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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2008-08-28 MinutesGIPppOod~p Brewster School Committee ~ ~ p, ~.~~~~~, Minutes of August 28, 2008 ~p 1 $ ~~08 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 (7:18), Marie Enochty, John O'Reilly, Jennifer Rabold, David Telman - For the Administration: Michael Gradone, Ann Caretti, Denise Fronius - Others: Town officials, Recreation representatives AGENDA CHANGES - The Committee addressed item B before the Administrators' Reports CITIZENS SPEAK -None PRIORITY BUSINESS Recreation Tennis Court Proposal Charlie Sumner reported that the Selectmen support the Affordable Housing Study and grants are being pursued. The police and fire chiefs as well as Mr. Sumner do not support the proposal to use the Stony Brook property for that purpose for various reasons (access via the school's driveway, proximity to the school, etc.). Rec. Director Wendy Allegrone and Mr. Sumner are looking at having tennis courts on the property. To do this, the School Committee, Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting will have to make the decision. Wendy reviewed their initial proposal for the tennis courts and reviewed the need for them in the community. Part of the proposal is for Quick Courts which are used to teach children the game. This is a new concept and therefore more funding is available. They will need engineering costs and the USTA will provide technical support. The goal is to have the proposal ready for the Town Meeting in the spring. The Committee did not oppose them moving ahead with the study. Administrators' Reports Mr. Gauley asked Mrs. Fronius to report the following for him in his absence. He has hired staff and the school is ready to open thanks to the hard work of the custodial staff; there will be a change to the school sign (pending zoning approval) with it being located closer to the road and will include a sign for the recreation department (below the school's); and they are ready to start the school year. Mrs. Fronius reported that the Stony Brook building looks great; the DPW did a great job; the ramp has been carpeted; tiles in some of the classrooms were installed; two kindergarten open houses were held; tours were held for new 1S' grade and 2"d grade students; the Whitecaps responded well with any needs that were brought to their attention; the Student Handbook is on-line and hard copies may be requested; the Staff Handbook will also be online; enrollment is at 75 for kindergarten, six above what was expected; and the "Red Carpet" Opening Day Ceremony will be about ahalf-hour long. Mr. Gradone reported that the enrollment projections were "on the mark." Brewster School Committee Minutes -August 28 2008 PacLe 2 - Stony Brook Improvement Plan Mr. Gradone noted that the School Committee does not need to approve the Plan under new guidelines. Mrs. Fronius reviewed the Plan with the Committee with the focus on Academics, Transition Activities, Attendance, Wellness, Community, and Going Green. Endorsement of the Plan will be on the September agenda. Consider FY 08 Transfers Mr. Gradone reviewed Mr. Baumhauer's new format for presenting transfers and reviewed the document page by page. In the fall, Mr. Baumhauer wants to eliminate the Brewster Only budget and assign everything to either Stony Brook or Eddy. He will bring it to the Committee in October. Mr. Jones said he thought they had discussed having just one budget. It was moved by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jennifer Rabold and voted unanimously to approve FY08 transfers as presented. REPORTS AND INFORMATION - Cape Cod Collaborative -None November Warrant Mr. Gradone reviewed that the Committee had authorized two educational assistant positions last spring ($35,918). The Educational Assistants haven't settled their contract yet and he anticipates this amount will go up. There is also a further expense of an ELL tutor. Ann Caretti reported that in 2002 the law changed so that it almost mirrors the special education coordinated program review process. We did poorly in 2005 and have made many changes and are trying to correct things to get us where we should be. Nauset has 18 kids in ELL (5 Brewster, 5 Orleans, 3 Eastham, 2 Middle School, and 3 at the High School), and there are 7 languages involved. The ideal is to have general education teachers knowledgeable on ELL. We would like to assess new students in their native language and then their English proficiency, in order to identify them as regular day or special needs. Teachers will be asked to identify themselves if they are knowledgeable in a foreign language. Mr. Gradone explained that we have hired a English as a Second Language Teacher who will begin in 2-3 weeks. Mr. Sumner has reserved a warrant article for the fall Town Meeting. Mr. Gradone suggested that we keep track of the amount of money and defer this until the spring. This ELL teacher's position will be shared with Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. Brewster's share is in the $15,000 range. Mr. Jones said we should defer but have the number out there now. Mr. Gradone said this discussion will be on the September agenda. - Other Mr. Gradone will place the Capital Plan on the September 18 agenda at Mr. Sumner's request. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Marie Enochty and seconded by Steve Jones to approve the minutes of June 19, 2008. Voted unanimously. Brewster School Committee Minutes - August 28 2008 Pape 3 EXECUTIVE SESSION - Mr. O'Reilly announced that the Committee will move into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to Collective Bargaining, and the Committee will return to open session before adjourning. It was moved by Steve Jones, seconded by Marie Enochty and voted unanimously to move into executive session. Roll Call: M. Enochty-Aye, S. Jones -Aye, D. Telman -Aye, J. Rabold -Aye, J. O'Reilly -Aye. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION - Ratify Action Taken in Executive Session It was moved by Steve Jones, seconded by Marie Enochty and voted unanimously to rafify action taken in executive session approving the Agreement with the SEIU Local 888 Brewster Custodians for the new three-year contract. ADJOURNMENT - It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to adjourn, subject to paying bills, at 8:22 p. m. Respectfully submitted, / ~\ v ~~~ B.J. Newmier, Secretary Brewster School Committee 6S: L t~' 8- 1Jll 00.