Fayetteville Board of Education

Minutes of the March 4, 2005 Special Meeting

The meeting convened at 11:00 AM in the Adams Leadership Center with President Steve Percival presiding. Board members Tim Kring, Laura Underwood, Howard Hamilton, Steve Percival, Susan Heil, Christine Bell and Tim Hudson were present.

Dr. Bobby New, superintendent, introduced Mike Mason, principal at Holt Middle School. Mr. Mason discussed the fact that it is getting harder and harder to hire new teachers because of the higher salaries being offered in other school districts in the area. He noted that in the past he has had two teachers accept positions at Holt then change their minds because they were able to make more money in another district in the area. Mr. Mason added that he has talked to other principals who were experiencing the same problem. Another trend he sees is that experienced, well-trained teachers are going to other districts due to higher salaries.

Dr. Lisa Morstad, chief financial officer, discussed several factors affecting revenue in the district, including the funding formula, decrease in state funding, and no increase in growth funding.

Steve Percival, board president, asked the Board to define targets for the district, including salary gap, class efficiency and technology. Dr. New added that efficiencies will be developed, including rezoning when the K-7 school opens and gaining classrooms with one-on-one technology. Dr. Morstad presented several scenarios showing the cost associated with raising teacher salaries to different levels, with and without the money needed to fund technology, and the additional mills needed for funding. After discussion, the Board asked Dr. Morstad to calculate the revenues associated with a 4.8 mill increase. Dr. Morstad said that a 4.8 increase would result in a net increase of 4 mills due to the .8 mill rollback. She also noted that the district would not start receiving the additional money generated from the millage increase until October 2006. The Board agreed that extra revenue as a result of the millage increase and increased efficiencies in the district remaining after increasing starting salaries to approximately $38,000 would go toward the replacing outdated computers in the district. The Board agreed to vote on the proposal at the March 17^th board meeting with a special election to be held in May of 2005.

Alan Wilbourn, director of school/community relations, outlined a proposed timeline to prepare for a special election in May.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 PM.

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Stephen M. Percival, President Christine Bell, Secretary