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HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2019-08-08 Minutes Nauset Regional School Committee � ! August 8, 2019 Y Eastham Town Hall ! Present for the Committee: Ian Mack, Ed Brookshire, Chris Easley, Judy Schumacher, Amy Handel, Josh Stewart, John O ' Reilly and Robert Jacobus Absent: James O ' Leary and Richard Stewart Present for the Administration : Giovanna Venditti Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6 : 00 p. m . Consent Agenda — approved unanimously Citizens Speak — None Priority Business Building Committee Update Greg Levasseur updated the Committee on the plans of the building project as they progressed . He distributed a handout that showed 1 ) plan with code upgrades, 2) plan with additions and renovations, and 3) plan of a brand new structure . He reviewed the plans and indicated the reasons why Option 4A was chosen by the Building Committee, The Building Committee has finalized the Preliminary Schematic Report with the final language that supports the Committee ' s choice to renovate. This document was filed in Boston in July. Committee members (Tom Conrad, Chris Ellsasser, and Kathleen Tringale), met with the Facility Assessment Subcommittee. The meeting was a huge success . Everyone at MSBA very excited about the Nauset High School project. The MSBA indicated they are willing to help the District get the project off the ground and built. On August 28, the State Treasure will commit state funds to the project. This allows the MSBA to move the process forward knowing how much money will be coming from the state, He indicated that the forum with the four towns went well , He stated the Building Committee welcomes input from the four towns . On July 22"d he attended a meeting of the Brewster Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee to discuss the project. Some questions were asked that need to be addressed by Administration relative to school choice and the 905 student enrollment figure . He indicated that the Building Project website has a link to the MSBA website that shows the process and methodology that the MSBA used, as well as the Nauset paperwork, He indicated the PSR will be filled and placed on the website as well . The information group has been meeting . For more information go to the Nauset Building Project website at www. nausetreaionalhighschoolbuildingproject.com . There are videos of meetings, reports and a place for questions and comments . In the next few months the Building Committee will refine aspects of the building project. The cost estimate will be filed . They need to define systems. The figures will be changed and refined . For example, hazardous materials — cost estimate was $3 ,000 ,000 but after careful examination it appears that it will be under $2,000 ,000 as most of the asbestos was removed 20 , years ago and if anything remains it is easily contained or removed. There needs to be a decision made on the CMR and the Building Committee will make that decision before November. He informed the committee about the two ways towns can vote the project. All four towns have a town meeting vote or use the process used in DY, one day, all four towns vote at the same time and you tally the vote. That will be on a future agenda . He also indicated that, the School Committee will have to decide the length of the bonds and indicated the Nauset Regional School Committee, June 13, 2019 11 V a g e MSBA has no guidance on this . The Project Manager works with Unibank of Boston . He is working on amortization schedules . Mr. Levasseur indicated that the state does not give as much reimbursement money for new construction, 27%, but gives around 42% reimbursement for renovations . He indicated that Option 4A, filed with the state will have a 42% reimbursement. The Building Committee will refine the plans over the next few months. They will take it down to the concrete structure and new was, plumbing, electrical , insulation etc . will be installed . The construction will be part of this as well . A new auditorium with 750 seats, new Administration Building, connecting hallways will be installed on the 2nd floor. There will be new classrooms built behind the existing auditorium, new science rooms, classrooms, rooftop area for seating and a greenhouse. Security expert likes the scheme . John O ' Reilly asked about the footnotes and what they mean . He also asked about the reimbursement rate of 41 . 67%. Mr. Levasseur indicated that this is due to the roof. The state helped pay for the roof. This may change when FAS group looks at it. Amy Handel asked for clarification about driving behind the building. Mr. Levasseur indicated there would be no more driving vehicles behind the school . The plaza will be a place where people can work and it extends back to the fields . Josh Stewart stated that the construction will be 3 or 4 years . Is there a management plan as to how students will attend in the portables? Where will the portables be located during the phases? What will it look like for a high school bound student? Mr. Levasseur shared on the plan where the portable classroom will be located and indicated they will be far enough away from when building are being worked on . They have a 30-month schedule for construction . John O ' Reilly indicated that the principal and teachers on the Building Committee have been adamant about tackling that situation . He explained that the existing building is 180 ,300 sq . ft. and the new plan is 220,300 sq . ft. He also stated that the current classrooms are 750 sq . ft. but the new code is classrooms must be 950 sq . ft. They have to look at energy codes, handicapped accessible codes, heating systems and energy efficiency. Chair Easley thanked Mr. Levesseur for all his efforts and energy working on the Building Project. Chair Easley indicated that there are questions surrounding school choice . if people review the last June, July, August and September, Region School Committee minutes or videos , they will see how the committee decided what the configuration of the schools should be . The decision was made that Nauset would keep the configuration that they have presently . The School Committee is happy with the programming in the schools and the committee wants to maintain school choice . He asked members that would like more information about school choice to set up an appointment with the Superintendent. At the next Region School Committee there will be a discussion on school Choice . Homework Policy Judy Schumacher shared comments from Jim O ' Leary who could not be at the meeting but wanted to weigh in on the subject. He would like to add to the policy, "homework given will be evaluated and turned to students based on departmental guidelines." Josh Stewart indicated that is good to try to standardized guidelines but it should not be taken back to department heads . He hopes guidelines around evaluations and returning to students should be in the policy and not left to department heads . Other members concurred . It was indicated that the recorded times include all reading assignments, work assignments and major projects. Josh Stewart indicated that the Policy Subcommittee will work on the policy. if this policy gets voted , the Policy Subcommittee will continue to work on it. He would like to get it in place for the start of the school year. The Policy Subcommittee is happy to meet and tweak the policy. Judy Schumacher state after the policy is in place for a few months, the Policy Subcommittee could get feedback . Nauset Regional School Committee, June 13, 2019 2 N a g o Motion : On a motion by Robert Jacobus , seconded by Ian Mack, it was voted unanimously, (7 yeas) to approve the Homework Policy as written for a second reading and adoption . FY19 Budget — End of Year Fiscal Report Giovanna Venditti reviewed End of Year Fiscal report with the subcommittee . She highlighted the following. Projected E & D Balance for 6/30/2019 is$ 741 ,467. State certified E & D is $ 716,625 . Appropriation Savings are $615 , 219 . The savings is from various line items in the budget. There was also savings in the Region Only budget from out of district tuition costs, charter school , school choice, unemployment, workers ' comp and special needs out of district transportation . She reviewed the funding sources in the amount of $698 , 572 that included additional revenue from earnings on investments, Medicaid receipts, CCMHC payment, and increase in Truro and Provincetown Tuition . Other savings included $6, 831 , from encumbrances for expenses closed to E & D . The School Committee voted to use $590, 000 out of E & D for the FY20 budget. The Bond premium reduction is $4, 106 . Projected certified E & D balance on 6/30/2019 is $ 1 ,454,299 . She indicated this is well under the 5 % maximum for E & D balance. The year ended favorably. E & D is has more than doubled from last year. She clarified the Firebirds/Whitecap concession money . They buy products at the start of the season . Most of the money comes in after gig games, playoffs and the All Star Game . There is a positive balance in the account of $ 17, 000 . Members asked what happens to the revenues received . She indicated that in FYI $20,000 was earmarked for to cover expenses in the Region operating budget. Small wares are also purchased for the cafeteria and $ 10, 000 was used for equipment for the culinary arts program . It was indicated that the Sue Murray provide technical assistance to Cape Tech . They pay us for that expertise . It does not run in a deficit. The balance is $6 , 000. Future Agenda Items Chair Easley indicated at the July 11th meeting they reviewed their list of agenda topics, prioritized and edited . A new list was distributed. It was indicated that school choice will be discussed at the next meeting. Other items include public outreach, Strategic Plan, Security-Resource Officer and MASC rep reviewing Roles and Responsibilities of School Committee members. Update Committee on AECOM opportunity for students, Parent Square be promoted again . The Committee would tike quarterly reports from Department Heads, Technology Director, and Treasurer' s Report. Another topic for discussion is school choice state-reimbursement plan . The question was raised when accepting gifts and donations for athletic programs, where does the money go? How does the gift get used and how is it accounted for? It was also suggested to invite the three state representatives, Sarah Peake , Tim Whelan and Julian Cyr to a meeting to talk about founding formula for school choice and how it is flawed . Cities benefit but Cape and Islands do not. Citizens Speak Benjamin Peters of 32 Featherbed Lane in Brewster a DY and Nauset addressed the committee . He suggested when building the new school do not put wireless internet in the school . He stated that wireless internet interferes with the brain ' s ability to function and inability to feel the people around us . It is artificial electricity and makes us confused. He felt students deserve better. Without it he felt there would be marked improvement in the ability to memorize, think and socialize . Fidgeting would evaporate . He thanked the committee for their consideration . Nauset Regional School Committee, June 13, 2019 3 P a g e Adjournment On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded by Ian Mack, it was voted to adjourn the meeting. Submitted by, Ann M. Tefft Included in packet: End of Year Report, Gifts/Grants, and Homework Policy. Nauset Regional School Committee, June 13, 2019 4 Page