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Home My Public Portal AboutBrewster School Committee -- 2020-07-16 Minutes Brewster School Committee mV �� Thursday, July 16 , 2020 ILoo Brewster Town Hall (Virtual Meeting) Present for the Committee : David Telman, Jessica Larsen, Christine Peterson, Judi Lech, and Katie Jacobus Present for the Administration: Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Keith Gauley, and Joanna Hughes; r 11 j ,li Pei REORGANIZATION Superintendent called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p .m. and asked for nominations for chair of the Brewster School Committee . Nominations were received for David Telman and Jessica Larsen. Jessica Larsen declined. On a motion by Judy Lech, seconded by Katie Jacobus, it was voted unanimously by roll call vote to appoint David Telman as Chair of the Brewster School committee . Chair Telman asked for nominations for Vice Chair, Motion : On a motion by David Telman, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously by roll call vote to appoint Jessica Larsen as Vice Chair of the Brewster School Committee . Secretary — On a motion by Katie Jacobus, seconded by Judi Lech, it was voted unanimously by roll call vote to appoint Ann Tefft as recording secretary for the Brewster School Committee , Warrant Authorizer and Alternate — On a motion by Judi Lech, seconded by Katie Jacobus, it was voted unanimously by roll call vote to appoint Jessica Larsen as the warrant authorizer and Christine Peterson as alternate . Call to Order Chair Telman called the virtual meeting to order at 6 : 02 p .m. He explained the virtual meeting protocol and checked in with people in attendance to be sure access was without technical difficulty. Agenda Changes — None Citizens Speak — None PRIORITY BUSINESS Administrators ' Reports i Principal Hughes reported there is so much going on with the planning that needs to take place to reopen schools . She indicated the Elementary School Principals are working together to ensure continuity across the elementary schools . They are waiting to hear from parents about surveys on reopening and transportation. Summer school is in session with 50-60 students participating. It is mainly remote but five students with significant special needs are coming into a the building at difference times . This is going very well . She indicated the CARES Act paid for remote ELA and 1 Math support to students who had difficulty in the school year or with remote learning . She reported the building is coming along well with extra cleaning. I Principal Galey reported on the summer tutoring. He also indicated there is a big push to get parent and staff surveys back. Both Eddy and Sony Brook created a Task Force to assist in the reopening of school. He reported that quite a j few staff members are participating in professional development in technology throughout the summer. He thanked { the presenters and staff members . Judy Lech inquired if there is any conversation about utilizing the extra spaces next year. Principal Gauley is looking at the spaces in the building . He indicated they need the parent surveys and then will work out the details of the plan. I I i Brewster School Committee Minutes July 16, 2020 [ 1 ] t E i i Superintendent' s Report Superintendent Conrad reported that this is a summer like on other. He thanked Principal Gauley and Principal Hughes for all their extra work and efforts . He has been very busy attending meetings with the commissioner of Education relative to work he expects from the school in the Commonwealth. The District will have three options going forward: in the building, Hybrid/blended and remote learning . He meets remotely with Superintendents on the Cape and they discuss strategies going forward. He meets with the Union Leadership, Mark Mathison and Ann McConchie and Carol Forgione, HR Coordinator for the District, on a weekly basis . The Commissioner is expecting plans from each school in Massachusetts within the next two weeks . The Superintendent indicated that Nauset will be on schedule . He will expect the formal plan on August 10 , 2020 . The Superintendent would like to have a Joint School Committee meeting prior to releasing the plan so that the boards will be informed. He has been working with the District Task Force and the Principals have been charged with creating their own School Task Force with their own faculties to come up with the plan for reopening . They will bring this plan to the District Task Force. He indicated that PPE has been purchased and he is confident that the schools will have it for the opening. He shared that they are ordering for three months at a time . He does not want to purchase things that are not needed. Survey on learning and transportation and a staff survey are out and they hope to obtain vital information from these surveys . He is working on protocols for Health with Mary Ellen Reed, the Nurse Coordinator for the District . They are also working on cleaning protocols . He reported that the Commissioner is contemplating taking three days from the school year so that Districts could have three days before school opens to provide training for staff. This is not official at this time . He anticipates that Paul Hilton will come to the Task Force meeting to talk about busing which is a complex issue. He met with the Parent Task Force that represents the four communities and various grade levels . He will be turning to this Task Force on answers relative to the opening of our schools . Jessica Larsen suggested telling parents it might be helpful if parents drive their students to school . Judy Lech indicated that she thought the Superintendent and the Task Force for creating a thoughtful and comprehensive plan. She applauded the Superintendent ' s efforts and realizes the stress of it all . The Superintendent indicated that everyone is involved in discussions about reopening but it starts with the Governor and then the Commissioner who meets with the Superintendents privately. He indicated that Mary Ellen Reed meets with Health Agents from the four towns . He indicated that there are different plans for elementary, middle school and high school . He indicated that the Principals are sending daily reminders to their staffs and parents . Concerns were expressed by the school committee about special needs students and close contact for staff. The Superintendent indicated that is why the PPE equipment is so critical to use . He indicated that the neediest students are the youngest students because of their inability to take advantage of PPE equipment . He is also concerned about the staff. He shared that he is worried about gaps from last year remote learning . Judy Lech mentioned the mental health Risk Survey and the anxiety among children. The Superintendent indicated the Risk Survey was troubling to see but helpful to know . The SEL program has a lot of roots in our schools but we need it to grow . He has a lot of concerns about what happened to our students during the remote learning time . He would like to focus on that . Lease Agreement Christine Peterson inquired when the District makes guidelines, how will that impact the Head Start . The Superintendent indicated that they will have to follow Nauset guidelines . He also indicated they will be looking at who comes in the buildings once we get back to work. Principal Gauley indicated that Head Start uses one classroom. Motion : On a motion by Katie Jacobus, seconded by Judi Lech, it was voted unanimously by roll call vote to extend the lease for Head Start for one year through June 30 , 2021 . Brewster School Committee Minutes July 16, 2020 [ 2 ] Reports and Information Cape Cod Collaborative — No report PTO — no report School Council — no report Policy Subcommittee — no report Transportation Subcommittee — no report Substance Abuse/Mental Health Task Force — no report Building and Needs Assessment Committee — no report Approval of Minutes On a motion by Judi Lech seconded by David Telman, it was voted unanimously by roll call vote to approve the minutes of June 22 , 2020 . i Adjournment On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Katie Jacobus, it was voted unanimously by roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 6 : 52 p .m . Submitted by, Ann M. Tefft Included in packet : Lease extension for Head Start and minutes I i a i i i 3 ff� 3 I 3 E i Brewster School Committee Minutes July 16, 2020 [ 3 ] c