HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2019-06-17 Minutes Brewster School Committee
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Thursday, June 17 , 2019 '
Brewster Town Hall
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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 ]