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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2012-04-26 Minutes ,rs r � 41/3 Brewster School Committee Bre 997n.) April 26, 2012 Brewster Town Hall Present for the Committee: Dave Telman, Donna Kalinick, Jennifer Rabold and Mara Liebling Present for Administration: Dr. Hoffmann CALL TO ORDER Chair Rabold called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. CITIZENS SPEAK-None RECOGNITIONS Chair Rabold recognized the Destination Imagination Team members Sam Liebling,Arielle 011agnon, Maya 011agnon, Jordan Miner, Marina Brooks, Bennett Hartley, and Quinn Liebling who finished second at the state-wide tournament held at WPI in Worcester. The Eddy Team is currently fundraising for their trip to the DI Globals competition being held in Knoxville, Tennessee in May. Principal Fronius recognized Tanya Donovan, First Grade Teacher and her students; Seraima Firsova,Natalie Fischer, and Corey Vendetti winners of the Poetry Peace Contest. The students were welcomed and invited to read their award winning poems to the Committee. Chair Rabold also recognized members of SEA for their collaborate efforts in publishing the Eddy Gazette. Administrators' Reports Principal Fronius reported that 64 students have registered for kindergarten. Principal Fronius presented a"day in the life of a kindergarten student"and Donna Desrosiers talked about developmental stages with parents. The school nurse and Principal Secretary were also available to help parents through the registration process. Principal Fronius informed the Committee that next yearthe kindergarten teachers will be implementing"Tools of the Mind"curriculum. Mrs. Kalinick asked for an updated enrollment regarding preschool. { Surplus Items - On a motion by Dave Telman, seconded by Donna Kalinick, it was voted to accept the list of surplus items at the Stony Brook and Eddy Elementary Schools as submitted. ' I Principal Gauley recognized Stacey Faris and Leah Belliveau for the outstanding choral and instrumental music event and Deb Bergstrom for a wonderful 5th grade talent show. He reported on teaching vacancies and present staff filling some positions. He will post vacancies for a reading teacher, Title I teacher, one grade three teacher and a special needs teacher. He would like to have a full time reading position and is looking for some support in science. He also reported that the Zoom Tablet Pilot Program ended before the April vacation. Mrs. Kalinick remarked on the much improved attendance at Eddy and Stony Brook. She suggested that Administration do some advanced PR work for September and advertise the start times of school. Principal Gauley also mentioned the Morning in Motion Program that is happening before school three days a week. Discussion ensued relative to early morning programs and early morning recesses taking place throughout the district which gets kids to school on time and sets them up for a good start to the day. Dr. Hoffmann reported that the Green Repair Project Roof bids were opened and awarded to Capeway Roofing whose bid was below the estimate. The entire project is about$800,000 less than what was anticipated. Interviews for Director of Finance and Operations have taken place with very good candidates and the Food and Nutrition Director applicants are outstanding. The Superintendent attended the Parents' Prom,the Eddy Talent Show and visited Stony Brook Elementary on"Visit Your School Day." He is visiting all School Council meetings with a draft of the Strategic Plan and is soliciting input. Principals have had a lot of input into the plan and teachers and staff will have that opportunity as well. The Superintendent Evaluation was discussed and clarification was made that all members evaluate the Superintendent. He explained the process was changed this year at the suggestion of the Union 54 Chair, Mort Inger and agreed upon at a Joint meeting. Members of Union 54(elementary schools)will meet on May 10th, evaluate the Superintendent, and give their written evaluations to Mort Inger who will compile the evaluations. The Region School Committee members may or may not have a meeting earlier that day. They will give their written evaluations to Chair Frank Cummings who will compile them. Mrs. Kalinick asked if the Eddy School could get on the MSBA list for the roof and HVAC. The Superintendent indicated that no application has been made to the MSBA as they have certain times when schools can submit requests. They give you a 60-90 day window to get an application submitted, once they advertise they are accepting applications. FY12 Budget Barry Schofield gave a brief history of the window situation at Stony Brook Elementary School. He has replaced ten double units and nine single units as well as repaired trim shingles and sills. He indicated that not all windows are in the same condition. Some are badly rotted while some are not showing any rot. He indicated you can see where the water is coming in and they keep replacing ceiling tiles. He prioritized what could be done with$20,000 and estimated total window replacement would cost around $100,000. There are 144 windows in all shapes and sizes in the addition, which was built in 1989,being looked at for possible replacement at various times/incrementally. He reported that all capital projects have been accomplished including: HVAC (ongoing),tractor and lawn mower have been purchased, faucets have been replaced, gutters have been repaired, and carpet and tile jobs have been completed. He indicated there might be a small balance left in capital money. The Committee praised him for the great job he does taking care of both schools. Dr. Hoffmann reviewed the monthly expenditure report with transfers included. He also indicated the budgets were in good shape. $58,000 has been placed in an article on the warrant for unanticipated special needs costs. Money was saved earlier in the year; otherwise the cost would have been more. The I Can Program realized some savings. A lot of money was saved on utilities thanks to the warm winter weather and can provide $25,000 on town meeting floor to lessen the burden on the town. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that the Principals need to spend some funds on instructional materials for science. The cafeteria accounts were discussed and it was asked how deficits at both schools will be covered. A question was raised about miscellaneous receipts and an answer will be forthcoming. Principal Fronius indicated the breakfast program has increased participation. Mrs. Kalinick asked if prices have been locked in for oil. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that it was presently out tp bid and the Central Office has not been notified of the results of the county bid. It was noted the substitute account was over expended due to an unanticipated long term substitute situation. FY13 Budget Dr. Hoffmann indicated no new information is available on the FY13 budget. SCHOOL CHOICE Public Hearing The Superintendent recommended the Committee not participate in school choice. Discussion ensued about the Orleans School Committee voting to participate in school choice and Brewster class sizes vs. Orleans class sizes. Chair Rabold reviewed class sizes; minimums, targets and maximums indicating that all classes are within School Committee guidelines for class size. Motion: On a motion by Dave Telman, seconded by Donna Kalinick, it was voted unanimously not to participate in School Choice at either school for 2012-13. Chair Rabold felt a discussion relative to School Choice should take place at the upcoming Joint School Committee meeting. Space Utilization Subcommittee Recommendation Principal Fronius reported that during April vacation the YMCA of Cape Cod visited the school. She would like the Committee to vote a rental fee and will forward a draft lease to the YMCA of Cape Cod. Rental fees, costs per square foot, custodial coverage and number of rooms to be rented was discussed. The Superintendent recommended the rental fee be $450 per month,per room for five rooms. Principal Fronius indicated they will need to do some renovations for licensing. The YMCA of Cape Cod will be responsible for their telephone, copy machines and interne access. Their goal is to be up and running by September. It was the consensus of the Committee to offer a one year fee for the contract and re-evaluate after the first year. Motion: On a motion by Dave Telman, seconded by Mara Liebling, it was voted unanimously to rent five rooms at the Stony Brook Elementary School for$450 with a contingency on the six room after June 1St. Chair Rabold thanked the Space Utilization Subcommittee for all their hard work. 1 New Teacher Evaluation System Update Dr. Hoffmann updated the Committee on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education new process for evaluation of teachers and the mandatory negotiations. The NEA and the Administration are in the midst of negotiations. Dr. Hoffmann reviewed the process of the new teacher evaluation system. Summer Retreat Dates Dr. Hoffmann asked the Committee to consider the following dates for a summer retreat for school committee members: July 9 & 10, 16 & 17,or 23 & 24. Jim Hardy, MASC will give an evening session on the roles and responsibilities of the school committee as well a review of voting procedures and the new open meeting law. Topics for the day long retreat are the Strategic Plan and the Superintendent Evaluation system. REPORTS AND INFORMATION Cape Cod Collaborative—no report Transportation Subcommittee—Chair Rabold reported that at the last meeting it was decided to continue with the same transportation schedule next year and then re-evaluate. The Subcommittee is gathering data such as ridership studies, grades etc. Playground Subcommittee—Principal Gauley indicated they are looking at the entire recreational and instructional space. Four vendors will be presenting to the subcommittee they will bring forward a recommendation to the school committee. They will involve the community as much as possible. Chair Rabold stated they will be fundraising for the playground and that will apply for CPA funding. REMINDER: May 10th-Union 54 Meeting, 6:00 p.m. , Central Office and May 24th Joint Meeting/Celebration of Excellence, 5:30 p.m.,Nauset Middle School Chair Rabold would like MASC Cape and Island Meeting on the agenda next month for discussion. Approval of Minutes On a motion by Dave Telman, seconded by Mara Liebling, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the March 15, 2012 meeting. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Dave Telman, seconded by Donna Kalinick, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 p.m., subject to payment of bills. Respectfully submitted, Ann M. Tefft 1 1 t %} i 11 i , Js: 5r;`