” employees—not service providers

(3) lease-purchase agreements (copiers, portable classrooms, etc.)

(4) list of all facilities

(5) list of all schools, number of students in each, and of those, the number receiving Special Education services.

(6) projection from Superintendents on what Central Office would ideally consist of to service 4,500 students

The Sub-committee was then directed to Page 27, Item 13 of the Drummond Woodsum Reorganization Plan Template. Mr. Harris highlighted the text “requiring each school administrative unit to reduce its administrative costs by 50% and to reduce its transportation costs, special education costs, and building and maintenance costs by 5% each.” This would equate to $204 per-pupil subsidy reimbursement from the State. Superintendent Welsh noted that Lisbon was currently at $268 per pupil. Mrs. Totten was unsure exactly what M.S.A.D. No. 75’s figure was but commented that Superintendent Wilhelm had mentioned the District would be losing almost 50% of the current subsidy.

The task is to develop a plan to reduce System Administration costs (defined as Central Office and School Committee) by reducing administrative costs, reorganizing duties, sharing service collaboratives, etc. The Committee needs to determine what kind of structure is needed to service 4,500 students.

Mr. Henderson inquired about transportation and whether bus drivers were under contract. Superintendent. Welsh responded that Lisbon has five bus drivers who fall under the Support Services Collective Bargaining Agreement (versus under a contract which would imply an outside bus company). Discussion ensued regarding the routing software owned by M.S.A.D. No. 75 (VersaTran) versus the software being acquired by Lisbon. The group agreed to ask Mr. Bartner to get an update on the status of the bus software RFP.

Superintendent Welsh reminded the group that the 5% reduction in transportation does not have to be just staff costs, but could include a reduction in bus repair costs, extending bus contracts, etc. In addition, Special Education costs could be reduced through Administration and/or subcontracts for services that may now be offered by one school department or the other.

Mrs. Totten inquired about the building structures owned by the Lisbon School Department. Superintendent Welsh stated that the Town of Lisbon owns the Central Office but all other buildings are assets of the School Department. Lisbon is a municipality; thus, the Town owns all of the building by the School Department has authority over those buildings, including the Central Office. Mrs. Totten stated that M.S.A.D. No. 75 owns all its buildings. Both school units forecast capital improvements, over a 2-3 year period, into their annual budgets. The Sub-committee will request a copy of all facilities for both school units.

Accounting software and payroll processing differences were discussed. M.S.A.D. No. 75 uses Microsoft Great Plains and contracts with ADP for payroll. Lisbon uses Budget Sense software and processes payroll in house. Lisbon currently runs warrants for approval and funding by the Lisbon Town Council. With the change in structure, the Lisbon Town Council would be removed from this process, and there is no expected increase in costs of producing checks in house.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. for RPC group debriefing.

Respectfully submitted,

Kim Benjamin

Scribe

Current structure of Lisbon’s Central Office

Positions: Current cost sharing within Union 3o:

Business Manager * 70%

HR/Office Coordinator * 70%

Bookkeeper/Payroll * 70%

Accounts Payable * 70%

MEDMS (29 hrs MEDMS/12 hrs curriculum) * 70%

Transportation & Facilities Director 100%

Transportation Secretary 12 hrs per week

Curriculum Director 100%

Special Education Director 70%

Special Education Secretary 70%

Part-time Special Education Secretary 70%

Technology Director 100%

Nutrition Director 100%

Superintendent * 70%

Superintendent’s Secretary 70%

* Systems administration

Contracts with bids:

Snow plowing

Rubbish removal

Bus maintenance

Fuel oil (annual bid)

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