HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2019-05-09 Agenda it
Nauset Regional School Committee PROP
May 9, 2019
°; Brewster Town Hall
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Present for fhll Cotmittee : Amy Handel, Chris Easley, Jim O ' Leary, Judy Schumacher, Ian Mack, and
E . f
Richard Stewart
Absent: Ed Brookshire, John O ' Reilly, Robert Jacobus, and Robert Sinclair
Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad and Giovanna Venditti,
Cali to Order
Chair Easley called the meeting to order at 6 : 02 p .m .
Agenda Change — No Student Representative Report
Citizens Speak — None
Priority Business
Building Committee Update
Greg Levasseur reported he just received notice that the Educational Plan had been received by the MSBA and was
returned to the committee with questions . Principal Ellsasser and Greg Levasseur worked on answering the
questions and will meet at the High School after vacation with the Architect, Project Manager, Superintendent and
Kathleen Tringale to get this done . Today the fourth revision of the plan was filed with the MSBA .
Principal Ellsasser explained that the school created an educational program vision with all staff having input.
Nauset has a lot more programming than other school and details were provided . The committee on the other end
had clarifying questions . Each Department communicated on how they would use a number of different spaces in
the school . He indicated that the Outermost High School/Nauset High School (title of the report) is an executive
summary version and the original document has all the details .
Principal Ellsasser indicated that there was talk of a raised track and they are trying to have the space across the
school be as flexible and adaptable as possible. A master plan has been developed with courses, classrooms and
teachers to show how they will use all the spaces . Mr. Levasseur indicated that Nauset is presenting a customized
plan for a customized High School . The programs Nauset offers are unique . The Committee wants those space
supported . He anticipates in a week or so the plan will be accepted by the MSBA . NRHS Building Committee will
miss the MSBA July meeting which bumps the timeline into the future . When he has a timeline, he will send it to
the school committee . The project will take a breath but they will use the time carefully. They will come to town
meetings in 2020 . The Committee voted on two proposals, 4A and 4B . 4A is renovations of most of the property
and demolition of cafeteria and E Building. 4B is demotion of cafeteria and N Building. 4A is the favored plan .
They are looking at the second floor and the corridor that ties the campus together indoors . They will be adding
40, 000 sq . fl . of new space (N building is 30, 000 sq . ft. ) because locker rooms and shower rooms must be abandoned
as they are not accessible and the air quality is poor. They are looking a new locker rooms and showers .
Mr. Levasseur also reported that they may get portable classrooms during the project. This will keep students safe
during the construction project. Presently there is a major building project at Lexington Schools . When they have
finished with the portables, Nauset might use them . The Building Committee voted a preliminary budget of
$ 140, 000, 000 . As the project is refined, they will be working on that number and bring a refined number to the
school committee . Energy efficiency is included in that figure . Net zero energy efficiency has a cost and they will
Nauset Regional School Committee, May 9, 2019 1 P a g e
figure out how much that will increase construction costs . A small group of the committee is working with the
architect throughout the summer to look at the facility. They are looking at other systems that will add efficiency
and better visibility . All the refinements and cost estimates will be brought to the school committee .
Mr. Levasseur indicated that over the next three months the Building Committee members will be reaching out to
school committee, town administrators, select boards and finance committees so they can have a large group
presentation . He also indicated that after you have the money from the Town approved, you prequalify and hire your
contractor. The contractor works with the architect and project manager as they build the project. The cost to do
that is 5 % of the number. They will have to have this conversation upfront and explain reasons why and potential
savings .
Tours of the campus are taking place on Wednesdays from 4 : 00- 5 : 00 p . m . Call for an appointment. Letters have
been sent to board members to invite them to tour the High School . The tour is also on the website .
It is suggested that Nauset have a dedicated facilities director on board . This would be someone who is trained for
"smart buildings . " We need someone who understands the very complex systems . They are urging strongly that this
is what the District needs moving forward .
Mr. Levasseur indicated that there is enough money to get to the schematic design phase and then they will go to
towns for final funding . The school committee thanked Mr. Levasseur and Principal Ellsasser for the informative
report.
Administrators ' Reports
Administrative reports were included in the packet. Principal Minkoff gave highlights from her report that included :
Congratulating Ella Woods who made the Eastern National Championships for gymnastics, Field of Flags, Wizard
of Oz production, Computer Science Institute, Winners of Peace Poetry Contest, Teacher Scholarships and
upcoming concerts . Principal Minkoff indicated that the Middle School is looking at an Advisory Program for next
year or the year after.
Principal Ellsasser ' s report was included in the packet. He shared stories about students and how they are trying to
create something at school that does not exist, i . e. , global effort — school-wide celebration to share cultures, passions,
interests in a Club Fair setting; Rescue animals and Adoption of Animals, Sharks on Cape Cod . He indicated the
students are trying to make change and that is the kind of citizens they are .
Richard Stewart reported that he attended the High School Council and asked Principal Ellsasser to explain some of
what they are trying to do with the Advisory Program . Principal Elssasser shared how he created his master board
to develop a schedule . He also indicated that they held an Open House for new students that was a great experience .
Superintendent' s Report
The Superintendent thanked the citizens of Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans and Brewster for supporting the budgets and
for the trust the taxpayer has about the work that is taking place in our school each day. He recognized Julie Kobold
for bring the Vaping Presentation to the Middle School , which was very educational . He shared the District
Retirement party at Wequassett was a wonderful evening recognizing educators who have given many year of
service to the children . He also reported that he attended a budget discussion at Barnstable High School with other
Superintendents from across the Cape, Senator Lewis, Chair of Education Budget Committee, and Senator Julian
Cyr. Discussions included the foundation budget, MCAS testing and the cost of testing which is around $28 , 000, 000
in Massachusetts . The Superintendent ' s raised concerns about the disruptions that occur in buildings when trying to
administer MCAS testing. They asked if there was another way to measure student progress with Project-based
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learning. He also indicated that the Senators and House are looking to tweak the MCAS test going forward . This
could be linked with Mass . Health and one of the Senators is willing to make an amendment to his bill with the
District ' s plan . Testing could be a future agenda item . Superintendent Conrad also reported that Dr. Ann Caretti is
working on a grant for counseling for our students on Saturday.
Nauset Regional Middle School Improvement Plan
Principal Minkoff reviewed the 2019-2020 School Improvement Plan with the Committee . She reviewed the goals
and data supporting the goals .
Effective and Balanced Use of Technology - She reviewed the data on the Use of Technology with the Committee .
She shared that 45 % of the students are on screen for 3 or more hours of non- educational screen time each day.
They would like kids to build relationships beyond the screen . She explained how Smart Boards and iPads are used
by teachers and students in the classroom .
Improve Students ' Health, Wellness and Safety - She shared concerns about the social emotional well-being of
students and is trying to do what they can to connect students with people at school to help them cope with issues
they are dealing with at home and at school . She reported the survey that was taken shows that vaping is on the rise .
She indicated how they are dealing with this situation that included; professional development for staff, instituting
social emotional programs for students, and increase in more physical activity. The committee asked about the
anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts of students and the data that indicated this may be due to academic stress .
Principal Minkoff indicated that they will have focus groups on what causes academic stress . Homework was also a
stressor and Superintendent Conrad indicated that he is working on the Homework Policy that has been given to the
Policy Subcommittee for review . Academic stressors are huge and different in students in 6th and 8th grade. In grade
8 students are preparing to move to the high school and take academics more seriously. It was suggested
Administration look at expectations . The Superintendent suggested that extra- curricular activities and travel cause
stress because of the amount of time spent playing a sport, traveling to the game and returning home that might take
5 hours in a day. Upon returning home, students must do their homework .
Improving School Culture - Principal Minkoff indicated that she is trying to make opportunities for kids to know one
person at school and ways the faculty can work together more collaboratively. She would like more opportunities
for students to know one another and would like more staff/student games to build relationships . She stated they
have a lot more work to do .
The Committee thanked Principal Minkoff and the School Council for the very good School Improvement Plan ,
Motion : On a motion by Judy Schumacher, seconded by Jim O ' Leary, it was voted unanimously to approve the
School Improvement Plan 2019-2020 .
FY19 Budget
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the Dashboard report with the Committee, noting $425 , 000 in budget savings which
will be returned to E & D . Funding Source Savings equals $675 ,365 and the Projected E & D is $ 1 ,246 , 227 . She
also reported that there is a projected balance in the Region Only budget of $ 525 , 000 . She indicated that her office
continues to move forward with capital projects and are currently working on FY20 capital plans with bids out and
some have been awarded . Jim O ' Leary indicated that all monies that have been authorized in the last years have
been spent. The remaining balance is $ 67, 000 . He recognized Giovanna Venditti and Jim Nowack for doing a great
job with the capital projects .
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Gifts and Grants
On a motion by Judy Schumacher, seconded by Richard Stewart it was voted unanimously (6 - 0) to accept the gifts
and grants as listed.
Insurance Refund
Chair Easley explained that the Region received a $333 ,000 rebate from money that was paid in past years to County
Insurance and that all member towns received a refund as well . These funds need to be certified by the state and are
not funds that can be expended at this time.
Superintendent Conrad indicated that this is a windfall that was not anticipated . He also did not anticipate a 0%
increase in health insurance and in forecasting for next year' s budget he will continue the practice of bringing in a
budget at 2 . 5 % . He indicated at town meetings the Region will be asking for funding for the High School project.
Placing this money in E & D is his recommendation at this point.
Members asked about giving money to the towns to offset the cost to taxpayers , James O ' Leary suggested the
committee look at setting aside money for special needs (state authorized) and that way the money will go back to
the towns . He would like further information about this . The Superintendent indicated that he would have to have
conversations with Town Administrators about a Special Needs Fund . He suggested the Committee give him and
Ms . Venditti some time, make this an agenda item — what is the responsibility of the school district and the towns
moving forward with this possibility .
Chair Easley also mentioned that there is a possibility to put that money as a Region contribution into the OPEB
account.
Wellness Policy
Judy Schumacher indicated that there were no changes made to these policies .
Motion :
On a motion by Jim O ' Leary, seconded by Amy Handel, it was voted 6 yeas, to approve the Wellness Policy as
written for a second reading and adoption .
Tobacco Use by Students and Staff
Motion :
On a motion by Richard Stewart, seconded by Amy Handel, it was voted unanimously 6- 0 to approve the policies on
Tobacco Use by Students JICG for a second reading and adoption .
Motion :
On a motion by Richard Stewart, seconded by Amy Handel , it was voted unanimously &0 to approve the policy on
Tobacco Use by Staff GBED for a second reading and adoption .
Reports and Information
Cape Cod Collaborative — No report
High School Council — Richard Stewart reported that the school council is working on the Advisory Program . He
indicated that the Principal feels the Advisory Program is a valuable program especially around wellness and well-
being .
Capital Asset Subcommittee — Chair Easley reported that the facilities manager concept for the Region was
discussed . They continue to review the remodeling of the steps at NRMS to be ADA compliant. The architect ' s
report will be brought to the full committee in the near future .
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Jim O ' Leary requested a list of subcommittees, times and days meet prior to the re-organization meeting in June .
New school committee members indicated that they cannot attend meetings before 5 : 30 p .m . but can attend 7 : 00
a.m . meetings prior to working.
Approval of Minutes
Motion : On a motion by James O ' Leary seconded by Judy Schumacher, it was voted unanimously, 6 -0, approve the
minutes of April 11 , 2019 .
Adjournment
On a motion by Judy Schumacher, seconded by Ian Mack, it was to adjourn the meeting at 8 : 25 p .m .
Submitted by,
Ann M. Tefft
Included in packet: Principals ' Reports, Dashboard , NRMS School Improvement Plan, Wellness Policy, Tobacco Policy for Staff and
Students, and minutes .
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