MinutesBudgetComm11052020 (1) (1)

COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
                                Colchester, CT



                                 BUDGET COMMITTEE

                              Thursday, November 5, 2020
                         BOE Budget Committee Meeting 9:00AM
                               Virtual Meeting via Zoom

                                        MINUTES

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: ​Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose, Mitch Koziol
(9:05AM)
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: ​Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, CFO Maggie Cosgrove,
Director of Educational Operations Mario Hurtado, Human Resources Director Shannon Ramsby
OTHERS PRESENT: ​BOE Chair Mary Tomasi, BOE Member Suesen Hickey, BOE Member
Chris McGlynn, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent Amy Trinnaman

1. CALL TO ORDER
   1.1 Call to Order
       Chair Morozowich called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM

2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
   None.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT
   3.1 Public Comment
       None.

4. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES
   4.1 Approval of October 8, 2020 Minutes
       Motion by:​ J. Rose
       To approve the minutes of the October 8, 2020 Budget Committee meeting.
       Second by: ​J. Morozowich
       Vote: ​Unanimous
       Roll call: ​J. Rose, J. Morozowich

Mitch Koziol joined the meeting at 9:05AM.

5. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
   5.1 Budget Committee 2021 Meeting Dates
       Motion by​: J. Rose
       To approve the Budget Committee 2021 Meeting Dates as amended: Add June 17, 2021
       date.
       Second by​: M. Koziol
      Vote: ​Unanimous
      Roll call​: J. Rose, J. Morozowich, M. Koziol

6. BUDGET REPORTS
   6.1 Monthly Budget Reports
       CFO Cosgrove presented the budget report ending October 31, 2020. No significant
       changes from last month. It was noted that Workers Compensation insurance accounts
       are over budget due to actual premium cost increases being higher than anticipated. The
       impact of the heating season (oil, electricity) remains to be seen. Due to the staffing
       shortfalls in both Finance and SPED, we have not yet recorded encumbrances for the
       SPED out of District placement tuition and transportation costs. Both offices will be
       back to full staff soon, and we will work to get caught up on these transactions.

  6.2 Cafeteria Fund
      CFO Cosgrove presented the Cafeteria report through September 2020 and is awaiting
      further projections on the revenue side. Revenue is mainly due to the reimbursement
      from the Federal government as we are providing meals for free for all students. Food
      sales are mostly from parents funding accounts for future purchases, instead of actual
      meals purchased to date. On the expense side, payroll expenses are steady, which has
      contributed to an overall deficit as the Federal reimbursement is not sufficient to cover
      these costs.

      Discussion ensued on addressing the long-term status of the Cafeteria Fund at an
      upcoming BOE meeting.

  6.3 Health Insurance Reserve
      CFO presented the Health Insurance Reserve, which is reported as stable.

  6.4 Use of Schools
      CFO Cosgrove presented the Use of Schools report through September 30, 2020.
      While no revenue was generated from outside groups, there is a small amount of
      custodial overtime for SAT testing and PTO meetings.

  6.5 Capital Reserve
      This quarterly report as of September 30, 2020 shows the majority of activity has been
      for restoration of Bacon Academy gym bleachers and the school security improvements
      that were not funded by the State grant. The Budget Committee requested the CFO to
      research the original funding source for the BA/WJJMS Facility Study, and OCR
      Compliance so that the unexpended balances can be reallocated to School Building
      Maintenance.

  6.6 Special Education Excess Cost Report (Not at this time)
      The Special Education Excess Costs report will be presented to the committee next
       month.

  6.7 Budget Transfers Under $5,000 (None at this Time)
7. OLD BUSINESS
     None.

8. *NEW BUSINESS
   8.1 Pay to Play
       Rebates in the Pay to Play program were discussed. The status of upcoming sports
       seasons is unknown, and some Fall sports may have a Spring season, but generalized
       rebates will be given to families for reduction in games due to the pandemic.

  8.2 2021-22 Budget Discussion
      Principals and Department Heads have provided initial, large budget items to the
      Superintendent. Reductions last year included capital expenditures, curriculum
      implementation, bus contract credit, custodial supplies, IT capital reserve and IT plan,
      and instructional supplies. To bring those back for 2021-2022, the current budget would
      require an increase of approximately 1.5%.

  8.3 Budget Transfers Over $5,000 (None at this time)

9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NEW ISSUES RAISED OR SUBJECTS DEVELOPED
    9.1 Public Comment
        None.

10. ADJOURN
    The meeting adjourned at 10:16AM.