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Home My Public Portal AboutBrewster School Committee -- 2021-02-25 Minutes Brewster School Committee Thursday , February 25 , 2021 Brewster Town Hall (Virtual Meeting) All Participants are Participating Remotely : 1 11 : 11 Present for the Committee : David Telman, Judi Lech, Katie Jacobus, Marie Enochty, Casey Mecca Present for the Administration. Superintendent Thomas Conrad, Director of Finance & Operations Giovanna Venditti, Principal Keith Gauley, Principal Joanna Hughes Others Present : Donna Kalinick, Asst. Town Administrator; Robert Tobias , Brewster Finance Committee Call to Order & Declaration of a Quorum , Meeting Participation Statement and Recording Statement : Chair Telman called the virtual meeting to order at 6 : 30 p . m . , declared a quorum present, and read the meeting participation and recording statements . Agenda Changes — None Citizens Speak — None PRIORITY BUSINESS Administrators ' Reports : Principals ' Report(s) : Principal ' s Reports were included in the Committee ' s packet. Superintendent ' s Report Superintendent Conrad reported on the Budget Process which requires a tremendous amount of time and is ongoing . The Nauset High School Building Project vote will be on March 30, 2021 and there are public awareness efforts surrounding that . School Consolidation Study Donna Kalinick was present to answer questions regarding the School Consolidation Study. Discussion was held on who makes the decision regarding the RFP and the contract award . Ms . Kalinick expressed belief that the School Committee/Administration should be included on the process . Ms . Kalinick was hoping the walk through for the RFP will be during April vacation (April 16u') . The walk tlirough will take quite a bit of time as there are 2 schools to walk through . Discussion was held on who in the Administration would be a part of the review process . It will be decided at the next meeting which members on the School Committee will participate in the contract award, as well as the Administrative point person . After discussion , it was moved by Marie Enochty to authorize the Town of Brewster to bezin the RFP process for the School Consolidation Feasibility Study. The motion was seconded by Katie Jacobus and voted unanimously via roll call vote. Mary Buchanan — Director of Student Services Ms . Buchanan was not able to join this meeting and will attend a future meeting . FY21 Budeet Expenditure Reports : Giovanna Venditti reviewed the current expenditure reports, highlighting all expenses over $ 1 , 000 fi•om the previous month . The current balance in Eddy is $69, 607 .41 ; the current balance in Stony Brook is $ 116, 747 . 93 . Brewster School Committee Minutes February 25, 2021 [ 1 ] Ms . Venditti informed the Committee there is an upcoming out of district placement; those financial details will be available at the next meeting. FY22 Budget Presentation Superintendent Conrad reminded the Committee that there was a late start to FY22 Budget planning this year due to COVID . The Stony Brook and Eddy Budgets are now complete and ready for Committee consideration and vote . The goal was and is to continue to support the outstanding and robust program in each school . Negotiations are still ongoing with the Union . There are COLA amounts (reserve for negotiations) built into the FY22 budgets . Discussion is being held on having another Brewster School Committee meeting on March 4' in order to have a Public Hearing . Principal Joanna Hughes presented the FY22 Eddy Elementary School Budget; much of the proposed budget is level funded; reductions are due to retirements and a decrease in special education costs . There is room in the budget for some new initiatives . The FY22 Eddy Proposed Budget comes in at a 4 . 88 % decrease . Principal Keith Gauley presented the FY22 Stony Brook Elementary School Budget. The Stony Brook Elementary School FY22 Budget comes in with a 4 . 14% increase, or $ 168 , 000 . There are 4 line items in the budget with an increase of $ 10 , 000 or more . Chair Telman thanked the Principals and Administration for presenting a clear and concise budget . Giovanna Venditti reviewed the Combined FY22 Budget Document with the Committee, Stony Brook and Eddy have a combined total of $7 , 951 ,488 which reflects a decrease of . 25 % . The total for Fringe Benefits comes in at $2 , 131 , 313 , with a final total of $ 10 , 082 , 801 , which comes within the Town of Brewster budget guidelines . The Chair moved Agenda Item 9.-Update on Principal Position at Brewster Schools Superintendent Conrad has been following the upcoming court case in Brewster . The Superintendent indicated that he has spoken with Keith Gauley regarding remaining as school principal at Stony Brook Elementary School . Up until now, Principal Gauley ' s tenure at Stony Brook Elementary School was as interim principal . Moving forward Principal Gauley will be the full time permanent principal at Stony Brook . After discussion ; It was moved by Judi Lech, seconded by Katie Jacobus and voted unanimously via roll call vote to approve the FY22 Combined Budget of $ 10,082 ,801 as presented . Discussion on Policy for Naming Schools Chair Telman has been approached by a town resident to rename the Stony Brook Elementary School in honor of a Brewster resident. Before taking this issue on, Chair Telman would like to research any regulations, guidance or policies that currently exist regarding naming/renaming a school . It was suggested that some research be done on how the Eddy Elementary School was named . Reports and Information Cape Cod Collaborative — Katie Jacobus reported on the last meeting . Transportation issues are beginning to resolve as current drivers receive their 2"d vaccination . The Annual (Virtual) Legislative Breakfast was a success , with breakout sessions . One of the topics was getting all teachers vaccinated . PTO — Casey Mecca reported on the last PTO meeting and events including fundraising opportunities . The next meeting is March 17, 2021 . School Council — Casey Mecca reported on the last Stony Brook Elementary School Council Meeting including discussion and planning around a new world language/world culture program, which addresses the goal of Global Citizenship . Marie Enochty reported on Eddy Elementary School Council Meeting with discussion on the same topic of a new world language/world culture program, which addresses the goal of Global Citizenship , Brewster School Committee Minutes February 25 , 2021 [ 21 Policy .Subcommittee - Judi Lech reported on the news that the Staff Responsible Use Policy is in the hands of the Superintendent and the NEA . Behavioral Health Task Force — no report Building and Needs Assessment — no report Strategic Plan — no report Preschool Enrollment — Report was included in the Committee packet Central Office Subcommittee — no report Approval of Minutes It was moved by Judi Lech seconded by Katie Jacobus and voted 5 - 0 to approve the minutes of the January 21 , 2021 meeting as amended . Chair Telman reminded the Committee of the Joint School Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 3 `d @ 5 : OOPM, and the Brewster School Committee meeting on Thursday, March 0' @ 4 : 30PM . Adjournment On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Katie Jacobus , it was voted unanimously via roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 8 ; 10 p . m . Submitted by, Arlynn Consiglio Included in packet : Principals ' report, FY21 Expenditure Reports , School Consolidation Documents, Preschool Enrollment, Minutes Brewster School Committee Minutes February 25, 2021 [ 3 ]