HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2018-12-20 Minutes IJ Brewster School Committee
1 .1 Thursday , December 20 , 2018
Brewster Town Hall
Present ftir the Committee : David Telman, Jessica Larsen, Claire Gradone, Marie Enochty, Kristen Callahan
Present for the Administration: Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Keith Gauley and Joanna Hughes
Call to Order
Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p . m.
A moment of Silence was held in memory of Damien Larsen, a Second Grade student at Stony Brook Elementary
School who passed away in a tragic accident.
Citizens Speak
None
The Chair took a moment to introduce the new member, Kristen Callahan, to the school committee. Kristen was
appointed by the Select Board to fulfil the term that has been vacated by Robert Miller who resigned.
PRIORITY BUSINESS
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 recognized Keith Gauley and the Staff at Stony Brook who have worked tirelessly to assist the
family of Damien Larsen as well as the students at the Stony Brook Elementary School . The Eddy School Staff also
supported the staff and students at Stony Brook. A tremendous effort was made to bring the community together at a
very difficult time.
He reported that he is finishing up his homework discussion in Wellfleet by meeting with the staff in the afternoon and
parents in the evening. He will be focusing his attention on homework at the Middle and High School in the upcoming
weeks . He recognized Giovanna Venditti and the Principals for their efforts in creating the budgets . He also reported
that the Administrative Team is doing some work with Crisis Go, updating the program and is always focused on
security needs in the schools .
FY19 Budget
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the Stony Brook Elementary School expenditure report with the committee highlighting
significant variances and showing a balance of .$34,029 . She indicated that outside psychological services is
determined by student need.
Eddy Elementary School expenditure report had a balance of 47,484 . Ms . Venditti highlighted the variances in the
line items . She indicated that reclassifications have not been made. She will be applying for Extraordinary Relief and
anticipates receiving $90,000 or more . She indicated the budget should be fine with reclassifications from Circuit
Breaker and Extraordinary Relief Funds .
Jessica Larsen asked about the new adjustment counselor and how many hours she is with the students ? Principal
Hughes indicated that the adjustment counselor is at school four days per week and works 20, hours per week. She
works with the teachers, and the counselor.
Central Office Budget
Chair Telman reviewed the Central Office Budget. He indicated that this was reviewed in detail at the Joint School
Committee meeting by Gail Briere, Chair of the Central Office Budget Subcommittee. The Superintendent indicated
that committees did not have quorums, so a vote is being taken at the regular meeting.
Brewster School Committee Minutes December 20, 2018 [ 1 ]
Motion: On a motion by Clair Gradone, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted 4 yeas and 1 abstention (Kristen
Callahan), to approve the Central Office Budget as recommended by the Subcommittee in the amount of $ 1 ,773 ,050, a
2 . 5 % increase.
FY20 Budget
The Superintendent gave the committee some background information for the current and upcoming budget for next
year. He is reviewing this very closely with the Town Administrator. At the Department Head meetings in the town, it
was suggested that departments have between a 0 and 2% increase across the board. The Town is not sure how much
free cash they have until it is certified. The Brewster Schools have financial needs relative to special needs situations
in the amount of $284,000 . Ms . Venditti is looking at Circuit Breaker Funds and Extraordinary Relief for these
unanticipated costs . He indicated that the budget is very tight but was developed for both schools at 2 . 5 % . The budget
books will be distributed in January. Principal Gauley and Principal Hughes have been working very hard analyzing
their budgets to maintain the programs at the present level . Fringe benefit figures are also anticipated.
Planning for Educational Vision Forum
The Superintendent indicated that the NHS Building Committee is holding forums in each town relative to the
educational vision for the Nauset High School Building Project. He indicated that he is anxious to get the Brewster
Planning moving forward but does not want to confuse the two forums . All School Committee members are invited to
the NHS Building Committee visioning forums that are being run by the HS Building Committee . He indicated that
six teachers are participating on the Committee for the first time and it has been extremely helpful .
Marie Enochty asked about the timeline for advertising the Principal Position at Stony Brook Elementary. The
Superintendent indicated that he is fully aware that there is a committee that is in place from one year ago and he is
respectful of their work. He indicated he will have more conversation about this in January.
REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Preschool enrollment — Report in packet
Cape Cod Collaborative — No report
PTO — No report (It was suggested that Kristen Callahan be liaison to the PTO)
School Council — No report (It was suggested Kristen Callahan be liaison to the Stony Brook School Council)
Policy — No report
Substance Abuse Task Force — The Superintendent indicated the subcommittee is looking at the survey and revising
some of the questions .
Building Needs Assessment Subcommittee — Chair Telman indicated that the committee will meet after the first of
the year when they will receive a charge from the Select Board.
Approval of Minutes
Motion: On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted 3 yeas , 2 Abstentions (Kristen
Callahan and Marie Enochty) to approve the minutes of November 16, 2018 .
Adjournment
On a motion by Jessica Larsen seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6 : 30
p . m .
Submitted by,
Ann M. Tefft
Included in the packet: Principals ' reports, expenditure reports, and minutes .
Brewster School Committee Minutes December 20, 2018 [2 ]