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HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2019-12-12 Minutes t Nauset Regional School Committee , December 12 , 2019 P `': , : t ' t ti f :S . � �'^ L .' t, 9 Eastham Town Hall 1.f4 Present for the Committee : Jim O ' Leary, Judith Schumacher, Amy Handel, John O ' Reilly, Robert 4obusa t�hris Easley, Richard Stewart and Josh Stewart '° a Absent: Ed Brookshire Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad and Giovanna Venditti Call to Order Chair Easley called the meeting to order at 6 : 07 p ,m . Agenda Changes — No MCAS Presentation Citizens Speak None Priority Business Superintendent ' s Excellence Award — Miriam Caldwell Superintendent Conrad awarded Miriam Caldwell with the Superintendent ' s Excellent Award for 2019-20 . Mia Caldwell is ranked at the top of her class with a 4 . 70 GPA. The Committee congratulated Mia and her parents . Consent Agenda Motion : On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded by Amy Handel, it was voted unanimously, 7 -0 , to approve the consent agenda . Presentation on the Athletic Program It was noted the fall Sports Banquet was happening and that Principal Ellsasser would give the report. The Superintendent indicated that Principal Ellsasser meets with John Mattson, Athletic Director, and knows the Athletics Department very well . Principal Ellsasser indicated that he and Mr. Mattson meet each week . He gave them an overview of the work they have been doing over the past year in athletics . He mentioned the values of the program and the purpose of athletics at the school . He wants the program to be more than wins, losses and records . He indicated that they focused on three principles . 1 ) participation in multiple sports, 2) community service by athletes , and 3 ) being role models . He indicated that teams work at parks , work on the grounds of the High School and work with youth programs . He also indicated that he is limiting fundraising and wants to look for as many ways as possible to support teams without spending time fundraising. He indicated that Girls ' Hockey was a club but just became a team sport last year. Figure Skating has become a club , Winter Track doubled in participants . Ninth Grade Girls Volleyball team is growing the program . Ninth Grade Girls basketball team has grown . The Boosters Club helped support a BBQ in the fall . They also organized a social event for the winter, He indicated at Award ' s Night they emphasize character development of the athletes , not just stats , He indicated the budget is difficult to predict. Transportation costs shift, teams increase , and sometimes they need additional coaches . Teams traveling to playoff games need different buses as games are usually off-Cape . They develop a budget but must react to costs that are not fixed . He also indicated the Athletic Program is accessible to everyone . It allows everyone to have an athletic experience, if they so choose . He also indicated that 8 out of 9 teams competed in post season. They have started a Girls Freshmen Basketball Team and a Freshmen Volley Ball Team , He reported the Booster Club continues to be a very important part of the program . The Boosters are looking at the sound system at the stadium. Members asked questions that included playing at the Reggie Lewis Center and impact on student athletes to travel the distance, if there would be an indoor track in the new facility, equipment needs and how teams are created . Principal Ellsasser indicated that they do play at the Reggie Lewis Center but try to sort out the travel for Nauset Regional School Committee, December 12 , 2019 11 P a g e competitions to least impact student athletes . He indicated they are not looking at an indoor track in the new building project as the MSBA does not support it. He indicated that the Girls Volley Ball and Basketball teams are coming from the Middle School . Budgeting — John Mattson put together the budget for Athletics . He meets with the Head Coaches to determine their needs . They try to have a rotation for replacing and buying new uniforms and equipment. Some teams have more equipment than others . They try to make sure they have the most up-to-date and safest equipment for the sports . He indicated that John Mattson keeps very detailed records that he uses them to organize the budget. They do try to limit fundraising and work with the Boosters ' Club to identify what things are really needed . The Booster Club services all teams equally . They have to determine what is actually needed and not just something that someone wants . One member asked about equity issues and if they are addressed . He indicated that everyone gets the equipment and uniforms for everything they need . He indicated that equity is an important lesson that they are teaching the students . He indicated that they are trying to teach the athletes that the older you get, the more responsibility you get to help other people . Boosters ' Club — He indicated that the Booster Club works with John Mattson . All money goes into one pool and is sorted out. John Mattson determines how things get distributed . He indicated the Boosters ' Club is the tide that lifts all boats . The Boosters ' Club is made up of parents with students in all different sports . The Boosters ' Clubs service athletes and musicians . He indicated that money from games goes into revolving accounts that supplements the budget. The Superintendent shared how money is handled and is tightly controlled . The Superintendent talked about the no cut policy at the Middle School . A member asked if there was enough competition to provide athletes an opportunity for all the kids who want it and still challenge them ability-wise . The Superintendent indicated that they are trying an intramural program along with kids being on teams . He applauded Ed Pavlu and his efforts for building the program at the Middle School . He mentioned the difficulty in finding gym space . Principal Ellsasser explained that he and John Mattson meet with the coaches regarding teams . They try to balance teams . He talked about being on a Jr . Varsity Team and having playing time or being on the Varsity team and not getting playing time . They have a conversation with the student and ask them what they want to do . Players can make a choice . Some want a varsity experience , want to be with friends or just want to play . The coaches make the final decision on who goes on what team . He also indicated that coaches have a skill set so they can teach student athletes . Principal Ellsasser indicated that the expectation is that all students are being active all the time, whether competing in athletics or not . The Physical Education Program is a physical fitness and wellness program . Building Committee Update Greg Levasseur reported that the Building Committee just had a meeting with the Owner ' s Project Manager and the Architect about the schematic design . They will send the complete program to the MSBA. He indicated that Principal Ellsasser and the staff worked on the Educational Plan and demands on space . He reported that the project has been reduced . They saved $ 1 , 100 ,000 in asbestos removal, reduced size of office spaces that saved 1 , 875 , 000 , and the roof and window payback has been reduced by $ 500 ,000 . He indicated that they reduced the maintenance allotment by $ 750 , 000 . They will keep the original main building by the football field . There will be a new loading dock behind the gym . The third floor had two science classrooms and four regular classrooms . They redesigned the third floor and reduced it by two classrooms saving $ 870 ,000 . The MSBA says NHS needs 31 classrooms . Nauset said they needed 35 classrooms , so they have eliminated two . The cost estimate is approximately $ 138 , 885 , 360 minus a $6,000 ,000 reduction. The OPM and Architect have reduced their fees which gives a $2400 , 000 reduction . Nauset Regional School Committee, December 12 , 2019 2 1 P a g e He talked about Design, Bid, Build vs . obtaining a CMR (construction manager at risk) . The Building committee voted to go with design bid program that saves $ 6 , 000 , 000 . Greg Levasseur indicated that the MSBA will review the submission to make sure everything has been included . The full MSBA Board will vote on February 3 , 2020 as to the final figure they will put aside for the project. Then the Building Committee will go to the four towns and tell them how much the state will give to the project. He indicated the cost to the four towns is estimated at $95 , 000 ,000 . They continue to think about the taxpayers, students and teachers in making reductions . Principal Ellsasser invited the public to take a tour. Greg Levasseur indicated the cost includes a set of portable classrooms on the campus . This is a $ 3 , 000, 000 cost. MSBA does not reimburse for that. He indicated the portable classrooms are coming from Lincoln Public Schools and they will purchase for $ 1 . 00 and then hook up . Administrative Reports Principal Kobold gave an overview of the Principal ' s Report. She talked about fostering connections and the evidence of kids making connections at the Middle School . There are a lot of adults in the cafeteria talking with kids . They are getting kids to eat breakfast and each morning and approximately 50 - 75 breakfasts are served . Last year the number was 25 . She mentioned professional development (Restorative Practices) , the Climate Committee and the Family Feud Tournament, Model UN, cultural experiences being seen by students, ALICE training, and community services where students made pies for Lower Cape Outreach . She indicated that they have a no cut policy in sports . They are piloting an intramural program where 27 girls and 51 boys are participating on an A & B team . Intramural Basketball team has started in Grade 6 . The teachers have started an equity team to look at diversity and how kids feel included . Principal Ellsasser report was included in the packet. He talked about community service, the Winter Festival, and a presentation on Cold Stunned Turtles, created by students . He talked about the healthy culture at the school . The Assistant Principal in Charge of Student Life, Sean Fleming, is using an N sticker that says , "Just Be Nice" to promote kindness among students . Faculty Day everyone got shirts that said, "Just Be Nice . " There are stickers all over the school . Josh Stewart congratulated the High School on the program . Richard Stewart reported the Winter Festival was very special with so many activities . Superintendent Conrad reported on his work on project based learning and the staff s responses and suggestions for moving forward . He indicated that negotiations with all unions will begin in January. He would like to try and develop more opportunity for professional development so they will look at the school calendar. He reported on the Cape Cod Community Aviation Program that he shared with the High School Guidance Department. He has been very busy with budget season and working with the Principals . He indicated the Building Project takes an immense amount of time . He indicated that Principal Ellsasser will go on the road with a video that has been created to promote the project and inform citizens . He has already shown the video to some of our civic groups . The Superintendent is spending a lot of time working with Town Managers . They will be bringing the bonding issue for the project forward and he wants to understand the decision in the four towns and what they would like to see . More meetings will happen in January with various groups . Richard Stewart asked about the cost per pupil . It was indicated that Chair Easley took on the responsibility of making sure there was a clarity in the per pupil cost at the High School . He spoke in Brewster Eastham and Orleans on the topic . He received very positive feedback from the Boards and thanked Chair Easley for all his efforts that were very well received . He is working on the 21St Century working group for the Strategic Plan . He said there are two great students in the group from the High School , Nauset Regional School Committee, December 12 , 2019 3 P a g e The MCAS presentation was held . Health Risk Survey — The Superintendent indicated that he will get a copy of the results to board members . They are talking about a different approach relative to wellness on the campus at the Middle School and High School . They are looking at the continuity of education that students are receiving in Health Education and Wellness . Dashboard Report Giovanna Venditti , Director of Finance and Operations informed the Committee that the Budget and Finance Subcommittee reviewed the Dashboard report in detail . Projected E & D balance is $ 1 , 121 , 904 . She reviewed the various revolving funds . She shared E & D comparisons of this year to last year. REPORTS AND INFORMATION Cape Cod Collaborative — Robert Jacobus reported that the audit was good . They are looking at other locations for Way Point Academy. Budget and Finance Subcommittee Judith Schumacher reported that the Budget and Finance Committee met and ae looking at reviewing fundraising and working with Treasurer to make recommendations for the policy subcommittee . They reviewed the five year capital asset budget and passed it unanimously. She indicated that the members of the board will get a copy of the plan . Strategic Plan Judith Schumacher indicated that the Strategic Plan is moving along with working groups meeting. She indicated that Maxine Minkoff is confident that everyone will have completed their work in February. School Council — Richard Stewart indicated that he is the liaison for the school committee for the council . He indicated that the High School Council is involved in deciding on what their role is . Principal Ellsasser wants to improve communication with the families and have them become more familiar with the working of the school . Another member wants to look at the budget . They talked about starting a PTO at the High School . Principal Ellsasser would like to build communications with the towns . Policy Subcommittee Josh Stewart indicated the policy subcommittee met and worked on the Homelessness Policy . They also had a good discussion on fundraising and are looking at the fundraising policy. Substance Abuse Subcommittee Chair Easley indicated that they reviewed the Health Risk Survey. They are discussing what steps are needed to address some of the issues . They talked about the SEL programs in the schools and how they will mesh with one another . They are still looking for a psychiatric nurse . Future Agenda Items -Role of the School Committee — Jim Hardy will reschedule -Athletic Director from High School in the Spring and Ed Pavlu from the Middle School -Project Based Learning -Dashboard — state funding, state aid, and charter school/choice — explanation on how it works -Impact of testing, stress factor - MCAS ADJOURNMENT — On a motion by Ian Mack seconded by Josh Stewart, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8 : 55 p .m . Submitted by, Ann M . Tefft Included in the packet : Principals ' Reports , Dashboard, Principals ' Reports and minutes . Nauset Regional School Committee , December 12, 2019 4 P a g e