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Home My Public Portal AboutBrewster School Committee -- 2010-06-17 MinutesBrewster School Committee Minutes of Thursday, June 17, 2010 Held at Eddy Elementary School aP°° [~D Present for the Committee: John O'Reilly, Dave Telman, Jennifer Rabold, Mara Liebling Present for the Administration: Superintendent Hoflina P ' ' nn, rincipal Gauley and Principal Denise Fronius CALL TOORDER -Chairman O'Reilly called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. AGENDA CHANGES -none CITIZENS SPEAK -none RECOGNITIONS Dr. Hoffmann recognized Mr. Paul Mullen for his consistent and constant commitment to children. He began the Brewster Bayside Skippers 17 years ago, has a Urucycling Group, and has organized many other activities for children promoting physical fitness and health for students in Brewster. Brewster retirees were recognized -Stephen Jones, Christine Houston Gerardi, Dave Damon, Nancy Souder, and Joan Sutton and wished them well in their retirement. ADMINISTRATORS' REPORTS Principal Keith Gauley reported that field day was a huge success. End of the year events included Gr. 5 Social, Gr. 5 Night and the awards ceremony on the last day of school. Everyone was invited to attend any and all events. Preliminary MCAS results brought good news and further analysis will take place in the next few months. Mrs. Lorraine Johnson announced her retirement but will come back on a part time basis. Nancy Souder and Lorraine Johnson will work with the fifth math group in Gr. 4 and will be the teachers of the Accelerated Learners Program. Eventually they will become mentors for new staff. Mrs. Borsari will be teaching Gr. 4. Students in grade 4 and 5 will participate in instrumental music. The program will change slightly as there will be a beginners and intermediate course offerings. Beginners will have instruction after school. Plans have been finalized for the new Special Needs Program next year. Mrs. Rubin will lead the program which will be centered around four students. If ,and when, the student joins them from the Collaborative, there will be a program for that student in place as well. Congratulations to BUGS Student recipients, Bringing Up Grades Successfully - Kiwanis Club, Brendan Long, Kaya McCray, Osdeimer Perez and Amber Draper. On a motion by Mr. Tehran, seconded by Chair O'Reilly, it was voted unanimously to accept the gifts of $450 for Eddy and $450 for Stony Brook from Mara Liebling. (1 abstention Mara Liebling) Monies are earmarked for reinstating art supplies at Stony Brook and for supplies for the accelerated learners program. , Principal Fronius reported that Dibels and Writing Scores were good. Field Day was spectacular with the Whitecaps participating at each station. A special thanks went to Mary Genois and K.T. Stone for the countless hours that they put into planning and preparing the Field Day Event, the PTO for funding the BBQ, and to the staff for their flexibility with schedule changes. Excavation on the huge mound of dirt that was dumped in the rear of the building is leveled. A special thanks to Charlie Sumner and Bob Bersin for their quick responsiveness and help in expediting this project. A 50% library media/technology position has been posted. Kindergarten enrollment is at 76 - 19 students in each classroom. The School Committee has set suggested perimeters of: Minimum 13/Target 17/Maximum 21. Mrs. Joan Sutton is retiring after 40 years of teaching and Mrs. Carolee Rusielewiccz will move from the Reading Specialist position to Grade 1. Mary Genois will be accepting a full time P.E. position at Eastham Elementary School. Mrs. K.T. Stone will be the full time P.E. teacher at Stony Brook. Due to the tight budget constraints and the loss of the Collaborative, Mr. Dudley Young will not longer be working as a custodian at the Stcny Brook School. Mrs. Joanne Borsari will assume a fourth grade classroom teaching position at the Eddy School. An invitation was extended to School Committee and Administration to attend the Annual Spring Concert and Second Grade Farewell Ceremonies Principal Fronius shared a letter sent to parents regarding treatment of the fie_'cis. A Fall vote by the school committee is required for fi~ _iher applications. Brewster School Committee Minutes Page 2 i:d z ~ y'~~S.S ~ t .i ~~~y~~ ~ S 44 6 PLAN -Eddy Elementary School Principal Gauley reviewed the goals in the Improvement Plan. On a motion by Mrs. Rabold, seconded by Mr. Tehnan, it was voted unanimously to accept the Eddy Elementary School Improvement Plan. FY10 BUDGET UPDATE Dr. Hoffmann reported that in December and January principals put a freeze on spending. A number of instructional supplies were put on hold. Principals were told to purchase the items that they deferred earlier in the year. (Eddy balance $14,247 and Stony Brook balance $9,431.90) Mr. Tehran asked that Administration be certain all invoices are encumbered. Chairman O'Reilly voiced his frustration that votes taken over 60 days ago did not seem to be reflected in the expenditure report. FYl l BUDGET UPDATE Dr. Hoffmann reported that with the additional funding from the Finance Committee, principals will fund a portion of the technology position so that there is 1.5 technology/library positions. One special needs student will start at the Collaborative in the Fall. Questions were raised regarding the increase in the Special Needs budget. Principal Gauley indicated that it is for transportation for preschool and the out of district placements. It was indicated that $32,000 in ARRA funds is committed to the Special Needs Program. Dr. Hoffinann ill bring a full report on ARRA funds to the committee. Chairman O'Reilly asked that the budget be updated for the next meeting. SCHOOL CHOICE A discussion was held regarding participation in school choice. Reasons not to participate included: maintaining small class sizes, State Funding is $5,000 for School Choice students, no .control over who enters the district, and cannibalization ofour own Nauset district. Discussion was held regarding possible benefits of participating in School Choice, seats available at each grade level, lottery, and monetary benefits. It was mentioned that attendance is difficult with a lot of tardiness and absences, no sense of community pride, and siblings have to be admitted. Mrs. Rabold asked that a discussion regarding participation in School Choice take place earlier in the year.. On a motion by Mr. Telman, seconded by Mr. O'Reilly it was voted NOT to participate in School Choice. VISIONING/STRATEGIC PLAN This will be a good opportunity for everyone to review the existing plan and update long term. goals and priorities. Each town will have unique pieces of a unified plan. After a lengthy discussion, it was suggested that this item be tabled until after the Joint Meeting. Dr. Hoffinann suggested that the Committee use some of the documents presently in place such as the School Improvement Plans. The Anti-Bullying Program must be incorporated as it is State mandated. SUM1~~R MEETING The Committee asked that a July 15a' meeting be held to discuss the end of the year financial reports. CAPE COD COLLABORATIVE Jennifer Rabold reported that the Collaborative has moved to Osterville. Dr. Hoffinann read a letter of thanks and appreciation from the Cape Cod Collaborative. APPROVAL OF MIN(JTES On a motion by Chairman O'Reilly, seconded by Dr. Liebling, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of May 20, 2010. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Mr. Telman, seconded by Chairman O'Reilly, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at $;27 p.~m., subject to payment of bills. ~~-Y :~~ Ann M. Tefft, recording secretary .~ ~' ..~. -~ h--i '~ ::C: ~~. 1_i_] f"~ I;f_I ~,~ "~i: