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Oskar Klenert applauded Ms. Cotton for her interest in the schools, and complimented her for <br /> the way in which she has stood up and made herself known. Nor. Klenert stated his admiration <br /> for the way she has attacked the problem, by getting to know what is going on, and then <br /> speaking out. This is what the Finance Committee intends to do. <br /> Charles Gasior stated that he was a Finance Committee liaison to the School Committee for <br /> several years, and identified three areas of concern: 1process; overestimation of funding <br /> needs; 3 pre-pays for the next year. Mr.'Gasicr stated that a new Charter was adopted by the <br /> town in 2004. The new Charter called for all department heads to report to the Town Manager. <br /> In the new setup, the Superintendent of Schools also reports to the Torn Manager. However, <br /> the School Committee is eluted for the purpose of administering the-school, which raises the <br /> issue of who the Superintendent of Schools reports too. the Town Manager or the School. <br /> Committee, thereby creating a possible source of tension. <br /> Elizabeth Vieira introduced herself to the Committee s a member of the Friends of the <br /> Mashpee Schools. Ms. Vieira stated that she has been actively involved in the schools over the <br /> past 10 years and decided to join the Friends organization as a concerned parent of three <br /> children in the Mashpee schools. Over the years, Ms. Vierra stated that she has watched the <br /> budget increase, and has had more questions and concerns. Her main concern is the � <br /> continuing increase in salaries for teachers and has played devil's advocate, asking why <br /> teachers who are not doing a good job and should not be in the school are still getting salary <br /> increases. This. Vieira suggested that the Friends put a meeting together with parents to voice <br /> their concerns, without the presence of the School Committee or the Finance Committee. <br /> V illiam Johnson stated his agreement with Ms. ieira's concern that the teachers should be <br /> paid appropriately: and that the bad teachers should be culled from the system. The problem, <br /> however, is the presence of union protection for teachers, and Mr. Johnson asked the question <br /> as to whether it is possible to correct the problem as long as the union is there. <br /> SCHEDULING REVIEW—INDIVIDUAL TOWN DEPT. BUDGETS <br /> Joyce Mason stated that unless there are budget changes or other budgetary problems.within <br /> departments, there should be no need for individual reviews and suggested that any <br /> departmental problems that exist could be handled by Finance Committee liaison members. <br /> FINANCE CE SUB-colt MITTEE <br /> Oskar-Klenert reported a meeting with the Mashpee IT Department this week to discuss the <br /> process of updating the information on the town's Finance Committee website. The committee <br /> agreed to form a sub-committee comprised of hark Davini, Robert Chalker, and Charles Ga for <br /> to work with the town's IT technician to bring the committeeIs website up to date. <br /> NEXT MEETINGS <br /> The next two meetings of the Finance Committee were scheduled for Thursday, February 1 <br /> and Thursday, February 20, at 6:30 PII, at Mashpee Town Hall. As there was no further <br /> business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM. <br /> Respectfully submitted, <br /> Ina G. Sch ohm <br /> Recording Secretary <br /> 5 <br />