HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2020-01-02 Minutes 1„1„j 111.1
Nauset Regional School Committee1 OL
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January 2, 2020 `s; 14 1
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Brewster Town Hall 1 f ' r �, `_: ' t, a
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Present for the Committee : Ian Mack, Judith Schumacher, Amy Handel, John O ' Reilly, Chris Ea14, Rich d
Stewart and Ed Brookshire, Jim O ' Leary, Robert Jacobus, and Josh Stewart (arrived late)
Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad, Keith Gauley, Giovanna Venditti, Principal Ellsasser and Principal
Kobold
Call to Order
Chair Easley called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p .m .
Agenda Changes — None
Citizens Speak
None
Priority Business
FY21 Budget -
Superintendent Conrad distributed the budget books to members and reviewed the contents . He reviewed the budget
process that begins in October with the Superintendent and Business Director meetings with Principals . Principals,
in turn, get input from their staff about expenditures and materials need to keep a robust and excellent educational
program . There is no set budget number and they sit and review the budgets together over many meetings .
He also indicated that he has made elementary committees aware of the building project that will be coming with
voting in the spring. He wanted everyone to know they are very sensitive that the taxpayers are voting on a large
ticket item with the building project.
The Superintendent reviewed each section of the budget beginning with the Town Official Guidelines . It was noted
the Eastham Town Administrator did not send a written report but verbally indicated that the expectation is 2 . 5 % . It
was also noted that 4% is mentioned in Orleans that includes fringe benefits . Other items included in the budget
books are : Overview of Accomplishments , Goals and Priorities, Region Only Budget (will be coming) , the Central
Office Budget that has been voted by the Subcommittee and will be voted on at the Joint School Committee meeting,
Capital Plan, and Federal and State Grants Funding .
He indicated they are watching for retirements and the Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, Susan Wallen, sends a
letter to all staff in January to remind them to send a letter to the Superintendent if they plan on retiring at the end of
the year . It was noted when replacing veteran teachers, the District uses a Master Step 5 place holder for new hires
when doing budgeting. He indicated at the next meeting the Principals will review their line item budgets with the
Committee . He also indicated that there is a placeholder built into the budget for negotiations . He indicated that the
Union has been good partners with them and understand the challenges to bring in a responsible budget .
Jim O ' Leary mentioned the comparison of personnel at Cape Cod Tech and in the District. Cape Cod Tech includes
benefits and salaries in their figure . The District does not carry the benefits in the same line item as the salary. He
would like to see a combined figure so that it is an accurate comparison . Judy Schumacher indicated that at the
Budget and Finance Committee they put together a total figure and pie chart last year that addressed that issue .
Nauset Regional School Committee, January 2, 2020 1 P a g e
The Superintendent indicated that there were no surprises in the budget and asked them to look at technology. There
will be a presentation regarding technology in the District at the Joint School Committee meeting.
The grant for SEL was mentioned . The Superintendent indicated that $ 100 , 000 grant for a psychiatric nurse was
obtained from DESE . They are in the process of hiring someone .
The Superintendent discussed hiring young teachers and the problems they encounter with housing and even any sort
of social life outside of school . He also indicated that rental housing is difficult when it is a 9 month lease .
ADJOURNMENT — On a motion by Ian Mack seconded by Ed Brookshire, it was voted unanimously to adjourn
the meeting at 6 : 30 p .m .
Submitted by,
Ann M. Tefft
Included in the packet : Budget books were distributed at the meeting
Nauset Regional School Committee, January 2, 2020 2 P a g e