Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2009-10-08 Minutes r . • Fag WED Brewster School Committee Minutes of October 8, 2009 OCT 7 , , Held at Eddy Elementary School Chair O'Reilly called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. ROLL CALL: - For the Committee: Steve Jones, Marie Enochty, John O'Reilly, Jennifer Rabold, David Telman - For the Administration: Richard Hoffmann, Denise Fronius, Keith Gauley - Others: Town officials, parents, staff, interested citizens AGENDA CHANGES - None CITIZENS SPEAK- None PRIORITY BUSINESS - Consolidation Chair O'Reilly explained that this meeting was called in order for the school committee to address questions and concerns expressed regarding the consolidation of the two elementary schools into the Stony Brook School and the Town's proposal to put an addition on that school with eight classrooms to accommodate everyone in the one enlarged building. This is contingent on the vote at the October 19 Town Meeting for the proposed Town Facilities Utilization Plan. David Telman, BSC representative to the Building Committee, reviewed the bids received for the addition with Statewide Construction being the low bidder with a total bid of$2,186,554 following the elimination of three items- $17,000 for a driveway, $3,494 for a trophy case, and $12,752 for 4 windows on the gable ends. This bid came in lower than anticipated. The builders had to be prequalified to bid on this project. Town Administrator Sumner said background checks will be made. Mr. O'Reilly had received several questions about the project and plans of consolidation which he shared with the superintendent and principals. The questions and answers were distributed. He opened the discussion for the Committee. Mr. Jones reported on the fact that there is misinformation out in the public, some of it from the newspapers; we have wonderful schools and that is thanks to the people in the buildings more than the facility itself. The problem of sustaining our programs during this economic time will not go away and the Town Officials have brought forward their plan to help the schools realize a savings by not having to pay the utilities and upkeep of two buildings and with the addition to Stony Brook programs can continue and the students can receive the same services. The School Committee has repeatedly said, over the past six years, that as soon as the student body can be moved to one building without compromising the students'education, that is what they would do. Currently there is not enough space at Stony Brook without the addition to consolidate and the Committee would not give up the Eddy school unless the addition is approved. Mr. Jones also said that the septic system is not an issue, it can handle that number of people in the building. The Committee had directed the Town Officials to get input from school Brewster School Committee Minutes—October 8, 2009 Page 2 administration and staff on the design of the addition and they have done that. The issue of doors between classrooms not being part of the design was explained in that the wall space was important and the doors to the halls are close together so one person can observe more that one class by standing in the hall. He identified some "red herrings"that are out there such as the Charter School taking Brewster students, the Charter School is grades 6 to 8 so it won't affect the Brewster Elementary schools; the idea that having all students in one building would take away the"rural" culture, Brewster was "rural" before when there was only the one school. Ms. Enochty reminded everyone that you need to look at the big picture; the loss of state aid affects not just the schools but all town departments and there are going to be further cuts coming in the near future. The goal has to be what is best for the children but we have to also do what is best for the town of Brewster. Selling the Town Hall to the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School will be helping everyone. Mr. O'Reilly asked what the school would look like if we moved all the students into one building with no addition. Mr. Gauley said that it has been 8 months since this was first talked about and he and Mrs. Fronius looked at what is needed to house the entire student body and they had marked off the classroom spaces on a map of the school with the addition and all spaces were filled. In each grade there would be 4 regular classrooms, 1 special ed classroom per grade. In addition there would be art, technology, music, band, ELL, reading specialist and Title I, school psychologist and adjustment counselor, OT and PT would share a room. There will be a total of 7 special ed classrooms in the school. The preK would also be in two classrooms. ( The question of whether a warrant article can be amended on the Town Meeting floor was addressed. The question was if it would be possible to separate the sale of the Town Hall from the addition to Stony Brook Elementary. It is not possible to amend an article if it changes the outcome. The Brewster School Committee (BSC)has the authority over the Eddy School and the Committee has always said they would not give up the Eddy School until all students can fit in one facility without affecting the program. Dr. Hoffmann reiterated that first and foremost it is about what is best for the children and no way could you consolidate without the addition. He also noted that being in a nice facility does help in the education of the children. Mr. O'Reilly opened the discussion to questions from the audience. The question was asked if there had been any more discussion of what program would be put in the Eddy building to possibly keep the funding from the state. Mr. O'Reilly reported that he had attended the Nauset Regional School Committee meeting to ask that they take this under advisement and for the administration to take a look at what might be recommended. Dr. Hoffmann said he believes it is a great opportunity depending on what the state commits to as far as the MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) ruling on the Eddy funding is; there has been no written commitment from MSBA and the town is hoping to have that determination by Town Meeting; it is too early to know how a program might be held at the facility. Ms. Enochty, who is also on the Regional School Committee, had told the NRSC that the BSC was committed and adamant that they wouldn't separate out one grade to be at the Eddy with everyone else at Stony Brook. Mr. Lewis, Selectman, restated that the warrant article could not be changed on Town Meeting floor. He also said that we will be looking at an override either this year or next. Mr. Levasseur said from the beginning they never proposed to leave anyone behind; the focus is to get Brewster's elementary students into one facility. He also said that we Brewster School Committee Minutes—October 8, 2009 Page 3 have two years to satisfy MSBA requirements. He also advised that a Purchase and ( Sales Agreement has been signed with the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School. Other questions from the public included why it costs so much to build the addition; why modulars aren't being considered; why can't existing classrooms be divided in half to accommodate all students in the existing SBES; are the cafeteria, gym, library, etc. large enough to service all the kids; what about enrollment continuing to drop; why can't the student population of 550 fit when it had held more than that in 1988; is there space for equipment storage. There was discussion about the savings that will come to the school department when they don't have to pay the utilities for the Eddy facility, that money will stay with the schools to use for education. The utilities and other costs of having the extra space in the addition will be less than what would be spent at Eddy. The town will also save by not having the maintenance and utility costs of the current town hall, the small building across from town hall (it's being sold). Other fixed costs of the town's plan will be paid for from the proceeds realized in the sale of those buildings. Several discussions continued about the importance of clearing up misconceptions and speaking very succinctly at the Town Meeting so people really understand the many benefits to the town, taxpayers, and mostly for our students. Many parents in the audience remarked that they were initially skeptical of the proposal but now that they've heard the reasons this is a good proposal do support it 100%. They will talk it up with other parents. Mr. Sumner reviewed the history-when enrollment at BES was almost 800 students a second school was built; immediately enrollment started to decline; in the last few years enrollment has stabilized; he and Mr. Levasseur approached the BSC in March with their proposal; they planned to work with staff and that's what they did; and he reminded everyone that the town's people have always supported the schools and the facilities. He also addressed the construction costs which, by law, must pay the prevailing wage. It is a law that needs to be changed for municipal facilities; it's been tried and has failed. Another reason for the higher costs is the strict requirements for building a school. Three win, win, wins are: it will protect the elementary program and class sizes; get town operations in better space; and the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School gets a better facility. Mr. O'Reilly said someone said to him (knowing he was on the BSC)that he overheard that all the teachers at Eddy will loose their jobs -he asked that if anyone hears anything about staffing let them know that the BSC has not had any discussions about staffing. The importance of people understanding how Town Meeting works, what the process is, what can be done and what can't be done was stressed. People also need to understand that Chapter 70 decides how much aid we get; that is where the cuts come from when Chapter 70 is cut. Concerns were also expressed about the Charter School taking our Middle School students if they have a larger facility and the funding we don't get because students enroll there instead of Nauset Middle. Ms. Enochty expressed her belief that the Region Brewster School Committee Minutes—October 8, 2009 Page 4 and Charter Schools are both great schools. Admittance to the Charter School is done by lottery and the deficit in the budget is not from Charter School tuitions but Chapter 70. Charter School Director McNamara explained that funding for Nauset students attending the Charter School is reimbursed 100% the first year, 60% the second year, and 40% the third year. She also reported that Nauset students are 1/3rd of their enrollment; 13% are SPED students; and that they are held to the same requirements as all other public schools. Mrs. Rabold thanked the audience for asking questions and being so interested and involved in the process; it will mean a lot in helping to get the word out. Mr. Sumner said all we can do is do the best that we can to save funds for the town. Mr. Lewis also said the town is doing everything they can to give the best; the BSC has said their priority is to maintain class sizes and it will be done right. Someone questioned mold at SBES and Mrs. Fronius said that an air quality check was done with good results and mold samples have been sent for evaluation but it looked good. One of the great things that will be possible when all students are in one facility is to have the fifth grade students mentor kindergarteners. Mrs. Rabold said another important benefit is that programs will be able to be maintained because of savings from not paying Eddy school costs. ADJOURNMENT - It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, B.J. Newmier, Secretary Brewster School Committee