HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2019-11-21 Minutes Brewster Joint School Council Meeting
November 21 , 2019 2 : 30 p . m .
The meeting was held in the professional development room beginning at 2 : 30 p .m . with Keith Gauley, Joanna
Hughes, Mary Berzinis, Colleen Lawless, Marcia Galazzi, Jessica Larsen, Lori Gilmore, Nicole Camp, Kerry
Kew, Jessica Huse, Tyan Bassett, Christine Peterson and Laureen Barnes in attendance .
There were no citizens to speak. The Principal ' s Report from October was shared with the SBES council .
The meeting began with a discussion led by Joanna on revisiting class size recommendations . Joanna shared a
research article from ESE as well as the current School Committee Target Guidelines . The council moved to
page 5 of the ESE document to compare our class sizes to that of the state . Joanna shared her concern began
when the numbers of incoming Yd grade students were at the maximum target rate according to the active
recommendations . She had to hold off giving class assignments to students and parents to make sure it would
not be necessary to add a fifth teacher for grade 3 . There was much discussion on how the needs of the students
have become more demanding and the curriculum has become more challenging since those guidelines were
established back in 1997 . Fiscal repercussions was also a concern. It was suggested that we re-visit this topic
after contemplating the research .
Keith and Joanna reviewed the direction of the new School Improvement Plan ' s for SBES and Eddy with the
members . It was determined that they were both aligned pretty similarly with each other .
Both schools focusing on .
I. Project Based Learning
IL SEL
III . Community Involvement
IV . Academic/Enrichment Opportunities
Jessica gave us all an update on the recent vote during the Special Town Meeting concerning our schools .
Special town meeting allocated $235 , 000 for studies on the feasibility of a community center and the program
needs and implications for the current, and possible future, elementary school building configuration . The
feasibility study will help figure out the program needs and possible locations for a community center and will
include studying the educational needs including preschool and spaces in town that can and will support all
community members .
We adjourned at 3 : 40 p .m .
i
Respectfully submitted,
Laureen Barnes
Secretary
120 JAN 7 8 , 49hm
NEUSTER THIN CLERK