HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2019-04-11 Agenda IF ..
Nauset Regional School Committee
' April 11 , 2019
Brewster Town Hall
Present ipf th6tommittee : Amy Handel, Robert Jacobus , Robert Sinclair, Chris Easley, Jim O ' Leary, Judy
Schumacher, Ian Mack, John O ' Reilly, and Richard Stewart
Absent: Ed Brookshire
Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad and Giovanna Venditti,
Call to Order
Chair Easley called the meeting to order at 6 : 02 p .m .
Agenda Change — No Student Representative Report, No Administrative Reports
Citizens Speak — None
Priority Business
Building Committee Update
Greg Levasseur reported that the Educational Plan has been submitted to the MSBA for review and comment. He
also reported that some members of the committee visited other schools, Rockland High School — renovation project,
Winchester High School — renovation project with additions and Henry Dearborn Stem School — insulated concrete
structure . They are working on floor plans and are down to five choices . He indicated that Nauset could be looking
at extensive renovations, demolition and additions . The committee will be reviewing options further. They voted to
have the architect design team look at a 750 person auditorium located close to the street with better access for
people with disabilities . They hope to have updated cost estimates by May I 't . The architect has been directed to
look at net zero energy efficiency. The cost may be more but it is much more efficient. He indicated that comments
from the state on the Educational Plan were just received . The committee has 14 days to respond to the MSBA .
Teachers and Department Heads will have a chance to review feedback from MSBA. Greg Levasseur explained the
membership on the Building Committee and the expertise of the membership . He indicated he has the name of the
engineer suggested from the Brewster contingent. The School Committee recommended that David Telman join the
committee . Mr. Telman brings a great deal of construction experience to the committee .
Administrators ' Reports
Robert Jacobus asked if there had been follow up to a parent' s concern about school attendance and the timing of
notification when your child is not in school . This was held until the next meeting.
Administrative reports were included in the packet. School committee members wanted to get feedback from
Principal Ellsasser about his first experience with MCAS testing. A question was raised as to how much instruction
is lost to preparing students for MCAS . Members shared concerns about stress and anxiety students feel . Other .
members questioned the amount of testing time . The Superintendent stated there are concerns across the District
relative to the amount of time and the purpose of testing. Jim O ' Leary suggested this be a summer topic across the
District to include discussion with Principals, Staff and others . Judy Schumacher suggested including the
elementary schools on the discussion . Robert Sinclair inquired about the status of the Testing and Student Learning
Subcommittee . He suggested that the school committee take a stand on testing and would like to create an
alternative way to evaluate what students have learned .
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Superintendent Conrad reported that there is a lot of concern across the District relative to vaping at the High School
and Middle School . He invited the school committee members to a presentation about vaping on May 8th . Parents at
all grade levels will be invited to this presentation . Assistant Principal Julie Kobold has taken the lead on this and
the Wellness Committee has identified this as a serious problem the schools are facing. The Superintendent publicly
thanked Principal Joanna Hughes and her staff who dealt with a serious bus accident while students were on a field
trip . He reported that staff executed plans, took care of every student and traveled with students to the hospital . The
Superintendent was pleased to inform the Committee that the IB Program has 40 students enrolled for next year.
Teachers are very excited and students very enthusiastic to enter into the program . The Superintendent indicated
that Principal Ellsasser will be building a master schedule for next year. He also reported that all budgets have been
approved and he anticipates good town meetings . He thanked Giovanna Venditti, Director of Finance and
Operations for all her efforts in managing seven budgets . He indicated that he has had conversations with the
Principals relative to professional development and moving it to the building level .
Chair Easley suggested members email the Principals with any questions relative to their written report.
FY19 Budget
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the Dashboard Report and indicated that the Budget and Finance Subcommittee was
unable to meet to review the document. She indicated that the projected certified E & D balance on June 30, 2019
will be $ 1 , 186,469 . She reviewed balances in revolving funds and indicated that Region Only has a projected year-
end Balance of $475 , 000 . She also informed the committee that the High School budget is running in the negative,
due to costs for long term substitutes for teachers on maternity leave, paternity leave and one teacher not returning
this year. She will continue to monitor and report back next month to the committee. There is $375 ,000 returning to
E & D . Members questioned the negative balance and asked how it would be mitigated . The Superintendent
indicated that this is the current amount but he knows this figure will come down . John O ' Reilly reminded the
committee that E & D can be used if necessary.
Giovanna Venditti indicated that the School Committee decides what they will utilize from E & D . You cannot
return more than 5 % into E & D . (at the end of June she anticipates 3 . 7% going into E & D) She also indicated that
$ 716 , 625 has been certified and of that amount, the committee earmarked $ 590, 000 to lower assessments . That
leaves the balance at $ 127, 625 that can be spent in this fiscal year. Giovanna Venditti indicated that she tries to
utilize existing resources, indicating there are funds available in Region Only budget, $475 , 000 that will be going to
E & D . The money that goes into E & D will be certified after July 1St. She indicated that transportation costs are
increasing slightly. She reported that they continue to make good progress on capital projects . She indicated
comparisons for this year and last year are found on the last page of the Dashboard Report.
A question was asked about the cash flow, quarterly assessments and receiving 25 % of the region ' s income at the
end of the year. It was requested that the Budget and Finance Subcommittee look at this and help members better
understand it. A question was raised about liability and if it was current, as of June 2016 or 2018 ?
John O ' Reilly inquired if the money that was returned to the District from Health Insurance was going to be
discussed . He indicated it would be nice for the committee to talk about returning some of the money to the towns as
it is a big topic for some of the taxpayers . The Chair indicated that any money the committee spends has to be
certified E & D money. This money is something the committee can talk about for next year but cannot act on it in
this fiscal year. Other members indicated they would like to discuss this money before town meetings . Giovanna
Venditti indicated that when the refund of $332,000 is received, it must go into E & D . Chair Easley indicated that
he proposed spending those funds and reducing the towns assessments but did not know when the district would
receive the money. He reiterated the money could not be spent this year as it is not available to spend .
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Chair Easley indicated that the town assessments are being offset this year by $ 590, 000 . There is $ 126 , 625 available
to the committee to spend this year from E & D . The refund money will be available to the committee next year
when surpluses from this year get certified in E & D . Then the money can be spent . He indicated the committee is
not allowed to allocate the money until it is certified. Members wanted to know what they could tell the towns at
town meeting and wanted to discuss this topic at this meeting. The Chair indicated he agrees with giving the money
back to the towns but it is not money that can be spent right now. He suggested in time, the committee will have
more knowledge of how to spend this money. John O ' Reilly indicated that there is some distrust with this
committee and this Administration in Brewster. The committee should be proactive and show respect for a member
town . This should be a priority of the committee . Members suggested having another meeting to discuss this issue.
A motion was Chris Easley, second by Robert Jacobus to schedule another meeting for the purpose of discussing the
money refunded to the District from the County Health system . This motion was withdrawn .
John O ' Reilly indicated that this committee must do right by the member towns . The Committee may come up with
a plan that will benefit our towns in a different way. Richard Stewart suggested returning the money to the towns
was an option but he would like to hear about options to apply it to needs in the schools . Jim O ' Leary would like the
money, at some point, to benefit the towns . John O ' Reilly suggested at the next meeting, Administration bring a
plan so the committee can discuss how to best use the savings .
Chair Easley apologized to committee members for not including this item on the agenda.
Declare Surplus
Motion : On a motion by John O ' Reilly, seconded by Robert Jacobus, it was voted unanimously, 94 , to declare
surplus the 2006 Black Ford E350 .
Wellness Policy
Judy Schumacher indicated that the Wellness Committee worked on revising the Wellness Policy for over a year
aligning it with state standards . The Policy Subcommittee met, reviewed it and made a few edits . Robert Sinclair
voiced his concerns about the document being poorly written and indicated that implementation and enforcement of
the policy is a problem . She suggested the committee vote it or not vote for it. The Superintendent indicated that he
attends the Wellness Subcommittee Meetings and this policy is heavily driven by the Nurses . The food brought into
schools is a serious issue that was addressed within the policy. All schools have adapted to the new policy. Judy
Schumacher reminded the committee that they are missing one member for representation on the Policy
Subcommittee ,
Motion :
On a motion by Jim O ' Leary, seconded by Robert Jacobus, it was voted 8 yeas, 1 not voting (Robert Sinclair) to
approve the Wellness Policy as written for a first reading .
Tobacco Use by Students and Staff
Judy Schumacher informed the committee that the present policy was updated to include language about vaping and
the various paraphernalia that is used .
Motion :
On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded by Amy Handel, it was voted unanimously to approve the policies on
Tobacco Use by Students JICG and Tobacco Use by Staff GGBED for a first reading.
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Superintendent' s Evaluation Process
The Superintendent indicated that he will be sending out Information relative to his evaluation to committee
members on April 26`h
Chair Easley informed the committee that accessibility to the Middle School has been referred to the Massachusetts
Architectural Association to determine what the requirements are for the entrance . The Capital Asset Subcommittee
is waiting to hear back from them and will pass information onto the full committee .
Approval of Minutes
Motion : On a motion by Robert Jacobus seconded by John O ' Reilly, it was voted unanimously, 9- 0, approve the
minutes of March 14, 2019 .
Adjournment
On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded by Jim O ' Leary, it was voted by roll call vote to go into Executive
Session at 8 : 30 p . m . , for the purpose of discussing negotiations for Truro and Provincetown tuitions . The
Committee will not to return to Open Session .
Roll call vote : Amy Handel-yea, Robert Jacobus-yea, Robert Sinclair-yea, Chris Easley-yea, Jim O ' Leary-yea, Judy
Schumacher-yea, Ian Mack-yea, John O ' Reilly-yea, and Richard Stewart-yea
Submitted by,
Ann M. Tefft
Included in packet: Principals ' Reports, Dashboard , Wellness Policy, Tobacco Policy for Staff and Students, and minutes.
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