HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2023-02-16 Minutes NAUSET PUBLIC SCHOOLS --
MEETING MINUTES of the
Brewster Elementary School ``="=-
MEETING DATE and Thursday,February 16,2023 @ 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,Carol Jelinek and Casey Mecca
NON-MEMBER ATTENDANCE: Superintendent Brooke Clenchy, Stony Brook Principal Keith Gauley,Eddy
School Principal Steve Guditus, Select Board Liaison Kari Hoffman,Finance Committee Liaison Robert Tobias,
Director of Finance Giovanna Venditti,Account Manager James Nowack,Director of Curriculum Dr.Robin Millen
and Town Manager Peter Lombardi
Call to Order&Declaration of a Quorum.Meeting Participation Statement and Recording Statement
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm.
Agenda Changes: A presentation about the preschool has been added to the agenda.
The Capital Plan review may be taken out of order.
Preschool Presentation
Director of Preschool and Out of District Programs Kristie Breda was in attendance with her staff to introduce the
Freedom Learning curriculum. The curriculum was designed at MIT and has been integrated by the staff into the
Preschool. A slide show presentation was given showing students' work in creating a"Winter Wonderland",
described as"magical"in the ways students could engage in the project,as well as the finished result. One hundred
caregivers and family members attended the open house.
Citizens Speak: Ms. Amy Montgomery, a resident and 3'd grade teacher at the Eddy School spoke on the FY24
budget and the importance she felt of keeping the second Administrative Assistant in the budget. The person in the
current position is retiring and she was pleased to hear that position would not be eliminated. Also, she feels it is
important to continue to budget for 4 kindergarten classrooms rather than three, so that staff is not lost and to also
stay within the 17 per pupil classroom at the kindergarten level.
PRIORITY BUSINESS
A. Capital Plan
Town Manager Lombardi-explained that since last meeting,the town's finance team and the school district's finance
team reviewed the Capital Plan and while a significant upgrade to the HVAC at Stony Brook is needed,that project
would with any one of the replacement options, trigger a code compliance violation where the entire school would
have to updated. Therefore,the team recommends doing a code compliance study(Capital Asset Study), so that the
scope of work can be defined and move forward from there.
Mr.Nowack reported that because of the free cash availability,debt will be paid down and the project timeline in the
Capital Budget will be accelerated.
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MOTION• Member Mecca moved to approve the Capital Plan as prc rnted: Member Lech seconded the
motion and all voted in favor via roll call vote.
B. Administrators'Reports
Chair's Report
Chair Jacobus thanked the fourth graders for coming in January and looked forward to more presentations after budget
season.
The January 24 training session that was held for the Chairs of the School Committees on best practices and issues in
school government was very informative. She said there will be an agenda item next month so the information can be
reviewed and discussed.
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Clenchy gave kudos to all staff and outside help who came to aid at the Eastham Elementary School
and Eddy Elementary School water leak events. The damage at Eddy was minimized due to the quick work of staff
who caught the pipe break.
The Nauset Regional High School building project is moving forward well and everything is order to have a
successful move into the modulars during the school break.
Principals'Report
Principal Gauley explained that in addition to his written report,he's extremely happy about the preschool program
and the success in the new curriculum.
Principal Guditus gave thanks to the Eddy facility director who caught the pipe burst just as the water was about to
go into the school gymnasium and for all he's been doing to get the area repaired.
The children in the school have been making community connections by creating Valentine's Day cards for the
senior citizens in Brewster.
C. FY23 Ex enditure Report
Director Venditti reviewed the expenditure report of significant transactions that were over$1,000 since last
reporting.
D. FY24 Budget Review
Director Venditti reported the January 19,2023 first draft of the Stony Brook budget was $4,606,915,an increase of
$279,587 or 6.46%increase from the FY23 budget. Since the January 19 meeting,Principal Gauley made
adjustments in many areas to the budget and presented a new budget total of$4,602,110,an increase of$274,784 or
6.35%. The special education stabilization fund was removed from the budget.
Principal Gauley did a line-by-line review and explained changes that impacted the FY24 proposed budget.
There was discussion about the kindergarten classes next year and the concern of budgeting for only 3 classes.
Principal Gauley explained at this time, after reviewing the census and speaking to parents whose children may be
eligible for kindergarten next year,he found there was only a need for 3 classes. However,if the enrollment changes
and he reaches a threshold of 50 students,he will come back to the School Committee for a discussion for an
additional class room. 17 students per class is the guideline.
Principal Guditus reviewed lines of the proposed FY24 Eddy budget.
Brewster School Committee February 16,2023 2 1 Page
Mr.Tobias inquired about the ESSER funds and if they continue to support the budget in FY24 because the need
continues beyond the funding and seeing that gap if there is a decrease,would be useful to the Finance Committee.
Dr. Millen indicated she would share those figures with Mr. Tobias via email.
Director Venditti said at the next meeting the budgets will include the benefits.
Superintendent Clenchy explained that there have been numerous budget meetings to analyze the various school
budgets to try and find areas that can be reduced. Many of the cost drivers are out of the school's control,i.e. fuel
and utility costs,busing costs, special education etc.;there is no fluff in the budget Superintendent Clenchy stated.
The budgets will continue to be reviewed and discussed and a decision will be made to cut down to 3%or not.
REP RTS&INFORMATION:
Cape Cod Collaborative:Member Mecca reported the Collaborative hosted a Legislative Breakfast that was well
attended and useful discussion occurred regarding affordable housing for staff and mental health for students. The
Nauset bus routes have two routes combined,but they are doing their best to get students to school on time.
PTO Liaison: Report next month.
School Council Liaison: No meetings took place at either school.
Police Subcommittee: Member Lech said the Committee and Mr. Hardy went over Policy A to be sure they met
state regulations and they will continue to review more policies and then the policies will be sent to members for
review and approval in form.
Behavioral Health Task Force: Chair Jacobus reported that out of 17 school days in January,there were 686 visits
by students in the Nauset District to the nurse. Some 40 visits per day were related to behavioral health and
social/emotional needs. The SOS(Signs of Suicide)prevention discussions will continue during the Spring with
students at the high school.
DEIB Task Force: The report was deferred to the next meeting.
APPROVE MINUTES
MOTION• It was moved b� Member Mecca and seconded by Member Sherman and voted unanimously to
approve the minutes of January 19 2023. Member Jelinik left the meet'
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: It was moved bN Member Mecca seconded b •Member Lech and voted unanimously to adjourn
:48 Bpm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amanda Lapierre
Recording Secretary
Brewster School Committee February 16,2023 3 1 Page