HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2019-12-19 Minutes Brewster School Committee
Tuesday , December 19 , 2019
Brewster Town Hall
Present for the Committee : David Telman, Marie Enochty, Jessica Larsen, Nicole Camp and Laurel Labdon
Present for the Administration: Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Keith Gauley, and Joanna Hughes:1.
Call to Order
Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p .m .
Agenda Change — None
Citizens Speak - None
PRIORITY BUSINESS
Administrators ' Reports
Principals ' reports were included in the packet. Jessica Larsen inquired about the tours of the schools and how
they will advertise and communicate with the community . Principal Gauley indicated that this will go home in
newsletters , given to PTO to post on their website and sent to the Town Hall for distribution and posting on their
website . Principal Gauley indicated that people will go on google docs to schedule their tour.
Superintendent ' s Report
The Superintendent reported that he spent some time with teachers discussing project based learning to see what
would help make this initiative successful going forward . He indicated the number one issue is finding time to
work with colleagues . He also reported that a Professor from MIT Creative Labs visited the District to focus on
creativity. He has been visiting schools and seeing wonderful concerts and holiday activities throughout the
District . He and Giovanna Venditti have been working on seven budgets . He is also sitting on the 21s' Century
Workshop group for the Strategic Plan . He indicated that the students on the committee were very positive and is
taking it very seriously. He reported that he had an opportunity, through Cape Cod Community College and the
Superintendent ' s monthly meeting, to visit an Aviation Mechanics Program at the Plymouth Airport . He will
share this program with the High School Guidance Department to have a recruiter visit the school .
Scope of Work for Feasibility Study
Donna Kalinick was present to answer questions from the Committee about the process . Ms . Kalinick indicated
that she will be working on the process and scope for the community center. She would like to put both RFP ' s
out within the same time frame . There will be two separate RFP ' s . She would like to have this ready to go by the
end of January. She indicated that respondents will put together robust reference lists and portfolios . The
awarding of the bids could be sometime in March . She indicated the Town will put out the RFP on behalf of the
Brewster Schools . She indicated that the schools will write their own scope of service . She indicated the RFP
would be $ 50 , 000 or more for each . Chair Telman asked if the price is negotiated . Ms . Kalinick indicated that
the vendor submits qualifications and prices . The School Committee does not have to open the cost document
until they go through the entire selection process . She indicated you can write the RFP and indicated the price is
to be negotiated .
Nicole Camp urged the committee to write the scope at the meeting. Members talked about including enrollment
projections and affordable housing. Marie Enochty requested the consultant come up with some new data about
enrollment . She would like the RFP to help the Committee decide if our enrollment projections are accurate .
Jessica Larsen suggested they look at building use and Preschool . Marie Enochty suggested including various
groups and spaces that complement the vision for Brewster Schools . Laurel Labdon suggested that they look at
affordable housing as it needs to be part of the analysis of enrollment trends . Ms . Kalinick indicated that a good
consultant will look at what the town is doing . He/She will look at the vision planning . They will look at the
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strategic planning that the School Committee has done and that the Select Board has done . The consultant will
take this all into consideration as to where the community is going as a whole . She suggested that you do want to
provide some historical data, current enrollment, and programming .
Members received samples of Scope of Services from two different school districts from the Superintendent .
Chair Telman suggested that the committee approve the RFP wording at the January 16 meeting . Nicole Camp
suggested the subcommittee help prepare this and bring it to the committee in January . Jessica Larsen stated that
this report will become the bases for a long term educational plan . She does not want to spend $ 85 , 000 and not
use this document .
Nicole Camp read a draft scope to the committee : Brewster Public Schools is soliciting proposals from
qualified consultants for educational facility planning services to evaluate our current space to make an
informed decision for our district. The selected consultant will be asked to evaluate and consider enrollment
trends, capacity, space and quality ofspace, flexibility, instructional practices, programmatic needs (e, g,
special education service delivery), technology infrastructure, and school use.
The consultant is to provide a comprehensive physical and educational assessment of two (2) school
buildings located in the Town of Brewster, Massachusetts related to short and long range facilities planning,
capacity determinations, analyzing space requirements that are influenced by our educational programs,
equity considerations estimated based on current school use and adequacy of the space The Brewster
School Committee is looking for recommendations and/or options for consolidation and costs associated
with these options. The consultant will determine a number of options for the Town of Brewster. From the
results of this study the selected consultant will then create a clear and concise report for the Town of
Brewster that describes the physical changes that may need to be done, the order of magnitude of any
physical space modifications, the range of costs of these recommended modifications, and the advantages
and disadvantages of each option. This report will become the basis for a long term educational related
facilities plan.
Keith Gauley and Donna Kalinick reviewed schedule for touring the Brewster Schools . Ms . Kalinick indicated
the town has been getting the word out about the work they have been doing through the Brewster Community
Network. The Schools should send what they want publicize to Donna Kalinick and she will forward it to
network to get it posted . She will also put it on the Town ' s website . She is trying to get to the broadest number
of people . Joanna Hughes, Principal of Eddy and Keith Gauley, Principal of Stony Brook have tours scheduled
when kids are in the building at 800 a . m , and 1 : 00 p .m . Stony Brook is scheduled for the second Monday of
every month . Eddy has not scheduled yet . Jessica Larsen asked if they could have a website where all the
information about the study can be located . Superintendent Conrad indicated that it would be similar to the High
School project and there would be something on the websites .
FY20 Budget Review
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the expenditure reports indicating a balance at Eddy School of $ 92, 151 and at Stony
Brook School a balance of $ 106 , 642 . She reviewed line items with substantial movement. Marie Enochty asked
about line item 5114 , new position at Stony Brook. She indicated that she thought that would not impact the
Brewster Budget . The Superintendent indicated he is sure it will not and is waiting for grant funding .
Ms . Venditti apprised them of a new student who moved into town that will require an out of District placement
to another District. She will have more information next month . The Superintendent indicated that Dr . Caretti is
working on this and he will have a report at the next meeting .
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FY21 Budget
The Superintendent distributed the budget books . He thanked Keith Gauley and Joanna Hughes for their efforts
on this budget . They have had multiple meetings with Giovanna Venditti and him . He indicated that the budget
represents a robust and excellent program in the schools . He wanted to make the board aware that there is a lot of
discussion about the High School Building Project. He indicated that he does not have an exact dollar figure but
it will be $ 90 million or more to the towns .
Reports and Information
Preschool Enrollment in packet. No questions .
Cape Cod Collaborative — no report
PTO — Nicole Camp reported on the fundraising activities . A "fun run" is planned for the future .
School Council — no
Policy — Jessica Larsen reported that they reviewed a policy on Homelessness and this will be coming around in
January for a first reading. The District does not have a policy and MASC just sent this for the committees '
review. She added that short term rentals or winter rentals should be part of the language . The Superintendent
indicated that there was also a lot of discussion about the Fundraising Policy that will be discussed further in
January at the Policy Subcommittee meeting.
Transportation —no report . The Superintendent indicated the next time they meet they will look at seat belts on
the buses for everyone .
Substance Abuse — Jessica Larsen reported that the Health Risk Survey was presented to everyone .
Building Needs Assessment — Chair Telman indicated that he met with the Select Board and was given the by-
laws . Chair Telman well be meeting with them to discuss what the committee will be doing going forward . They
may disband .
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Nicole Camp, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted 3and 2 abstentions (Marie Enochty and
Laurel Labdon) to approve the minutes of October 21 , 2019 , as amended .
On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Nicole Camp, t was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of
November 21 , 2019 .
Adjournment
On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Laurel Labdon, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at
7 : 22 p .m .
Ann M. Tefrt
Included in the packet Principals ' Reports, Expense Reports, Minutes, Preschool Enrollment. Distributed at the meeting, samples of scope of work,
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