HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2023-06-15 Minutes NAUSET PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MEETING MINUTES of the
Brewster Elementary School
MEETING DATE and Thursday,June 15,2023 @ 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, Vice-Chair Casey Mecca, Judi Lech, Carol
Jelinek and Sarah Sherman
NON-MEMBER ATTENDANCE: Superintendent Brooke Clenchy, Stony Brook Principal Keith
Gauley, Eddy School Principal Steve Guditus and Finance Committee Liaison Robert Tobias
Call to Order& Declaration of a Ouorum, Meetiniz Participation Statement and Recordin
Statement
The meeting was called to order at 6:33pm.
Agenda Changes: Item #8 —Add Discussion on File ADB-B 1
Citizen's Speak: None
Retiree RecoLpnition
Superintendent Clenchy celebrated the retirement of the following:
*Deborah Carr—Educational Assistant at Stony Brook—22 years of service
*Caroline Donovan—Administrative Assistant at Stony Brook— 19 years of service
*Katie Margotta-Nauset Intergrated Preschool Educational Assistant—25 years of service
*Elizabeth Andac—Grade 3 Teacher at Eddy—24 years of service
Chair's Report
Chair Jacobus reflected on highlights of the meeting when students visited with their teachers to make
presentations,as well as staff presentations on social/emotional learning and on the pre-school.
The MASC conference will be November 8— 10.
Principal's Report
Eddy Principal Guditus noted that the PTO fundraiser raised over$26K which helps fund the costs of
programs in the school and also field trips. There was also a joint festival of creativity that occurred at
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both schools. The 5`h graders made a field trip to the Middle School to meet the teachers and tour the
building.
Stony Brook Principal Gauley reported the school field day was a great success with 40 parent volunteers.
Players from the Brewster White Caps joined in also! There are 54 children already enrolled for
kindergarten next year; thank you for the funding for the fourth teacher!
Chair Jacobus announced the enrollment is up to 436 students total enrollment,up 2 students since
September.
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Clenchy noted that the ground breaking ceremony for the new high school happened the
day before and it was very well done and very well attended by the community leaders, students and staff.
It is a joy to see the support around NRHS!
Also,the graduation ceremony which took place on the football field was perfect on a beautiful day. A
few days before graduation, the seniors did a"walk through"of the elementary schools where they started
from and it was a fabulous and emotional event for everyone!
Superintendent Clenchy was also thankful for the past year's support from the community and their
support of the additional funding for the NRHS. The communities in the district value their education
and those who contribute to it!
A large thanks also to Finance Committee member Robert Tobias and Select Board member Kari
Hoffmann for their support and attendance at school committee meetings throughout the year!
Stone Brook School Improvement Plan
Principal Gauley explained that at the beginning of the year,the committee aligned the draft goals to the
strategic improvement plan. The draft goals were then sent out to the staff and families for feedback.
Once the feedback was received back,the committee re-drafted and prioritized the goals. The following
goals are the final product:
Goal#1 —academic proficiency and deep learning
Goal#2 -global citizenship
Goal#3 -social and emotional learning and wellness
Goal#4—professional development (staff AND family workshops)
Goal#5 —community schools and partnerships
Goal#6—safety and security
MOTION: Ms.Lech made a motion to approve the Stony Brook School Improvement Plan. Ms.
Mecca seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
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Policy Subcommittee
Ms. Lech reported the committee continues its work and since the beginning,has completed review of
policies A—H(except D). The next meeting will be October 2,2023. Policy A reflects the overall set of
policies and how the District functions, including the strategic plan,the budget, transportation etc. Policy
B is about the school committees and how they function to support staff.
MOTION: Ms.Mecca made a motion to "approve in form"Policy A and Policy B. Ms. Sherman
seconded the motion and all members voted in favor.
Ms. Lech read Policy ADBE-2,which is a policy addressing alcohol use and various matters on school
property. This allows a non-profit event/fundraiser to be held at the school, during non-school hours, and
will allow the possession of and sale of alcohol on school grounds.
Chair Jacobus noted that the school committee would have to approve the individual event or fundraiser.
Ms. Jelinek objected with the idea that this could be a mixed message to students.
MOTION: -Ms. Mecca made a motion to approve ADBE-2 and Ms. Sherman seconded the
motion. Via roll call vote, all members voted in favor except Ms.Jelinek who voted no; 4-1-0.
FY23 Expenditure Report
No expenditure report to review this meeting with Director Venditti.
Approve Surplus
Incorrect agenda carryover from last month.
Reports and Information
Cape Cod Collaborative—Ms. Mecca reported over the last few months they have been hiring new staff
and bus drivers and are very thankful for the new staff. The seniors recently graduated which was a huge
accomplishment! The last day of school is tomorrow and they are ready for the extended school year
starting on June 20 and are fully staffed for that. A speech and language pathologist returned to the staff
after a brief hiatus.
PTO—Ms. Sherman noted from the previous discussion that the fundraiser was a great success,they met
their goal! The PTO helps to provide funding assistance for at least 2-3 field trips per grade and also
continue to provide enrichment activities.
There was discussion at the meeting about the Stony Brook playground,there are several safety hazards
that need to be addressed.
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Principal Gauley noted the parts for the playground repairs had been ordered in January and had just been
delivered today to the installer. He has asked the installer to get the repairs done ASAP.
Eddy School Council—Ms. Jelinek reported there was no meeting this month. Principal Guditus reported
that they have been working on the school improvement plan and he will bring it to the committee in
September for approval.
Stony Brook School Council—Ms. Sherman referred to the presentation on the School Improvement Plan
which they had been working on.
Behavioral Health Task Force—Chair Jacobus reported plans for Stop the Vape for students in 10'— 12th
grade,but the education on vaping needs to start sooner. Last meeting,Jessica Smith was a presenter and
that she is in each classroom every week and general discussion about how much more need there is.
Transportation—Ms. Jelinek said there was nothing to report.
Negotiations—Ms. Lech said there was nothing to report.
Superintendent Evaluation—Ms. Lech said there was nothing to report.
Central Office Budget—Ms. Sherman said they would meet in the fall.
Future Agenda Items
Revisit including Facebook in school social meeting postings.
Ms. Lech offered an amendment to the minutes.
MOTION: Ms. Lech made a motion to approve the minutes of May 18 2023 as amended. Ms.
Sherman seconded the motion. and all voted in favor.
MOTION: Ms. Mecca made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:41pm. Ms. Lech seconded the motion
and all voted in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Amanda Lapierre
Recording Secretary
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