HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2007-03-15 Minutespooo~
Brewster School Committee ~~°~ '~' ~ LUU/
Minutes of March 15, 2007
Held at Eddy Elementary School
Chair O'Reilly called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
- For the Committee: Steve Jones, Marie Enochty, Steve Leibowitz, John O'Reilly,
Jennifer Rabold
- For the Administration: Michael Gradone, Denise Fronius, Paul Bradstreet
- Others: staff, parents, interested citizens
AGENDA CHANGES
- Added to the agenda were Consider Whitecaps Proposal (to follow the Administrators'
Reports) and an Executive Session following the Approval of Minutes.
CITIZENS SPEAK
- None
PRIORITY BUSINESS
Administrators' Reports
Denise Fronius reported on the teachers' participation in Differentiated Workshops; the
book fair - "Catching the Reading Wave."; science lessons and the Museum of Natural
History; 66 students have registered for kindergarten; parent-teacher conferences; and
she updated the Committee on the pre-school playground. Mr. Leibowitz asked about
parental "no-shows" -Mrs. Fronius will report back on this.
Paul Bradstreet reported on a social studies class which looked at the American
Revolution; Destination Imagination had five teams from Eddy participate of which one
team placed first and they will go to the state competition; the 10`h annual Jumping By
the Bay Skippers competition was March 3 and the kids did very well; Paul Mullin is
organizing a Brewster One Wheelers Cycling by the Bay competition.
Mike Gradone thanked those who served on the Search Committee for the new
principal, 8 candidates were interviewed, it was narrowed down to 4 finalists, and his
appointment will be announced shortly. He reviewed the financial projection from the
Town and they are considering 3% or 3.25%. If it is 3% we are just $26,000 over the
target. He noted that health insurance should not be a factor in the decision on the
staffing of educational assistants.
Consider Room Rental Rates
Mr. O'Reilly, after discussions with the Finance Committee and Selectmen, suggested
tabling consideration of room rental rates until after Town Meeting. The Committee
agreed to table this item.
Whitecaps Proposal
Whitecaps President Claire Gradone requested permission to apply an herbicide to the
ball field during the weekend of April 14-16, the beginning of the vacation week. She
said that it will wash away during the week (either by rain or watering). There was
Brewster School Committee Minutes -March 75 2007 Pa e 2
discussion regarding concerns about the product which contains carcinogen. It was
moved by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jennifer Rabo/d and voted unanimously to
instead approve the application of dithiopyr to the baseball field subject to posting
warnings as was done previously.
REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Cape Cod Collaborative
Jennifer Rabold reported on the success and large participation at the Professional
Development workshops; they are looking at space in Wareham for recovering students;
and Marie Enochty spoke of the gifted program at Mass. Maritime.
Expenditure Reports
The deficit in transportation accounts was addressed -Supt. Gradone explained that
Mrs. Hyland has put our concerns in writing to First Student regarding a route that they
cannot justify. Also questioned were deficits in tutor salaries and Eddy maintenance of
equipment. Mrs. Fronius noted that there are serious problems with the phone system
and the boilers at Stony Brook. She also explained that a student enrolled is from
Russia and therefore an ESL tutor was needed for 2.5 hours a day. Mr. Bradstreet also
explained that problems continue with the HVAC units and the generator. Mr. Jones
suggested that if the Town wants the school to be used for Civil Defense that the Town
should support the cost of the generator. He also suggested that for the unusual
maintenance issues that the Finance Committee should be advised so that they can
assist in the costs in order to keep from using the school supplies accounts.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Marie Enochty and seconded by Steve Leibowitz to approve the
minutes of February 15, 2007. Voted unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Gradone explained that the executive session is to discuss a complaint about an
individual and that the individual will be in attendance at the executive session. Mr.
O'Reilly announced that no further business would be conducted in open session.
It was moved by Marie Enochty and seconded by Steve Leibowitz to move to executive
session at 7:58 p.m.. Voted unanimously by roll call vote: Marie Enochty -Aye, Steve
Leibowitz -Aye, Jennifer Rabo/d -Aye, Steve Jones -Aye, John O'Reilly -Aye.
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to adjourn, subject to paying bills, at
8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
B.J. Newmier, Secretary
Brewster School Committee °
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