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Home My Public Portal AboutBrewster School Committee -- 2009-12-17 Minutes~ DDD(~ Brewster School Committee UU Minutes of December 17, 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, John O'Reilly, Jennifer Rabold, David Telman. and Marie Enochty - For the Administration: Denise Fronius, Keith Gauley, Hans Baumhauer - Others: Town officials, parents, staff, interested citizens AGENDA CHANGES - None CITIZENS SPEAK -Staff members from the Brewster Schools presented the Committee with beautiful flower/fern table decorations in appreciation for their dedication and many hours of service to the Brewster Schools. These centerpieces were made by students and are for sale with all proceeds donated to needy members of the community. RECOGNITION - Dr. Hoffmann recognized Judy Ireland -S.N. Teacher, Julie Ericson -Kindergarten Teacher, Kathy Hannon -Grade 1 Teacher, and Stacy Farris -Music Teacher. The fifth grade chorus sang for the committee and were recognized for their outstanding performances with the Cape Symphony. PRIORITY BUSINESS Administrators' Reports Principal Keith Gauley reported on the Professional Development days (11/23,24) which focused on analysis and response to open ended questions. Grants were received from the Cape Cod Five by various teachers and were much appreciated. Clarification was made regarding last month's enrollment figure (-5). Some of the students traveled back to South America for a few months and will return in spring. This length of absence requires them to be disenrolled. Unanticipated expenses for December - $1,515, new time clock for exterior lights in parking lots. Preview for January -upcoming fudge sale to fund Camp Lyndon trip. Principal Fronius reported that MCAS analysis was the focus for the Staff Development days. Data was analyzed resulting in Math Action and ELA Action Plans. Mrs. Fronius shared a unique way of learning with the Committee as one of the teachers put "writing parts" to song which enabled students to memorize in a very creative and fun way. TD Bank North was given a special thanks for the donation of a box of supplies and a check for $50.00. Winter Sing-A-Long is December 23~d at 1:30 p.m. June Cameron, retired special needs teacher has been invaluable in helping at Stony Brook in the absence of a teacher on leave. Superintendent Hoffmann reported on the MASC Conference in Hyannis, where the topic was regionalization -finding excellence within existing regions. Eight or nine School Committee members attended as well. There was a workshop for the entire audience regarding special needs and costs. The focus was on the incredible advances In medical technology and ability to save more children, which in turn becomes the schools charge to give them a productive life through education. Met with Rob O'Leary to talk about the Wellness Policy and to consider some pilot kind of activities, best practices. Registered concern regarding regional transportation and the $340,000 reduction. Attended the Cape Cod Museum of Art exhibition highlighting students' art work throughout the district which was on display in the main gallery. Brewster School Committee Minutes -December 17 2009 Pa e 2 Attended a joint meeting with Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and School Committee Members to do some preliminary budget work, get numbers on the table, and see what the town leaders need, as well as let them know some of our costs. Ethics Training Questionnaire was discussed and Dr. Hoffman will send to School Committee Members. (deadline is April 2"d to take online questionnaire) Elected officials and municipal employees need to fill this out. Discussed reading and comprehension issues for some with limited English abilities. FY 10 Update Business Manager Baumhauer reviewed the expense report and explained that it includes encumbered salaries. At Eddy Elementary, Account #7084 S.N. Contracted Services Testing - running in the red. Hope to absorb between now and the end of the year. Stony Brook showed discrepancies, but this is a software issue and will be corrected by the next monthly reporting period. Student Activity expenses, gifts, and donations were discussed, as well as revolving accounts in each town. Will bring revolving account balances forward in FY 11 budget. There will be a March transfer between both schools in Account 70212, subject coordinator position. FY 11 Budget Updates Dr. Hoffmann gave an overview of the budget and indicated in January the Committee would get the actual budget. Trying to keep non-salary items at same spending level as last year. Trying to maintain same level of staffing this year into next year. It is a budget challenge as revenues are down. 10% reduction in Chapter 70 Aid, local receipts are down and revenue is down in the Town of Brewster. Need to remind public of our excellent school and outcomes. Transportation budget was discussed as transportation costs have skyrocketed. Put in 15% increase but should be able to reduce that amount. Preliminary budget up about 6%. Negotiated salaries in budget for now. Increase does not include fringe benefits. There is some trimming to do and would like School Committee input to get this figure down around 4%. Brewster has not set a number yet. Orleans -1 % with salaries and fringe benefits included. Eastham asked that budget be kept at 0% increase and indicated no overrides. Jen Rabold suggested that we begin to be proactive and start thinking about corporate partnerships and alumni. Dr. Hoffmann indicated he would look at building rentals for non-town use. Dr. Hoffmann met with Ann Caretti and Gail Briere about grant funding. Dr. Hoffmann reported on enrollment projections for all towns using the Birth Cohort Method. There is a difference in grade levels but total enrollments are that same at approximately 499 students next year for the Brewster schools. Finance Committee in Brewster requested information on where the teachers fall on the salary scale. 65% of teachers in the district are on Step 14. (senior, well- trained staff) REPORTS AND INFORMATION Cape Cod Collaborative Jennifer Rabold reported the Collaborative is going through strategic planning with Mr. Gradone as the consultant. They are working toward a Vision and Mission Statement. The Committee was asked to forward to Jen or Marie ideas of what you would like the Collaborative to do for Brewster. In addition, it was reported that the Cape Cod Collaborative is assisting Nauset in developing its transportation bid. Brewster School Committee Mir rotes -December 17 2009 Pa e 3 Consolidation Update Mr. O'Reilly reported that Dr. Hoffmann, Diane Cooney, Charlie Summner, and Greg Levasseur met with Director, Katherine Craven, School Building Assistance. Met with Sen. O'Leary and Rep. Turner as well. Conversation was productive and the door is still open. It is clear what they want -PreK, Collaborative, Charter school. Headstart would not be given credit. Must educate them on the high school evening program as to what the program offers district students. The goal as a committee is to have some specific direction. Need to have a conversation with Ann Caretti regarding the PreK program and the Collaborative. Collaborative in the process of looking for spaces. Charter School is already looking for another space because they need to be out of their present space. Committee needs to come up with a plan for Ms. Craven. The Committee needs to give Dr. Hoffmann some directions as to how to proceed with this. A special meeting was scheduled to discuss strategies on Wednesday, January 6th at 6:00 p.m. It was suggested that Paul Hilton be invited to the meeting. Building Committee Report Mr. Telman reported that Mr. Lavesseur gave an update on the General Contractor and Indicating he is willing to wait. After 30 days, if it goes back out to bid, could see major changes. Might need to get a waiver from the Inspector General. - Transportation Subcommittee Report Hans Baumhauer reported that the Collaborative is running scenarios and analyzing what costs would be for them to run next year. They forced First Student into an incredible price. Analyzing 3 tier and 2 tier systems. More information will be available at the next meeting. - Union/Region (Central Office) Budget Subcommittee Report Mr. Telman indicated that the meeting was moved to January due to lack of a quorum. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - It was moved by Steve Jones and seconded by Jen Rabold to approve the minutes of November 19, 2009. Vofed with one abstention, Marie Enochty. - ADJOURNMENT - It was moved by Steve Jones, seconded by Marie Enochty to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m., subject to payment of bills. Respectfully submitted, Ann M. Tefft, Recording Secretary ~~ ;,, F._i m r,~,;i '-'~ "7'l .~ .tea ._~ r.:. ~., -c~.. ~__~. ~-. ~, r" _~,. :na