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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2010-10-21 Minutes Brewster School Committee APPEOVa Minutes of Thursday,October 21,2010 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,John O'Reilly,Jen Rabold, Marie Enochty(7:50 p.m.) For the Administration: Richard Hoffmann,Bonny Gifford,Denise Fronius,Keith Gauley, and Hans Baumhauer Others:Town Officials,parents,and interested citizens AGENDA CHANGES-Review Capital Plan CITIZENS SPEAK—None RECOGNITIONS Ms.Christine Siegal reminded the Committee that October 21st was a National Awareness day for"Lights on After School,"to promote after school program awareness. State Rep.Cleon Turner visited the school acknowledging students and staff involved in the after school program. Paragraphs were read by students indicating why they like the after school program so much. PRIORITY BUSINESS Brewster Whitecaps Peter Blatz,President of the Brewster Whitecaps addressed the committee with his annual appeal for permission to use the field in 2011. He also asked at this time that the Committee rewrite and reword the present agreement to meet everyone's needs. Chair O'Reilly indicated that he read the 2003 agreement which indicated that the Principal who signs off on pest management plan and fertilizer. The Superintendent suggested the Committee continue to approve this. It was suggested that the Whitecaps pay for the safety net to go up and down. (presently it is an expense to the school) The Business Manager,Hans Baumhauer, indicated he would work with all parties to come up with an agreement. It was noted the food concession is in the current agreement and is operated by the Brewster Bayside Skippers. Discussion ensued regarding the exclusive concession operations,storage of concession units, supplies and use of field. Chair O'Reilly asked that this item be brought back to the next meeting to discuss the building and usage fees. The practice has been that non-profits do not pay a fee. On a motion by Jen Rabold,seconded by Dave Telman,it was voted unanimously to approve the use of the field in 2011,based on the current contract terms,with intention that the three entities start reworking the contract. Bayside Skippers Principal Fronius gave an overview of the particulars regarding storage space for the Recreation Department,After School Program,and the Brewster Bayside Skippers. It was noted that the Brewster Bayside Skippers paid a small fee($15.00)per month for electricity in October and November. Mr.Steve Allard was in attendance but was not prepared to address the issues at this time. Chair O'Reilly apologized for notifying Mr.Ellard so late and asked that this item be placed on the next school committee agenda in November, if needed, which would give the committee time to think about fees. The Superintendent indicated it was rare to ever charge another Town department for facility use. Brewster Bayside Skippers are considered part of the Recreation Department. Preserving Quality Education Update Ms. Donna Kalinik updated the Committee on the activities of the group to date. They have reached out to parents and community members who have a vested interest in the town and schools,collecting over 500 signatures on a petition to let town officials know the significant number of Brewster citizens who support fully funding the Brewster Elementary Schools. She read the petition to the Committee: Brewster School Committee Minutes— October 21, 2010 Page 2 "We,citizens of Brewster,have signed below to inform the Brewster Board of Selectmen,the Finance Committee of the Town of Brewster,and the Brewster School Committee that we support a school budget for fiscal year 2011- 2012 that will restore education services lost in years 2006-2010,and that will in future years maintain the quality of elementary education offered in our town. The years 2006-2010 have seen more than$940,000 cut from the Brewster Elementary Schools(Stony Brook and Eddy). These cuts have resulted in the loss of 16 teaching and support positions and have negatively impacted the education of the children of Brewster." Ms.Kalinik further itemized four of the most significant cuts to the programs; loss of dedicated reading teacher, failure to replace 1 special needs teacher,reduction of library and technology to one teacher,and the reduction of the 12-month secretary at Stony Brook and indicated how these cuts negatively impacted the children of Brewster. She informed the Committee that there is a lot of misinformation out in the public about the school system. The Superintendent and the Principals publicly thanked the group for their support. Administrators' Reports Principal Gauley indicated that he has some grant applications submitted for the Art Club,Community Service Club and the Arts Foundation. He announced a Pasta Dinner/Auction fundraiser scheduled for November 5th and indicated formal invitations will be sent out. A Vocabulary Day Parade has been scheduled for October 22nd Principal Gauley also indicated that the Committee cut one Special Needs Teacher last year and everything was running smoothly until the present Special Needs Teacher became ill with unknown medical issues and was out for four weeks. He is concerned about her health and concerned about the program as well. This may develop into a long term substitute issue and he will keep the Committee informed. Principal Fronius reviewed the Dibels Scores with the Committee indicating the"readiness"of Kindergartners coming from Preschool with such strong skills. With students at risk or having some risk,literacy meetings are held,data analyzed,and success plans created for children in their specific area of need. Principal Fronius indicated that she is working on a math initiative with all staff members participating in a professional development afternoon. This will take place on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. The Principals are working on creating a"wordle"for literacy in all the schools which will be used as the cover of their budget books and a poster will hang in the lobby of the schools. Community Read Day was very successful! She thanked Sue Ford,Elise Bucci,Anne Moore,and the Parent Group Hospitality Committee for their efforts in making this such a success. Principal Fronius reported receiving a grant from Mobil in Orleans for$750. The annual Kindergarten Halloween parade will be held and all are invited.Dr.Hoffmann commended Principal Fronius for her excitement in bringing professional development to her staff with the math initiative. Assistant Superintendent,Bonny Gifford reviewed the Professional Development Schedule on November 22 and 23 with the Committee. Bullying Prevention Workshop will take place on November 23rd. Teachers will be attending Category I Training for ELL students. The teaching and learning focus is a district-wide literacy plan highlighting literacy across all content areas. Dr. Gifford gave an update on grants indicating that the Ed.Quality Grant had been approved and they will align money to where the needs are. RTTT information was submitted. Brewster will receive$24,322 over 4 years. Year 1 is a planning year. Two projects have been identified—Teacher Evaluation System and curriculum alignment with the Common Core. Superintendent Hoffmann attended a Nauset Football game and Community Read Day at Stony Brook Elementary School,both great fun! Recently he met with the Police Chiefs from the four towns with the Chiefs providing some insight into bullying prevention. The Superintendent attended the Southeastern Mass. Readiness Meeting and Marie Enochty was a very impressive advocate for the preschool children. He is beginning to put together the FY 12 Budgets. FY 11 Budget Update Hans Baumhauer,Business Manager,reviewed the monthly expense report and indicated next month he will have a document to explain the overages. In November,the transfer process will take place. It was noted that in the Playground Equipment Account,items that concern safety are being fixed. Brewster School Committee Minutes— October 21, 2010 Page 3 FY12 Budget Dr.Hoffmann reviewed the preliminary information for the FY12 budget and emphasized that we are good stewards of the precious funds the citizens provide to us,we understand the current fiscal climate,our goal is total transparency of all of our revenues and expenses,we understand what is at risk,and we want to develop a sustainable funding mechanism/vision for our future. Placing the FY12 Budget on the website was mentioned but the pubic must understand the unfunded mandates that are often not accompanied with funding. Public forums would be ciritcal to get citizens into the schools. The actual budget format was discussed showing last year"actual" and this year"projected"and what are some of the things that we would like to restore. The School Committee requested that the Administration go back five years and show cuts made to personnel and programs. A discussion followed regarding the difference in"needs and wants." Chair O'Reilly indicated he would like to have a wish list but use it as an educational tool as the committee goes through the budget process. The Committee also thought it was effective having one budget figure and amending it on the Town Meeting floor. Dr.Hoffmann reviewed the budget timeline with the School Committee. (about one month ahead of last year) MASC Resolutions Members of the Committee decided they would not have a delegate to the MASC conference. Visioning/Strategic Planning Dr.Hoffmann reviewed the process with the Committee and let them know what other Towns have been doing regarding a visioning process. Skye Cole-Freyss was the facilitator at the visioning events in other towns at a cost of $1,600.Dr.Hoffmann will invite her to the meeting in November. It was the consensus of the Committee to hold the"visioning"session sometime in January. Capital Plan The Capital Plan was reviewed and listed in priority order. On a motion by Ms.Enochty,seconded by Ms.Rabold it was voted unanimously to approve the Capital Plan as submitted. REPORTS AND INFORMATION Cape Cod Collaborative Ms.Enochty reported on the wonderful tour Cape Cod Collaborative that was recently held with five Nauset people in attendance. Transportation Subcommittee Chair O'Reilly indicated at the November meeting that the Committee will explore the two-tier bus transportation system. Start times may be altered to make this plan more efficient. The elementary schools will not see a savings but it will help the Middle and High School.This is in the planning stages and more information will be forthcoming. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion by Mr.Telman,seconded by Ms. Rabold, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 23,2010. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Ms. Rabold,seconded by Mr.Telman, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.,subject to payment of bills. pectfully submitted, n M. Tefft • Recording Secretary It'1 11 Brewster School Committee Minutes— October 21, 2010 Page 4 •