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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2011-06-16 Minutes AIN E]ovED Brewster School Committee June 16, 2011 Brewster Town Hall Present for the Committee: Marie Enochty, Donna Kalinick, Dave Telman and Chair Rabold Present for the Administration: Richard Hoffmann, Bonny Gifford, Ann Caretti, Hans Baumhauer, Denise Fronius and Keith Gauley CALL TO ORDER Chair Rabold called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. CITIZENS SPEAK None RECOGNITIONS Principals will give recognitions in their reports. PRIORITY BUSINESS Administrators Reports Principal Fronius gave a brief summary of how they are meeting their goals in the first year of the School Improvement Plan including the academic accomplishments and their focused interventions in grades 1 and 2,as well as continued improvement of the school climate. Principal Fronius reviewed the Dibels Scores and the Writing Benchmarks stating that students in grade 2 are on grade level when moving into grade 3. The PTO received just under $400 for their fundraiser with Stop and Shop. Field day was a great day with the White Caps players very involved with each station and attended the BBQ. The end of the year classrooms are having many celebrations. At this time she recognized the retirees from Stony Brook: Paul Fagan and Beth Biathrow. Kindergarten enrollment is at 75 with approximately 3 registration packets still not returned. Families are moving to Brewster because of the wonderful schools. Principal Fronius as well as Principal Gauley thanked everyone for supporting the Proposition 2 1 Override. Principal Gauley reviewed the reading,writing benchmarks. He also indicated that grade 2 to 3 transitions went very well. He recognized the BUGS Award Winners: Delanie Manner, Manuela Rios, Angela Bornstien, and Amber Bailey. These students were recognized by the Lower Cape Kiwanis Club of Orleans for bringing up their grades successfully. He is working with Dr. Caretti on staffing and programs. At this point he feels that all needs can be met within the present budget. Principal Gauley gave a brief update on the School Improvement Plan. He distributed a School Council Survey for the Committee's review indicating that next year's updated targets will be adjusted according to the feedback from the surveys. !- Chair Rabold stated that budget cuts made the budget very tight this year at Eddy. She indicated she does not want to be in that position next year. If there is a situation, she urged Administration to keep the Committee informed. Ann Caretti, Director of Student Services reported on the purchase of a new software program called Kurzweil. A demonstration will be presented by staff at a future meeting noting that this program is not just for Special Needs students but for all students. This program is also available to students during MCAS testing which eliminates having someone read tests to students and helps them feel more independent. The teachers are very excited about this new program. Dr. Gifford,Assistant Superintendent reported the Literacy Action Plan is finished and will be presented at the Joint School Committee meeting. The District Math Team is beginning an in- depth exploration of the new Framework which will require changes in practice. Dr. Gifford is preparing a Race To The Top narrative detailing how our project selections align with the district improvements plans and RTTT goals as well as brief narratives and budgets for each selected project. Projects include: implement statewide educator evaluation framework, align curriculum to MA Frameworks,strengthen climate, conditions and school culture,implement schools interoperability framework (SIF), develop and implement a plan to increase the percentage of high school graduates completing MassCore and implement elements of the statewide teaching and learning system. Dr. Hoffmann reported that a new principal for Eastham Elementary School has been hired, Joanne"Scottie" Finnegan. There is a reception for her on June 21st at Eastham Elementary School and all are invited to attend. A new Technology Coordinator has been hired, Barbara Lavoine and she will begin on August 1St. Dr. Gifford and Dr. Hoffmann will be working with all Principals on August 1, 2, and 3 focusing on the new teacher administrator evaluation system which is a top priority for the district. Dr. Hoffmann also indicated that he will be recommending that the Wellness Policy go back to the subcommittee as some information may be inaccurate regarding flavored milk. Dr. Liebling wrote some revisions for the policy hoping to clarify some points. The Chair of the Wellness Committee, Sarah Blackwell would like to hold a forum to explain the policy and the ideas behind the policy for parents. Dr. Hoffmann noted that Commissioner Chester visited Eddy school this past month. He also thanked Committee members for attending the Celebration of Excellence. FY11 Budget Update Mr. Baumahuer stated that the schools were tracking toward the end of the year and closing the books. The Principals are putting together priority lists to spend down balances as budgets have been frozen since February. Capital Plan Update Hans Baumhauer reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan and thanked the Town of Brewster for the capital money. He also recognized Barry Schofield for doing a fantastic job assisting with these capital projects. Chair Rabold asked about the HVAC system, as at one point they were planning to replace the entire system. She asked if they need to consider putting it on the Capital Plan 2012. Mr. Baumhauer indicated that conversations with Mr. Sumner need to take place. Ms. Kalinick noted that$50,000 has been spent on the system for repairs and that there will be no money left in the fall in that account. She questioned what would happen if the system broke down and asked if it would come out of the regular budget. Principal Gauley indicated that Mr. Sumner was aware of the situation. Mr. Baumhauer indicated that if it broke down they would have to ask for supplemental appropriations or transfer capital funds from another project. The HVAC system is included in the five-year capital plan. Mr. Baumhauer informed the Committee that an RFP was sent out for the Food Service Department. He let the Committee know that all cafeteria personnel met so that they know what is happening with the RFP. Proposals will be coming in and he will keep the Committee updated. Presently the Brewster cafeteria is running in a$30,000 deficit. He noted that Principal Fronius and Chair Rabold are on the RFP Committee. He also noted that proposals are not binding but concluded that the cafeterias must run in a more efficient manner. Superintendent's Evaluation Committee members evaluated the Superintendent in five areas: Leadership, Management, Community Relations, Professional Behavior, and Communication with School Committee members. According to the Open Meeting Law,all written documents that are a part of the evaluation will become public documents at the Joint Meeting. Dr. Hoffmann appreciated all the time and effort committee members put into the evaluations as it is a growth process for the Superintendent Bus Transportation Dr. Hoffmann reported that the bus company has released a draft of the bus schedules and they are posted on the Nauset website. Dr. Hoffmann plans on sending an email blast to parents so that they can take a look at the stops and send their thoughts or concerns to Mr. Baumhauer, in the Business Office. Chair Rabold indicated that parents really need to look at the bus routes and stops. Ms. Enochty reminded everyone that the first couple of weeks of school will be tough, as with anything new, and that people need to be patient. Ms. Kalinick asked if a discussion had taken place regarding parent drop off areas. Principals Gauley and Fronius assured the Committee they have a plan ready for implementation. REPORTS AND INFORMATION Cape Cod Collaborative - no report Transportation- no report Policy-reported previously Ms. Kalinick asked if any progress has been made with the empty Stony Brook classrooms and the renting of these rooms. Principal Fronius indicated that the PTO is using one room and a couple of the rooms are filled with surplus materials. Principal Fronius indicated that no one has approached her to rent the space. Chair Rabold suggested that they talk with Cape Cod Community College and have some sort of partnership with their students working with kids in the schools. Chair Rabold asked the Committee about televising the self-assessment meeting in July. Committee member consensus was to televise the meeting. Chair Rabold indicated that a good outcome would be to set some goals. Chair Rabold also mentioned that the Visioning Workshop will be in the fall and the possible dates are Friday, September 16th or Friday, September 30th. Ms. Kalinick asked that parents review the results of the PTO survey. It was interesting that staff and parents ranked study habits and science/technology as priorities. She also noted that the Stony Brook students were delighted to learn they will have Library at the Eddy school each week. Ms. Kalinick also went on the Grade 4 field trip to Breakwater Beach and noted the students helped pick pieces of parking lot off the beach and piled them in the parking lot for the DPW to pick up. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Dave Telman, it was voted to approve the minutes of May 19, 2011. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Dave Telman, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:42 p.m., subject to payment of bills. Respectfully submitted, Ann M.Tefft,recording secretary