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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2010-11-18 Minutes Brewster School Committee Minutes of Thursday, November 18,2010 FREE Held at Eddy Elementary School Chair O'Reilly called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. ROLL CALL For the Committee: Mara Liebling,John O'Reilly,Jen Rabold For the Administration: Richard Hoffinann,Keith Gauley, and Hans Baumhauer Others: Parents, and interested citizens AGENDA CHANGES—Parental request for fifth grade student CITIZENS SPEAK Trish Hill,President of the Brewster PTO submitted a letter to the School Committee questioning the relocation of the PTO closet at the Stony Brook Elementary School. Greg Baecker distributed a handout to School Committee members regarding concessions and building use fees. RECOGNITIONS Dr.Hoffmann recognized the following individuals who helped with the clean up as a result of a plumbing problem at Eddy School that occurred on October 30`11: Anne Moore, Stacey Vendetti,Lynne McGrath,Frank Smith,Marni Maintainis,Tiffany Nicely-Holleck,Amy Daley,Pam Griffen,Louise Dancause, Chris Ladde,Barry Schofeild and Sean Pitta. Martha Dunford, was recognized for being the recipient of a Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Orleans Rotary Club. PRIORITY BUSINESS Review Parental Request Ms. Shasharma Dibble addressed the committee regarding a residency issue involving a fifth grade student.Chair O'Reilly reminded the Committee that the residency requirements have been waived in the past under certain circumstances and in the best interest of individual students. On a motion by Ms.Rabold,seconded by Dr. Liebling, it was voted unanimously,to suspend the Residency Policy and allow a fifth grader to remain at Eddy School for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year. Two Tier Bus Transportation System Dion Dugan,Chair of the Region Transportation Subcommittee addressed the Brewster School Committee regarding the possibility of moving from a three tier bus system to a two tier system,noting the potential benefits and issues. After a lengthy discussion it was the consensus of the Committee that it is imperative to compile a carefully worded survey for parents to hear their concerns or voice their support about the proposed two-tier bus system. Dr.Hoffmann indicated that an"email blast"could be sent to all the parents informing them of the survey monkey and their invaluable input. Administrators' Reports Principal Gauley reported on the Writing and Dibel Scores for Stony Brook Elementary,in Principal Fronius' absence. He also informed the Committee of the"flood update"at Elementary School indicating that everything is in great shape. It was noted that the cause of the"flood"was a plastic nut that cracked and broke. They will be checking connections and checking on other plastic nuts to see if they need replacement. A list of unserviceable computer equipment was distributed and the School Committee was asked to vote to declare the items listed as unserviceable and scheduled for recycling. On a motion by Ms. Rabold, seconded by Dr.Liebling,it was voted unanimously to have the items listed recycled. w l_ t Brewster School Committee Minutes—November 18, 2010 Page 2 i Brewster Whitecaps Agreement Hans Baumhauer,Business Manager,reviewed the revised Brewster Whitecap Agreement with changes highlighted. The Committee will review the document and this will be placed on the December agenda. It was noted that the Whitecaps will be paying for interchanging the netting,herbicides for the field,and maintenance of the sprinkler system,formerly items paid for by the school. In the absence of Dr.Bonny Gifford,Dr.Hoffmann distributed her report which highlighted Bullying Prevention and Intervention, Literacy Plan Development,Math Literacy,and Grant updates. The Superintendent reported that he requested the High School to find a way to make sure School Committee members receive an invitation to all the different events. Dr. Hoffmann attended an outstanding concert at the High School on October 28th with the choruses and bands. A Winter Festival is coming up on Saturday,December 4th from 9:00 a.m.— 12:00 p.m. All are invited. The chorus and band will be performing throughout the morning. Dr.Hoffmann indicated he recently met with the police chiefs from all four towns to discuss a Bullying Intervention Plan. Eastham Police Chief, Ed Kulawik spoke to the Region School Committee on November 17` regarding the inclusion of a School Resource Officer in the budget,along with the rationale behind the request which is supported by all Chiefs and Dr.Hoffmann. FY 11 Budget Hans Baumhauer reviewed the budget transfers and answered questions from the Committee.On a motion by Ms. Rabold,seconded by Dr.Liebling,it was voted unanimously to move the transfers as submitted. Hans Baumhauer reviewed the enrollment projections with the Committee. The Committee asked Mr.Baumhauer go back five years and see if the projections were accurate. This item was tabled until December, when the Committee will review with the additional information. FY12 Budget Dr.Hoffmann reviewed the budget format with the Committee column by column. The Committee would like to see one more column with totals. The Committee would like to present to the Town exactly what is needed to run the schools. Dr.Hoffmann indicated the preliminary budgets would be in the mail on or about December 6h. A parent voiced concerns about the programs eroding in Brewster,the age of the computer labs,and the need for people to step up and support their schools. Policies Dr.Hoffmann reviewed the Bullying Policy with the Committee and indicated that the Superintendent has created a model Prevention and Intervention Plan due to the Dept.of Education no later than December 31,2010. On a motion by Ms.Rabold,seconded by Dr.Liebling,it was voted unanimously to accept the Bullying Prevention Policy 5147 for a first reading. (2nd reading and adoption will be at the Joint School Committee meeting on December 9h.) Tuesday,November 23rd Nauset will be holding District-wide Professional Development on the topic of Bullying Prevention. On a motion by Ms.Rabold, seconded by Dr. Liebling, it was voted unanimously to approve the amended Harassment Policy for a first reading. The Facebook Policy was tabled at this time as the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees is collaborating on this and will reissue a policy. Building Use Fees Dr.Hoffmann suggested that the Committee look at the samples that Hans Baumhauer provided from various districts on the Cape. Eastham,Wellfleet and Orleans are looking at building use fees as well and this will be an agenda item at the Joint meeting in January. It was suggested that the Middle School building use policy be reviewed. The Committee discussed the need to have some policies in place for example: non-profit,profit, who approves the use of the space etc. A discussion was held regarding closet space at the Stony Brook School. This will be on item on the December agenda. The PTO can keep their space until the issues are resolved. The School Committee requested Hans Baumhauer give them a proposal with fees for building use. Brewster School Committee Minutes—November 18, 2010 Page 3 Visioning The facilitator,Skye Freys-Cole,could not attend the November meeting but Dr.Hoffmann will ask her to be at the December meeting. (need to get a funding source for the fee$1,600) Orleans having a Visioning Event on Jan. 7' 2011. REPORTS AND INFORMATION Cape Cod Collaborative—no report Transportation Subcommittee—discussed earlier in the meeting APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion by Ms. Rabold,seconded by Dr.Liebling, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 21,2010. EXECUTIVE SESSION On a motion by Ms.Rabold,seconded by.Dr.Liebling,it was voted to go into Executive Session at 9:35 p.m. for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining with union employees. The Committee announced they would not return to public session. On a roll call the vote was as follows: Dr. Liebling—aye,Ms. Rabold—aye, and Chair O'Reilly—aye ADJOURNMENT The Committee,by a roll call vote,came out of Executive Session and adjourned at 10:00 p.m.,subject to payment of bills. On a roll call the vote was as follows: Ms.Rabold—aye,Dr.Liebling—aye,and Chair O'Reilly-aye R çiYbped ctfu. Tefft Recording Secretary :1, I 11 • I.. i .