HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2008-09-18 Minutesppoo0M2D
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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