HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2021-05-13 Minutes Nauset Regional School Committee
May 13 , 2021
Virtual meeting live streamed at Brewster Town Hall
Present for the Committee : Judith Schumacher, Chris Easley, Richard Stewart, Josh Stewart, Tom Fitzgibbons,
Steven Leibowitz, John O ' Reilly
Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Keith Kenyon, Stephanie Rae , Chris Ellsasser
Others Present : Greg Levasseur
Call to Order & Declaration of a Quorum , Meeting Participation Statement and Recording Statement :
Chris Easley called the virtual meeting to order at 6 : 35 p .m . , declared a quorum present, and read the meeting
participation and recording statements .
A¢enda Chanes :
None
Citizens Speak:
None
Consent Agenda :
Discussion was held on the collection of funds for the Best Buddies fundraiser . All funds will be collected by an
Advisor/Teacher .
It was moved by John O 'Reilly, seconded by Steve Leibowitz, and voted unanimously to accept the Consent
Agendae Gifts , Grants , Fundraising, Minutes of April 8 , 2021 as presented , with the understanding that all
fundraising monies will be collected by an Advisor/Teacher
Priority Business :
Nauset High School Building Proiect
Greg Levasseur updated the Committee on the next steps of the High School Building Project . Mr . Levasseur
indicated the next 4 months will be spent refining spaces, department by department in the building . A meeting has
already been held with Sue Murray, Director of Food and Nutrition to go over the kitchen spaces . The goal is by
September all spaces will be refined and ready for the architects and designer to finalize the designs . The hope is the
bid documents will be ready in the Spring of 2022 . The Land Title issue for the property is in progress, and the hope
is the land court in Boston will rule on that by the end of this school year . Mr . Levasseur invited the school
committee to meet with the Boston team if they so desire, to go over the progress and process of the project .
Votes Reyardinj! Project Funding Agreement
VOTED It was moved by Chris Easley, seconded by John O ' Reilly , and voted unanimously
via roll call vote that the Superintendent and the Interim Superintendent for the Nauset Regional
School District (the "District") is hereby appointed and authorized by and- on behalf of the District
to execute and deliver the Pro ' ect Fundina A reement between the District and the Massachusetts
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School Building Authority and any and all exhibits and amendments thereto (the "Agreement") on
behalf of the District and to bind the District to the terms and conditions of such Agreement for or
relating to a project for construction of repairs and renovations of the Nauset Regional High School
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located at 100 Cable Road in the Town of Eastham, Massachusetts (the "Project") .
VOTED *• It was moved by Chris Easley, seconded by Richard Stewart and voted unanimously
via roll call vote that the Superintendent and the Interim Superintendent for the District, is hereby
appointed and authorized by and on behalf of the District to make final, binding decisions with
respect to the Project described in the Project Funding Agreement, and any amendments_ thereto ,
on behalf of the District.
_VOTED It was moved by Chris Easley, seconded by Judy Schumacher and voted
unanimously via roll call vote that Arlynn Consiglio , as ClerldSecretary for the School Committee,
is hereby authorized to provide legal counsel for the Committee with a certification that such votes
were taken by the Committee and such certification may be so provided prior to final approval of
the minutes of this meeting.
Votes Regarding the Middle School Solar Canopy Project
After discussion :
VOTED : It was moved ' by - Chris Easley, seconded by John O ' Reilly and voted 74 via roll call
vote that the School Committee hereby determines that the terms, conditions and consideration set
forth in the Inter Governmental Net Energy Power Sales Agreement between CVEC and Nauset
Regional School District for a Solar Canopy Solar Photovoltaic Energy Facility, which facility is to
be located at the District, and as set forth in the accompanying Lease Agreement for Ground
Mounted and Canopy Solar Photovoltaic Energy Facility between MA-28 Solar Project 2020 , LLC '
and the District, and any and all exhibits and related documents , including without limitation
notices of lease, estoppel certificates , and amendments to such renewal energy agreements_
(together, the "Agreements ") are acceptable to the District; and the School Committee hereby
appoints and authorizes the Superintendent, Interim Superintendent and/or Director of Finance &
Operations for the District to move forward with this Renewable Energy Project, to execute and
deliver the Agreements and to make final, binding decisions with respect to such Renewable Energy
Project and Agreements, all by and on behalf of the District, such appointment and authorization to
be retroactive to September 17 , 2019 ,
VOTED : It was moved by Chris Easley, seconded by Tom Fitzgibbons , and voted 74 via roll
call vote to rescind that portion of the School Committee ' s vote taken on September 17 , 2019 to go
forward with a plan for a solar canopy on parking spaces at the Middle School which made such
vote contingent upon the Town of Orleans agreeing with the proposal.
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Approve Staff Responsible Use Policy for a First Reading
It was moved by Judy Schumacher, seconded by Richard Stewart and voted unanimously via roll call vote to
approve the Staff Responsible Use Policy for a First Reading.
Report on StaffinE at Middle School and High School
Principal Ellsasser reviewed his handout on course schedules of under 10 and over 25 students, as well as a
breakdown of the IB Program . Discussion was held on the following : Mandarin classes ( 10 total students), there was
an English teacher who retired and was not replaced, which brought the size of English classes up, the complexity of
schedules and the optimal class size . Principal Ellsasser explained that when he sees a class that has 23 or more
students in it, he will look at splitting/reorganizing that class . Regarding the 113 program, Principal Ellsasser
indicated he finds the numbers lower than he would like, and spoke to having a good look at the program to see how
he could boost enrollment in this valuable program . The Committee stressed the importance of the IB Program and
suggested a broad based advisory group be formed that can look at the program in depth to identify roadblocks to
enrollment and explore with other districts what has worked . Principal Ellsasser stressed IB Classes are available to
all students .
Principal Kobold will address her staffing report at a future meeting .
Administrators Reports :
Principal Ellsasser ' s Report was included in the Committee packet . Highlights included : students are back on
campus and the energy at the school is very positive ; in his end of year meetings with teachers two themes are
coming up : the collective pride they have regarding what has been accomplished this year and the appreciation they
are feeling for their colleagues for all the support this year . Discussion was held on a new course entitled Learning
Strategies . Currently there are 39 students registered, in the future it could potentially become a required 91h grade
course . The class will instruct students in how to succeed at the high school academically and socially . This will be
a one semester course, which will initially be studied, perhaps with a focus group that includes families, to see how it
impacts student success moving forward .
Discussion was held on the latest science and advisory regarding vaccinations and COVID protocols .
Interim Principal Keith Kenyon ' s Report was included in the Committee packet. Highlights included : teacher
evaluations are in progress and the impression Principal Kenyon has is they are doing a fantastic job ; a promotion
ceremony will be held on June 23 `a outside for the 8th graders ; interscholastic sports are back at the middle school
including baseball and track; all 7th grade English classes read a book called the New Kid by Jerry Kraft, which
addresses racism . Mr. Kraft came in to meet with all English classes virtually . The School Council is close to
completing the School Improvement Plan , Interim Principal Kenyon and Principal Kobold are working on a
seamless transition bringing Principal Kobold back into the Middle School . Discussion was held on : American
History is not an offered subject in the 9th grade, and why Civics and Government is offered in both 8th and 9th grade ;
the BRYT Program which is a program to help students reintegrate back into school from extended time out; and the
Sunburst Program which is a grant funded summer program which is a summer educational learning program
focused on teaching students creativity through projects .
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Superintendent' s Report
Superintendent Conrad reported on an anticipated visit with the Interim Superintendent Brooke Clenchy on Monday,
May 17th and again on Monday, May 24th . Much of the time will be spent meeting administrators and visiting
schools . The Summer Program, which is funded by the ESSR Grant, is coming along and it is anticipated there will
be up to 200 students receiving academic services over the summer . The new CDC guidelines are being watched
very closely. There will be a document sent out shortly to all staff and administrators regarding shutting down
schools this year . There is a luncheon for staff being planned that will be hosted by School Committee members .
Discussion was held on free meals for students while they are in school and pandemic EBT resuming once school is
out for the summer . Meals will be free next year as well .
Chair Easley spoke to the challenges of the last year, and the exceptional response of the Nauset staff to address
these challenges . In addition, Chair Easley spoke to the process behind the decision to hire an Interim
Superintendent . The search for a permanent Superintendent will begin in early Fall 2021 . .
FY21 Budget
The Dashboard Report was included in the Committee packet. Giovanna Venditti reviewed report with the
Committee . Discussion was held on the COVID Grant Funds . There will be a report on these funds next month .
The Chair, The Committee and Superintendent Conrad thanked Steve Leibowitz & John O ' Reilly for sharing their
time and talents by serving on the Nauset Regional School Committee .
Superintendent Conrad thanked John O ' Reilly for his leadership and forward thinking to the Nauset District over the
past 19 years .
Chair Easley informed the Committee that there are plans for a retreat sometime in July 2021 .
REPORTS & INFORMATION
None
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Judy Schumacher , seconded by Steve Leibowitz, it was voted unanimously via roll call vote to
adjourn the meeting at 9 : 07PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Arlynn Consiglio
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