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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2019-06-17 Minutes Brewster School Committee . Thursday, June 17 , 2019 ' Brewster Town Hall i ' Present for the Committee : David Telman, Kristen Callahan, and Jessica Larsen and Nicole Camp Present for the Administration: Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Keith Gauley, and Joanna Hughes ` t Reorganization Superintendent Conrad called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p .m . and accepted nominations for the Chair. David Telman nominated Kristen Callahan . There was no second. Kristen Callahan nominated David Telman and Nicole Camp seconded the nomination. It was voted 3 yeas and 1 nay (Jessica Larsen) to appoint David Telman as Chair of the Brewster School Committee , Chair Telman then asked for nominations for Vice Chair. Kristin Callahan was nominated by Jessica Larsen and David Telman seconded the nomination . It was voted unanimously to appoint Kristen Callahan as Vice Chair. The following appointments were made : Ann Tefft, Secretary Payroll Authorizer — Jessica Larsen Payroll Authorizer Alternate — Kristen Callahan Cape Cod Collaborative — hold Policy — Jessica Larsen Central Office Budget — Nicole Camp Negotiations — Kristen Callahan Transportation — Nicole Camp Health & Wellness — Kristen Callahan Substance Abuse Task Force — Jessica Larsen PTA Liaison — Nicole Camp School Council Liaison at Eddy Elementary— Nicole Campy School Council Liaison at Stony Brook Elementary — Kristen Callahan Strategic Plan — Jessica Larsen Union 54 Voting Members — David Telman, Kristen Callahan, Jessica Larsen Alternates : Nicole Camp, Marie Enochty Citizens Speak Adam Lang, 58 Cathedral Road, Brewster addressed the committee regarding a future agenda item to discuss future consolidation status . Chair Telman indicated that the Committee has held a couple of forums and is reviewing the data obtained from the forums . The next step is to place an item on the agenda and discuss on a monthly basis . PRIORITY BUSINESS Administrators ' Reports Principals ' reports were included in the packet. Principal Hughes addressed the committee relative to the third grade class . Presently there are 21 students in each class . They might get a few new students over the summer. The School Committee guideline is 22 students and the school committee target number is 19 students per class . She felt it is best not to give Grade 3 assignments in case they need to add another classroom teacher. She will keep the committee posted on enrollment. Superintendent Conrad reported that he attended the Kiwanis BUGS Breakfast for Fifth Grade Students, Bringing Up Your Grades Successfully) . Over the last weeks he has attended plays, field days and graduations . The High School graduated 240 students at a very nice ceremony. He announced that Maxine Minkoff has retired and Julie Kobold has been appointed the new Principal for Nauset Regional Middle School . A search committee will work to fill the positon of Assistant Principal . He commended Principal Minkoff for all her efforts on behalf of students . Brewster School Committee Minutes June 17, 2019 [ 1 ] FY19 Budget Ms . Venditti reviewed the expenditure reports with the committee highlighting items with significant movement. The Stony Brook budget has a balance of -58, 571 . The balance at the Eddy Elementary School is $94,369 . She reviewed line items with movement. She projects that with the Stony Brook deficit, there will be approximately $61 ,710 as a budget balance . The Brewster budgets will end the year in the black. Jessica Larsen asked about the roof and Giovanna indicated that some sections of the Stony Book roof are problematic . The plumbing on the Eddy roof is going out to bid this summer. Accept Gifts On a motion by Kristen Callahan, seconded by Jessica Larsen, I was voted unanimously to accept the gift of $2, 633 from Damien Larsen' s Grandmother. MASC Conference — The MASC Conference is November 6-9 and Jessica Larsen and David Telman will be registered for the conference . Policies — Wellness, Tobacco Use Students, and Tobacco Use Staff — 2nd reading Chair David Telman indicated there were no changes since the first reading . Motion: On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Nicole Camp it was voted unanimously, 4-0, to approve the policies as written for a second reading and adoption. (Wellness, Tobacco Use by Students, Tobacco Use by Staff) Homework Policy David Telman reported that the Policy Subcommittee reviewed this policy three times and there was a lot of discussion . This will be a fluid document. As times change, classes change and students change, this policy could change as well . Suggestions for the policy included : • When something goes wrong, students are encouraged to speak to the teacher - need more language about how these issues will be addressed • Whenever possible assignments will be application based (avoid busy work) • Language around homework being designed with the time restraints in mind and something to encourage open dialog with Teachers and Students if the assignment is not able to be completed within the timeframe . You can pinpoint challenges and areas if a student is not able to complete the assignment. • Adjust if the student can demonstrate mastery with reduced output The Superintendent indicated that the Policy Manual does not have a policy on homework. This is the District ' s first attempt to try to have something for all schools . There will be robust discussion as this policy goes forward. When a School Committee policy is voted, it needs to be followed and this is non-negotiable . This policy is being created and in direct relation to the health risk surveys and academic stress kids are feeling. The policy subcommittee wanted to keep the spirit of independent reading. The Superintendent indicated that he will wait for the boards to approve this policy and then there will be a deep discussion with the teachers . It was suggested that the District look at MCAS or standardized testing dates when homework should be banned . Motion. On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Kristen Callahan, it was voted 4 yeas to approve the Homework Policy for a first reading. Educational Vision The Superintendent reported that he is working with Dr. Patti Gremer on the feedback from the two sessions wherejust about 50 people attended . Hopefully there will be a lot more data as we don ' t think this is a large enough sample of which to draw conclusions . They would like to expand this out in a survey form . He distributed documents on the Brewster Visioning Feedback and a copy of a sample survey for the committee to review. How do we get a survey to the entire community? Brewster School Committee Minutes June 17, 2019 [2 ] REPORTS AND INFORMATION Preschool enrollment — Preschool report was included in the packet. Cape Cod Collaborative — No report. PTO — Kristen Callahan reported that they will meet on Thursday when they will review end of the year and look forward to next year. School Council — Keith Gauley reviewed the survey results and the four goals that were developed . The Council is waiting for the Strategic Plan and the Tech Plan to be developed to create the Stony Brook plan. Policy — No report Substance Abuse Task Force —Jessica Larsen reported that they received the survey results from the High School but they are a bit skewed due to low response . The survey will be given again in the fall . It was mentioned the need to begin efforts of prevention at the early ages . Building Needs Assessment Subcommittee — No report Wellness Subcommittee — No report Strategic Plan Subcommittee — Jessica Larsen reported that the Strategic Plan Subcommittee is working on the vision and mission. This work will be presented at the Joint Meeting in October. Approval of Minutes Motion : On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Kristen Callahan, it was voted 4 yeas, to approve the minutes of April 25 , 2019 . Adjournment On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Kristen Callahan, it was voted unanimously 4-0, to adjourn the meeting at 6 : 55 p .m . , subject to payment of bills . Submitted by, Ann M. Tefft Included in the packet: Principals ' reports, expenditure reports, policies and minutes . Brewster School Committee Minutes June 17, 2019 [3 ]