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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 . Nauset Regional School Committee, June 11, 2020 1 P a g e 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 Nauset Regional School Committee, June 11, 2020 2 P a g e 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 . Nauset Regional School Committee, June 11 , 2020 3 P a g e 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 Nauset Regional School Committee, June 11, 2020 4 P a g e