Joint Employees and Bargaining and Financial Committees

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

Minutes

November 7, 2007

The Employees & Bargaining Sub-committee and the Financial Sub-committee of the Reorganization Planning Committee (RPC) met jointly during the breakout session of the RPC on Wednesday, November 7, 2007, at Mt. Ararat Middle School in Topsham, Maine.

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

Financial Committee members present were: Elinor “Ellie” Multer (Chair); Martha Poliquin; Roy Letourneau; Jim Trusiani; and Joanne Reinhart.

Also present were M.S.A.D. No. 75 Business Manager Ron Lavender and Jay Bartner, RPC facilitator and moderator.

The Sub-committee meeting began at 7:10 p.m with Mr. Lavender presenting the “Lisbon and M.S.A.D. No. 75 Combined System Administration Budgets.” Lisbon’s Central Office utilities costs and one Business Manager’s salary were removed. In addition, M.S.A.D. No. 75 reallocated administrative costs to instructional costs. The Technology Director’s salary allocation is still unclear as to whether it can be considered as an instructional cost instead of an administrative cost.

Mr. Lavender also provided the Sub-committees with a list of administrative positions, stating there is a challenge with the drafted organizational chart in regards to position titles and the credentials required for the positions. In calculating salaries and benefits costs, the lowest salary was removed from the equation to ensure adequate forecasting.

Mr. Bartner reminded the Sub-committees to remember the cost of unemployment. Schools pay dollar to dollar, and a recommendation will need to be made on whether it will be the old unit’s responsibility or the new unit’s responsibility. Mr. Lavender added that currently M.S.A.D. No. 75 pays it directly and Lisbon uses its general fund budget.

Ms. Multer inquired which budget year the committee is responsible for forecasting. Mr. Lavender advised that the group is responsible for estimating the first-year savings, which is 2009-2010.

Mr. Lavender continued with the facilities update indicating that under the Consolidation Plan, there would be eight schools. The Committee will need to decide if the current staff can handle this demand or whether an additional half-time salary will need to be considered to handle the extra duties.

Mr. Henderson exited the meeting at 7:34 p.m.

Ms. Reinhart reminded the group that under the Consolidation Plan, Directors are taking on more responsibility and that higher salaries will need to be considered into the costs.

Further discussion ensued around what an organization chart should look like to adequately and efficiently cover a system with 4,500 students. Mr. Lavender was very honest in stating that the two Superintendents were struggling on what the structure would look like and how detailed it should be. The group agreed it was the Superintendents’ responsibility to provide the Sub-committees with their recommendations from the administrative level, including anything above a teaching position. Ms. Benjamin reminded the group this information was requested at the last meeting of the Employees & Bargaining Committee, attended by Superintendent Welsh.

Superintendent Wilhelm was invited to join the meeting, and Mr. Bartner reiterated the Committee’s request to provide a recommendation on what structure is necessary (from all levels above teaching) to run a system with 4,500 students, prior to the next meeting. Mr. Wilhelm acknowledged his understanding of the request.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. for RPC group debriefing.

Respectfully submitted,

Kim Benjamin

Scribe

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