HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2020-10-08 Minutes (2) Nauset Regional School Committee f s � .F � �l
October 8 , 2020
Virtual meeting, live streamed at Orleans Town Hall
Present for the Committee : Ian Mack, Judith Schumacher, Chris Easley, Richard Stewart, Robert Jacobus, Josh
Stewart, Ed Brookshire, Amy Handel, John O ' Reilly and Tom Fitzgibbons
Present for the Administration: Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, and Principal Chris Ellsasser
Call to Order
Chair Easley called the meeting to order at 6 : 07 p . m. noting the Zoom invitation 84208690505 .
Agenda Changes — None
Citizens Speak — None
Consent Agenda Ir
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Ed Brookshire, seconded by Richard Stewart, it was voted unanimously to approve the consent
agenda that included September 10, 2020 minutes, NHS Fundraising Activities and Accept Gift of Golf Clubs . On a
roll call the vote was as follows : Ian Mack — yea, Judy Schumacher — yea,
Richard Stewart — yea , Robert Jacobus — yea , Josh Stewart — yea, Amy Handel — yea, Tom Fitzgibbons — yea, Chris
Easley — yea, John O ' Reilly — yea , Ed Brookshire - yea
PRIORITY BUSINESS
Administrators ' Reports- Principal Kobold was not in attendance . Superintendent Conrad indicated her written
report was included in the packet and that members could email her or Chair Easley with any questions .
Principal Chris Ellsasser ' s report was included in the packet . Highlights included: Cohorts have been established
and sent to families, the building work on the ventilators has gone extremely well, on target for opening, teachers
engaging in PD around the hybrid style of teaching in the remote model, Athletic Department doing an amazing job
with programs, and transportation being looked at by Central Office staff. He thanked Keith Kenyon and Tony
Nannini for their work with Mechanical Ai and Home Energy Raters . He also reported that students are making
videos for students coming on campus including protocols, walking around school, wearing masks, hand-washing
and sanitizing . The homework has been adjusted to give less homework, not more . Homework should be essential
and give thought to the amount of screen time it takes to accomplish it. He explained why the days of attendance
had been change to accommodate siblings at the middle school as well as transportation. Fees/donations to see home
games were mentioned.
Assistant Principal Keith Kenyon was happy to report that the High School will be open for business on October
15th . He thanked Principal Ellsaser, Tony Nannim and Superintendent Conrad as well as all the teachers for making
this happen. He reviewed the process for checking ventilation and air quality in each classroom. He reported that
there have been between 4045 students in N Building since September 16 . He looks forward to seeing students on
campus .
Superintendent' s Report
Superintendent Conrad expressed his wish to see kids on campus at Nauset High School . He is spending a good deal
of time on the Memorandum of Understanding with the Union Leadership and they have been meeting for a number
of weeks . The MOU is a temporary MOU for changes to the academic program and teaching taking place under
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these COVID circumstances . This went to the Negotiating Team for their review and feedback. He also sent it to •
the Principals and Administrators for their review . Eventually the group will come back together to finalize the
document. He indicated that each building has something unique about the issue . To avoid grievances, he is
meeting with each staff. Solutions to situations will be put in place. He also indicated that the COLA was never
settled . He noted that the October 1 Enrollment Report was in their packets . He shared his concern about staffing
and substitute teachers . He is working with other Superintendents to see how they can help each other out by
sharing practices or partnering on finding solutions to common problems . He and the Business Manger have begun
to work on the budgets . The timeline has been pushed back a little bit. He also reported that he is spending a good
deal of time looking at the organization of the Central Office, job sharing, work demands and how to find ways to
maximize efforts across the entire staff. He is close to finalizing assignments . He reported that he typically gets a
call from one of the Nurses or the Principal that someone has gone home sick and is going to the doctor. Then we
wait and see what happens . At this point the District has been very fortunate. He mentioned the newly hired nurse
at the high school and how vacancies are advertised, through School Spring. He indicated that Nauset continues to
attract good candidates . He also reported that the Counselor, Sharon Ahern will work with students again as Mary
Buchanan received funding for this program again She will work with students as well as in groups . They will be
looking at other grants to expand beyond this . He introduced Eileen Belastock, new Director of Technology.
Eileen Belastock gave the Committee a little background information as well as her extensive list of credentials .
She reviewed a PowerPoint Presentation that contained the Vision of the District, Challenges/Opportunities,
Success/Losses , and Initiatives . She indicted that there will be a full time tech person at the Middle School . She
indicated that this is a work in progress and they are learning as they go . She would like to see a webmaster in each
building and would like a uniform look to the website . She would love to see students work on the website . The
Committee would like to schedule the Director of Technology on a regular basis .
October Enrollment
The Superintendent reviewed the October 1 Enrollment report that was included in the packet . He indicated there
was a comparison of totals from 2019-20 and this year. He indicated they are concerned about the choice numbers,
particularly about students coming from a long distance . Overall, he was not surprised with the virus situation. One
of the members mentioned the steady enrollment at the Middle School and that the High School varied . The
Superintendent indicated that students have other options at Ninth Grade including tech school, charter schools and
private schools . The Superintendent indicated they will research the enrollment numbers prior to the budget season.
Many choice parents decided not to send their students away this year. He will look at the target number and the
total with the Business Manager.
FY21 Budget
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the Dashboard Report with the Subcommittee in great detail . She indicated that the
beginning balance is $ 1 , 394 ,416 . ($ 1 , 352 , 694 was certified by DOR) She reviewed long-term Obligations and
funding, funding sources , assessments, transportation, and tuition receipts . She reviewed the revolving funds , noting
the Community Education Program is not scheduling classes this semester. She indicated the projected E & D
balance is $ 1 , 549 , 093 and will fluctuate as the year moves along . She identified the bands/bonds for the committee
as well as the capital projects to date and monies expended from the MSBA.
Connie Boulos, District Treasurer, reviewed the cash balance summary sheet indicating the District just made the
OPEB contribution. She indicated the interest rates are very low and she does not see this getting much better for a
number of years . She indicated she checks banks ' statues to make sure they are healthy and solid before moving
money. Presently the District has money in Sentry Bank with a . 56% interest rate . She reviewed the bonds , bands
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and bid sale date of October 28 . Chair Easley inquired about the impact of retirements on the budget . The
Superintendent will analyze this and report.
Capital Asset Reclassification
On a motion by Ed Brookshire seconded by Amy Handel, it was voted unanimously by roll call vote to approve the
reclassifications in the capital article . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Ed Brookshire — yea, Judy Schumacher
— yea, Amy Handel — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Ian Mack — yea Richard Stewart — yea, John O ' Reilly — yea, and
Chris Easley — yea
Budget Timeline
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the budget timeline with the committee . Committee members asked that they see the
budget prior to any reductions made with the Town Guidelines . They would like to see the wants and needs and
what the District is not funding. The Superintendent indicated that he give the members that information in a timely
manner. When the budget is developed, the committee would like to see what was removed . (needs and impacts)
The Superintendent reminded the committee that there are significant costs in personnel (93 %) . Add additional costs
of service for each year and we are not taking about a lot of change each year. He indicated that the Superintendent
follows the guidelines given by the Towns . Some members asked if they could voice concerns before the budget
preparation especially in the area of hiring a facilities manager and the assistant superintendent position. The
Superintendent indicated that he needs to know what direction to head toward and there should be a discussion about
prior budget items .
Appoint Nauset Regional School Committee Secretary
Motion : On a motion by Chris Easley, seconded by Ed Brookshire, it was voted unanimously to appoint Arlynn
Consiglio to the position of secretary to the Nauset Regional School Committee. On a roll call the vote was as
follows : Ed Brookshire — yea , Judy Schumacher — yea , Tom Fitzgibbons — yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Ian Mack —
0
yea , Amy Handel — yea, Josh Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, John O ' Reilly — yea
Harassment Policy
On a motion by Richard Stewart, seconded by Robert Jacobus, it was voted unanimously to approve ACAB ,
Harassment Policy for a first reading . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Robert Jacobus — yea, Ian Mack — yea,
Judy Schumacher — yea, Ed Brookshire — yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Josh Stewart — yea, Amy Handel — yea, Tom
Fitzgibbons - yea, Chris Easley — yea , John O ' Reilly — yea
MASC Resolutions/Delegate
Robert Jacobus made a motion that was seconded by Ian Mack to appoint Richard Stewart as delegate . The motion
was withdrawn.
On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded by Amy Handel, it was voted unanimously to appoint Tom Fitzgibbons as
delegate for the Nauset Regional School Committee . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Ed Brookshire — yea,
Judy Schumacher — yea, Tom Fitzgibbons — yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Ian Mack — yea, Amy Handel — yea , Josh
Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea , John O ' Reilly — yea
On a motion by Judy Schumacher, seconded by Josh Stewart it was voted to request our representative to give our
consensus on the ten resolutions at the November 3rd MASC Conference . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Ed
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Brookshire — yea, Judy Schumacher — yea, Tom Fitzgibbons — yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Ian Mack — yea, Amy
Handel — yea, Josh Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, John O ' Reilly — yea
Unfinished Business
Chair Easley researched the topic of Unfinished Business and it can only be used when there is something that was
not completed at the previous meeting. Items outside of that parameter would not be taken up . Robert Jacobus
asked for the class size list at the High School with classes of students 10 and over 25 . The Superintendent indicated
he will try to get it for the next meeting using last year ' s numbers .
Development of School Committee Self-Evaluation
Chair Easley indicated that he sent out information from the retreat meeting . He suggested identifying the categories
for self- evaluation. Discussion ensued as to how to proceed and evaluate. Members were asked to send their ideas
to Judy Schumacher and she will tabulate .
Reports and Information
Tom Fitzgibbons reported the Brewster Finance Committee has a subcommittee that created a document on the
Building Project listing pros and cons . It is about a 30 page draft . He indicated they are committed to thinking
school choice is a financial burden. It includes questions they feel have not been answered.
Cape Cod Collaborative
Robert Jacobus reported that the Collaborative had a Covid positive student and followed all the proper protocols .
Budget and Finance Subcommittee
Judy Schumacher reported the subcommittee reviewed the Dashboard in great detail . They will follow up on the
High School and Middle School budgets . She noted some deficits due to hiring of personnel . She reported that they
talked about capital assets . It was indicated that Jim Nowack sent information about the schedule and calendar for
developing the capital asset budget.
Motion: On a motion by Chris Easley, seconded by Ed Brookshire, it was voted unanimously to reinstitute the
Capital Asset Subcommittee . On a roll call the vote was as follows : : Ed Brookshire — yea , Judy Schumacher — yea,
Amy Handel — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Ian Mack — yea Richard Stewart — yea, John O ' Reilly — yea , and Chris
Easley — yea
o Future Agenda Items
Invite Mary Buchanan and Eileen Belastock to the meetings on a regular basis .
o Analysis of a teacher ' s retirement on the budget
o Take deeper dive into the budget
o Find a way to get Department Heads or teaching staff to report to the school committee on a regular basis
Sciences, Nurses, Guidance Counselors , Arts and Shops
Adjournment
On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded by Josh Stewart, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9 : 40
p .m . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Ed Brookshire — yea, Judy Schumacher — yea, Amy Handel — yea,
Robert Jacobus — yea, Ian Mack — yea Richard Stewart — yea, John O ' Reilly — yea, and Chris Easley — yea
Submitted by,
Ann M . Tefft
Included in packet : Principals ' reports, Dashboard, Capital Asset Reclassifications, Harassment Policy and minutes
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