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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 Brewster School Committee Minutes February 27, 2020 [ 1 ) 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 Brewster School Committee Minutes February 27, 2020 [ 2 ] 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 Brewster School Committee Minutes February 27, 2020 [3 ]