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Home My Public Portal AboutBrewster School Committee -- 2020-11-19 Minutes It Brewster School Committee Thursday, November 19 , 2020 r � Brewster Town Hall (Virtual Meeting) Present for the Committee : David Telman, Christine Peterson, Judi Lech, and Katie Jacobus Absent for the Committee : Jessica Larsen Present for the Administration: Superintendent Thomas Conrad, Director of Finance & Operations Giovanna Venditti , Principal Keith Gauley, Principal Joanna Hughes Others Present: Assistant Town Administrator Donna Kalnick, Chuck Hanson; Brewster Whitecaps Call to Order Chair Telman called the virtual meeting to order at 6 : 32 p .m . Agenda Changes — None Citizens Speak — None PRIORITY BUSINESS Administrators ' Reports : Principal Hughes ' report was included in the packet. Highlights included updates on Professional Development, School Council, and a survey regarding remote learning that was sent to parents (Eddy and Stony Brook both conducted this survey) . Many parents wanted to continue remote learning through the end of the year, some will decide after the holidays . The survey allowed for planning in the building through the end of the year. Principal Gauley ' s report was included in the packet. Highlights included Stony Brook has 24 students participating in remote learning — 11 have returned since the beginning of the school year. Principal Gauley then reported on a project created by Carey Raimo, Occupational Therapist along with volunteer parents and students called ` Sensory Pathway ' . Thanks were given to all parents and staff who helped with this project, which will be paying dividends for the students for many years to come . Superintendent ' s Report Superintendent Conrad reported to the Committee on the following : The Labor Management Committee continues to work by having conversations with staff in both schools regarding work schedules and remote learning. The Committee ' s goal is to address issues quickly and come up with solutions . The Negotiations Subcommittee will be resuming work shortly on finishing up the contracts . The HS Building Project Committee has begun to meet again . District Snow Dasare being looked at administratively due to DESE ' s recent determination that they can be counted as school days if students attend remotely. There are many implications to this, an update will be given in the future . School Consolidation Study Donna Kalnick, Assistant Town Administrator, was present to give the Committee an overview of the background of this project and the work that was done on crafting an RFP for a feasibility study. The Brewster School Committee and Brewster Selectboard met in October 2019 and agreed to expand an existing town meeting article for a community center feasibility study to include funds for a school consolidation feasibility study. It was voted at November 2019 town meeting to have those, allocated funds shared by both efforts . After reviewing the RFPs on similar efforts from other school districts, an RFP was drafted for consideration . Ms . Kalnick participated in meetings several times last fall and into early winter, looking at language in scope of work, list of objectives, and ensuring all the uses both schools had were included . As of February 2020 the language was where all agreed it should be . There was to be one final meeting in March, at which point the RFP would be put out, with walk through site visits tentatively scheduled for April vacation . The work product that was completed last February is what the Committee has now . The Brewster Selectboard have been meeting fi•om August 2020 until the present time, going through their Strategic Planning, and Brewster School Committee Minutes November 19, 2020 [ 1 ] this has been identified as a high priority. Ms . Kalnick indicated she is present tonight to introduce the subject and content to new members, and to start the discussion again . Some of the numbers included in the document will need to be updated, as well as any changes made to the buildings due to the COVID pandemic . Ms . Kalnick indicated this subject has a long history of off and on over the last 10 years . After discussion, the Committee decided to review the current RFP over the next month, and invite Ms . Kalnick back to a future meeting to discuss in more detail and develop a timetable for this project to move forward. She did encourage the new members to go back and watch the school committee meetings to have an idea how decisions were made . Friends of Brewster Elders This item was tabled until the December 2020 meeting . Improvements to Stony Brook Athletic Field Dave Telman gave the Committee some background on the work that would be completed Stony Brook Field Improvement project including sidewalks for handicapped access, ADA compliance, refurbished drainage system, and retaining wall . Chuck Hanson, Brewster Whitecaps, provided some history to the Committee on this project. In 2018 there were a few meetings with Superintendent Conrad, and the Brewster DPW had some preliminary design work done by a local landscape architect. Community Preservation funds were applied for. The Brewster School Committee approved a joint proposal with the Community Preservation Committee for the project, which would benefit the field , facilities and playground drainage . The current field is 23 years old, much of the project will be around addressing ADA issues , erosion and drainage issues around the field and playgrounds . The stands, bathrooms and refreshment stands will be handicap accessible . One a question from the Committee regarding the impact on outside PE or recess, Principal Gauley indicated the reality is there will be an impact on PE more than recess, but they will all work together and will make it work. The field itself will be available during construction . Right now the objective is to have a package ready for bid by December 2"a, with construction beginning in March/April . Donna Kalnick indicated normal bidding procedures have resumed through the Town of Brewster . The Committee thanked Mr. Hansen for joining the meeting. FY21 Budget Giovanna reviewed the Expenditure Reports for Stony Brook and Eddy Elementary School, highlighting items with $ 1 , 000 or more variance from the previous month . October Stony Brook balance was $356, 684, with expenditures of $ 139, 561 . Leaving a balance of $217, 123 . October Eddy balance was $ 301 , 187 , with expenditures of $ 149, 152, leaving a balance of $ 152 . 035 . Policies for a Second Reading : It was moved by Judi Lech, seconded by Katie Jacobus , and voted unanimously 4 - 0 via roll call vote to approve the following policies for a second reading : ACAB - Harassment Policy EBC - Supplemental Policy Issues for the Pandemic IHBHE - Remote Learning EBCFA - Face Coverings Reports and Information Cape Cod Collaborative — Katie Jacobus reported that the biggest challenge at this point seems to be testing for the virus . One teacher and one staff person were found to be positive . The other continuing challenge is transportation and finding qualified drivers . PTO — Christine Peterson reported that the group is planning some fundraising efforts , including a Papa Gino ' s night and something over the holidays . School Council — Christine Peterson reported on the October meeting in which the school improvement plan was reviewed to identify priorities and objectives for this year. Policy Subcommittee = Judi Lech reported on the last Policy Subcommittee Meeting. There were two policies Brewster School Committee Minutes November 19, 2020 [ 2 ) up for discussion . The first was a new draft of a Responsible Use Policy created by Eileen Belastock, Director of Technology . The new RUP is well organized and much more readable than previous versions . The policy is based on the Children ' s Internet Protection Act . The Policy Subcommittee recommended some minor revisions, at which point the RUP will be reviewed by legal counsel , and then brought back to the Policy Subcommittee . Once a final document is ready for Committee consideration, it will be reviewed by Union leadership . The other document reviewed was the basic Harassment Policy for student handbooks . The basic policy will include links and language students can follow. Discussion was held on the Harassment Policy language in current school handbooks . Substance Abuse/Mental Health Task Force — no report Building and Needs Assessment — no report Strategic Plan — no report Preschool Enrollment — Report was included in the Committee packet Approval of Minutes The Committee requested changes on the Reports & Information portion of the October 15 , 2020 minutes . Amended minutes will be included in the December meeting packet for approval . Adjournment On a motion by Christine Peterson, seconded by Judi Lech, it was voted unanimously by roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 7 : 45 p . m . On a roll call the vote was as follows : Judi Lech-yea, Katie Jacobus — yea, Christine Peterson — yea, and David Telman — yea Submitted by, Arlynn Consiglio Included in packet : Principals ' report, School Consolidation Policy, Expenditure Reports , Preschool Enrollment, Minutes Brewster School Committee Minutes November 19, 2020 [ 3 )