HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2023-01-19 Minutes NAUSET PUBLIC SCHOOLS ___.._ _
MEETING MINUTES of the t -`? E:" '`
Brewster Elementary School
MEETING DATE and Thursday,January 19,2023 @ 6:30PM
Hybrid Meeting Via Town of Brewster Zoom
This meeting took place in a hybrid format 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, Sarah Sherman, Carol Jelinek and Casey Mecca
NON-MEMBER ATTENDANCE: Superintendent Brooke Clenchy,Director of Curriculum,Instruction, &
Assessment Dr.Robin Millen,Director of Finance Giovanna Venditti, Stony Brook Principal Keith Gauley,Eddy
School Principal Steve Guditus, Select Board Liaison Kari Hoffmann,Finance Committee Liaison Robert Tobias,
Brewster Town Manager Peter Lombardi,Town Energy Manager Cait Cantella,Weston and Sampson
Representatives Harvey Husted and Sam Alpert and Mrs. Jessica Burt and her fourth grade students
Call to Order&Declaration of a Quorum Meeting Participation Statement and Recording Statement
The meeting was called to order at 6:32pm.
Agenda Changes: Chair Jacobus said Item C—Brewster Elementary Schools 5 Year Capital Plan was an addition
to the agenda.
Citizens Speak: None
PRIORITY BUSINESS
A. Eddy Elementary School Presentation
Eddy Elementary School students from Mrs.Burt's 4'grade class gave excellent presentations on religions around the
world and how customs of those religions were to be followed.
B. Administrators' Reports
Chair's Report
Chair Jacobus reported that she will be attending a workshop on the role and responsibility of being a chair. The meeting
will be led by the Executive Director of Massachusetts School Committees. She also noted that the district vote was held,
it passed and she is grateful to live in a community that supports education!
Superintendent's t
In addition to the written report, Superintendent Clenchy noted that because of the hard work of many school committee
members attending public forums answering questions about the regional vote for additional funding,she was happy to
report the vote did pass and the Nauset Regional High School building project will go forward! She is thankful for all of
the hard work put in by so many members of the school community,including the PTO who created signs and stood out at
the election site.
Additionally, she reported that budget season is in full swing with Director Venditti meeting with all of the directors and
principals to discuss and review areas such as special education funding,priorities of the strategic plan and that
Brewster School Committee January 19, 2023 11 Page
appropriate compliance is in place,as well as review of the individual school budgets. Superintendent Clenchy took a
moment to remember two members of the Nauset School Community who passed on during the holiday break. Ms.
Sheila Lacey from the OES and Ms.Rhonda Sandison from the Central Office contributed to the betterment of the
education for children throughout Cape Cod. Their gift of exuberance for life will be remembered fondly by all and they
will be greatly missed.
Principals' Report:
Principal Guditus detailed the written report and noted how the Eddy Elementary School Fifth Grade had a showcase
"Reaching for the Stars"where they studied the planets and had families in to see the project.
On January 3,there was a full professional development day for both elementary schools. The staff was able to
collaborate around reading,writing and math with keynote speakers in the morning and afternoon. The focus was on
deep learning and social and emotional wellbeing,but moreover"why we teach". Principal Guditus said he felt
incredibly inspired after hearing the speakers and many of the staff commented they felt the same way.
Principal Gauley noted that recently members of the community visited the school and helped the students develop
and build a gingerbread"community". He was overjoyed at how the project turned out and how the students were
able to create and understand what and who a community is made up of.
Principal Guditus also noted that the science teacher,Ms. Marchant,is working with the Brewster Recycling
Commission and developed a program at Eddy to teach all the children about the importance of composting,how to
do it and why it is done. Thanks to the PTO for funding the cost of the composting this year.
C. Brewster Elementary Schools 5 Year Capital Plan
Director Venditti worked with both elementary school and town administration to address the capital needs for both
school buildings and she detailed out the projects and the costs.
D. Stony Brook HVAC
Mr.Alpert of Weston and Sampson discussed the results of the feasibility study. The project goals were to replace
the aging boiler system,reduce energy consumption and reduce energy costs. Mr.Alpert said a site visit occurred,
utility bill and documentation was reviewed,an energy and HVAC System analysis was done and a report was
created by a professional estimator. The report was sponsored by Cape Light Compact.
Mr.Alpert reviewed the report and discussed four options to replace the current system and the cost factors were
included in his explanation.
Town Manager Lombardi noted that the project has been in the capital plan for several years,with a placeholder of
$1 million. However,his many concerns include the assessed value of the Stony Brook Elementary School is only
$10 million dollars and a capital investment of 30%or greater would set in motion other issues for the building in
regards to code compliance. He would like to get a handle on the cost of code compliance requirements and then do
a cost analysis which will give an outlook for the much larger capital budget needs.
E. FY23 F23Expenditure Re ort
The FY23 Expenditure Report was included in the Committee packet. Director Venditti reviewed the report with the
Committee and gave detailed analysis of any changes in expenses that exceeded$1000.
F. FY24 Budget Review
Principal Gauley reported that the total FY24 draft budget as presented is$4.606 million, an increase of 6.46%.
Some of the major cost drivers he highlighted were no savings in the salary line due to retirements;the reduction of
kindergarten enrollment from 62 students, down to an anticipated number in the low 50's; technology and special
education costs have increased and there is a greater and more significant increase in the cost of transportation and
Brewster School Committee January 19,2023 2 1 Page
s
school counseling and guidance support, as the ESSER(elementary and secondary school emergency relief funding)
funding has ended. Additionally, salary lines have increased,and lines have been added for the cost for new
curricular materials.
REPORTS &INFORMATION:
Cape Cod Collaborative: Member Mecca reported that moving into the new building was the focus while still
receiving new referrals and that the staffing and transportation remain an overarching issue as there is lack of staff
for both education and bus drivers. A recruitment program for school bus drivers is underway. Also,on February 3,
the legislative breakfast will be held in a hybrid format.
PTO Liaison: Member Sherman gave an update that the PTO will continue to provide financial support for field
trip transportation, it will not be going into the operating budget as previously considered.
Recently a funding request was approved for a 5t1i grade class trip to Boston for students to explore the Freedom Trail
and Boston Tea Party Museum. Also,the Fun Run will be held by May 26 and volunteers will be needed.
A PTO project has been taken on by the Brewster Water Commission. It will be installing water refilling stations
and the costs will be funded by the commission.
School Council Liaison—Stony Brook: Member Sherman reported the council did a review of the proposed
budget. Also,they are drafting five goals and have been discussing language on those goals that are currently being
developed.
School Council Liaison-Eddy ElementarX: There was no meeting to report on at this time.
Policy, Subcommittee: Member Lech reported they will be meeting the first Monday in February.
Superintendent Evaluation Sub-Committee: Member Lech said there will be a meeting later in January.
Behavioral Health Task Force: Chair Jacobus reported the committee will meet at the end of the month.
Central Office Bud, et-. Member Sherman reported the final budget was voted on and the 3%goal was met.
Strategic Planning Subcommittee: Chair Jacobus said they will be meeting next month.
APPROVE MINUTES
MOTION: It was moved b •Member Mecca and secondedby Member Lech and votedunanimously to
approve the minutes of December 15,2022.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: It was moved by Member Mecca, seconded by Member Lech and voted unanimously to adiourn
9.04pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amanda Lapierre
Recording Secretary
Documents Reviewed and Available Unon Reauest
Superintendent's Report,Principal's Report
Brewster School Committee January 19,2023 3 1 Page