HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2020-08-13 Minutes Nauset Regional School Committee t i , r ' rF � t;;
Au 01
ust 13 , 2020 n
August
Virtual meeting, live streamed at Eastham Town Hall
Present for the Committee : Ian Mack, Judith Schumacher, John O ' Reilly, Chris Easley, Richard Stewart, Robert
Jacobus, Josh Stewart,Amy Handel, Ed Brookshire and Tom Fitzgibbons
Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti , Principal Julie Kobold and Principal Chris
Ellsasser
Call to Order
Chair Easely called the meeting to order at 6 : 03 p .m . noting the Zoom invitation # 81662131677 and the pass code of
089125 . Chair Easely read the following statement:
We live in uncertain and challenging times . The pandemic has severely impacted the lives and businesses of the people in
our communities . The stress level of our lives is greatly heightened by events we cannot control or predict. As a
community, we all want the same things for our schools, to continue the history of quality education in the Nauset region
while doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety of our staff and students . To that end, I would like to thank
Superintendent Tom Conrad, the regional office staff, task force members, School Administrators Chris and Julie and
their staff for their tireless efforts and countless hours developing the plans and securing the supplies necessary to open
our schools . The plans released at the Joint School Committee meeting last week were just a starting point not an
endpoint. As such, the plans will evolve and be improved up until the start of school and beyond . Feedback from parents
and staff has been and is greatly appreciated . Thank you . It is an excellent statement about our communities that we work
together to open our schools as safely as possible for our staff and students .
Agenda Changes — None
Citizens Speak ass
Brian Kavanaugh addressed the committee suggesting the Committee find another model for educating students and
asked that the Middle School consider livestreaming classes so students get classroom experience . He suggested that
the High School have more in-person learning that would better depict that the district is prioritizing in-person
learning.
Consent Agenda
On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded by John O ' Reilly, it was voted unanimously to approve the consent
agenda and the minutes of July 9, 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 John O ' Reilly — yea,
Amy Handel — Yea
PRIORITY BUSINESS
Update on Building Committee
This item is postponed until the September agenda . The Building Committee will wait until the spring of next year
to go to the towns for a vote on the project .
Administrators ' Reports
The Superintendent indicated that the surveys indicated parents want Administration to focus on the 6 ' social
distancing in the classroom . Parents were concerned about the 3 ' distance guideline from DESE . The
Nauset Regional School Committee, August 13, 2020 11 P a g e
Superintendent asked all Administrators to go back to their buildings and see what the 6 ' distance looks like and if U
was even a possibility. Principal Ellsasser did that and concluded that they did not have enough space to bring
students back into the building at the same time on campus, so he suggested the hybrid learning model . The
Superintendent indicated that the Middle School was unsuccessful in making the 6 ' distancing work and has decided
to shift to a hybrid model for learning. He indicated the Principal is looking at another hybrid model and is staying
within the guidelines . He thanked Principal Kobold for all her efforts . Principal Kobold presented her plan . She
indicated after looking at the building and the 6 ' distance, she decided she will stay with the cohort that will stay in
one place and the teacher will travel . She examined the physical distancing and with a 3 ' distance she needed 33
cohorts and with a 6 ' distance she will need 42 cohorts . There are limited classrooms and she was unable to fit
everyone in the space necessary which required moving to a hybrid model . She explained what the hybrid model
would look like . The hybrid model is in the building two day s and remote three days . She reviewed a sample of the
schedule including 6 period days , all four core subjects and space for two exploratories . Teachers would teach three
periods of students in building and two teachers would work with students remotely . She indicated she has no plans
to lose any courses at the Middle School . On Wednesday, the schedule will be mixed and the entire school is
remote . There will be live physical education classes . Band will be fully remote . All remote courses will match in
school model and will be taught by Middle School teachers . Remote students can move outside their cohort on
Wednesday . She shared a photograph of what a classroom would look like with the 6 ' distancing. She also realized
that this would be a new choice for families and that some families previously completed the commitment survey .
She indicated that if the parent marked in-person learning, they transitioned it to hybrid . Parents who chose remote
can stay with remote .
Principal Kobold indicated working with Mary Buchanan, Director of Student Services and Special Needs teachers
they will identify students at risk, and have capacity to have them in the building up to five days per week. All
students will have all services administered so the Middle School is, in compliance with IEP ' s .
Committee members thanked Administration for looking at going to a hybrid model as they received numerous
emails from parents and teachers voicing their concerns about full day in-person attendance .
Principal Kobold indicated the classes are 50 minutes with mask breaks . She also indicated that all periods would be
the same in length .
Judy Schumacher asked that sixth graders be given some consideration since they are moving into a new school ,
having a new experience and have new teachers . She suggested reaching out to them and do something special for
them if you can .
Josh Stewart inquired about the decision to keep students in one room for most of the day and having the teacher
move through classes . He suggested if you have a Covid positive student and you are a teacher coming into the
classroom at the end of the day, it is easier for the teacher to pick something up than if the cohort moved into the
room and then left. He wondered if there were public health concerns to keep them all together. Principal Kobold
indicated she has not figured out how to move students in and around the building without packing the hallways .
She hopes to come up with safety measures and more knowledge about what they need to deal with .
Ian Mack thanked Administration and felt Administration did a great job with the feedback. He inquired if the
Middle School is following the High School hybrid model . Principal Kobold indicated that developmentally that
plan would not fit Middle school students . In her plan, the Middle School students see each other every day. They
are also trying to align cohorts with siblings .
Nauset Regional School Committee, August 13 , 2020 2 P a g e
>i'rincipal Ellsasser provided updates for the Committee . He shared that teachers were coming into school and
working remotely on simulation. They are preparing the facility to make changes . They are working on the
behaviors of how to travel around inside and outside . They are working on creating a common guide for families
that teachers, students and staff will have at their fingertips . They are working on student support strategy for early
intervention. They are working on the communication strategy with families . They do not have a schedule for Open
House and Parent meetings at this time . Principal Ellsasser clarified what learning on Wednesday would look like .
He also talked about using outdoor spaces for learning. He indicated Wednesday is a regular class day where all
students are remote with the exception of at risk students . Students go through their regular schedule . Students are
at home and teachers are in school teaching from their classrooms . There will be cleaning and disinfecting as on
Wednesday throughout the building. They have boosted the Wi-Fi on the outside of the building. He indicated that
students go with teachers on their laptop . He indicated that classes will be recorded so that if missed, they can be
seen again . He indicated that currently you can record in Zoom and he is looking into recording capacity in the
Google Meets . He explained that when students are doing their work, the screen is on . He indicated that teachers
will see their kids on the screen and the kids will see their teacher. He said they are simulating every situation that
you can imagine . He wants teachers to understand the possibilities and the limitations at the same time .
He indicated that lunch will have the three normal lunch times . The cafeteria space has been altered, removing some
tables and configured with 6 ' distancing. The gymnasium has chairs in 6 ' distance and he explained how they would
sit with the distancing .
He reported that they are presently going through the building to check rooms and capacity to make sure they have
the air circulation that is needed . Exterior vents on the roof pulls air out and windows and doors will be kept open .
Principal Ellsasser indicated that 16 students can fit into the Library and about 12 desks are in a room at this point
but two more students could be added . He explained the spacing for teacher and students within the classroom
space . He indicated that he split the kids in half and going into every class looking at the division. He will have 350
students on campus at one time with 8 - 10 kids in a class at a time .
Josh Stewart expressed concerns about students on the screen at home and hopes the teachers find ways to maximize
their in- school days with science labs, arts, etc . Principal Ellsasser indicated that a lot of work is going on with
science lab simulations . He suggested that kids in the room feel like they are in a class of 8 - 10, kids at home feel
like they are in a 1 - 1 tutorial . In some ways when you are remote, can talk to each student 1 - 1 . There is a lot more
you can do than people could imagine . Lisa Orendella, Tech Integration Specialist at the High School is working on
this with other teachers and they will teach the teachers the first eight days of school . He stated that the remote
learning feels very personal and interactive . Kids who are remote are very much in the room . If they have a
question the teacher can address that and they can communicate with anyone in the room . Connectivity is important .
Chair Easely asked about accountability. He felt the school should be more stringent than in the spring. He felt
expectation should be set and students should know what is required to succeed in the new methodology . Principal
Ellsasser indicated that the first week or two will be how to learn in this new environment. Students will submit
work on a regular basis . You cannot turn off your mic and step away. Attendance is taken . Students will get credit
for being in class and for what they have submitted . Both students in the room and students at home will be sending
work to the teacher consistently. They are very cognizant of the need for accountability. Principal Ellsasser
indicated that there will be one teacher managing this without assistance .
Nauset Regional School Committee , August 13, 2020 3 P a g e
I
Superintendent ' s Report
Superintendent Conrad introduced Mary Buchanan, Director of Student Services to the Committee . Mary Buchanan
addressed the Committee and shared her first few months at Nauset as a member of the Task Force . She is looking
forward to visiting the schools . She indicated she is working with Principals and talking about what is needed for
special needs students and providing them with a robust education by giving them a variety of opportunities to make
gains . She has also been working closely with the Preschool Director . She indicated that Nauset has a very
comprehensive plan and they are thoughtfully bringing students back into the building. The Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education is recommending that preschool and students with significant disabilities are to
come back to school in-person . They will be bringing preschool back for ten hours per week in the integrated
preschool .
Superintendent Conrad outlined the work of the Task Force. He indicated that they are trying to create protocols
for a number of things and will have them posted on the website and to parents very soon. He also indicated that the
push to go from 3 ' to 6 ' was a high priority. He indicated that the Business Office is working on transportation with
Paul Hilton from the Cape Cod Collaborative . He explained that the buses will have marked seats and assigned
seating . Capacity has dropped by 65 % . He will review the survey relative to parents dropping off and picking up
their children at school . Administration is anxious to get this data to see how many kids need to get on the school bus
and how they can do this efficiently.
He also indicated that ventilation is being examined by outside contractors and to do the work if systems require it
to maximize efficiency and performance . They will maintain the system as well . Principal Ellsasser and the
Superintendent are very concerned about the locker room situation. They will not be using the locker rooms . The
Superintendent indicated they are reviewing the entire system to make sure it is functioning at the highest level .
He also informed the Committee that the district held seven meetings with questions and answers for parents . Each
of those meetings had a capacity of 100 people . He indicated they are working very hard to respond to question that
come in and get an answer out as quickly as they can . It is very challenging and they are doing their best . They
have moved forward with the possibility of Zoom going to 500 people . They are working on cleaning products and
will have safety sheets available for parents . They are working very hard to get the state report submitted . Survey
results have remained about the same and the Principals will be calling anyone who did not respond . He also
reported that they have had calls from people about attending school but only a couple students have registered .
He shared his work with Mary Ellen Reed, Nurse Coordinator, and the contact tracing . She works with the Health
Agent in each of the towns . He will invite Mary Ellen Reed to the next school committee meeting . He indicated that
contact tracing will take additional time so that he might have to hire additional nursing staff.
He also reported that there is a Task Force in each building comprised of teachers . He meets with Union leadership
each week which has been very beneficial .
Josh Stewart shared that he had a lot of communication with staff over the last few weeks and they are feeling like
they have been left out of the process . They feel they are front line workers as of September 16 . They are the
District ' s greatest asset. They understand teaching and learning . He wished the plan had come to them first and
hopes teachers have a solid voice . The Superintendent indicated that when he comes to the public with new
information, it is first shared with school committee, then staff and then parents .
The Superintendent indicated that we will disseminate information through Parent Square communication system to
tell parents and students how they are coming back to school . He indicated that building Principals are working on
Nauset Regional School Committee, August 13 , 2020 4 P a g e
assignments . Teachers have contracts but did not get an assignment. Once classes are assigned, they will get that
information to parents . Ian Mack suggested showing parents demonstrations of what it would look like as parents
are very nervous . The Superintendent indicated that some schools are doing short videos of certain pieces for
example, the bus layout and expectations .
He indicated that 30 teachers have identified that they will need an accommodation for health reasons this fall . The
HR Coordinator, Carol Forgione, is working with them . The Superintendent also shared that 4- 5 positions were
filled and that the District had a robust pool of candidates .
FY21 Budget
Giovanna Venditti indicated that the Budget and Finance Subcommittee met to review the Dashboard Report. She
reviewed the projected Excess & Deficiency Balance for June 30, 2020, outlined deficits and long-term obligations
such as OPEB , Pensions and Bonds . The projected E & D balance is $ 1 , 354,442 . She reviewed the Truro and
Provincetown tuition line as well as other funding sources . She shared a comparison from last year at this time to
this year which shows about a $ 100 , 000 decrease .
Connie Boulos , District Treasurer, addressed the Committee discussing low interest rates and moving funds to
another account that will give the District a better rate . She reviewed the Cash Flow with the committee . She
requested John O ' Reilly be an authorized signer again .
Policies for a First Reading
Josh Stewart indicated that the policies come from the MASC Association to assist Districts with Covid 19 and are
temporary policies to assist with shifts that may occur because of the pandemic . The Policy Subcommittee approved
the policies to bring forward . The Mask Policy will be in place and they await the defining of an appropriate mask
to wear in Nauset Public Schools .
MOTION:
On a motion by Josh Stewart, seconded by Ian Mack, it was voted unanimously by roll call vote to approve policies
EBC Supplemental Policy Issues for the Pandemic, IHBHE, Remote Learning, and Face Coverings for a first
reading.
On a roll call the vote was as follows :
Amy Handel — yea, Josh Stewart — yea, John O ' Reilly — yea, Ian Mack — yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus
—yea, Judy Schumacher — yea, Chris Easley — yea, Ed Brookshire - yea
i
Strategic Plan
The Superintendent indicated at the last meeting that Chris Easley and Judith Schumacher had questions about jump
starting work with the strategic plan. He indicated that this is a very valuable document but are sensitive to people
right now to get this started . A copy was sent to members of the Committee . The Superintendent would like
committee members to become familiar with the document and take it one step at a time . Judith Schumacher
referenced the two documents and the implementation tables for each of the five objectives . She indicated the
district is already doing some of the things in the plan and it is a building on and going to the next phase in some j
cases . This is a 5 -year strategic plan that will be phased in and rolled out as appropriate at each school . She
indicated that 75 people participated in the work over the course of a year and that a lot of work went into its
creation .
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Nauset Regional School Committee, August 13 , 2020 5 P a g e
Reports and Information
Budget and Finance Subcommittee — Judy Schumacher reported that the Budget and Finance Subcommittee will
start looking at COVID related savings . They will try to get some costs and funding sources, like grants .
Adjournment
On a motion by Robert Jacobus , seconded John O ' Reilly, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8 : 29
p .m . Ian Mack-yea, Judith Schumacher-yea, Chris Easley-yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Josh
Stewart — yea and John O ' Reilly — yea, Amy Handel — yea, Ed Brookshire — yea
Josh Stewart suggested trying to get back to meeting in person . Chair Easley indicated that the towns are not open .
The School Committee needs to be at their locations to have live shows and meetings need to be recorded.
Future Agenda Items
Strategic Plan
Submitted by,
Ann M. Tefft, Secretary
Included in the packet : Policies, Dashboard Report, Minutes .
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