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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2008-02-28 Minutespooo 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, ~ ;'~ r B.J. Newmier, Secretary Brewster School Committee S l~ Zlo ~iZ ~8t1 80.