Moultonborough School Board Meeting Minutes ( Updated)
April 2008 School Board Minutes Past school board minutes
Superintendent Lancor's formal response to a question regarding differing cost of education for in and out of district students.
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT NO. 45 MOULTONBOROUGH
May 23, 2008
Mr. Paul Punturieri
Dear Mr. Punturieri:
On Thursday, May 15, Mr. Mark Borrin forwarded to me an email you sent to him on the evening of May 14, 2008. In the email, you stated, "The 2006-2007 .average cost per pupil for SAU #45 (source: NH DOE) was $15,717.58 which is 20% more than the tuition for non-residents. The cost per pupil should be the same for all students. Why can we educate non-residents for $3,243 less?"
As noted in your email, historically, the School Board has increased the non-resident tuition rate by the percent increase in the budget. The non-resident tuition rate for 2007-2008 is $11,998 and the 2008-2009 budget increase over 2007-2008 is 3.97%. The 2008-2009 rate established by the Board during their April 8, 2008 meeting is $12,474.
There is no established formula mandated by the NH Department of Education to be used by school districts to set tuition rates for non-resident students. The
In addition to excluding special education, bilingual education and vocational education budget allotments, when determining the non-resident tuition rate, districts typically exclude transportation expenses and food service expenses. Non-resident students must provide their own transportation to and from school, and the food service program is supported by lunch purchases and federal funding and surplus food.
" *
The District's procedure of increasing the non-resident tuition rate by the percent increase in the budget has been in place for at least ten years. I do not have a record of the exact formula used to establish a rate ten plus years ago. However, I suspect it was similar to the formula outlined above.
Costs of special education, bilingual education, vocational education, transportation and food service make up approximately 21% of the total 2008-2009 budget. When multiplying the NH DOE figure of $15,717 by 79%, the result is $12,416. This number is very close to the established non-resident rate of $12,474. '
MICHAEL LANCOR, SUPERINTENDENT
P.O.
PHONE: 603-476-5247 • FAX: 603-476-8009
EMAIL: mlancor@moultonborough.kl2.nh.us
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Again, there is no mandated formula to be used by school districts to calculate non-resident tuition rates. The procedure in place currently continues to reflect, very accurately, the district's regular education costs. When the School Board sets the non-resident tuition rate in the future, I will recommend that it is clear the rate is for regular education and that the tuition rate would be higher for special education students depending upon their individual needs.
Sincerely,
Michael Lancor
cc: School Board Members
Superintendent of Schools
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What I find most discouraging about reading the latest minutes of a SAU school board whose budget is out of control is that nowhere did I see/read any concern about how our students are doing scholastically or even a hint of controlling costs. Instead their time was spent nominating someone for something, planning trips to somewhere, figuring out how to not make up snow days because it may inconvenience someone and genarlly “socializing”. My fervant hope is that perhaps eventually these adults will come to the realization that school is about the kids, not about deciding if the king has a fine suit of clothes!!!!