HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2007-08-16 Minutes~®a®o D
Brewster School Committee ~~~ o f ~ 7
Minutes of August 16, 2007
Held at Eddy Elementary School
Chair O'Reilly called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
For the Committee: Steve Jones, Marie Enochty, John O'Reilly, Jennifer Rabold, David
Telman
For the Administration: Michael Gradone, Denise Fronius, Keith Gauley, Hans
Baumhauer
Others: Steve Leibowitz, Dianne Cooney, Howard Bender
AGENDA CHANGES -none
CITIZENS SPEAK
- Steve Leibowitz reported on possible changes to the zoning laws to allow for more
affordable housing to be built on properties that meet specific criteria.
PRIORITY BUSINESS
- Introduction
Jennifer Rabold introduced Business Manager Hans Baumhauer. As Chairwoman of the
Screening Committee, she reported that he was the top candidate selected unanimously
by everyone on the Committee.
Administrators' Reports
Denise Fronius welcomed Eddy Elementary Principal Keith Gauley. She reported that
the Cape Cod Collaborative classrooms are ready, they have their own phones,
computers, copy and fax machines and are having an open house of August 21 from
10:30 to 12:00; she reviewed staffing changes; kindergarten open house will be from 10-
11 and 1-2 on August 30; the projected enrollment for kindergarten is 73; the building is
in good shape with carpeting installation done.
Keith Gauley expressed his appreciation for the welcome he's received from staff and
members of BESPIE stopping in to say hello; the recreation program went well this
summer; enrollment is at 259; grade 5 teachers met to review science and math;
invitations to an open community forum on August 29 from 7-8:30 was included in his
back to school letters; the building is getting ready for school opening; and the Eddy
Open House is scheduled for September 26.
Michael Gradone reported that a political group requested use of the Eddy School to
hold a press conference and were granted approval under the guidelines of the school
district policy; we will be pursuing a change in the permit for building use for Eddy from
the Planning Board and he will email the time of the meeting to the Committee so that
anyone interested can join in to make the case for the change.
Brewster School Committee Minutes -August 16, 2007 Page 2
- Consider Stony Brook School Improvement Plan
Mike Gradone endorses the acceptance of the Plan at next month's meeting. Denise
Fronius said that Bob Miller is the new community representative to the Council. Added
to the plan is to have student work displayed at the Post Office as well as the library and
central office.
Mrs. Fronius explained a new Vocabulary Program for next year whereby students will
learn three new words each week; these words will be used by everyone in the school
during the week.
Special Ed Updates
Supt. Gradone reported that due to Dr. Caretti being on vacation and at workshops that
he does not have an update on the preschool student's off-Cape program. Denise,
Keith and Mike met to review the assignments of Educational Assistants and determined
that they absolutely need to have the position that the Committee authorized at the June
meeting. Educational Assistants will be notified that the assignments will be reviewed at
the end of September and some changes may be made. Both principals and the
business manager will keep a close eye on any savings so that if it is possible to reduce
the amount of the request from the Town the Committee will be advised. There will be
another Sustainable Budget Forum coming up and funding for Special Ed will be
discussed.
Consider Lease Rates
Supt. Gradone reported that the rate the Charter School pays is $13.78 per sq. foot.
Stony Brook classrooms are smaller than ideal at 645 sq. ft. The district's rate being
charged for the Collaborative is $5,000 a classroom plus they pay a prorated amount for
the nurse and custodians which comes out to $11.94 per sq. ft. The space that the
Charter School rents is prime space whereas the school is on the second floor of an
elementary school. A proposal to raise the rate for 2009 and 2010 will be brought to the
Committee for consideration at the September meeting.
- Consider Transfers
If was moved by Marie Enochty and seconded by Steve Jones to approve the transfers
as requested. Voted unanimously.
REPORTS AND INFORMATION
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- It was moved by Steve Jones and seconded by Marie Enochfy to approve the minutes of ~
June 21, 2007. Voted unanimously.
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ADJOURNMENT
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- It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to adjourn, subject to paying bills,.at
8:46 p.m. °D
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Respectfully submitted,
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B.J. Newmier, Secretary
Brewster School Committee