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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2020-01-16 Minutes Brewster School Committee Thursday, January 16 , 2020 Brewster Town Hall Present for the Committee : David Telman, Marie Enochty, Nicole Camp and Laurel Labdon Present for the Administration; Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Keith Gauley, and Joanna Hughes Call to Order Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p .m . Agenda Change — None Citizens Speak - None _ . - PRIORITY BUSINESS White Caps Representatives from the Brewster White Caps, Chris Kenney and Chuck Hansen) addressed the committee regarding renovations to the Whitecaps ballfield. A plan was sent to members for review. They presently have an application in with the CPC for improvement around bleachers , walkways and fencing to improve disability access and safety. It will also improve water control and redirect water along the pathways . The White Caps representatives have spent time in various meetings with the Superintendent, Principal and Head of Building and Maintenance at the School . It was indicated the chain link fencing is necessary to prevent people from slipping down the hill and is for safety and accessibility. There will be no tree removal but there are a few shrubs they might need to remove. They are working on erosion control . The intent is not to terrace it or make it into a venue . They indicated that they are just starting the process and are waiting for information from the town Attorney. The next steps will go to all members and to the Recreation Commission to review the applications . This could be six weeks or longer. They will finish the work by the end of March and must go to May town meeting for approval . The project will not happen before the summer season starts . The plan is to work with School Administration, prepare a bid, put out an RFP with award in January/February 2021 . The construction will take place in two phases . The first phase will begin in March or April . They will work with the School Administration on the timing of this project. They would like the Brewster School Committee to become a co-applicant with them for the CPC Grant. Motion: On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Laurel Labdon, it was voted 4 yeas for the Brewster School Committee to become a co-applicant with the White Caps for the CPC grant for improvement of the White Caps Field. Administrators ' Reports Principals ' reports were included in the packet. Principal Gauley and Principal Hughes reviewed the list of teachers who received grants from the Cape Cod Five in the amount of $ 500 . Ms . Marchant/Ms . Shannahan, Ms . Andac, Ms .Hansen/Mr. Cook) Motion : On a motion by Laurel Labdon, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted unanimously to accept the grants . Scope of Work for Feasibility Study Members were sent a copy of the scope of work for the feasibility study and agreed to send it to Donna Kalimck to begin the process . 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 of space, flexibility, instructional practices, programmatic needs (e. g. special education service delivery), technology infrastructure, and school use. Brewster School Committee Minutes January 16, 2020 [ 1 ] 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. Homelessness Policy Motion : On motion by Laurel Labdon, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted 4 yeas to approve the Homeless Policy for a first reading. FY20 Budget Review Giovanna Venditti reviewed the expenditure reports indicating a balance at Eddy School of $ 75 , 085 and at Stony Brook School a balance of $ 105 ,729 . She reviewed line items with substantial movement. FY21 Budget Superintendent Conrad reminded committee members that the numbers in the line items are current dollars and that they are carrying a potential figure for negotiations . He thanked Principal Gauley and Principal Hughes for all their efforts and countless meetings on the budget . He also recognized Giovanna Venditti for running all 7 school budgets in such an efficient manner. Principal Gauley reviewed the Stony Brook School budget section-by-section highlighting increases and decreases . He indicated that some adjustments were made in certain line items due to the actual amounts that were spent in previous years . He indicated that the ESL teacher is moving to Eddy School. He indicated that Stony Brook has an ELL teacher. He also indicated a reduction in one Educational Assistant position that is moving to Eddy. It was noted that out of district transportation was decreased in the amount of $25 , 000 as student is finding success at Stony Brook . (no out of district placement necessary) Eddy School total budget is $4, 054, 524 with an increase of $ 98 , 890 or 2 . 5 % increase over last year . He indicated they are adding a second grade teacher and retaining their programs . Marie Enochty asked about the technology position and the Superintendent indicated that this will be a full time position at the Middle School paid through grant money. Principal Hughes reviewed the Eddy School budget section-by-section highlighting increases and decreases . She indicated that they will have three sections of third grade, not four. She shared how Library and the Media Specialist are working together that is working quite well . She also indicated the need for a science tutor is no longer necessary as they are moving in a different direction in science with Mystery Science and Stem Scopes . She reviewed the instructional equipment line item and noted copying has increase and she may move to two copy machines . Substitute nurse line increased to cover for the nurse when she is on field trips . She noted an increase in natural gas . She indicated that adjustments were made to the budget line items based on actuals . She indicated that line item 7056 Special Needs teachers is adjusted as two years ago she cut one special needs teacher salary. The was covered by Circuit Breaker funds . She put this salry back into the budget. There is a Brewster School Committee Minutes January 16, 2020 [ 2 ] slight increase in the cost of OT and PT. Line Item 7060 — she is moving one Ed. Asst. positon to Eddy. The Ed . Asst. was partially covered with Circuit Breaker funds based on student need . She is putting that back into the budget. She noted a modest increase in Special Needs Transportation for Summer School . She used FY20 Circuit Breaker funds to bring budget in at $3 ,917, 016 or an increase of $95 , 537 or 2 . 5 % . A discussion regarding grants was held . Keith Gauley indicated that Title 4 is a lower dollar amount but nice to have the increase due to federal funding. He indicated that Title I is based on census data and families that fall below the low income threshold . He indicated that there is an increase in Nauset in low income families in the Region. He reported a slight increase in Title I funding for the first time in five years . Marie Enochty would like to have the early childhood numbers . Dr. Ann Caretti will be invited to the next meeting. The Superintendent indicated that the next meeting will be the Public Hearing on the FY21 budget . Reports and Information Preschool Enrollment was in packet Cape Cod Collaborative — Marie Enochty reported that they are about to go through, the evaluation of the Executive Director. She indicated that this is a process collecting evaluation forms for over 30 people . PTO � Nicole Camp reported that they are talking about fundraising and getting families out to learn more about the High School project. School Council - No report for Stony Brook . Eddy is discussing the School Improvement Plan . A lot of discussion was held around community service, project-based learning and social-emotional learning . Policy Subcommittee — No report . Transportation Subcommittee — The Superintendent indicated they will get back together to discuss seat belts on the buses . Next Brewster School Committee meeting is February 27th after school vacation week . Approval of Minutes On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Nicole Camp , it was voted 4 yeas to approve the minutes of December 19 , 2019 . On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Nicole Camp, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of November 21 , 2019 . Adjournment On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Laurel Labdon, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6 : 58 p . m . Ann M. Tefft Included in the packet Principals ' Reports, Expense Reports, Minutes, Preschool Enrollment. Brewster School Committee Minutes January 16, 2020 [3 ]