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Home My Public Portal AboutBrewster School Committee -- 2010-07-22 Minutes~DDDO Brewster School Committee Minutes of Thursday, July 22, 2010 Held at Eddy Elementary School Chair O'Reilly called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL: For the Committee: Mara Liebling, David Telman, and John O'Reilly For the Administration: Richard Hoffmann, Bonny Gifford, Denise Fronius, Keith Gauley, and Hans Baumhauer Others: Howard Bender -Finance Committee, parents, interested citizens AGENDA CHANGES -None CITIZENS SPEAK -None PRIORITY BUSINESS PTO Newly Formed Committee Donna Kalinick read a letter regarding the Preserving Quality Education Committee formed to give some structure around efforts needed to get parents and community members organized and registered to vote, with its mission being "to preserve and enhance the quality of education in the Town of Brewster and to prepare for May 2011 Town meeting and Election." The Committee and the Superintendent thanked them for all their efforts and suggested that they work closely with Administration to disseminate facts and figures as needed. Administrators' Reports Principal Fronius reported on enrollment noting that all classes are still within the School Committee guidelines. Presently Kindergarten has 78 students enrolled with 2 classes of 20 and 2 classes of 19. Kindergarten educational assistants will provide approximately three hours of support each day. New staff members include: Elisa Bucci - 50% Library/Technology Teacher, Marge Wallace -sub caller, Carolee Rusielewicz -grade 1 classroom teacher, and one vacant kindergarten educational assistant position will open with the retirement of Carol Zych. Summer Building Capital Projects and maintenance include: Lavatory faucets are about 90% complete, emergency generator oil tank and fencing is complete, emergency lighting is complete, LGI room carpeting project and the replacement is complete, and painting will be completed by the end of July. The custodians are on track with cleaning the building. A high school student is earning community service hours by assisting the custodial staff. Chair O'Reilly indicated that Bob Bersin would be in touch with Principal Fronius and Hans Baumhauer regarding the septic system. Mr. Baumhauer indicated that he would get the septic system inspected. Principal Gauley reported on enrollment at 252 students with 78 students in grade 3, 91 students in grade 4, and 83 students in grade 5. The estimated enrollment for September is 254 students, up 5 from close of school in June. (2 new grade 3 and 2 new grade 5 students enrolled over the summer) New staff members included Suzanne Books -educational assistant, Elisa Bucci -Library/Technology Teacher, and he is presently seeking to fill aspeech/language pathologist vacancy, with the resignation of Amy Chase. Custodian, Wayne Hastings has retired and Principal Gauley is in the process of hiring a a new custodian as well. Brewster School Committee Minutes -July 22, 2010 Pape 2 Maintenance of the building included the repair of two catch basins and repair of exterior lights that were funded through the Capital Plan. The Superintendent welcomed Dr. Bonny Gifford indicating she was very busy visiting schools and meeting with Principals. Dr. Hoffmann attended the MASS Conference at Mashpee High School noting dynamic speakers with the message being that education must be the priority for towns. Dr. Hoffmann also reported that the Board of Education was voting for the Common Core, which is more rigorous than Mass Frameworks. The Common Core includes reading and writing across the curriculum such as non- fiction reading and writing in social studies and science. A presentation regarding the Common Core will be given at a future meeting. This may eliminate MCAS as we know it, but will not eliminate accountability and testing. Dr. Hoffmann also reported that the state would be launching a virtual high school program in an effort to help struggling students to get an education for free or at a low cost. FY10 Budget Hans Baumhauer, Business Manager, reported that all transfers were incorporated into the budget the day after the committee approved them. He assured the Committee that all invoices FY10 have been encumbered through a written purchase order. The only time there is no purchase order is when there is an emergency. Utility costs will be reported at the next meeting. He also reported on the ARRA funds and Capital Plan status. FY10 final expenditures were slightly under budget due to tight budget controls, favorable utility prices, retirements, use of capital funds to repair HAVAC, and the additional appropriation from the Finance Committee. FY11 Budget Hans Baumhauer distributed a summary of the FY11 budget with minor adjustments to column headings. It was noted that the hiring of a speech/language pathologist will have on budget in FY11. Next Meeting Date The Committee decided they would schedule a meetin~q for August 19`h if needed. Otherwise, the next Brewster School Committee meeting is September 23` . July 29th is the Joint School Committee Strategic Planning Meeting from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Brewster Town Hall. Approval of Minutes On a motion by Mr. Telman, seconded by Dr. Liebling, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 17, 2010. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Telman, seconded by Chair O'Reilly, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p. m. es ,ectfull su fitted, nn . Tefft ,~ ecording Secre"tary i..r.l iii i 1.......1 .._.I I;`_._I ITl ...._..~ ::r_~~ I`~~.7 ..._i h... .I ....... p...... ~~:~ 1....~) I`r.l I.....:,. ::u~~