HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2020-02-27 Minutes Brewster School Committee
Thursday, February 27 , 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 5 : 00 p .m .
Agenda Change — None m
Citizens Speak - None
PRIORITY BUSINESS
Childcare Funding Assistance and Dennis Regional Housing Rehabilitation Program for year-round residents
of Dennis, Brewster & Wellfleet
Donna Kalanick, Assistant Town Manager, informed the committee about childcare funding assistance for Brewster
residents and a grant for critical repairs to homes . These opportunities are made available through a Community
Development Block Grant.
Update on Request for Proposal
Donna Kalinick addressed the committee regarding the contents in the Request for Proposal . She has been working on
the RFP for consolidation for educational facilities planning services for the elementary schools . She continues to
gather information from Administration to provide pertinent information in the RFP . The School Committee was
asked to review the list of proposed services . She indicated that the scope of the project is embedded in the
documents . She indicated that an energy assessment was done by Cape Light compact for Stony Brook School only.
A member of the committee suggested the capital plan should show the needs of the schools and it could be relevant
information. It was suggested the Five-Year Capital Plan be included in the document as an attachment. Donna
Kalinick indicated that the town might be hiring someone to look at all the town buildings . It was suggested that
Principal Gauley ask Mr. Schofield to write a chronological plan of work that has been done at Stony Brook, i. e . the
roof.
Nicole Camp indicated that in the past the enrollment projections were off significantly . She would like to have good
solid data from multiple sources used. Donna Kalinick stated that everything should be included in the RFP . The
more information we can give them up front the better it is for the responders, so they know what it will take to do this
work. It was suggested a draft of the District Strategic Plan be included. She indicated that the RFP will go out the P
or 4'h week in March .
The committee reviewed the list of "others" that use the buildings . Nicole Camp suggested that it be stated to "include
but is not limited to " as a way of making sure it is comprehensive .
Donna Kalinick indicated that the "partial school consolidation" is in the event that the preschool is placed in a
different building as it was discussed a long time ago as part of the other combined spaces . She stated it was not an all
or nothing scenario . She also indicated that a consultant will bring back a report of the possibilities . It is the School
Committee ' s job to see what is viable and what is not viable . Marie Enochty suggested checking with MSBA on the
guidelines for where Integrated Preschool is located . Nicole Camp suggested removing the wording "partial or full"
consolidation and let the consultant come back with what consolidation will look like . Donna Kalinick stated using
wording "partial or full" can open it up to the possibilities . Donna Kalinick stated that in the end, the School
Committee makes the decision.
The Superintendent indicated that the MSBA has guidelines for classroom sizes per grade level . He will send that to
Donna Kalinick.
Donna Kalinick also indicated that with any bid or RFP, sometimes they require a walk-through. She will schedule
this with the Principals . She also indicated that due to the complexity of the project, turn-around time will be about 5
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weeks . She summarized what she would need including; number of students at each grade level, square footage of
each building, 3 spaces for rental of the Y, programming that takes place before, after and in the summer at each
school (include Whitecaps) . Marie Enochty indicated that all groups that use the schools do not need to be listed for
the RFP . Nicole Camp stated that a lot of people don 't know how much the schools are used. She suggested that a
monthly calendar be attached to the RFP . The PTO will be included as well as a calendar .
The Superintendent thanked Donna Kalinick for all her work on this RFP . He requested that the School Committee
see the RFP again at their March meeting.
Administrators ' Reports
Principals ' reports were included in the packet and there were no questions .
The Superintendent reported that he attended the National Conference and shared highlights including a session on
social emotional learning and data relative to health risk surveys He indicated this is a national issue . He also
indicated that they discussed Restorative Practices and other initiatives that might be beneficial to students . He
indicated they strongly recommended continuing to personalize the learning experience for all students . He indicated
that many school have a communications position relative to pushing out their brand.
He further reported that negotiations have begun and are scheduled on Saturdays . Marie Enochty is on the committee
and they are off to a good start.
He reported the High School building project is in full speed at this point with seven weeks to go before town
meetings . They are working on a number of issues . Keith Gauley is heading up parent groups . Parent groups have
been very helpful .
Homelessness Policy
Motion : On motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Laurel Labdon, it was voted 4 yeas to approve the
Homeless Policy for a second reading and adoption .
Policies for a First Reading :
JFABE Educational Opportunities for Military Children
JFABF Educational Opportunities for Children in Foster Care
JBB Educational Equity
On a motion by Laurel Labdon, seconded by Nicole Camp, it was voted 4 yeas to approve Policies JFABE,
JFABF , and JBB for a first reading.
FY20 Budget Review
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the expenditure reports indicating a balance at Stony Brook Elementary of $ 106 ,400 .
She reviewed line items with significant movement with the committee . Chair Telman asked that the oil tank be
topped off before the end of the year. Mr. Gauley indicated that there was a fault in the fire panel . They repaired
the fault and fire alarm in the building .
Giovanna Venditti reported that Eddy School has a balance of $ 51 , 945 . She reviewed line items with substantial
movement. She indicated that line item 7106 they encumber $28 , 524 for a new student.
FY21 Budget — Public Hearing
The Chair took a roll call vote to go into a Public Hearing on the FY21 Proposed Budget. On a roll call the vote
was as follows : Marie Enochty — yea, Nicole Camp — yea, Laurel Labdon — yea, and Chair Telman — yea
The Superintendent gave a presentation on the FY21 Proposed budget including; mission statements, budget
process, enrollment, where every dollar goes and personnel costs, accomplishments, need for adjustment
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counselors, social emotional learning, and project-based learning . He indicated the budget came in at 2 . 5 % and
he thanked Principal Keith Gauley and Principal Joanna Hughes for all their hard work on the budget. He
indicated that the Principals work together and look at the staff as one . They look at how they can move people
between the two schools to maximize learning. They bring the staffs together and this makes the program
stronger .
Chair Telman thanked the Superintendent for the presentation and thanked the Principals for all their hard work .
Motion:
On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Laurel Labdon, it was voted unanimously, 4 yeas, to approve the
FYI 20-21 budget in the amount of $ 10, 039,981 .
Teresa Martin — Channel 22
Teresa Martin introduced her assistant, Hannah and updated the committee about what is happening at Channel
22 . She indicated that the station would like to do LIVE programs and told the Principals how this could be
accomplished with some training from Hannah in the schools . They do not have the man power to videotape
programming but can train staff how to do this to have programs put on Channel 22 . She indicated that PTO ' s
can do Public Service Announcements and you can watch School Committee meetings on demand . She
highlighted work that students at the Eddy School are doing with "Kids News . " Leah Belliveau has initiated this
with students and it is very successful . Teresa Martin stressed that media literacy is so important.
Reports and Information
Preschool Enrollment was in packet
Cape Cod Collaborative — Marie Enochty reported that they talked a great deal about busing. She indicated
there would be no new bus contracts next year . Bus drivers have a new way of checking in electronically and
they can also track buses and routes . She indicated the Legislative Breakfast was very successful . She also
reported that Way Point can stay in their building for 18 months .
PTO — Nicole Camp reported that they are working on fundraising.
School Council - No report for Eddy. Principal Gauley reported that they are working on updating the School
Improvement Plan.
Policy Subcommittee — No report.
Transportation Subcommittee — The Superintendent indicated they will get back together to discuss seat belts
on the buses .
Substance Abuse/Mental Health Task Force — no report .
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Laurel Labdon, seconded by Laurel Labdon, it was voted 4 yeas to approve the minutes of
January 16 , 2020
Adjournment
On a motion by Laurel Labdon, seconded by Nicole Camp, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at
6 : 37 p . m .
Ann M. Tefft
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