August 2, 2011 Public Hearing

Hopkinton School District School Board

School Administrative Unit #66

Meeting Minutes

PUBLIC HEARING

August 2, 2011

 

IN ATTENDANCE

School Board: Chairman: David Luneau, Vice Chairman: Elizabeth Durant Board Member: Louis Josephson, William Jones

Administration: Superintendent: Steven Chamberlin, Business Administrator: Michelle Clark

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Luneau called the properly posted public hearing to order at 5:05pm.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None present

COMMENTS FROM THE HOPKINTON SCHOOL BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION

Mr. Luneau stated the purpose of the meeting was to gathering public input on the purchase of a Handicap Accessible/Special Education School Bus for not more than $50,000. He stated that The Board would be voting on an action item at tonight’s school board meeting regarding the withdrawal of not more than $29,000 from the Replacing School District Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund.

Mr. Chamberlin gave overview of the discussion at the July 28 school board meeting regarding the purchase of a handicap accessible/special education school bus. He stated that during the last two years it has been difficult ensuring special education transportation.  The current bus is not reliable and has two years of unstable history. Outsourcing was considered, but the bid process produced very little interest and was not cost prohibitive. The bus is six years old with 140,000 miles. Mr. Chamberlin stated that First Student Bus Contract Manager Alison Jones agrees that the bus is beyond its serviceable capacity.

Funding:

$21,000 – ARRA funds

$29000 – Replacing School District Vehicles Capital Reserve Fund

 

Mr. Chamberlin passed out a memorandum outlining the history of the Hopkinton School District Replacing School District Vehicles Capital Reserve Fund and its balance to date.

Ms. Clark stated that this vehicle was gas vs. diesel.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 5:21pm

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Eaton