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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2019-02-28 Minutes ,. :., Brewster School Committee 141 Thursday, February 28 , 2019 Brewster Town Hall Tit Present for the Q16inmittee : David Telman, Claire Gradone, Marie Enochty, Kristen Callahan and Jessica Larsen Present for the Administration: Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Jim Nowack, Keith Gauley and Joanna Hughes Call to Order Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p .m. Citizens Speak None PRIORITY BUSINESS Reauest to Waive Kinderearten Entrance ALye Requirement Mr. and Mrs . Delano addressed the committee relative to waiving the entrance age for Kindergarten so that their daughter, Alice Delano, could enter kindergarten in the fall . She will be five years of age on September 23 `d The parents sited numerous reasons for the exception to the Nauset policy . The School Committee members voiced concerns if an exception was made . It was the consensus of the committee to not grant the waiver request for a student that is not five years of age on the cut-off date stated in the Nauset Policy. Administrators' Reports Chairman Telman stated the Principals ' reports were included in the packet. If members had any questions, he asked them to email the Principals . Superintendent Conrad informed the committee that he met with Tom Fitzgibbons from the Brewster Finance Committee to review the budget. Mr. Fitzgibbons understands the challenges the schools are facing and is the liaison to the school committee . The Superintendent thanked the Committee for allowing him time to attend the National Education Conference. He was intrigued by information on technology innovation and will send an article to the School Committee for their information. He is moving forward with the Strategic Plan . Jessica Larsen is on the committee from Brewster. Maxine Minkoff is leading this initiative . The Policy Subcommittee will set a date to meet to review policy on Homework. FY19 Budget Superintendent Conrad shared the news about Giovanna Venditti ' s absence and let members know that the budget is tracking well . Ms . Venditti is confident that the schools will get to June 30d' in the black. Chair Telman suggested members email Giovanna Venditti with any questions . Declare Equipment Surplus On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously, 5 -0, to declare the iPads surplus as listed. Accept Gifts and Donations On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously, 5 -0, to accept the gifts and donations with gratitude . (CC5 - $ 500 Family Literacy take home bags, Garden Blub of Brewster, $250 program through Audubon for preschool) Public Hearing on - FY20 Budget On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously, 51mm0, to go into a public hearing on the FY20 budget. On a roll call the vote was as follows : Marie Enochty-yea, Claire Gradone-yea, Jessica Larsen- yea, Kristen Callahan-yea and Chair Telman-yea Brewster School Committee Minutes February 28, 2019 [ 1] The Superintendent indicated that all departments in Brewster will be meeting with the Select Board and Finance Committee on Saturday, March 2nd. The elementary and region budget will be reviewed separately. The Superintendent walked the committee through the budget worksheet dated January 17, 2019, version 1 . He explained the salary savings in the Principal ' s/Asst. Superintendent line item of $20,371 . He also indicated that the Stony Brook budget on February 28 , 2019 Version 2 is at 1 . 97% . Eddy School has a savings of $39 , 895 from a retirement that brings that budget to 1 .41 % . The combined Brewster School budget is $7,777, 113 , increase of 1 . 7% and with fringe benefits included the total budget is $9 ,992,260 . The Superintendent indicated that the budget is within the Town' s guideline of 2 . 5 % . He indicated the staff will get the supplies and materials needed to maintain the rigorous programs at our schools . Superintendent Conrad indicated that Mr. Gauley will have more responsibilities as Assistant Superintendent this year and he will do that work when students are not in school . He will be paid for a five day work week when he is running the elementary school . He will be paid by the Region Budget when he is doing Assistant Superintendent work for the District. Jessica Larsen requested a breakdown of the two roles . The Superintendent indicated that it is not a permanent fix. The Superintendent indicated that we are contracting Dr. Patti Grenier as a consultant to help with some of the work. He also indicated that Mr. Gauley is responsible for curriculum. Dr. Gremer, Mr. Gauley and the Superintendent will be meeting to discuss responsibilities . The Superintendent added that he is tremendously pleased with the leadership of Mr. Gauley at Stony Brook Elementary School . The Superintendent informed the Committee that OPEB may be an issue in the Brewster Town budget. The Region is moving forward with their OPEB proposal . He indicated that each town has their own OPEB . The Town will be responsible for the Brewster schools OPEB and the Region operates by itself. The Region has worked for a few years with experts on OPEB and voted to move forward with an annual cost to the communities of $450, 000 . $50,000 will be contributed each year by the Region budget. The liability is $26428 , 000,000 . Jessica Larsen indicated that the Cape Cod Collaborative did a presentation on OPEB and it might be worth having a workshop presented by them for School Committee members . Marie Enochty suggested that even if the school does not need an override, other departments may and the committee must support them . She indicated that it is important for the School Committee to stand behind an override if the town needs it. The Superintendent met with Tom Fitzgibbons of the Brewster Finance Committee to review the elementary and region budgets . Superintendent Conrad applauded Principal Gauley and Principal Hughes for all their efforts on the budgets . The Superintendent indicated that teachers need give only 30 days notice of their retirement. Principal Gauley answered questions from the committee on the Eddy School budget including: enrollment and classroom teachers, iPads, curriculum focus (next year the Curriculum and Assessment Committee determined the focus will be writing and computer sciences) , Professional Development, Grants ($42, 000 reduction in Title I funding — no impacts this year), and Level Literacy Intervention program, used for intervention for ELA students) and Mystery Science . Kristen Callahan shared an idea for collaboration with Brewster Ladies Library . She indicated the new director is interested in a shared vision moving forward . Chair Telman inquired about the cafeteria expenses and would like an update . That line item is running in the negative to supplement salaries . It was noted that 60 students are having breakfast at Eddy School approximately 12-20 are having breakfast at Stony Brook. Marie Enochty mentioned summer school and the summer learning lag for typical kids . She indicated that Brewster does a good job with the Library to keep kids connected. She knows the summer program does a great job for students . Principal Hughes stated that Brewster has good families who do things with their children as a family. Brewster School Committee Minutes February 28, 2019 [2] Parents spend time with their children in the summer. Superintendent Conrad indicated that he will be going into teacher negotiations this coming year. One of the questions that he will ask is what does it look like to have full time teachers year-round . He would like to have a conversation about what this looks like . Marie Enochty suggested thinking about how to work with our community based programs or camps to infuse learning into their fun. The Superintendent provided an update on the High School Building Project and indicated that it may be a Community Learning Center for all ages . Conceptually, he would like to see adults in classes that are not filled . He would like to see the building open 365 days a year. Marie Enochty suggested that when members think about the budget they do not cut the things that make Brewster Schools unique . The Committee wants to do the best for Brewster, Nauset and be fiscally responsible . Chair Telman indicated that there is a meeting with the Finance Committee on March 13 '' at 6 : 00 p .m . and with the Board of Selectmen on March 180' at 6 : 30 p .m. Motion. On a motion by Claire Gradone, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted unanimously (5 -0) to approve the operating budget in the amount of $7,777, 113 . On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously (5 -0) to approve the fringe benefits in the amount of $2,215 , 147 . On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously (5 -0) to approve the overall budget in the amount of $9,992,260 . (It was requested that the budget be combined into one spreadsheet for committee members .) Planning Date for Education Visioning Forum After discussion and calendaring, the dates of March 27h at 6 : 00 p . m. and April 60' at 10 : 00 a.m. at the Stony Brook Elementary Schools are the dates for the forums . The Superintendent indicated that Dr. Patti Gremer will be leading the forums . REPORTS AND INFORMATION Preschool enrollment — Report in packet Cape Cod Collaborative — No report PTO — Kristen Callahan mentioned the collaboration with Brewster Ladies Library. She also indicated that the Pasta Supper is March 15 `s at 5 : 30 p . m. The Superintendent indicated that the Nauset High School Building Committee is interested in working with PTO ' s so that they understand what is happening with the high school renovation project. They would like to bring their ideas and building options to parents and seek information from parents . School Council — Claire Gradone reported that the Council is anticipating results from the Eddy School Climate Survey. Stony Brook Council did not meet. Policy — No report Substance Abuse Task Force — Jessica Larsen indicated that she would like to see a Sequential Intercept Model to map out strategies and interests for our kids . Building Needs Assessment Subcommittee — No report Wellness Subcommittee — Jessica Larsen indicated that the Committee is setting goals . Strategic Plan Subcommittee — Jessica Larsen indicated that they just started meeting and will meet every two weeks . They are on a very aggressive timeline and will produce a useable strategic plan going forward that will be in place for 3 -5 years . I Brewster School Committee Minutes February 28, 2019 [3 ] It,] 61OZ 18Z Aienagaj salnuilN aalllwwo:)loo4oS aalsmaig •solnulux pun luauzllomo lompsaad`ojul la2pnq OZAj°soplls 5ulanacl ollgnd`spodai aanllpuadxa`spodw �slvdiouij l :la3lond aul ul papnloul uJoil 'w uuV `Xq pon!tugnS 'slllgjo luauzXnd of loofgns`-w-d 0£:L In 2ullaaui aul uanofpn of XIsnompuun palon SLIM II`ouopnag aalnlD Xq papuooas Xlgooug alanW Xq uollow n up ;uauivanofpV 6I OZ`L I Sjnnun f 3o solnum aul aeoiddn of`snaX S palon SLIM II `uosan7 nolssof Xq papuooas`Xjgooug alanW Xq uollow n up :uolloW salnutL11 JO IRAO iddV