A special GC meeting was held at 5:30 pm on Thursday, May 4 2006.
In attendance, Mary Cox, Mary Nutt, Mary Dwyer, Jim Shepherd, Tracey Hamilton,
Kate Burleigh, Richard Sonnenfeld, John Benson, Karen Bowman.

The budget for 2006-07 was discussed in detail.  Shortfalls compared to
present year were caused primarily by two factors

 	Average enrollment roughly 13 students smaller.
 	A change in the way that Occupational Therapy services were provided 
resulting in substantially smaller multipliers for special services.

 	Net staffing was reduced by one full-time position.  Because of a
re-organization of responsiblities and some planned departures, there was
no need to layoff any employees.  Staffing in 2006-07 will be bare bones,
but adequate to support all educational and arts programs.
Further cuts would require dramatic steps like merging grades or eliminating
aides in lower classes.

 	The budget was approved unanimously by all present.

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 	A brief informational discussion was had about how to handle sabbaticals 
by families involved with Cottonwood and New Mexico Tech.  Mary Nutt pointed out
that Tech is among the important communities served by Cottonwood, and that the
sabbatical issue will come up repeatedly.

 	It was believed that it was legal to hold a slot open for a family that
requested it in advance for a period not to exceed one semester.  A 
discussion about adjustments to the lottery ensued.  Mary Dwyer
stated that giving preference in the lottery to returning families, even if 
the preference was put behind the preference we currently have to bring 
siblings into the school, was probably illegal.
No decisions were made.  No policies were changed.  No action was taken.

 	Meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.