HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2020-06-11 Minutes Nauset Regional School Committee
June 11 , 2020
Virtual meeting, live streamed at Eastham Town Hall
Present for the Committee : Ian Mack, Judith Schumacher, John O ' Reilly, Chris Easley, Richard Stewart, Robert
Jacobus, Josh Stewart, and Ed Brookshire
Absent for the Committee : Amy Handel
Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Principal Julie Kobold and Principal Chris
Ellsasser
Others present : Greg Levasseur, Chair of the Nauset High School Building Committee
Call to Order
Chair Easley called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p .m . and read the virtual meeting notice indicating the ID ,Zoom
Meeting ID 828 8268 3060 = with a Password of 714230 for citizen participation. He also indicated citizens could
call into the meeting.
Agenda Changes — Priority Business B . Authorization of Extension, move to before A .
Citizens Speak - None
Priority Business
Chair Easley shared the logic and rationale for the motion for the extension with MSBA .
Motion : On a motion by Chris Easley, seconded by Robert Jacobus, it was voted 8 yeas, that the Nauset Regional
School Committee vote to authorize the District Project Manager, Daedalus , to seek a Nauset High School Building
project funding authorization extension with the Massachusetts School Building Authority to no later than May 31 ,
2021 . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Judith Schumacher, - yea, Ian Mack — yea, Judith Schumacher — yea,
Josh Stewart —yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, John O ' Reilly yea , Ed Brookshire — yea and Chair
Easley voted yea.
Consent Agenda
On a motion by Josh Stewart, seconded by Ian, it was voted unanimously by roll call vote to approve the minutes of
May 14, 2020 . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Judith Schumacher, - yea, Ian Mack — yea, Judith Schumacher
— yea, Josh Stewart yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, John O ' Reilly yea, Ed Brookshire — yea and
Chair Easley voted yea.
Update from Chair of Building Committee
Greg Levasseur reported that they are refining messaging for when the Committee gets back to the public . The
architect is working on a second 3 -1) model . He had a conversation with Jackie Bebee, Harry Terkaian and the
Project Manager about giving sharing scenarios relative to timelines which was too complicated, hence, the
motion for the extension to MSBA. He reported that borrowing costs are way down, between 1 . 7% and 2 . 12%
with multiple bidders at low interest rates . The Building Committee must wait and get voters ' attention again.
The Committee thanked Greg Levasseur once again for all his efforts .
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Administrators ' Reports
Principal Kobold reported that school is beginning to wind down . They will be soliciting feedback from families
on the remote learning . They will collect data for self4eflection as they anticipate possibilities for next year. She
suggested needs : software identified professional development, core tech competencies , discussion on anti-racism,
and ways to have more inclusiveness . She participated in the protest walk in Orleans which was very moving . She
indicated the Gr. 8 students are having a virtual tour of Washington, D . C . Students were given time to talk about
missing out on the trip and shared their feelings of disappointment . She also reported that 90 % of the field trip
money has been refunded and returned to families . The Grade 8 promotion will be on Thursday, June 18th at 5 : 30
p .m . She indicated they have begun collecting texts and iPads . They are also preparing for summer school with
students on IEP ' s and students who are at risk due to gaps from remote learning . She thanked the School Committee
for their support this year.
Chair Easley congratulated Principal Kobold on her first year. He stated a lot of good things came about this year
that will guarantee quality education for students for years to come .
Principal Ellsasser reported that this was the "Year of Growth" as the professional growth and development at the
High School was amazingl He reported that administrators, school boards, parents, kids and teachers all stepped up .
He shared that the senior class will go forward ending their year with a motorcade, senior celebration at the Wellfleet
Drive-In, and they are hoping for a graduation on July 30th in the stadium at NRHS . Graduating seniors have created
virtual drama productions and virtual art shows . He reported that when a student was found to be struggling, the
Department Head, Administrators , Counselors and Teachers circled around the student with good outcomes . He
shared that he was very proud of the students who organized the peaceful protest in Orleans . He indicated they are
waiting for DESE to come out with further guidelines the week of June 15th to know what the fall will look like . He
and the staff are committed to being ready for whatever comes their way . He intends to have a course design and
schedule design that can change in a week' s notice . He reported that all teachers will design blended classes . (on
line and face-to -face components) He reported that the teachers were impressive and did so much work in such a
short time as far as remote learning.
Superintendent' s Report
Superintendent Conrad reported that three Nauset graduates will be going into the military service within the month
and Principal Ellsasser planned a graduation event for them and their families . The Superintendent reported that he
marched in the peaceful protest and indicated it was important for students to see adults walking shoulder-to-
shoulder with them . He mentioned the plan for next year and how he is still waiting to hear from the Commissioner
on that topic . He indicated that it could be a blended model of learning in the coming year . Some families might not
want to send their kids back into the buildings . He acknowledged the concerns and anxiety of parents . He will be
doing a live TV show to reach out to parents to let them know about the future . He also told the board that they will
have information about the conversation with the Commissioner as soon as he knows anything . He indicated that
negotiations have started with several units . Teacher negotiations will begin when school closes . He shared that
Union leaders have been a tremendous help with what needed to be done in the midst of the virus . Contracts have
been distributed to teachers but assignments were not placed on the contracts . They have had some negotiations
around remote learning and found solutions to any issues that happened to get in the way . The guidelines for
summer school came out from DESS and some people got that confused with guidelines for September, which have
not come out. Nauset is moving forward with summer school as directed . He reported that Barbara Lavoine,
Director of Technology is retiring at the end of June . They will look at the tech program and bring some clarity to
positions as well as define technology in the future . Carol Forgione , Director of Human Resources, is heading up the
search for a new director. Concerns were expressed about blended learning and schools being the source of
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childcare for parents . The Superintendent indicated that he receives multiple emails a day with parental concerns
from getting kids back into the buildings, to wearing of face masks all day.
The Superintendent explained that special needs students have always had the opportunity to go to summer school
and that this has been in place for years under the direction of Dr. Caretti . He is concerned about some students who
may have fallen behind during remote learning. Administrators are considering an August education camp of some
sort. There is a grant coming from the state for COVID 19 for learning. Teachers would get paid for the summer out
of the grant.
Professional development relative to online learning will be offered this summer. He would like to see the very best
integration teachers provide an opportunity for staff to move forward with PD throughout the summer remotely.
There are two Flex Days available for teachers to take advantage of coursework that they need . He is in discussions
with the Union . He indicated that many teachers want to gain a certain skill set that they don' t have at this point.
Judy Schumacher reminded the Superintendent that Dr. Caretti was going to submit a final report for the committee
on special education and structuring social-emotional learning . Chair Easley stated that they talked about an exit
interview with Dr. Caretti on goals and ideas for the future .
FY20 Dashboard
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the Dashboard with the Committee noting the Budget and Finance Committee reviewed
it prior to the meeting . She indicated that savings were put back into the budget . (Substitutes, utilities ,
transportation, athletics, special needs) She will provide a detailed list of savings to the Committee .
FY21 Budget
Giovanna Venditti reported that they have been asked to provide information regarding working with a 1 / 12 budget.
There have been no town meetings yet and the District is without an approved budget . The method of assessment is
based on October 1 enrollment and the District is providing everything that is required . Each Town Administrator
has to write a letter from their Board to approve utilizing the alternate method . After she receives the letters, she will
forward to DESS . She further stated that once there is an approved budget, budgets can be posted and the District
can go back to business as usual .
Reports and Information
Cape Cod Collaborative — Robert Jacobus indicated that the Collaborative is trying to figure out how to move
forward . Budgets will require some adjustments . They are waiting for guidance from the state with regard to buses .
There will be a lot of changes over the next few months . They were eligible for the PPP Loan . They felt this was
important to have to give them flexibility going forward .
Budget and Finance Subcommittee — Judy Schumacher reported that the Subcommittee reviewed the Dashboard.
They were pleased to see some of the deficits had been wiped out. The High School and Middle School are in the
black. They will continue to monitor budgets starting next month . Connie Boulos , Treasurer, will give a
presentation to the full committee about the treasurer ' s responsibilities . She has developed an operating manual
where the Treasurer ' s position is defined and codified . They reviewed the capital plan . There is only one big project
left, the Middle School steps . They may not be able to get this done before school starts in September. Giovanna
Venditti and Jim Nowack are going to track savings in the budget over the last quarter and what additional expenses
there are that are COVID related . The subcommittee had a brief conversation about spending going forward . They
mentioned the need for being cautious with spending and wondered if they should defer some things . No decisions
were made and it was just discussion .
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Chair Easley suggested the committee be prepared for the potential financial state . The Committee should be aware
of where the Region stands financially and what the School Committee could do to save money that would have the
least impact on education in the system. There is no doubt that the future and finances will be a major issue . The
Chair suggested the District should spend wisely and frugally but maintain the quality of education . John O ' Reilly
agreed that these will be unchartered waters and cautioned the committee going forward. He indicated that the
Committee does not want to be in a position that programs need to be cut.
This will be a future agenda item .
Chair Easley indicated that this is John O ' Reilly' s last meeting . He has served the District for more than 18 years
and has served our children well . He thanked him for all his efforts . John O ' Reilly indicated that he enjoyed the
work of the Committee . He enjoyed working with Administration but now it was time to take a breath .
Future Agenda Item — Budgeting Subcommittee
Chair Easley will send out a list of other future agenda items from past meetings .
Meeting Schedule — Meetings will be remote until further notice . The meeting schedule will remain the same .
Adjournment
On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded Josh Stewart, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7 : 27
p .m . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Josh Stewart-yea, John O ' Reilly-yea, Chris Easley-yea, Ed Brookshire-
yea, Robert Jacobus -yea, Judith Schumacher-yea, Ian Mack-yea, and Richard Stewart-yea
Submitted by,
Ann M . Tefft, Secretary
Reminder : Meeting with Brewster Select Board on June 29th at 7 p .m . to fill vacancy
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