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HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2021-04-08 Minutes Nauset Regional School Committee April 8 , 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, Griffin Ryder, John O ' Reilly, Ed Brookshire Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Keith Kenyon, Stephanie Rae , Chris Ellsasser, Connie Boulos 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 : 32 p . m . , declared a quorum present, and read the meeting participation and recording statements . Agenda Changes : None Citizens Speak: None Consent Agenda . It was moved by John O 'Reilly, seconded by Josh Stewart, and voted unanimously via roll call vote to approve the Consent Agenda as presented . Judy Schumacher asked that the Fundraising initiatives be posted somewhere, perhaps on the website which would facilitate reaching out to a wider audience . Priority Business : Nauset High School Building Project — Next Steps Greg Levasseur thanked everyone who worked so hard to get the Nauset High School project passed . Mr . Levasseur explained the changes in the HVAC system for the renovated high school . The Building Committee voted unanimously to approve the recommendation of the engineering team to install a hybrid system which will allow use of electricity or gas depending on circumstances . Joe Sullivan, Project Manager, sent the first round of paperwork to be filled out certifying the town votes, and funding agreements . Contracts for the Project Manager and Design Consultants will be signed and filed with MSBA . The most critical issue now is portable classrooms, which is an essential component to move forward with construction . The purchase of units already existing in Lincoln MA and transported to NRHS is ongoing . The preference is to have these installed prior to the beginning of construction . Chris Easley thanked everyone for their time and efforts in supporting the Nauset High School Building Project . All support was greatly appreciated . Nauset Regional School Committee April 8, 2021 11 P a g e School Choice — Public Hearing It was moved by John WR611y, seconded by Richard Stewart and voted unanimously to 20 into Public Hearing to discuss participation in School Choice . Bill Dugan spoke to the cost of the School Choice program to the region taxpayers and his view that the School Choice program at Nauset should be phased down . Brian Sosner requested that the School Committee not approve any new School Choice students for the coming school year. As the Building Committee enters into the design phase of the building project, he feels it is a good idea to slow down choice now from a facilities management standpoint . In addition, Mr . Sosner requested the School Committee not approve participation in the School Choice Program until program income is reflected on each town ' s budget . ' It was moved by Ed Brookshire , seconded by Steve Leibowitz, and voted unanimously to exit the Public Hearing. Superintendent Conrad is recommending that we remain at the same number of choice students for FY22 , 258 students , with no more added this year . This would require opening 28 seats at Grade 6 , and 34 seats at Grade 9 , and no seats in any other grade level . Josh Stewart indicated he thought this discussion should happen earlier in the year, where the School Choice program could be discussed more in depth . Discussion was held on the financial benefits of the School Choice Program ; the recommended number of acceptances are in the average range for Nauset, last year was a difficult year to use as a comparison due to COVID ; way to work together to get the facts out to the towns regarding School Choice which is perhaps a subject to work on during their retreat; and all budgets/receipts are reported and budgeted as required by DESE . Update on Negotiations Superintendent Conrad reported he anticipates all union groups will be settled within two weeks . There will be a Joint School Committee meeting to vote the settlements at some point after that. The Superintendent thanked John O ' Reilly for his work on the Negotiations Subcommittee . Update on District Director of Curriculum , Teachine and Assessment Carol Forgione, Director of Human Resources, reported there is a hiring committee of 11 people which includes community membership and staff membership . There were 17 applicants and the interview process will begin shortly . There are two candidates who will be interviewed . The hope is to have a recommendation to the Superintendent shortly. Administrators Reports : Principal Ellsasser' s written report was included in the Committee ' s packet. Highlights included : the high school is in a good place with students and staff enjoying spring and looking forward to summer . Students who want to come back to four days in person learning are welcome to do so . The school community has learned what works, with Nauset Regional School Committee April 8, 2021 2 P a g e mask wearing, good hygiene, vaccinations , which attributes to the school ' s success during the pandemic . Plans are beginning for social events which will allow for some socializing while still following the rules of social distancing and safety . Discussion was held on issues of equity with the staff and students ; plans for summer learning to address learning loss; the mentoring program and standardized testing . Principal Kenyon ' s written report was included in the Committee ' s packet . Highlights included the return to 5 day in person learning and the planning involved; the town of Orleans called the school offering 75 extra vaccines to the staff, who did take advantage of that; 8th grade transition to High School and schedule building is completed, as well as 5th grade transition into the Middle School . There was a virtual evening for all incoming parents and students, there were 12 students inducted into the national honor society and it was wonderful to have a live event . Principal Kenyon thanked the coordinators of that event Ann McConchie and Karen Reddish . With DESE ' s notification that the school needed to return to 5 day in person learning by April 26th, the school formed a task force to work on the new schedule for all students . The staff was surveyed and it was determined they wanted to stay in a 6 period schedule, families were surveyed to determine how many students would be participating in in person learning and who would be fully remote through the end of the year . There was a 99% response to the survey. 13 % of the students will be fully remote, and the remainder will be fully in person . All social distancing and cleaning protocols will remain in place . Principal Kenyon indicated he believes the school and staff will be ready on April 26th for in person learning . Discussion was held on summer programing and the planning going into that . Superintendent Conrad reported to the Committee that the effort and time that went into a return to full in person learning at Nauset Middle School has been immense, which had to happen while the current school schedule was in place . There is a can do attitude between staff and the NEA . Even with the challenges, it is the best thing for the students to be back in the schools . The summer program is being worked on and explored, and will be in place shortly . There has been an uptick in positive cases of COVE[), and the safety protocols that are in place have worked . Vote to Rescind Authorized and Unissued Debt Connie Boulos, Treasurer explained the need to rescind authorized and unissued debt . which included High School wastewater and green repair, Middle School wastewater and roof repair . Discussion was held on the specifics of each unissued debt . It was moved by to Steven Leibowitz, seconded by Ed Brookshire , and voted unanimously via roll call vote to rescind authorized and unissued debt. FY21 Budget Giovanna Venditti and Connie Boulos reviewed the current dashboard report with the Committee . Discussion was held on the Cafeteria Revolving account, Charter School, School Choice, and Grant funds . Judy Schumacher thanked Sue Murray, Director of Nutrition and her staff for the tremendous work she has done with the Grab & Go Meal program . John O ' Reilly thanked Ms . Boulos for her excellent work as Treasurer of Nauset Public Schools . REPORTS & INFORMATION Judith Schumacher reminded the Committee of the upcoming Joint School Committee meeting . Nauset Regional School Committee April 8, 2021 3 P a g e Steve Leibowitz shared he will be taking part in a Legislative Education Session on April 13th @ LOAM pertaining to a bill that has been filed regarding free school lunches for all K. 12 students . Discussion was held on low income services on Cape Cod . Chris Easley discussed shared voting responsibility on the Cape Cod Collaborative Board of Directors with the Elementary School Committees . Future Agenda Items : Griffin Ryder asked that someone from DESE come to an early FY22 NRSC meeting to discuss School Choice . Chris Easley would like a report on current staffing for the FY22 school year . Josh Stewart would like to hear a report on what the principals might look at keeping from the past year moving forward . Dick Stewart would like to discuss having academic department heads from each school or come to speak at meetings in the upcoming school year . Discussion was held on setting a calendar for the upcoming year with specific guests each month . Discussion was held on the future of snow days . ADJOURNMENT On a motion by John O 'Reilly, seconded by Tom Fitzgibbons , it was voted unanimously via roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 9 : 15PM. Respectfully Submitted, Arlynn Consiglio Nauset Regional School Committee April 8, 2021 4 P a g e FY21 Budget Dashboard Report Giovanna Venditti reviewed the updated Dashboard Report . ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Griffin Rydei•, seconded by Tom Fitzgibbons and voted unanimously via roll call vote to adiourn at 7 : 49PM. Respectfully submitted, Arlynn Consiglio Nauset Regional School Committee April 8 , 2021 5 P a g e