A special joint meeting between the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education, the Independence Township Committee, and the Liberty Township Committee for the purpose of a resolution to the defeated budget for the 2004-2005 school year of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Thursday, May 13, 2004, at the Great Meadows Middle School. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Glenn Williams, President. A statement was read that adequate notice of the meeting had been given in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

Flag salute.

ROLL CALL:

Independence Township Committee

Present: Walter Brandt, Robert Giordano, Bonnie Kelsey, Peter Miller, and Christina Saville.

Absent: None

ROLL CALL:

Liberty Township Committee

Present: Raymond Bolzan, John Inscho, Gene Naccarato, and Ronald Petersen.

Absent: Mark Tibak.

ROLL CALL:

Great Meadows Regional Board of Education

Present: Helene Armstrong (arrived 7:05 PM), Susan Cullen, Amy Dieteman, Peggy Faulborn, Robert Jones (arrived 7:10 PM), Joe Mahal, Cynthia Russo, Steve Tierney (arrived 7:02 PM), and Glenn Williams.

Absent: None

John Inscho, Liberty Township Mayor, excused himself from the discussion and sat in the audience.

There were 25 members of the public in attendance.

Glenn Williams, Board of Education President, gave an opening statement and introduced Dr. Tracey Severns, Superintendent.

Bob Jones arrived 7:10 PM.

Dr. Tracey Severns gave a brief statement regarding the 2004-2005 Great Meadows Regional School Budget.

Glenn Williams, Board of Education President, then turned the meeting over to Ray Bolzan, Liberty Township Committeeman, who asked for questions and comments from the Public.

Several residents voiced their concerns and opinions about the budget.

Bob Giordano, Independence Committeeman, stated that he had a proposal to increase budgeted fund balance to a cent and that the school could also find cuts in other areas that totaled $60,000. This would add up to a reduction of two cents. He also stated that he would want the school to decide where the cuts could be made so as not to negatively affect them. He asked the Liberty Council to consider this proposal. He also added that since the Liberty Council had stated they wanted to dissolve the Regional School Board, Independence Township Committee had no objection to Liberty Town Council looking into it.

The Liberty Township Committee left the room to discuss this proposal. When they returned, the Liberty Township Committee said they wanted to adjourn the meeting and meet again Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 7:00 PM.

There was a brief discussion about the proposal and the need to settle this in a manner that least affects the children.

There were a few more comments from the public about the budget.

No action was taken.

A special joint meeting was tentatively set for May 18, 2004.

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, to adjourn at 8:00 PM.

Motion carried in a voice vote – unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,

Christina Sharkey

Board Secretary