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Brewster School Committee ~~r;~P~ 2 ~ 2008
Minutes of February 28, 2008
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, Gail Briere, Denise Fronius, Keith Gauley,
Ann Caretti, Hans Baumhauer
Others: Town officials, parents, staff, interested citizens
CITIZENS SPEAK
- Eileen Steinmetz praised Mr. Robbins as an exceptional teacher and the impact he has
had on many of the students over the years (he is retiring this year) and asked the
Committee to consider paying tribute to him by naming the baseball field after him.
Susan Leduc presented a petition which the elementary students circulated. Mr. O'Reilly
said that this will be on the March agenda.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Strateay with Respect to Collective Bargaining
It was moved by Jennifer Rabold and seconded by Marie Enochty to move to executive
session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining. Mr. O'Reilly announced
that the Committee will return to open session to continue with the agenda and the
executive session will be brief (10 minutes). Roll Call Vote: Jennifer Rabold -Yes,
Marie Enochty -Yes, David Telman -Yes, Steve Jones -Yes, John O'Reilly -Yes.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
The Committee returned to open session at 7:07.
AGENDA CHANGES
- Mr. O'Reilly suggested that the Committee hear from Mr. Wingard about the Eddy
baseball field before beginning the discussion of the budget. The Committee agreed.
PRIORITY BUSINESS
Consider Acceptance of Shed from the Regional Little League
Tom Wingard from the Brewster Regional Little League asked the Committee to accept.
a shed to be placed in the left center field. It was moved by Marie Enochty and
seconded by Steve Jones to accept fhe 6'x 8'shed. The 6' x 8' shed will be the
property of the school district once it is placed on the property (liability issue). Voted
unanimously.
Brewster School Committee Minutes - February 28 2008 Page 2
Adopt FY 09 Budget
Mr. Gradone identified four areas where savings ($77,526) could be made without
impacting student services. Ms. Briere reported on the questions raised at the previous
School Committee meeting. There was discussion regarding the cost of putting up and
taking down the net by the ball field which is included in Stony Brook's contracted
services. The fact that the Committee will vote on assessing fees for field use at both
Eddy and Stony Brook later in this agenda, these fees could allow this item to be
reduced from the budget. Mr. Baumhauer reviewed budget reductions he is
recommending after having further analyzed the budget being presented. He reported
that the transportation budget may have a further reduction if one bus route can be
eliminated (from 9 to 8). /t was moved by Steve Jones to adopt the budget at
$5, 697,096. The motion was seconded by Jennifer Rabold and voted unanimously.
Consider FY 08 Supplemental Budget Request
Mr. Gradone reviewed the additional funding needed which includes tuition and
transportation costs for a student placed off-Cape who hasn't yet transitioned to
Brewster ($75,619), a student who is enrolled in a day program who recently moved to
Brewster ($23,454), English Language Learners tutor ($20,000), SPED Assistant
authorized by the Committee previously ($19,976) and transportation for homeless
student ($8,058.22). The total additional funding needed is $139,607.22. Mr. Jones
wanted it clarified that if these items had been included in the current budget, then the
increase percentage for next year's budget would be less. Dr. Caretti will be at the Town
Meeting when this request is on the warrant to answer any questions. It was moved by
Steve Jones and seconded by Marie Enochty to request a supplementary budget of
$139,607.22 to be on the warrant for Town Meeting. Voted unanimously.
Consider Transfers
Only essential purchases will be made to finish out the school year. Mr. Jones asked
the principals if they will be able to give the services the children need for the remainder
of the year under the austerity program. They both replied that they have processed
most of the essential orders. It was moved by Marie Enochty, seconded by Steve Jones
and voted unanimously to approve transfers as presented.
Consider Field Use Rates
Denise Fronius researched the rates that other districts charge for use of fields
inasmuch as we have received requests to use the fields at Stony and Eddy (Cape Cod
Lighthouse Charter School and two Lower Cape adult teams). If was moved by Marie
Enochty to set the fee at $350 for use of the field(s) per team, per season exempting the
Whitecaps and the Regional Lift/e League. The motion was seconded by Steve Jones
and voted unanimously.
Administrators' Reports
Mrs. Fronius expressed her appreciation for the specialists supporting the Core
teachers. She reported that 55 students have registered for kindergarten so far with
registration being held on March 5 and 6; the newsletter will be on-line next month. She
reviewed the Writing Benchmark and Dibels Scores and the process they are using in
evaluating and preparing students for the upcoming testing.
Mr. Gauley reviewed the Reading and Writing Benchmarks for Eddy students, noting
that students are appropriately challenged. He also pointed out that an increase in
percentage for students at risk is due to students moving into the district after the fall
Brewster School Committee Minutes - February 28. 2008 Page 3
testing. Some students in 4th and 5th grade are participating in the New England Math
League competition which is for 6th graders. BESPIE is sponsoring aRead-a-thon
Fundraiser at both schools this spring.
REPORTS AND INFORMATION
- Caae Cod Collaborative
There was no meeting last month.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- Approve Minutes of January 17, 2008
It was moved by Marie Enochty, seconded by Steve Jones and voted unanimously to
approve the minutes of January 17, 2008.
ADJOURNMENT
- It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to adjourn, subject to paying bills, at
8:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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B.J. Newmier, Secretary
Brewster School Committee
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