HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2021-05-20 Minutes Brewster School Committee
Thursday May 20 , 2021
Brewster Town Hall (Virtual Meeting)
All Participants are Participating Remotel-
Present for the Committee : David Tolman, Judi Lech, Katie Jacobus , Casey Mecca
Present for the Administration: Superintendent Tom Conrad, Director of Finance & Operations Giovanna Venditti,
Principal Keith Gauley, Principal Joanna Hughes
Call to Order & Declaration of a Quorum , Meeting Participation Statement and Recording Statement :
Chair Tolman called the virtual meeting to order at 6 : 39 p . m . , declared a quorum present, and read the meeting
participation and recording statements .
Agenda Changes — None
Citizens Speak — None
PRIORITY BUSINESS
Principal ' s Reports
Principal Hughes ' written report was included in the Committee packet . Highlights/Additions : The Brewsterthon
is in full swing with pledges being collected .
Principal Gauley ' s written report was included in the Committee packet . Highlights/Additions : Kindergarten
registration went very well with about 40 students registered .
RFP Update on Consolidation
Chair Tolman gave an update on the RFP for the Consolidation Project . One proposal has been received .
Proposals and evaluations have been received from Principals and SC members Casey Mecca and Marie Enochty .
An update to the Committee fi•om the Town of Brewster will happen at the June 2020 meeting.
Superintendent ' s Report
Superintendent Conrad reported on the following : NEA discussions are ongoing, with the hope the union
members will ratify the contract soon . Once ratified, the Joint School Committee will meet to vote on the
contracts . Interim Superintedent Brooke Clenchy visited recently and has begun the process of beginning to get
to know the Nauset District . Individual contract negotiations are almost wrapped up . Work continues with Lead
Nurse Mary Ellen Reed, and Carol Forgione, Director of Human Services , on the changing guidance on COVID
protocols .
Approve Policy INJDB Responsible Use of Technology — Staff for a First Reading
After discussion , on a motion by Katie Jacobus , seconded by Casey Mecca, it was voted unanimously via
roll call vote to approve Policy INJDB Responsible Use of Technology — Staff for a First Reading
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Brewster School Committee Minutes May 20, 2021
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FY21 Budget Expenditure Reports
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the Brewster Elementary expenditure reports, beginning with Stony Brook
Elementary School . Ms . Venditti highlighted expenses/changes of $ 1 , 000 or more . The prior month balance was
$ 107 ,413 , $23 , 879 was spent or encumbered, leaving a current balance of $ 83 , 534 . The prior month balance of
Eddy Elementary School was $ 6, 017 . , $ 33 , 034 was added back into the budget, leaving a balance of $ 39, 051 .
There are funds available in Circuit Breaker as well as in substitute lines in both budgets . Ms . Venditti will work
with both principals to develop a spend-down plan which will be presented at the June 2021 meeting .
Summer Retreat Discussion
Katie Jacobus thought that with the number of new members a summer retreat for the Committee might be useful
to focus on process questions new members might have in a less formal setting. Judi Lech agreed, adding that
two of the members were very recently added to the Committee and that she and Katie had been on the
Committee for less than a year, so she feels that all four could benefit from this type of additional training,
helping all to become more effective members of the Committee . Chair Telman indicated that in July most
School Committees take a break from meetings . The retreat could happen in August in order to get everyone
ready for the upcoming school year . This will be on the Agenda for the June 2021 meeting for discussion .
Discussion was held on having Jim Hardy from MASC involved in the retreat. Discussion was held on 'the Open
Meeting Law and how a retreat is done correctly .
REPORTS & INFORMATION
Cape Cod Collaborative — Katie Jacobus reported on the last meeting. The Collaborative will participate in a
project in partnership with Bridgewater State . The project is entitled Collaborative Framework for Education
Evaluation and will be led by the Superintendents of Monomoy and Falmouth . This is specifically designed for
Massachusetts to look at teaching and learning through a lens of cultural proficiency . The Collaborative was
named a Community Partner with Children ' s Cove . There are ongoing transportation challenges with drivers .
PTO — Casey Mecca reported the Fun Run kicked off with a pep rally, and she thanked the community for their
generous donations . It is an uplifting and fun event after a difficult year.
School Council — No reports
Policy Subcommittee — Judi Lech reported the Committee is working on the Student Responsible Use Policy,
Behavioral Health Task Force — No report
Strategic Plan — No report
Preschool Enrollment — Included in packet
Other Reports — None
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Katie Jacobus, seconded by Judi Lech and voted unanimously via roll call vote to approve
the Minutes of April 15 , 2021 amended .
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Katie Jacobus , seconded by Casey Mecca and voted unanimously via roll call vote to
adiourn at 7 : 13PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Arlynn Consiglio
Included in packet: Minutes, FY21 Budget Reports , Policy IJNDB
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