Next Steps
The Board decided, given the magnitude of the issues and potential costs involved, to schedule yet another extra meeting in its path toward decision. Just ahead:

• 1/22-Further consideration of master plan drafts and cost estimates (6-12 schools)
  
• 1/27-Further consideration of master plan drafts and cost estimates (K-12)
  
• 2/10-Board decisions on master plan costs and possible referendum date

BUDGET HEARING I
Board Budget Committee members, John Grimes and Rick Kaplin, introduced the beginning of the annual budget building process, emphasizing the five Budget Hearing steps (see dates in adjoining box), culminating in the annual public vote on the school budget, on 5/18.

Superintendent Chambers explained the effort to highlight budget planning in connection with district goals, and reintroduced CH Principal Phyllis Forbes and WA Principal Jacqui Getz. Curriculum and classroom connections to the budget were noted at the two schools, with new initiatives at both in mathematics (new textbooks, teacher training), and writing (the Teachers College Writing Workshop, partly funded by a Foundation grant). At CH the budget proposal continues to add Kindergarten aide time; at WA an initiative to bolster individual classroom libraries will continue.

To conclude the budget presentation, Assistant Superintendent Greg
Carlson presented a five-year budget projection, focusing on challenges including continuing enrollment growth, sharply rising employee benefit costs, and the impact of the potential classroom facilities bond on debt service.

Members of the public offered comments and questions regarding the budget.

BUSINESS AGENDA
Consent agenda items approved by the Board are shown on the following page, but two personnel items were highlighted. Mr. Chambers spoke with gratitude about the fourteen-year service of Dr. Francesca Galluccio-Steele, long-time K-2 principal in the district whose resignation for the purpose of retirement was accepted by the Board. Dr. Taylor noted the tenure recommendation of Heather O'Connell, whose service in biology brought her to a successful fulfillment of her probationary period.

Unfinished business conducted by the Board included the completion of a contract, now approved by the State Education Department, for an after-school Driver Education program to be provided by an outside contractor. Also approved and adopted were revised Board Policies 0000-2550. A list of the adopted policies is available upon request.

Staff reports featured another look at the draft of the 2004-05 school calendar, (with the Board requesting changes to create a full-week April vacation), recognition of the upcoming Martin Luther King holiday (including Dr. Taylor's comments on the schools' efforts to affirm diversity and Dr. King's contributions), and an update on the progress of the Athletic Facilities Bond toward State Education Department approval and actual construction in the spring and summer of 2004.

The meeting was concluded with an Executive Session.