Mr. Ruehr presented his informal financial
report to the Board. He informed the Board that we have one less student at
the high school level and one less elementary out of district attending Keene.
Mr. Ruehr explained that Marlow's surplus has grown by an estimated $30,000.
Approve School Budget for 2008-2009 - Mr.
Ruehr distributed the Marlow 2008-2009 School Administration Budget Overview
that shows a total budget of $1,387,499, a decrease of -19.68% from last year.
6th Grade Tuition to KMS - Mr. Ruehr
informed the Board that SAU 29 Districts would be offered the same tuition
costs to send students to KMS as 6th graders that we pay for our 7th and 8th
graders. He further explained that this is a verbal agreement and that we have
nothing in writing from Keene.
Ms. Chase asked that if the vote passed to
send our 6th graders to Keene Middle School, is that considered a permanent
move. Mr. Scharf replied that it would be.
Mr. Scharf stated that he felt that the
financial implications are not justified and that the town doesn't need the
added expense. He added that there is no evidence that students would benefit
by a move to Keene and that our information shows that our students do well by
entering middle school as 7th graders.
Mr. Tomasko supported having Marlow
students attend KMS as 6th graders and felt they would do better.
Ms. Chase informed the Board that students
she has spoken to feel they would have done better if they had started as 6th
graders, even though they did ok with the transition. Students also voiced
that they did not feel a part of the middle school social circles that were
already established and that they felt like an intruder. Ms. Chase feels that
our students could be doing so much better at KMS and at a minimal cost. She
shared that this school is a good school but by entering the middle school as
6th graders, students can be taught there for three years. Mr. Woolridge
explained that our tuition agreement for next year is only a verbal agreement,
not a contract. He also reminded everyone that Marlow has not been a school in
need of improvement and has made AYP therefore; it shows a tremendous effort
on part of the staff.
Mr. Scharf disagreed that the costs are
minimal to send our 6th graders to Keene, when actually; it's a large amount
of money. He feels that we should try to do things better here in order to
make the transition to Keene from here easier. Ms. Chase feels that the move
to Keene may help us to address kindergarten as a full day program.
Ms. Tickner felt that not having something
in writing from Keene regarding tuition worries her. She liked a lot of the
ideas she's hearing but is unsure at this time.
Ms. Peterson shared with the Board that
she has been in contact with Landmark College and the cost of the
organizational training would cost between $1000-2700. She added that they
would get back to her with information and specific costs.
A motion was made by Mr. Scharf that the
Board not recommend tuitioning students to Keene Middle School as 6th graders.
Mr. Dassau second the motion. The vote taken was 3-1, with Ms. Tomasko not in
favor. The motion passed and the Board will not put forth a plan or warrant
article to send 6th graders to Keene.
Ms. Levesque asked that if a warrant
article were to be written, would Mr. Woolridge be willing to help with this.
Mr. Woolridge replied that he would be willing to review it to be sure that it
is legal. He also added that 25 signatures are needed.
Ms. Levesque asked how Ms. Peterson felt
about this. Ms. Peterson replied that if it passed, this would have a major
impact and there will need to be grade realignment. She also added that she
has always been against 6th graders being mixed in with 7th & 8th graders
and would personally not want that to happen.
Mr. Scharf asked Mr. Woolridge and Mr.
Ruehr to give any assistance that Ms. Levesque & Ms. Chase need. Mr. Ruehr
asked them to give him a call to assist them with writing the warrant article
so that it is done right the first time.
Mr. Scharf explained that he felt his job
is to represent the children as well as the taxpayers and felt that this move
is not in their best interest.
Ms. Levesque asked the Board if there were
extra funds that could help bring 5th & 6th graders from other schools
together. She feels that if we had the extra money, we could do creative
things and get our students together with kids from other schools. Mr. Ruehr
explained that any overage at the end of the school could not be used that way
but it could be taken from this year's budget if something was to be done this
year. If something were to be done next year, it would have to be added to the
budget. Mr. Ruehr suggested that we add this to the agenda and talk about this
further.