Portland School Committee
Finance Subcommittee
Thursday,
November 13, 2008
5:30
p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
PATHS,
Room 340
MINUTES
In attendance: Peter Eglinton,
Jaimey Caron, Jules Szanton, Jeanne Whynot-Vickers, and Herb Hopkins
Absent: Lori Gramlich and Sarah Thompson
o Minutes approved as written.
o Jeanne provided a summary of her recent meeting with Anita LaChance about various issues involving collaboration between the city and school department. Topics included:
• Potential use of unused CIP funding for replacement of IT air conditioning and PHS water heater
• Status of funding for a consultant to support the Facilities Task Force, as well as options for other upcoming funding needs
• Potential use of warehouse space to consolidate programming
• Feasibility of moving certain Central Office staff to City Hall
• Status of research into collaborating on maintenance services
• Status of the development of one or more MOUs to document practices and agreements between the school district and city
o If the School Committee is interested in exploring the use of remaining CIP funds from the repair of the Hall roof, then the finance subcommittee should approach the City Finance Committee to gauge their support and agree on next steps.
o Kevin Mallory summarized a proposal to establish 3-year phase-in plan to replace 17 busses.
o Newer busses are larger and have updated emissions controls (cleaner).
o Peter suggested scheduling a workshop (full committee) to discuss the proposal along with other multi-year budgeting issues.
o Jeanne is preparing a timeline for budget development; she is awaiting information from the city regarding the overall schedule for budget approval.
o Will focus on overspending.
o Peter has distributed a new set of proposed DrummondWoodsum revisions to policies on budget development and administration issues.