HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2019-12-12 Minutes t
Nauset Regional School Committee ,
December 12 , 2019 P `': ,
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Eastham Town Hall
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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 .
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