The school superintendent shared information with selectmen.
JAY – School Superintendent Robert Wall told selectmen Monday Jay’s student enrollment has decreased and health insurance costs are up. He also shared three School Committee goals.
Wall shared information that showed student enrollment has gone from 1,020 in October 1993 to 919 Oct. 1.
Wall projected enrollment could be 765 students by Oct. 1, 2009.
Wall said the town does have a certain amount of transient population. Just this year, 18 new special education students enrolled in Jay schools and 21 special education students moved out of the system, he said.
The reduction doesn’t necessarily mean decreased special education costs, he said.
Town Manager Ruth Marden asked about the student-to-teacher ratio. Wall said that the average is 13-to-1 to 15-to-1 with some classes smaller and some larger.
Wall shared the School Committee goals: to adopt a completed curriculum, and assessments to meet state and federal standards by June 2005 and develop a final plan for fine arts center by 2006; ensure rapid approval of a needs-based school budget by presenting information to taxpayers’ in various ways; and settle all work agreements.
Selectman Ray Pineau said when the town negotiated with town employees, negotiations went to fact-finding similar to the way the School Committee and teachers’ negotiations have gone.
Teachers are in the second year without a new contract.
Pineau said there has to be some give on both sides for it to be resolved.
“I hope the board understands the community is watching this very, very closely and they hope you get this resolved,” Pineau said.
Wall said the School Committee hopes to settle the contract through the negotiation process.
Wall shared with officials that the cost of providing health insurance to teachers has increased significantly.
It cost the School Department $38,638 from July 1, 1999, to June 30, 2003, to provide a health insurance family plan for a teacher. And a teacher’s cost for the family plan was $1,440 for his or her share in the same time span.
In 1999-2000 the school system’s share of a family plan was $7,358 and teacher’s cost was $360. In 2002-03, the family plan cost the school system $12,134.76 and a teacher $360.
In 1999-2000, a single insurance plan cost the school system $2,683.44 and a teacher $180. In 2002-03 a single plan cost the school system $4,423.08 and a teacher $180.
From 1999-2000 to 2002-03, it cost the School Department $14,086.44 to provide insurance to a teacher and the teacher’s contribution was $720.
Teachers have said they’re willing to accept a fact-finders’ panel recommendation that would see their health insurance contributions triple.
But School Committee members have said the recommendation would cost the taxpayers too much money.
“I personally commend the School Board for looking out for the taxpayers and the teachers’ interest,” resident Pearl Cook said. “I don’t think time frame has anything to do with (resolving a contract).”
Monday’s meeting between and school and town officials was part of an information sharing session that is expected to become routine.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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