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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2008-09-18 Minutesppoo0M2D II IS Brewster School Committee OCT 1 ~ 2008 Minutes of September 18, 2008 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, John O'Reilly, Jennifer Rabold, David Telman - For the Administration: Michael Gradone, Denise Fronius, Keith Gauley - Others: Whitecaps President Claire Gradone AGENDA CHANGES - None CITIZENS SPEAK -None PRIORITY BUSINESS Administrators' Reports Principal Fronius reported on the great start to the school year with kids learning right away; BESPIE supplied refreshments for opening staff meeting and talked about how they can help including $5.00 per student for field trips; the opening day was a beautiful day and there was representation from the community -police, fire, recreation, selectmen, library; there is only one teacher who has to complete the DIBELS; 4th and 5th grade students are strong readers; there is real improvement in writing skills compared to last year; and she will report on the data at the October meeting on the improvement students have made and comparison with the state; Nauset's expectations are higher than the state's; the open house was well attended; and she showed the school spirit t- shirts, sweatshirts and caps. Jennifer Rabold asked about sharing the DIBELS with parents and Mrs. Fronius and Mr. Gradone explained that this is for teachers to get to know what the students understand and it is appropriate for the schools to share the summative assessment but not the formative assessment. Principal Gauley reported that they had a good start and a great open house although not as well attended as in the past; enrollment will be up by five by next Monday; the MCAS preliminary release of scores shows ELA with a high score for AYP, however there is a subgroup of special ed students who did not make AYP for the spring testing and a notice will be sent to parents in the newsletter; he reviewed the flex schedule that has been negotiated which means that some teachers may start earlier or finish later in the day so that certain students may get additional learning time at the end or beginning of the day; he reviewed a spreadsheet used for building data which can be sorted by teacher, students receiving extra help, etc.; new programs are being offered with new people on staff and gave a few examples (grief group; healthy minds and healthy bodies; friendship). Mr. Gradone reported that you cannot identify students who are on free or reduced lunch and special ed but once they go over 40 they are considered a subgroup under AYP and once identified as in need of improvement they have to perForm better for two years; if not, then they are identified as needing corrective action for two years and if they still do not improve, then restructuring. Mr. Gauley explained that the staff has identified fewer students for accommodations than previous years. Brewster School Committee Minutes -September 18. 2008 Page 2 Whitecaps Reauest Whitecaps President Claire Gradone asked that the Committee renew the lease for the use of the Stony Brook baseball field for next year; noted that it was great to see other groups using the field; reported that their overall attendance improved; and the playground makes the games a real family scene. She then gave a donation to Mrs. Fronius for the playground. It was moved by Marie Enochty, seconded by David Telman and voted unanimously to approve the lease of the Stony Brook baseball field to the Whitecaps for the next year. Consider Town Meeting Capital Request Mr. Gradone reviewed the latest version of the Capital needs, correcting the figure for Technology Projects to $20,000 (not $2,000). The Whitecaps have a 3-year old tractor that they may allow school staff to use; the Town should be able to pass on a pickup truck. The Selectmen have invited the Committee to the Selectmen's meeting on Monday, October 6 at 7:05 p.m. and to the Finance Committee's meeting on October 8 at 6:05 p.m. to discuss the Capital Request. It was moved by Marie Enochty and seconded by Jennifer Rabold to approve the Capital Request at $162,000. Voted unanimously. Additional Special Education Funding Supt. Gradone reviewed the needs for additional special education funding including the two educational assistant positions the Committee approved previously; the ELL tutorial position; and the belief that a student who is tuitioned and transported off-Cape will be here full time at the end of the month (this may require some additional instructional support key for the student). He noted that Ann Caretti has done a great job working with the parents. At this point the anticipated additional special education costs are $68,449. This figure may come down. Consider Stony Brook Improvement Plan It was moved by Jennifer Rabo/d, seconded by Steve Jones and voted unanimously to approve the Stony Brook Improvement Plan. REPORTS AND INFORMATION Cape Cod Collaborative Marie Enochty reported that the visitation is October 1 beginning at Stony Brook at 8:30 a.m. They have started the executive search for Walter Healey's replacement. Joint Meeting Mr. Gradone explained that the Committees need to take a look at what needs to be addressed in the upcoming three years -the Strategic Plan, governance, small schools and needing to get in front of the issues regarding Truro and Provincetown; an RFP for legal services; and there will be a contract to ratify. Committees will identify questions they are asked during budget preparation times so that the administration will be able to come back with good answers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Marie Enochty and seconded by Jennifer Rabo/d to approve the minutes of August 28, 2008 with the following revision -last sentence under Recreation Brewster School Committee Minutes -September 18 2008 Page 3 Tennis Court Proposal: The Committee did not oppose them moving ahead with the study. Voted unanimously. ADJOURNMENT - It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to adjourn, subject to paying bills, at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, B.J. Newmier, Secretary Brewster School Committee