The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal AboutBrewster School Committee -- 2009-02-12 Minutes iippRovEI Brewster School Committee �, Minutes of February 12, 2009 : � 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, Denise Fronius, Keith Gauley - Others: Town officials, parents, interested citizens AGENDA CHANGES - Added — Discussion regarding tennis courts at Stony Brook. CITIZENS SPEAK - Chair O'Reilly announced that the Committee will allow citizens to speak during budget discussion after being recognized by the Chair. A member of the Stony Brook and Eddy Wellness Committee read a statement from them in support of retaining the physical education position which is being reduced in the budget. Others also spoke in support of this position. PRIORITY BUSINESS - Tennis Courts Town Administrator Sumner introduced Wendy Allegrone of the Brewster Recreation Department who reviewed the proposal to put tennis courts on the Stony Brook Elementary School property. She explained they were applying for grants and they hope to have an article on the 2009 Spring Town Meeting. - Town Buildings Selectman Greg Levasseur and Mr. Sumner reviewed their proposal for reutilizing Town buildings to better serve the community and to realize savings. Consolidation of the elementary schools is part of the plan, adding space to Stony Brook and using Eddy for other Town usage. Their power point presentation went over all of the options they were looking at. They anticipate it would be 2 %2 to 3 years to make the changes. The Charter School is looking to relocate and they are proposing that the Town sell the land and buildings (current Town Offices)to them. It was agreed that the school administration would look at the feasibility of the proposal and work with the Town in their endeavor keeping the education of the students foremost in the planning. - Consider Baseball Fields Whitecaps President Claire Gradone requested the use of the field, approval to apply an herbicide on Friday, April 17 after school dismisses, to add bleachers on the third base side of the field, and to do some minor landscaping. It was moved by Marie Enochty and Brewster School Committee Minutes—February 12, 2009 Page 2 seconded by Jennifer Rabold to approve these requests. Voted:4 Aye, 1 Not Voting (S, Jones), - Consider FY 2010 Budget Supt. Gradone explained that this is the most difficult budget year in his 34 years and that the current budget will not get approval at Town Meeting. In order for the students to get the same education, everyone is going to have to work harder. At the direction of the School Committee, he looked at the class sizes for next year and only one grade at either school could be reduced by one teacher, that being the third grade. This would be four classes of 22 and three classes of 23. It is necessary to get closer to the Board of Selectmen's guidelines. Mr. Sumner said that they are using reserves to keep the Town at the target of 2%. The Committee discussed the options and what an override would mean and how difficult it is to get an override passed. Citizens spoke in support of keeping the third grade teacher. The School Committee directed the administration to look further at options and to report back at the March 12 meeting. - Administrators' Reports Denise Fronius reported on the book drive benefit for India orphans, the Readathon, and DIBELS scores. Keith Gauley thanked the Committee for their time and dedication and reported on DIBELS, he's hired a new speech teacher and asked if there were any questions on the budget memo he'd given members (there were none). REPORTS AND INFORMATION - none APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Marie Enochty and seconded by Steve Jones to approve the minutes of January 15, 2009, with the following correction under FY10 Budget, first paragraph following "reducing physical education"to replace the wording "by two days a week"to read"staffing". Voted: 4 Aye, 1 Not Voting (J. Rabold). ADJOURNMENT - It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to adjourn, subject to paying bills, at 10:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, B.J. Newmier, Secretary Brewster School Committee 1 1,1 1 , L._f I ll