Metzler says he will provide school board with documents outlining legal obligations for special education
PLAISTOW — Members of the Timberlane Regional School Board and the administration disagree over the financial obligations of the district, causing concerns that 2018-19 default budget would lead to deficits or legal issues.
The $71.3 default budget — approved by the school board in a 5-4 vote — budgeted $9.3 million for special education and $3.1 million for student transportation. In a draft of the default budget created by Timberlane Business Administrator Geoffrey Dowd, the district budgeted $9.9 million for special education and over $3.6 million for transportation.
According to state law, a default budget — which comes into play if voters reject the district's proposed budget — equals the amount of the operating budget from the previous year, plus any increases from contracts or legal obligations and minus any one-time costs.
However, the district and some school board members disagree about those legal obligations and one-time costs, meaning there is a $2 million difference between their budgets.
Superintendent Earl Metzler and Dowd argue that the default budget underfunded both student transportation and special education, which would have major negative impacts on the district. Because the district is required to fulfill all special education needs and provide adequate transportation for students, if those lines in the default budget do not increase, the district would be forced to pull funds from other areas in the budget.
Disagreeing with the administration, School Board Chairman Brian Boyle said he is confident all aspects of the default budget were created legally and properly. He said that he spoke with four different New Hampshire lawyers to confirm the default budget is in compliance with the appropriate RSAs.
"We followed that process right to the letter of the law," said Boyle. "I take the duty and responsibility of chairman of the school board very seriously."
Boyle explained exactly how the default budget follows the law.
For transportation, the default budget shows level funding because there is currently no new contract approved. Once the district accepts and approves a new bus contract, the student transportation line in the default budget will be adjusted to reflect the increase of the new contract.
Boyle also told the Tribune that the school board has not received any documents from the district that demonstrate a contract or legal obligations for special education that amount to the increase outlined in the district's original draft of the default budget. Therefore, without a contract or proof of legal obligations, the school board cannot legally increase the special education line of the default budget.
"Our hands are tied in the terms of how the default budget is calculated," said Boyle.
However, Metzler said the legal obligations for the district to meet Individualized Educational Plans and special education needs are very real and the district is prepared to justify and show all legal obligations.
"We will provide Chairman Boyle with whatever documentation we can legally provide so that the default budget is both accurate and legal," said Metzler.
He added, "We will go line by line and justify every single expense."
Metzler said he spoke with Boyle Friday morning following the lengthy school board meeting Thursday night, and he said the two — alongside Dowd — hope to meet early next week to clarify the districts legal obligations for special education spending.
"My goal is to have the business administrator, the superintendent, and the chair all in agreement so that I can support the default budget," said Metzler.
Boyle said for the special education line in the default to change, the information provided from the district, "has to be monetary and has to be contractual."
"We will clearly honor all contractual obligations of the district," said Boyle.
The school board is slated to join the budget committee next Thursday at their supplemental public hearing to discuss the proposed operating budget and all monetary warrant articles.
The hearing is to be held Thursday, Jan. 25 at the Timberlane Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m..
While the hearing is hosted by the budget committee, the school board will also be joining the committee on stage at the PAC to give a short presentation about the default budget and answer any questions from residents.
26 comments:
Who are the lawyers?
https://atkinsonreporter.wordpress.com/2018/01/22/boyle-spero-lawyer-shop-default-budget-to-try-and-justify-1-1-million-cut-to-services/
****BREAKING NEWS****BREAKING NEWS*****BREAKING NEWS*****BREAKING NEWS*****BREAKING NEWS***
PLAISTOW — A former Atkinson town official was found guilty Monday of repeatedly lying to police by falsely accusing her neighbors of disorderly conduct in 2014.
Joyce LaFrance, 60, of Granite Ridge Road was convicted on four counts of making false reports to law enforcement during her trial in 10th Circuit Court in Plaistow.
LaFrance served on the Atkinson Conflict of Interest Committee for several years but resigned in March 2014. She was arrested nine months later on six counts of making false reports to law enforcement.
It was not immediately clear Monday when the two additional charges against LaFrance were dropped, but she faced only four counts at trial.
LaFrance called police to complain about her neighbors on Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Nov. 21 and Nov. 26, according to court documents.
Police received all the calls in the early morning, most between 4 and 7 a.m. One call came between 2:30 and 10 a.m.
All of the false reports LaFrance was charged with making were made against a single individual, whom LaFrance's lawyer said she had a restraining order against.
But Atkinson Police Chief Albert Brackett said LaFrance complained constantly about her neighbors.
"Since I've been the chief here ... there have been ongoing, constant complaints coming from her residence about her neighbors," he said. "Early 2014 up until November, when she ended up getting charged, I was receiving constant communication, emails and calls from her."
LaFrance called police Nov. 13, 2014, to report that her neighbor had fired a gun and "yelled out her name." In the other complaints, she accused the same neighbor of setting off fireworks or other loud explosions, or simply making "loud noises."
Despite the constant calls, Brackett said the majority of the complaints were unfounded.
Atkinson police charged a neighbor with disorderly conduct as a result of LaFrance's complaints twice. On a third occasion, police issued a citation for violating the town's noise ordinance.
LaFrance was ordered to have no contact with the neighbor named in the complaints and was fined $2,000 for each charge. The fines will be suspended for a year on the condition LaFrance not be charged with any felonies, misdemeanors or major motor vehicle violations in that time.
LaFrance directed inquiries to her lawyer, Rick Lehmann, who said she maintains her innocence and is likely to appeal the conviction.
"There were a lot of limits put on the evidence that the court was willing to receive. That's not unusual in district court trials, but there's a long, long history between her and the complaining witness here," Lehmann said. "She had gotten a restraining order against him at some point ... during the time this was all happening."
"She has a right to appeal, to take this to a jury of appeals rather than having a judge decide her case and that is a right she is likely to exercise," Lehmann added.
Brackett assigned an officer to investigate LaFrance's claims in November 2014. That officer found "absolutely no evidence" that LaFrance's complaints were warranted, Brackett said.
"I can't explain why she was making those calls. She has had a longstanding problem in her neighborhood" since 2009, Brackett added. "Unfortunately, this case has been dragged out for the last two years and we're really happy to have a resolution."
Why re you posting this again, it is very old news keep continuing your harassment.
""That officer found "absolutely no evidence" that LaFrance's complaints were warranted, Brackett said.""
Officer Paige Booth found no evidence at all, couldn't recall where she was. She admitted that she never investigated the incidents, wasn't on scene, and despite multiple restraining orders protecting Mrs LaFrance, Booth never checked on the perp.
Bye Bye Brackett!
What's up with AB?
bucket head is leaving
How sad ��
about time another bald boob bites the dust
gotta have boobs, except if there fake
When does the nation-wide search begin for a new Police Chief?
We still have another Laurie cop in town so why search elsewhere? He fits right in. Fiset for Chief. Love live corruption in Atkinson NH.
Time to put a fork in this turkey of a blog. It is poorly moderated and appears to have few viewers. Remember when the town fathers were so scared of this blog's predecessor Sapia was taking down signs advertising the old blog. This reincarnation has failed miserably in its mission to influence the affairs of this town.
Go ahead, take your shots. Nobody will notice, though I see Mark still keeps tabs on things. Ahhhh, the good old days. I miss sorely miss them.
announcing fisset as new chief next week. long live the king
Nicolas Fiset is the best fit for Chief of Atkinson. He has the black mark of a Laurie cop, most departments don't hire such people. IMHO he's desperate for a job. Hmmm, gratitude can be beneficial to the donor.
sapia has a sign on fast freddy childs front lawn does that mean only dead people will vote for him
why does sapia keep coming back?
Time to put a fork in this turkey of a blog. It is poorly moderated and appears to have few viewers. Remember when the town fathers were so scared of this blog's predecessor Sapia was taking down signs advertising the old blog. This reincarnation has failed miserably in its mission to Reporter 2 influence the affairs of this town.
This blog has never been moderated and the same clowns still run this disgrace of a town. Now go get some sleep Frank.
Mark my words, most corrupt politician in this town, Jason Grosky!
Kind of hard to mark the words of someone who hides behind the label anonymous.
Jason only cares about Jason, PERIOD.
PLEASE POST
JOB POSTING NOTICE
Job Title: Police Chief
The Atkinson Police Department is currently seeking a highly motivated and experienced Police Executive to fill the position of Police Chief in our organization.
About the Town and Police Department:
Atkinson is conveniently located 45 minutes from Boston, 35 minutes from Manchester, and 40 minutes from Portsmouth and the Maine border. Drive time to the beach is 30 minutes. The Town of Atkinson consists of 11.1 square miles with a 2010 census reporting the population at 6,751.
The Police Department consists of 16 sworn officers (6 full time and 10 part time), 2 civilian dispatchers. Officers respond to approximately 7,000 calls for service while averaging 90 arrests and over 400 reportable incidents per year. The Atkinson Police Department is a progressive, professional law enforcement agency dedicated to providing superior service to our community.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Master’s Degree preferred but minimum requirement of a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement or related field.
• • Must be at least part-time police certified through N.H. Standards & Training, or obtain certification within six (6) months.
• • Experience as Police Chief, Deputy Police Chief, Captain or Lieutenant preferred and a minimum of 15 years’ experience as a full-time Police Officer.
• Applicants must be able to successfully complete an extensive background investigation, medical, psychological and polygraph examination.
• Applicants employment history must include no sustained disciplinary suspensions in last ten (10) years and candidate shall not be on the Laurie List.
• Applicants must be willing to perform duties and responsibilities of a working Police Chief.
• Applicants must possess a current driver’s license in good standing.
• • Residency in Atkinson not required but must live within 30 minutes of the town.
• • Part-time position (32 hours per week).
• • Chief reports to Board of Selectmen.
• • Mid-June 2018 start date with one-month transition with present Chief expected.
Compensation:
Salary range $75,000 -$80,000
Annual benefits to include 20 vacation days, 5 paid sick days, 5 paid personal days and 12 holidays
Personal use of unmarked cruiser
Health/dental insurance not offered for part-time position
Accumulation of compensatory time allowed
Application Process:
Candidates who meet the qualifications wishing to apply should send a letter of interest and resume to Integrity Testing, LLC @ 1215 Main Street, (Unit #103) Tewksbury, MA 01876 no later than 4 pm on
April 13th, 2018. Successful applicants may be required to participate in a vetting process which may include written interrogatories, phone interview and participation in an Oral Board interview with Selection Committee and/or Board of Selectmen. Send all other inquires to; apdintegritytesting@gmail.com or call (978 836-9220). Complete Job Description will be forward to all candidates upon application submission.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The
Can you believe they are giving this PT Chief (most likely retired guy) personal use of an unmarked cruiser?
I think I now know what the police officers that park at eggies are doing. The same thing the police officer that was standing on the side of the road at the Community center was doing last night when I passed by twice. Head down staring at phone, even a beep didn't get his head to pop up.
We can't use cell phones during work hours unless we are on our break.
Post a Comment