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HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2020-07-09 Minutes (2) Nauset Regional School Committee July 9 , 2020 Virtual meeting, live streamed at Eastham Town Hall Present for the Committee : Ian Mack, Judith Schumacher, John O ' Reilly (came into the meeting late), Chris Easley, Richard Stewart, Robert Jacobus , Josh Stewart, and Tom Fitzgibbons Absent for the Committee : Amy Handel and Ed Brookshire 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 Superintendent Conrad called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p . m . and read the virtual meeting notice indicating the ID Zoom Meeting ID 880 2196 2061 with a Password of 798551 for citizen participation . He also indicated citizens could call into the meeting . Reorganization On a motion by Richard Stewart, seconded by Judy Schumacher, it was voted unanimously to appoint Chris Easley as chair of the committee . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Ian Mack-yea, Judith Schumacher-yea, Chris Easley-yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Josh Stewart — yea and Tom Fitzgibbons — yea On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded by Ian Mack it was voted unanimously to appoint Judy Schumacher as Vice Chair of the committee . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Ian Mack-yea, Judith Schumacher-yea, Chris Easley-yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Josh Stewart — yea and Tom Fitzgibbons — yea On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded by John O ' Reilly, it was voted unanimously to appoint Ann Tefft as secretary to the Nauset Regional School Committee . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Ian Mack-yea, Judith Schumacher-yea, Chris Easley-yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Josh Stewart — yea and Tom Fitzgibbons — yea On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded by Ian Mack, it was voted unanimously to appoint Constance Boulos as Treasurer for the Nauset Regional School District . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Ian Mack-yea, Judith Schumacher-yea, Chris Easley-yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Josh Stewart — yea and Tom Fitzgibbons — yea On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded by Josh Stewart, it was voted unanimously to make the following assignments on committees and councils : (On a roll call the vote was as follows : Ian Mack -yea, Judith Schumacher-yea, Chris Easley-yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Josh Stewart — yea and Tom Fitzgibbons — yea) Assistant Treasurer — John O ' Reilly, Josh Stewart Warrant Authorizers — Ian Mack, Richard Stewart, John O ' Reilly Alternate : Tom Fitzgibbons Policy Subcommittee Josh Stewart, Ian Mack Nauset Regional School Committee, July 9, 2020 1 P a g e Budget & Finance Subcommittee — Chris Easley, Judy Schumacher, Robert Jacobus, Richard Stewart and Tom Fitzgibbons CO Budget — Tom Fitzgibbons , Chris Easley alternate Health & Wellness Subcommittee — Ian Mack Negotiations — John O ' Reilly Transportation - Robert Jacobus , Chris Easley and Ed Brookshire Substance Abuse Task Force — . Chris Easley Committee Representatives - Cape Cod Collaborative — Robert Jacobus Middle School Council — Judy Schumacher High School Council — Richard Stewart Negotiate Agreements with Provincetown and Truro — Tom Fitzgibbons and Chris Easley Agenda Changes — None 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 : Ian Mack — yea, Judith Schumacher — yea, Josh Stewart yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, John O ' Reilly yea, Tom Fitzgibbons — yea, and Chair Easley - yea . Consent Agenda On a motion by Richard Stewart, seconded by Josh Stewart , it was voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda approving a donation from American Legion Post of Orleans for $ 1 , 100 and the minutes of June 11 , 2020 . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Ian Mack-yea, Judith Schumacher-yea, Chris Easley-yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Josh Stewart — yea and Tom Fitzgibbons — yea, John O ' Reilly - yea PRIORITY BUSINESS Update from Chair of Building Committee Greg Levasseur gave a status report to the school committee including the vote last month to request an extension from MSBA that was accepted with the date of May 31 , 2021 . The Building Committee , in conjunction with that vote , extended the contracts of the Architect and Project Manager until May31 , 2021 . (Project Manager $24 , 000 and Architect $26 , 200) He indicated the Building Committee is on hold until they get some direction . The Building Committee would like to have a discussion with the Region School Nauset Regional School Committee, July 9, 2020 2 P a g e Committee on bringing the project out of hibernation, when the time is right . He also indicated that the project remains at $ 131 , 800 , 000 . He also reported that they are seeing a softening of construction costs and a lot of competition . It was noted that the Board of Selectmen in Brewster voted to support the project . Chair Easley mentioned the unknown future with the coronavirus , dates of town meetings and holding off until spring . Ian Mack and John O ' Reilly would like to begin the conversation around the project to talk about the possibilities . John O ' Reilly indicated that the school committee would have to make a decision to have a district-wide vote and if they had no appetite for that, they would . need to decide to make time line broader . He does not support a vote in the fall and suggested taking advantage of the extension that has been granted , have four town meetings , 4 town elections in the spring of 2021 . This will be a future agenda item . Administrators ' Reports Principal Kobold reported indicated that school had a big parade for 8th Graders at the end of the school year. Summer School has begun with a combination of both physical in building learning and remote learning . She is observing how this is taking place in the facility as she anticipates issues that might need to be addressed for the fall . The Sunburst Program is being held both remotely and with students at school one day a week . Students involved in the summer program are students on IEP ' s and students who might need assistance due to remote learning . She indicated that between 35 -40 students are participating in the Sunburst program and 30 students were contacted to take advantage of the ESY program . She is working on developing three plans for students in the fall . Principal Ellsasser, present at the virtual meeting, had technical difficulties and the reporting was inaudible . Superintendent ' s Report Superintendent Conrad shared the document regarding the template for the elementary school plan and data that is being gathered to help formulate the plan for opening. He indicated the social distancing from 3 ' — 6 ' and what that looks like in the classroom . The Task Force is meeting and working diligently to gather data and develop three options to move forward to the Commissioner including students combing back to the buildings , remote learning and a hybrid program . The Superintendent indicated that he is prepared to move forward with whatever plan is in the best interest of students and staff. He met with the Commissioner and Superintendents virtually and they do not want any plans corning out any sooner than the first week of August. He also indicated that the CDC will be giving new education guidelines . He indicated that he is communicating with parents with a TV Spotlight which has been very well received . He also indicated that the Task Force is producing a survey for parents regarding transportation, an overall educational survey for all parents relative to sending students back to school, gathering data relative to issues surrounding returning to school, transportation questions, working on protocols with nurse when student or staff member is ill, working with Head Custodians on cleaning and disinfectants, discussing AC systems and air intakes, masks for grades PreK, K and Grade one optional, discussing challenges with the masks and mask breaks . He reported that MaryEllen Reed, District Nurse Coordinator, will have a protocol to follow for all students and staff in the buildings and how various situations are handled district-wide . A space will be designated at each school where students will go when they are ill and waiting for parent pick-up . Once all the data is gathered, they will determine the best program to meet the needs of all students . He is working on a communication plan that includes the boards, union, parents and staff. He has a Parent Task Force meeting scheduled tonight with parents representing all four towns and various grade levels . He reported that the district is moving forward with the hiring of a Tech Director who has a great background working on the local, state and national levels . Nauset Regional School Committee, July 9, 2020 3 P a g e Ian Mack inquired if more money is needed to hire more help in the Central Office ? The Superintendent indicated the make -up of the team is the Director of Student Services, Patti Grenier, Keith Gauley, Giovanna Venditti, Carol Forgione, the Superintendent and Maty Ellen Reed . He indicated that the Business Office is doing a great job in purchasing PPE equipment . Judy Schumacher thanked the Superintendent for the thorough worksheet/plan that assures that all the questions are asked and a systematic approach is followed . Richard Stewart inquired about the two ways that teachers will be teaching and what that means for teachers . The Superintendent indicated they are looking at staff members with medical situations that could restrict their coming back to teaching. He also believes some families will not sent their students back to school in the buildings . He feels there is no question that remote learning needs to be looked at for some students . If parents choose to keep their kids home, the Distsrict has the responsibility to educate them . If a teacher cannot return due to a medical situation , can they teach for the school remotely, which will maximize the investment in staff. He does not have this data at this point but is trying to gather this information . The Superintendent indicated that he does not see a lot of people retiring . The Superintendent reported that the District is getting subsidies for the cost of Covid related purchases . Giovanna Venditti will get amounts being spent on equipment to the board . The Superintendent also informed the committee that the large unions in the state are putting things on the table for the members to come back . Mark Mathison and Ann McConchie have been good partners with the district and he felt very fortunate to have their leadership right now . FY21 Budget Giovanna Venditti reported the Region is working with the 1 / 12 budget which was approved July 1St from DESE . The 1 / 12 budget is based on the prior year budget . She sent letter to all the towns for the quarterly assessments . Once the budget is voted, she can go back to the regular budget process . She indicated that teacher salaries don ' t play into the figure until September . If the 2 . 6 million is not spent in a month it is carried to the next month . Giovanna Venditti reviewed the process for billing the towns . She also indicated that 3 out of 4 towns must pass the budget . MASC Resolutions On a motion by Judy Schumacher, seconded by Robert Jacobus , it was voted to approve the resolutions as presented . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Ian Mack-yea, Judith Schumacher-yea, Chris Easley-yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Josh Stewart — yea and Tom Fitzgibbons — yea, John O ' Reilly - yea Chair Easley indicated this is something that should be discussed at the Region as to how we deal with racism in our schools . Summer Retreat Chair Easley indicated this would be a good time to establish goals, look at accomplishments and do an assessment of processes . The informal gathering on a Saturday or Sunday could be a combination of a social and business event . Judy Schumacher stated it is important that at the beginning of the year the committee identify the priorities and objectives . They are required to do this by policy . Possible dates will be put out to the Committee . Reports and Information Budget and Finance Subcommittee — Judy Schumacher indicated that the subcommittee met and tried to organize for the upcoming year . In August, they will look at the COVID elated expenses . In the future they would like to look at other insurance providers, and noted the auditor ' s contract is up this year. Nauset Regional School Committee, July 9, 2020 4 P a g e Strategic Plan — The Strategic Plan Subcommittee submitted the final report to the Superintendent in March . It has had to be put on the back burner with the pandemic . The Strategic Plan is going to go out to school committee members, staff and parents . She indicated before the Committee meeting sin August they will have a copy of the plan with a narrative and implementation plan . She indicated is a very ambitious plan and this year has meant to Adjournment On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded John O ' Reilly, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7 : 42 p . m . Ian Mack-yea, Judith Schumacher-yea, Chris Easley-yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Josh Stewart - yea and Tom Fitzgibbons — yea, John O ' Reilly yea Submitted by, Ann M . Tefft, Secretary Included in the packet : MASC Resolutions, Covid Check List for Principals, future agenda item list, and minutes . Nauset Regional School Committee, July 9 , 2020 5 P a g e