HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2020-01-09 Minutes I
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Nauset Regional School Committee S ,�. ;R r, < 7%
January 9 2020 (yrs �� j,..;� ' 0 s 1
Brewster Town Hall
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Present for the Committee : Ian Mack, Judith Schumacher, Amy Handel , John O ' Reilly, Chris Eas16y, Richard
Stewart and Ed Brookshire
Absent : Josh Stewart, Jim O ' Leary and Robert Jacobus
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 : 03 p .m .
Agenda Changes — None
Citizens Speak
None
Consent Agenda
Motion : On a motion by John O ' Reilly, seconded by Amy Handel, it was voted unanimously, 7 -0 , to approve the
consent agenda .
Motion : On a motion by Ed Brookshire, seconded by Judith Schumacher, it was voted unanimously to appoint
Susan Wallen, Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, as the Region ' s representative on the Cape Cod Municipal Health
Group Board ,
Priority Business
Treasurer ' s Report
Connie Boulos , Treasurer for the Nauset Public School District, updated the board on the work she is doing, the
duties of the Treasurer, and the reexamining of procedures currently in place . She is working closely with Jim
Nowack to maintain strong checks and balances in all accounts . They are currently working on the Fundraising
Policy and procedures .
Building Committee Update
Greg Levasseur reported that the Building Committee voted to submit the schematic design to the MSBA that was
due on January 2 , 2020 . The Building Committee will be focusing on having more meetings with the outreach
groups . The Superintendent, Mr. Levasseur and Mr . Easley will be meeting with the MSBA board on Thursday,
January 16, 2020 . They will see how much more they can get for state reimbursement. Building Committee
meetings are focusing on trying to get as much information out as possible to further gain support of the project . He
indicated that the Executive Board of the MSBA meets on February 13 , 2020 when they will ask further questions
and vote the project to the next phase .
Administrative Reports
Principal Kobold gave an overview of the Principal ' s Report and highlighted the following : Amazing work being
done in the ELL classes, Adventure Education visiting the Wellfleet Audubon and visited the ICU unit for stunned
turtles, "JT, " motivational speaker addressed students in an assembly and students pledging to not using unkind
words .
Nauset Regional School Committee, January 9, 2020 1 P a g e
Principal Ellsasser report was included in the packet. He reported that a team from the Middle School and a team
from the High School met with consultants from X2 relative to scheduling Grades 642 . He also reported attending a
hockey game over the vacation break where "big kids were standing with little kids" at center ice and the connection
that the games bring to the community. He shared that he gave a presentation to a group of citizens in Orleans who
overwhelming support the building project. He indicated that the presentation was as a result of a tour. Tours are
open to anyone and he acknowledged that board members in the towns have taken the tour. Richard Stewart could
not emphasize enough the value of touring Nauset High School so that people in our towns can see the urgency of
the project.
Superintendent Conrad reported that he works on the Nauset High School building project on some level every day.
On January 16th the Orleans Citizens Group will hold a forum at 3 : 30 p .m . at the Council on Aging to discuss the
project. Superintendent Conrad and Principal Ellsasser will be presenters and answers questions for the audience .
He thanked Alan McLellan for arranging this forum . He also indicated that Keith Gauley is the point person for
creating teams at the elementary schools relative to a political action committee . He has volunteers from all four
towns . This is an important group of people who will inform and energize the elementary population. The
Superintendent thanked Mr. Gauley for taking on this important part of the project. He reported that he meets with
Principals Ellsasser and Kobold weekly and they engage in a rich conversation and exchange ideas . They are
working very hard behind the scenes to bring consistency and continuity to initiatives Grs . 642 . They will talk
about Restorative Justice at the Joint Meeting. He reported that he is excited to continue to work on individual
learning labs for students . He is going to a conference in a few months where this is being discussed. This will be
the wave of the future . He enjoyed concerts over the holidays and basketball games noting that you must see kids
see what they are doing and how hard they are working .
MCAS Tests
Principal Kobold, Principal Ellsasser and Assistant Superintendent Gauley reviewed the results of MCAS testing .
Mr . Gauley shared information on the state-wide results and the new accountability system . It was noted that the
tests focus on all students and lowest performing 25 % of students . The Middle School overall classification is not
requiring assistance or intervention with substantial progress toward targets. The High School overall
classification is not requiring assistance or intervention with substantial progress toward targets. Mr . Gauley
included the vision of the District that includes deeper learning, creativity and critical thinking, problem-solving and
reflection .
Principal Kobold indicated that the Middle School was above state average in all three categories . Principal
Ellsasser indicated that students are doing well and they will focus on students not meeting or partially meeting
expectations . He indicated the scores suggest that teaching and programming is in alignment. He indicated that he
does not feel the tests are distracting from teaching . Students are doing well on the tests . He indicated that the
testing occurs over six days and the energy in the school changes . It is disruptive because they move teachers
around and have substitutes as well . He acknowledged that the test is anxiety producing for students and they are
trying to be more efficient in administering the tests . He indicated that students with Needs Improvement and
Warning usually have some kind of content skill gap that comes from their school prior to arriving at Nauset. They
continue to work on how to evaluate these students before school starts, identify gap areas and see how to assist
students with gaps . They are coming up with interventions ; offering some summer courses , August workshops for
students to do before school starts . They try to create an extra space for extra help for some students . He indicated
that many Special Needs students fall into the lowest 25 % and they are trying to reach all students . They are also
trying to mitigate the anxiety for students . Teachers are talking with the students about the test and letting them
Nauset Regional School Committee, January 9, 2020 2 1 P a g e
know they are doing the work they are supposed to be doing. They are trying to make it as positive experience as
possible . Principal Ellsasser indicated when they look at the test data, it gives them one more lens to look through to
see where students stand. There is a commonality with lower scoring students . Perhaps they moved from another
part of the world and are new to the system in Grade 8 or 9 . Counselors must really read the transcripts and compare
syllabi to close gaps . Principal Ellsasser indicated that students keep taking the test until they pass it. He also
indicated that the test is constantly changed and they don ' t want to compromise learning by teaching to the test .
Principal Kobold indicated that Coordinators look at the test results and bring it back to their departments to talk
about it. Superintendent Gauley indicated that the test shows core skills and core knowledge that every young adult
needs . He also indicated that you can analyze test results on deeper level across content area and in grade levels with
the new testing. He indicated it is a balancing act and it is all about student growth .
Policy on Homelessness
Ian Mack reported that the Policy Subcommittee met and voted unanimously to adopt the Student Homelessness
Policy as written by MASC with the addition of living in a winter rental because people have to move out of winter
rentals before the end of school . This would allow them to stay in the school district when they are out of their
rental .
Motion : On a motion by John O ' Reilly, seconded by Amy Handel , it was voted unanimously, (7 yeas) , to approve
the Homelessness Policy for a first reading .
Dashboard Report
Giovanna Venditti , Director of Finance and Operations informed the Committee that the Budget and Finance
Subcommittee reviewed the Dashboard report in detail . E & D balance is $ 1 ,267 , 582 . She reviewed the various
revolving funds . She shared E & D comparisons of this year to last year . John O ' Reilly asked about Provincetown
and Truro tuition last year as compared to this year . Ms . Vendith indicated we have less students coming and will get
him more information on that figure . She indicated that last year they had more students than projected . She
indicated that Provincetown and Truro give the District their best guess on who is coming to Nauset and that is how
she makes her projection .
FY21 Budget
MIDDLE SCHOOL FY21 Proposed Budget
Principal Kobold announced the awarding of a grant in the amount of $ 79, 000 that was written by Kristen Callahan
and Patti Gremer for project-based and deeper learning initiatives . The Superintendent indicated that personnel is
the biggest part of the budget and noted there is a figure dedicated to negotiations . He thanked Principal Ellsasser
and Principal Kobold for the multiple meetings to review the budget. He indicated that this budget is responsible
and funds a robust and outstanding program for our students . She reviewed her FY21 budget section-by- section
highlighting significant increases or decreases . Professional Development and staff workshops were discussed .
Superintendent Conrad will ask Mr. Gauley for a specific breakdown for Professional Development including the
initiative of Restorative Justice ,
Line Item 8032 — Classroom Instructional Hardware, it was noted that they are in the 4th year of the iPad lease and
are replacing teachers ' desktop and laptops as well as replacing cables .
Line Item 8111 , Contracted Services Instructional Equipment — reduced by $ 155862 — Principal Kobold was urged to
put a placeholder there while she waits for contract numbers .
Line Item 80484052 Athletics, it was noted that stipends are included in the teachers ' contract.
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Line Item 8066-Electricity — Reduction of $60 ,276 , Partnered with Cape Light Compact to install solar canopies in
the Middle School parking lot where the buses are currently parked .
The Superintendent will have further information on energy changes in the District at the Joint meeting.
Line Item 8063 — Agreement with Orleans Police and Eastham Police regarding the School Resource Officer — same
as previous year .
Line Item 814, Technology Leadership Integration Director — one full time position (replace B . Jackson)
Superintendent Conrad indicated that the Middle School Budget is up 2 . 91 % and they are waiting to see what
happens over the next few months with retirements .
HIGH SCHOOL FY21 Proposed Budget
Principal Ellsasser reviewed his budget section-by-sectlon .
Line Item 8307 — Salaries Department Heads — Department heads get a stipend on top of their contract dollar
amount. This figure is negotiated .
Line Item 8312 — Stipends Teachers — This figure includes advisors , teacher orientation new students, every ninth
grade student with advisory groups under 10 students .
Line Item - 8317 - Salaries Ed . Assistants — Use Ed. Asst. for students taking on line course
Line Item — 8316 — Long Term Subs — Check this line item, never runs under $43 ,000 .
Line Item — 8332 — Classroom Instructional Hardware — Moving from textbooks to software and licensing, Wads
lasting longer than anticipated, replacing hardware for teachers
Line Items 8339 — 8343 — Health — Principal Ellsasser shared thoughts for the future where the nurse, trainer and
adjustment counselor would be housed in a Health Suite .
Line Items 83484352 - Athletics — Changed league affiliation, saving on transportation (moved back to Cape and
Islands model)
Line Item — 8351 — Supplies Athletics — Principal Ellsasser and John Mattson, Athletic Director review items,
keeping costs down, use a calendar for rotating uniforms and equipment. Discussion ensued regarding items in
budget and items that Boosters ' Club purchases .
Line Item 8399 — SN Salaries Department Heads rolling into 8307 Salaries Department Heads — Check .
Line Item 8384 — SN Supplies General — Soundproofing for hearing impaired student. Should this be given to
Capital Asset Subcommittee/Budget & Finance Subcommittee? John O ' Reilly suggested monies come out of capital
and not out of the operating budget
Superintendent Conrad indicated that the budget is 3 . 35 % increase . They will look for reductions .
Pie Charts — The committee would like a pie chart when all the budgets are combined, Regional budget and shared
budget.
CAPITAL PLAN
Judy Schumacher indicated that the Budget and Finance Subcommittee reviewed the Five-Year Capital Plan in detail
and voted unanimously to approve moving it forward to the school committee . They are very confident with FY21
budget. The other years are moving targets and every year they will get more and more refined. She indicted that
most of the Capital Money is going into the Middle School .
Chair Easley indicated that the Capital Plan will be voted on when the budget is voted on. This will be discussed at a
future meeting .
Nauset Regional School Committee, January 9, 2020 4 P a g e
The Superintendent indicated that he emailed a copy of the assessments and enrollment numbers to the towns and
distributed a copy to school committee members at the meeting.
REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Budget and Finance Subcommittee
Judith Schumacher reported that the Budget and Finance Committee met and looked at the Fundraising Policies (7-9
policies) submitted by Jim Nowack and Connie Boulos . Ian Mack indicated that the Policy Subcommittee is looking
at this too and the complexity of it is acknowledged . He stated we ask our community to fund the budget and
beyond . We have our kids and parents out there raising money all the time . Further discussion at the Policy
Subcommittee will take place with regard to fundraising. John O ' Reilly indicated that the Boosters Club is not part
of the fundraising policy. He asked that if they make a policy that will impact the Boosters, they include them in the
discussion as the Boosters have worked tremendously hard for students .
School Council
Richard Stewart reported that the High School Council met on 1 /6 and is working on evaluating the High School
Budget and looking at ways to engage the parents more fully in the life of the school . They are also looking to
expand the Advisor Program . He indicated a majority of the committee members want to move off the budget but a
minority of members want to continue to engage the budget .
Substance Abuse Subcommittee
Chris Easley indicated that the Principal gave a presentation on what is going on in their schools . They talked about
Restorative Justice and what it does to the school community. They did not spend a lot of time of the survey. They
are getting a psychiatric nurse practitioner with the grant money. John O ' Reilly asked that the committee fund this
position should the grant money go away. It is very important to the student body . The Superintendent indicated the
Health Survey results will be reviewed at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT — On a motion by Ian Mack seconded by Ed Brookshire, it was voted unanimously to adjourn
the meeting at 9 : 16 p .m .
Submitted by,
Ann M. Tefft
Included in the packet : Principals ' Reports , Dashboard, FY21 Proposed Budgets , Homelessness Policy and minutes .
Town assessments were distributed at the meeting.
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