HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2022-10-20 Minutes NAUSET PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MEETING MINUTES of the
Brewster Elementary School
MEETING DATE and Thursday, October 20,2022 @ 6:30PM
Remote Meeting Via Town of Wellfleet Zoom
This meeting took place remotely pursuant to the law signed by Governor Baker on June 16,2021 —
An Act Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency, which includes an
extension, until March 31,2023, of the remote meeting provisions of his March 12,2020 Executive Order
Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law.
MEMBER ATTENDANCE: Chair Katie Jacobus, Judi Lech, Carol Jelinek and Sarah Sherman
NON-MEMBER ATTENDANCE: Superintendent Brooke Clenchy, Director of Finance and Operations Giovanna
Venditti, Dr. Robin Millen, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, &Assessment, Eddy School Principal Steve
Guditus, Stony Brook Principal Keith Galey, Kari Hoffman, Select Board Liaison and Robert Tobias,Finance
Committee Liason
Call to Order& Declaration of a Ouorum, Meetine Participation Statement and Recording Statement:
Ac)enda Changes:
None
Citizens Speak:
None
PRIORITY BUSINESS:
A. Administrator's Reports
Chair Report
Chair Jacobus was happy to be in a hybrid format meeting,the first in a year!
Superintendent's Report:
Superintendent Clenchy reviewed her written report. Recently she began meeting with Town Administrators from
around the district,the first meeting was held on October 5,2022 via zoom. She was very pleased as the meeting was
very productive with a high level of collaboration. This past meeting the FY24 budget process was discussed as well
the NRHS Building Project.
The NRHS Building Project is moving along as the 37 modular units are now in place. The main corridor
construction has begun with ongoing work on electrical,telecom and the sprinkler system. The sub-trade bids came
in and are trending higher than anticipated and yesterday the general contractor bids were received and both sets of
bids will be evaluated by the Building Committee.
Superintendent Clenchy reported that she was thankful for the partnership with the six area police chiefs, as they
continue to work together on live refresher training to ensure safety practices are being followed throughout the
district.
The new school year openings were a great success and Superintendent Clenchy spoke of how proud she was of the
entire Nauset team, families and community!
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Principals' Report:
Principal Guditis presented the report on behalf of himself and Principal Gauley. In addition to the written
report, Principal Guditis was pleased to discuss that the schools are focused on deep learning and collaborative
team building. He also noted the early success of the i-Ready Classroom Math Program. The enrollment this
year at Stony Brook is 231 students and Eddy has 202 students, total students 433.
There was a discussion about social media and how information about the school's achievements, happenings
etc. are getting out to the community. Twitter was the primary portal for information shared with the
community. Member Jelinek advocated for a FaceBook page as it was geared more towards grandparents and
those in the community could go to the FaceBook page for information on current events.
Chair Jacobus recommends adding a discussion to next meetings agenda to talk more about social media and
what forms of communication to the community are best.
"Eddy Ready" is a new initiative that staff created so that the students are prepared with core values when it is
time for them to move on to middle school. The five core values are respect, empathy, accountability,
determination and do your best! Each morning after morning announcements, students are reminded to "Eddy
Ready"!
New staff member Kathy Barber is the"evaluation team chair"and is the point person for all special education
functions, including new and annual evaluations etc.
B. _Consolidation Follow-Up
Chair Jacobus discussed the "Brewster Schools Building Use Summary and Impact"that was page 9 in the
meeting packet. Summarized,the total number of classrooms currently used between the two schools is 50 and
with a consolidation, it would bring the full-size classrooms down to 32 rooms with 10 smaller classrooms as
well, which would leave 8 classrooms short of what is required now. Chair Jacobus referenced last meetings
discussion where enrollment had declined,but not low enough to decrease the classrooms and while also keeping
in mind, it's not just the numbers, it's the needs of the students.
Member Lech feels there are too many negative impacts if the change was made, our mission is for the children.
Member Jelinek was concerned about the larger classroom sizes of a consolidated school and the children who
have challenges. Their need for special ed space and one on one quiet instruction is very important.
Member Sherman would consider the concept if it would give the children the same or more for their education,
but this concept would give them less and therefore she does not support the consolidation at this time.
MOTION: It was moved by Chair Jacobus, seconded by Member Lech and voted unanimously via roll
call vote 4-0 to support the following motion:
Given the current student population at the Brewster Elementary Schools cannot be accommodated wholly either
at the Stony Brook or the Eddy School, it is moved that the issue of consolidation be tabled at this time. It was
further moved that consolidation be tabled until the enrollment of the incoming classes declined to the extent that
fewer classrooms are required.
C. FY23 Expenditure Report:
The FY23 Expenditure Report was included in the Committee packet. Director Venditti reviewed both schools'
expenditure reports that were in the packet and gave detailed analysis of the reason for any variances. She also
reported that all salaries, substitute and utility line items have been encumbered.
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D. FY23 Student Enrollment
The Student Enrollment Report was included in the Committee packet. The numbers are as of October land are
unofficial until certified in December by DESE. The information is also shared with all four town administrators.
E. FY24 Budeet Timeline
Director Venditti referred to the "Administration 2023-2024 Budget Planning Calendar 10.4.2022"and explained
each line of how the budget process works for each town,the district and the corresponding timeline and deadlines.
The Cape Cod Collaborative tuition fees were pre-paid in last fiscal year,because the district was aware there would
be a student attending this school year.
F. MASC Conference
MOTION: It was moved b_V Member Lech, seconded by Member Sherman and voted unanimously via roll
call vote 4-0 to support the six resolutions as presented.
Member Lech will be the delegate at the conference.
G. Policies—Review for a First Reading
JH—Student Absences and Excuses
JICA -Student Dress Code
The policy committee will address the missing term of"guardian".
BHE—Electronic Messaging by School Committee Members
AC—Non-Discrimination
All policies will be moved on to a second reading.
H. Policies—Review for a Second Reading
ACAB—Sexual Harassment
ILD—Student Submission to Educational Surveys and Research
MOTION: It was moved by Member Sherman seconded by Member Lech and voted unanimous) 4-0 to
approve the policies for a second reading.
REPORTS & INFORMATION:
Cape Cod Collaborative: No report.
PTO Liaison: Member Sherman reported that last meeting was October 11. It was discussed to add Pre-K into their
funding. An Instagram account has been created#BrewsterMAPTO to expand their social media and
communication with the community. The PTO has also approved and supported many field trips and parent teacher
conferences pizza. Also, the yearly fundraisers such as the FunRun and the Scholastic book fair at the Brewster
Baptist Church will be held.
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Behavioral Health Task Force: See minutes from August 29, 2022 meeting. Chair Jacobus suggested that each
monthly meeting of BHTF be included in the packet. In September the Care Solace program was discussed and its
important to know it is available to all in the district, including parents, who can go on-line to make an appointment.
There is a tremendous amount of work being done to help students with social and emotional needs.
Strategic Plan Steering Committee: No report.
Policy Subcommittee: Member Lech reported the committee met twice and was the result of the policies as
previously discussed.
School Council: No report.
Trans ortation Sub-Committee: Member Jelinek said at the next meeting, she should have a report on the
decision of electric buses.
SuRerintendent Evaluation Sub-Committee: Member Lech reported that subcommittee members reviewed the process
of the evaluation that mirrors the teacher evaluations. The members discussed their role and responsibilities in the
evaluation and this evaluation process will be completed May,2023.
Strateizic Planning Sub-Committee: No report.
Future A enda Items:
All policies from this meeting put on for second reading next month
MCAS results
APPROVE MINUTES:
MOTION: It was moved by Member Sherman seconded by Member Lech and voted unanimously via roll
call vote 4-0 to ap prove the minutes of September 2 2022.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: It was moved by Member Sherman, seconded bar Member Lech and voted unanimously to adjourn
at 8:19PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amanda Lapierre
Recording Secretary
Documents Reviewed and Available U)on Request
Superintendent's Report,Principals'Report,
FY23 Expenditure Report,FY23 Student Enrollment
Policies for First and Second Reading,Minutes of September 22,2022
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