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5/5/09
A regular meeting of the RTM Education Committee was held on Tuesday May 5, 2009, at
7:30 pm at the Canoe Brook Senior Center.
The meeting was called to order by Chair Bruno at 7:15 pm.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll Call: Committee members present: RTM Representatives Bruno/Chair, Amore, Brooks, Cinque, Greenalch, Rondinone, and Twohill
Also present: RTM Representatives Reiners/RTM Moderator, Giardello/Majority Leader, Sullivan, Docknevich, Lambert, Sterling, Thayer, Black, BOE Chair Frank Carrano, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Halligan, BOE members Watson, Hotz, and Caruso
A motion was made by Representative Greenalch, seconded by Representative Brooks, to approve the BOE operating budget for 2009-10. Discussion was opened to the Education Committee, followed by other RTM members, then members of the audience.
The possibility of use of a contingency fund for a percentage of health insurance costs was suggested. Rep Reiners explained some details of the concept. Rep Amore and Brook supported the idea, with Rep Greenalch, Mr. Carrano, and Dr. Halligan not supporting. No amendment concerning an amount or use of a contingency fund was made; discussion turned to the budget as proposed after the BOF cut of $250,000 to the requested increase.
Discussion concerning increasing health care costs, effect of cuts on school programs and students, declining enrollment, and the state of the economy followed. Chair Bruno ended discussion and asked for a motion from the Committee.
A motion was made by Representative Greenalch, seconded by Representative Twohill, to reduce the amount of increase requested by the BOE by $165,000, which would lower the total increase in the BOE budget from the BOF recommented 2.36% to 2% over last year’s budget total.
The motion was approved by a Committee vote of: 5 in favor, 1opposed, and 1 abstention.
A motion to adjourn was made by Representative Twohill, seconded by Representative Amore.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm by Chair Bruno.
Respectfully submitted,
Maggie Bruno, Chair
RTM Education Committee
5/7/09
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