HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2009-04-15 Minutes E" LIPP:R[0V
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Brewster School Committee
Minutes of April 15, 2009 _ ' OOS
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, staff, interested citizens
AGENDA CHANGES - Brewster Region Little League has withdrawn their request.
CITIZENS SPEAK- None
PRIORITY BUSINESS
- Facility Reutilization Presentation
Selectman Greg Levasseur reported on the plan which will add eight classrooms and six
smaller spaces in a one-floor addition to the Stony Brook Elementary School which will
move all students from Eddy to Stony. The addition will be by the basketball court; a
boulder and tree will have to be moved. They are asking for the endorsement of the
School Committee to move forward with a Town Meeting article for design funds. If
Town Meeting approves, they will hire an architect to have a design ready for the
-101 0., rNevember Town Meeting, construction would begin, working through the summer, to
complete construction the fall of 2011. The School Committee will be reviewing the plan
as this process is ongoing. The Collaborative and Head Start programs would no longer
be at Stony Brook. There was discussion of SBA and what the different scenarios are,
from debt exclusion to having to repay funds. It was moved by Steve Jones and
seconded by Jennifer Rabold to endorse proceeding forward with the concept of adding
on to the Stony Brook Elementary School for additional space to house all Brewster
elementary students in one facility. Voted unanimously.
Consider FY 10 Budget
Superintendent Gradone reported that the basic budget is supported by both the Board
of Selectmen and the Finance Committee.
Amy Farrell spoke to the Committee on behalf of a group of parents who are hoping to
raise the funds needed to preserve a third grade teaching position. They plan on
collecting pledges to July 1 contacting parents and teachers of second graders and
administrators. They ask that the School Committee authorize this effort, that an
account be set up through the Town to collect these funds and that the School
Committee specify that these funds could only be used for personnel. They have asked
the Town if there might be any additional funds available. Mr. Gradone reported on the
sad state of the economic situation with the House Ways and Means budget which
makes reductions in local aid and that means the possibility of the Town having any
additional funds available is highly unlikely. He also explained that, because of contract
requirements, the School Committee would need to have the pledges information for
their May meeting. It was moved by Jennifer Rabold and seconded by David Telman to
approve fund raising efforts and the creation of a gift account solely for the purpose of
Brewster School Committee Minutes—April 15, 2009 Page 2
funding personnel costs. Mrs. Farrell and Mrs. Kalinick expressed their concerns in that
they were initially hoping for$20,000 from the Town and that they most likely can't get
the pledges needed by May 21. Ms. Enochty and Mr. Jones expressed concerns over
the possibility the Committee may have to look at further cuts (if state aid is way down)
and what it would mean to have these funds in a special account. Voted unanimously.
Consider Eagle Scout Project
Mrs. Fronius introduced Eagle Scout Tyler LaBonte who is asking to develop an
orienteering course behind Stony Brook. He distributed his project outline and explained
his proposal. He hopes to get the project done by July. It was moved by Marie Enochty,
seconded by Jennifer Rabold and voted unanimously to approve Eagle Scout Tyler
LaBonte's development of an orienteering course behind Stony Book.
Brewster Region Little League Proposal -This proposal was withdrawn.
Consider School Choice
There are negatives to participating in school choice and at a meeting of the elementary
chairs, it was agreed that it is in the best interests of the districts at the elementary level
not to participate in Choice. It was moved by Marie Enochty and seconded by Steve
Jones not to participate in school choice for 2009-10. Voted: 4 Aye, 1 Opposed(J.
Rabold).
Administrators' Report •
Denise Fronius reported that the Educational Quality funds are offsetting the costs for a
long-term substitute; NCLB report cards process; had samples from Mrs. Hannon's first
grade writing class; and Math Curriculum Nights for parents.
Keith Gauley thanked Anne Moore for the successful Community Reads program;
announced Cindy Eldredge was recognized by the MTA as an ESP winner; the
Destination Imagination Team came in 3`d place out of 15 in the State; NCLB Report
Card; and he reviewed the School Council's survey results. He also reported that staff
are being trained how to handle social and emotional issues.
REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Cape Cod Collaborative
The transitioning of the new director is taking place.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Steve Jones and seconded by Marie Enochty to approve the minutes of
March 12, 2009. Voted unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
- It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to adjourn, subject to paying bills, at
8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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B.J. Newmier, Secretary ;:,.
Brewster School Committee