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RSU #15 Regional Planning Committee Oct. 9 minutes (pdf)
RSU #15 Regional Planning Committee Sept. 15 minutes (pdf)

Minutes
RSU #15 Regional Planning Committee
October 9, 2008
Brewer High Library
6:30 P.M.


Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kyle Casburn.

Flag Salute

Minutes of Sept. 25: The minutes were approved.

Update: Dr. McIntire provided an update regarding consolidation as it is occurring statewide.

Items for Consideration:
1. Identification of Appointed RPC members:
Each of the three elected RPC members from each of ten municipalities signed a recording document for the RPC.

2. Distribute the draft re-organization plan.
Dr. McIntire explained the process for reviewing the draft RSU plan. He walked members through the document. Notes as follows:
Pages 4-5 discuss the disposition of real and personal property. Mr. Snell noted that the Orrington Town Manager, as Town Treasurer, would recommend that the Town Library and the athletic fields be turned over to the RSU. Airline has a community library; its disposition is undecided at this point. There is no excluded personal property.
Pages 6-7 deal with existing school indebtedness.
Pages 8-9 deal with new capitol project debt to assumed/not assumed by the RSU. (The finance committee will meet tonight to discuss financial issues)
Pages 10-11 are focused on school personnel contracts and collective bargaining. Contracted persons have annual contracts that will expire in June and the new RSU will have the opportunity to continue those contracts, if they choose to do so. Existing school personnel contracts will be carried over by the RSU. Collective bargaining contracts will be listed with the dates scheduled for renegotiation.
Pages 12-13 deal with how remaining fund balances will be managed by the RSU.
Dr. Lee explained that all schools have carry over funds each year. Each town’s fund balance would go to the RSU and these funds would be designated for the assessment due from each town to the RSU over a period of three years. Capital reserve funds would continue to be available to the town for the purpose designated by the town who carries the funds. There was discussion about the language on page 13, part B, line 9. Mr. Casburn summarized the suggestions around changing the language or leaving it as is.

A motion was made to amend the draft language on page13, part B, Remaining Balances.
The motion failed; the draft language will remain as is.

Pages 14,15,16 discuss the transition powers of the initial regional school unit. Dr. McIntire recommended that the RPC allocate $50,000 to the RSU for the transition process. The RPC planning committee suggests that $50,000 would be sufficient.

A motion was made to approve $50,000 for the transition process.
The motion passed.

Pages 16-22: Discussion of transition process
Dr. McIntire reported that the consolidation law requires that the RPC submit a name for the new RSU. The planning committee suggested RSU 15.

A motion was made to call the RSU Regional School Unit 15.
The motion passed.

3. A joint board meeting will need to be scheduled for February 12, 2009 to appoint the RSU 15 interim secretary
A secretary will be appointed to organize the elections for the RPC board, which should occur in March or April. The secretary will be the administrator who will organize the required elections. Dr. Lee will provide information regarding funding for the election.

A motion was made to approve the Feb. 12 date for the appointment of an RSU secretary.
The motion passed.

4. Discussion of RSU 15 local existing debt:
Mr. Young explained the existing local Brewer High School debt. He provided a handout that outlines the debt and discussed the improvements that were made to Brewer High School. Brewer High School is valued at $35,000,000. Mr. Young explained the costs of maintaining this building. He said that Brewer High School has had the lowest per pupil costs (regional) for the last three years.

A motion was made to accept Brewer’s existing local debt. The amount is $3,230,664. The group had a brief discussion.
The motion was defeated.
A second motion was made to revisit the local existing debt question at the October 30, 2008 RPC meeting. The motion passed.

5. Other:
The finance committee will meet after this meeting.

Time for Public Comment:
No additional comments.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M. The next RPC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 30 at the Brewer High School Library at 6:30 P.M.

Items to be considered at the next RPC meeting:
· There will be discussion about Brewer’s local debt on the new Pre-K through eight school.
· There will be discussion about the Brewer’s local existing debt.

Respectfully submitted,

Beth Lorigan