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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2010-02-24 MinutesK Brewster School Committee - ~ ~ ~ D 0 Minutes of Thursday, February 24, 2010 r Held at Eddy Elementary School Chair O'Reilly called the meeting to order at 7:03 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, Hans Baurnhauer, and Ann Caretti Others: Town officials, parents, interested citizens AGENDA CHANGES - II. C. Special Education Update CITIZENS SPEAK -None RECOGNITION - Dr. Hoffmann recognized Dr. Donna Derosiers, Counselor, Anne Moore, Librarian, and Second Grade Teacher, Paul Kehoe for their outstanding and commendable service, dedication, enthusiasm, and support to staff and students in the Brewster schools. Mr. Kehoe's class entertained the audience with a song about character education, "Don't Laugh at Me." Dr. Hoffmann also recognized Perry Andac, Carol Rubin, and Cynthia Eldredge, as well as student participants, of the Community Service Club. He acknowledged the tremendous efforts of the group who provide outreach to senior citizens at Epoch, provided biscuits to the Animal Shelter in Brewster, sold holiday baskets and baked goods to raise funds for local families in need, raised funds for Unicef, sent messages .and clothing to people in Haiti, supplied military troops with care packages and valentines. PRIORITY BUSINESS Administrators' Reports Principal Gauley reported on the Reading and Writing Benchmark scores and the Dibels Assessment scores. He informed the Committee that Nicole Gordon was the winner of the National Geography Bee. Neil Connell was congratulated as well for finishing second. In the Math League Competition, the students in grades 3-5 participated on a 6~h grade level and did exceptionally well Cindy Eldredge was also recognized for running for the ESP Nationals, March 11 & 12. MCAS testing begins in March and BESPIE will supply funding for a free breakfast for any students who would like one on MCAS testing days. Principal Fronius gave a follow up report on Eagle Scout, Tyler Labonte and his year-long project. The Olympic Read-a-Thon was sponsored by B.E.S.P.I.E. with a culminating Pancake Breakfast to be held on March 6m Writing Benchmark scores and Dibels scores showed a marked improvement for all students at all grade levels. Any "AT RISK" students were provided with a success plan. Curriculum nights have been planned for ELA and Math for each grade level with the intention of providing support and showing how the curriculum is supported in special areas. ' ~ ~ Brewster School Committee Minutes - Page 2 Little LeaQUe Field ReQUest Tom Wingard, of the Brewster Little League, thanked everyone for supporting the Brewster Little League and requested use of the Gary Robbins Field. On a motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Mr. Telman, it was voted unanimously to approve the request for field use at Eddy School. FY10 Budget Update The School Committee reviewed the most recent budget expense report, noting transfers are scheduled for the March meeting. Stony Brook -Questions were asked relative to Instructional Coordinators account, the SN Sub TeacherlSub Ed.Asst. accounts, Other Instructional Material Account, SN Out-of-District Transportation, Fuel Escalation account, Custodial Salary account, and the Building Repair account. S.N. Preschool tuition -offset by Circuit Breaker funds and IDEA money. Eddy -Questions were asked about the Contracted Services for Testing Account and the Custodial Substitute Account. FY11 Budget Dr. Hoffmann reviewed the FY 11 budget indicating there is still a shortfall due to reduction in state aid and town receipts. The possible reduction list totaling $101,531 was reviewed. Questions were raised regarding class sizes, which are still within School Committee guidelines. It was also noted there was a reduction in the number of students requiring ELL services. The Capital Plan items were reviewed. Dr. Hoffmann then proceeded to review other potential reduction combinations while Principals explained the impact of these reductions on children and programs. A discussion ensued relative to moving the reading teacher into a classroom position: Parents spoke to this issue and were against moving the reading teacher into a classroom teaching position because all support and interventions would be taken away from the regular education child. Asst. Supt. Briere provided data from 2008-09 relative to word fluency testing and fall vs. spring scores. In all cases, students identified at risk in fall, were no longer at risk in spring, due to interventions. On a motion by Chairman O'Reilly, seconded by Ms. Enochty, it was voted 4 yeas -1 nay (J. Rabold voting nay) to move the reading teacher into the classroom and reduce the budget by $85,888. (Mrs. Rabold thinks that move wilt damage the program and would like to see the Committee ask for an override.) Asst. Supt. Briere explained the Title I services to the Committee indicating that it targets students who are struggling with reading and math. Students receive Title I services through a criteria checklist and only certain students qualify for these services. Ms. Enochty stated that it is not just the schools struggling for funding and that the School Committee needs the support of the Finance Committee and Selectmen to proceed with an override. All departments are being asked to come in at 2%. Selectmen are not supportive of an override. Brewster School Committee Minutes - Page 3 On a motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Mr. Jones, it was voted unanimously to cut $101,531 from the budget. Chairman O'Reilly stated that he did not make cuts happily and indicated there is nothing that says this cannot be revisited, if the Union makes any concessions. He also stated that these are difficult cuts and they are going to lose staff. He does not feel, in this economy, the School Committee can ask for an override, especially with the Unions not showing concessions Several members of the audience asked why the School Committee won't ask for an override and felt the community is very supportive of the schools. Mrs. Eldredge spoke in support of the School Committee and understands that they are doing the job they have been asked to do. She indicated that the educational assistants have had many hours of training and are well-trained to assist the students in their small groups. Parents asked the question who is better for the students, a teacher or educational assistants. Mr. Gauley indicated that if they maintain 2 of the 2.6 educational assistants that will restore the reading program for grade 3. Chairman O'Reilly indicated that the Selectmen have no appetite for an override at this time. The towns position is they are looking for an opportunity when there is not only the school department and the region requesting an override, but other departments as well. A 2 %2 override .needs everyone's involvement. Audience members asked how the union works, and the ramifications of concessions voted by one town and not other towns. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that it had to be a majority vote by the union to make concessions. He also indicated that monies saved by concessions could be given to the Region budget, if a particular town did not need the funds. A member of the union stated that the union is willing to open their contracts but needs to know how much money Administration is looking for. Selectwoman Diane Cooney addressed the audience indicating that the parents must see the bigger picture and that it is not just $262,000 the town needs, and that it is more like $1,000,000. She stated in 2003 there was a huge override, in much healthier economic conditions. At that time the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and Schools made a concerted effort to work together. She indicated that state revenues were not good and that the state is collecting billions of dollars less. She asked that people remember that the schools are just a small portion of the budget and that many people in our community are on social security and others are receiving no retirement benefits. The town is asking all unions to make a bit of a concession in pay raises for FY11. If everyone participates, there would not have to be so many lay-offs. In the event that the town receives more revenue, it will be distributed equally Ms. Enochty suggested the Committee vote on the budget and if the union makes concessions, they could revisit the budget and put back items that have been taken out. Mr. Jones stated that the amount of the budget cannot be raised on town meeting floor. Mr. Jones also indicated he would like to (1) see if the union will make concessions, (2) see the final figures for health care costs, and (3) examine the transportation figures. At this time the Committee was not prepared to make any more cuts, although they were still $75,000 away from the $262,000 figure that is needed to come in at 2%. The next School Committee meeting was scheduled for March 16 at 6:00 p.m., in the cafeteria of Eddy Elementary School. Town meeting date is May 3`d and the budget does not have to be ratified until just before Town meeting. It was suggested that the Committee show the original budget request in the warrant and go through the cuts on town meeting floor. Relocation of the Cape Cod Collaborative was also mentioned and it was indicated if they move, another $45,000 needs to be reduced. 4 "~ r Brewster School Committee Minutes - Page 4 FY10 Special Education Issues There are four areas of unexpected increases - Transportation - $14,150 Behavioral Consultation - $1,350 Cape Cod Collaborative - $14,720 Increase in Support Services - $6,000 Total Unanticipated Cost - $36,220 Dr. Caretti indicated that Brewster has filed with the state for SPED circuit breaker extraordinary relief for FY10 expenditures. She felt that may get some money back does not know how much. Cape Cod Collabortative Jen Rabold reported that the Cape Cod Collaborative is having a Strategic Planning meeting and at that time they will develop a Mission and Vision Statement, as their original purpose has evolved over time. The Collaborative is looking at another school building in its entirety that has been vacated. If that goes through, they will move all their classes to that location. They are looking at participating with a Cape organization that provides services to families with special needs. Building Committee Report - no report -did not meet Dr. Hoffmann informed the Committee that he has not heard anything from Katherine Craven relative to the consolidation plan. Dr. Hoffmann has heard concerns about moving the Prek program and having children 18-22 years in the building. If this plan moves forward, the Superintendent suggests that the Committee have some community forums explaining the plan. The public needs to know that the program is not for emotionally disabled students but for students who really have a shot.. Dr. Hoffmann and Dr. Caretti will put together what this program will look like. There is no word from the Charter School. Transportation Subcommittee Report Bid opening February 25th at 2:00 p.m. Union/Region Budget Subcommittee - no report Approval of Minutes - On a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Chairman O'Reilly, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of December 17th meeting. On a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Telman, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the January 21St meeting. Adjournment - On a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Telman, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ann M. Tefft Recording Secretary