HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2012-09-25 Minutes Brewster School Committee %, !1 ii) 1,1 rp
September 25,2012 1, t (!l?
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Brewster Town Hall
Present l
Present for the Committee: Dave Telman,Donna Kalinick,Jennifer Rabold, Brenda Cazeault,and Mara Liebling
Present for Administration:Dr.Hoffmann, Dr. Gifford, Ms. Giovanna Venditti,Principal Gauley and Principal
Froths,and Susan Murray
Others: Greg Levasseur,Brewster Finance Committee
CALL TO ORDER- Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES —Add report on Preschool Enrollment
CITIZENS SPEAK—None
PRIQRITY BUSINESS —
Administrators' Reports
Principal Fronius reported that Stony Brook Elementary School had a stellar start to the school year. In
addition to what was included in the report,Principal Fronius reported that the playground excavation had
begun and is funded by the Brewster Whitecaps. Open House and the Wellness Fair were held with an
estimated 87%parent turn out. The YMCA had their Open House on the same evening and their presence
has exceeded what was envisioned for the school. Principal Fronius thanked the PTO for the morning
refreshments for staff on September 4th, summer reading certificates were distributed to 19 kindergarten,
25 first grade and 25 second grade students, and Heather Holcom-Jones,has been hired as the .5 Science
Curriculum leader. Classes will have science one day per week in a co-teaching setting. Principal
Fronius also stated that the building is at full capacity with a 40% custodian which is something that
should be considered at budget time. Tools of the Mind is being implemented in the Kindergarten. The
Kindergarten Grant provides each kindergarten class with an educational assistant for three hours each
morning with other educational assistants supporting kindergarten classes during the rest of the day. The
YMCA is using the five classrooms and Principal Fronius would like to use the sixth room for
Professional Development throughout the year.
Principal Gauley highlighted items in his report and added it was a busy but good start to the school year.
New 1,curriculums are being implemented and the science program is off to a good start. MCAS scores
have been released and he will have a full report for the Committee in November. He also noted they had
a great turn-out for Parent Curriculum Night. He distributed his School Improvement Plan for initial
revielw and thanked the School Council for their input.
The Stony Brook School Improvement Plan was updated with the Science Curriculum included as
suggested at the last meeting. The Tools of the Mind Program was discussed as well as the information
that has been disseminated to parents. In October, a presentation on Tools of the Mind will take place.
Motion: On a motion by Jennifer Rabold, seconded by Donna Kalinick it was voted unanimously to
approve the Stony Brook School Improvement Plan.
Dr. Hoffmann reported of a very successful opening for 510 staff members at the Middle School where he
Brewster School Committee 9-25-2012 Page 1
shared District goals. Bus transportation had a tough first day with new routes and torrential down pours.
Buses for Eastham were condensed at the last moment due to the loss of a driver which made for a rocky
start M Eastham,the Middle School and the High School. Giovanna Venditti laid out a plan with First
Student of what must be done going forward to correct problems in bus transportation. Dr. Hoffmann
indicated he visited all the schools on the first day and attended the Open Houses at Stony and Eddy. He
also reported the Educators Evaluation is still in negotiations but moving forward, students at the High
School are involved in the Virtual High School and International Students from China, Belgium and
France are attending the High School.
Dr. Ann Caretti reported that all Emergency Medical Plans for the District have been updated and
submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Susan Murray,Director of Food and Nutrition, was introduced and addressed the Committee regarding
the implementation of the POS system in Brewster. She attended the Open House at all the schools to
share information on the new menu and the POS system. She also indicated she is getting good feedback
about the new menu. Negative balances, charges, and Federal Government Regulations regarding
monetary support were discussed. Ms. Murray also reported that Massachusetts does not use any beef
with filler and Brewster Schools do not serve any beef with the filler from any vendor.
Committee members inquired about the buses and it was indicated that transportation at the Eddy School
and Stony Brook Schools is going well, student drop-off down,with significantly more students riding the
bus. 'It was requested if buses are going to be very late that a School Reach call be sent to parents who are
waiting at the bus stops.
FY 1 3 Budget
Ms. Venditti, Director of Finance and Operations gave a brief overview of the school expenditure reports
going forward. She has been working with the software vendor to modify the reports.
Chair Telman asked if a column could indicate the reason for a deficit account and what account will be
used to make up for the deficit. The committee agreed they liked the variance report created by
Ms. Venditti. It was noted that Ms. Venditti is waiting for further information on the roof/HVAC and will
have more details at the next meeting. The Cafeteria Revolving Account has a negative balance carried
forward from the previous year It was indicated that the Town closes its books on a certain date and all
the invoices from vendors may not have come in until after their closing date. The malfunction of the
freezer was discussed and Ms. Venditti indicated that the appropriate measures have been taken to correct
the problem.
Superintendent's Evaluation
Chair Telman compiled committee members' choices for elements to be included in the Superintendent's
evaluation. Discussion ensued regarding the process. The Committee reviewed their choices with votes
of 3,'4, or 5 and decided to include these in their total of 12 elements. These elements included I.B.3
Diverse Learners' Needs, I.D.1. Educator Goals, II.A.2 Operational Systems,
II.B.2 Instructional,Professional Development, and Career Growth Strategies, II-E.1 Fiscal Systems,
III.C1Two Way Communication, III.D.1 Family Concerns, IV.A.1 Commitment to High Standards,
IV.A!.2-Mission and Core Values, IVC.1. Communication Skills, IV.El-Shared Vision Development, IV-
F-3. Consensus Building.
Brewster School Committee 9-25-2012 Page 2
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Capital Plan
Chair Telman and Dr. Hoffmann met with Brewster Selectmen and reviewed the capital requests. The
Selectmen agreed to consider all requests except the playground. The Selectmen were very supportive
and Felt the Administration should move forward in getting the HVAC study done. The Finance
Committee will review the Capital Plan on October 46. Dr. Hoffmann indicated the next SOI is in
January noting that if the MSBA is involved, they need to be assured the Eddy School will remain a
school for the next 20 years. The Selectmen indicated they may not want to do this, and perhaps would
fund it. It was noted if the plan is approved;the roof feasibility study will start immediately.
Union 54 Meetings
Chair Telman discussed the potential for Union 54 meetings prior to the already scheduled Joint School
Committee meetings. The Chair of Union 54, Gwynne Guzzeau, seemed opened to that suggestion.
Union 54 members are Dave Telman, Donna Kalinick, and Jennifer Rabold with
Mara Liebling and Brenda Cazeault as alternates. Dr. Hoffmann indicated this would be on the
October 11th meeting agenda for discussion.
OTHER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Cape Cod Collaborative—no report
Transportation Subcommittee—no report
Playground Subcommittee—Jennifer Rabold distributed a handout to members with a rewritten charge to
the suubcommittee and a list of goals.
On al motion by Mara Liebling, seconded by Donna Kalinick, it was voted unanimously to change the
charge of the playground subcommittee to read:
To assess the needs and opportunities of the playgrounds,fields, and grounds at the Brewster Elementary Schools;to research
funding sources for redesigning and building playgrounds and recreation areas; and to design,plan, secure funding for, and
build playgrounds and recreation areas on the Brewster Elementary Schools land.
Goals:
1. To research current standards and requirements of playgrounds.
2. To assess the state of repair, the safety, the usefulness, the size, and the accessibility of the
playgrounds and surrounding recreation areas, with professional assistance.
3. Tol research funding sources for building playgrounds and designing recreation areas, including
but not limited to,grants and donations from local businesses and foundations and national
companies and foundations, local fundraising efforts, Community Preservation and other state and
federal grants, and capital spending.
4. To'i engage professional expertise in playground and landscape design, construction, and/or
fundraising.
5. To develop, with professional assistance and input from stakeholders, including children, design
plans for playgrounds, and surrounding recreation areas.
6. To carry out fundraising for playgrounds and surrounding recreations areas.
7. To engage professional services to build playgrounds and recreation areas, to be funded through
fundraising efforts,grants, building and grounds revolving account funds, and capital funds if
approved.
Members.. 1 school committee member, I recreation department representative, 1 Nauset Youth Alliance representative,2
principals, 2 parents, 2 community members, other volunteers.
It was noted that the Brewster Board of Selectmen voted to postpone the request for$100,000 for the
playground.
Brewster School Committee 9-25-2012 Page 3
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The Playground Committee is getting cost estimates from John Kissida for fencing,walking paths, safety
around the driveway, sitting area and connection between the two schools. $100,000 is for the structure
and does not include resurfacing. Ms. Rabold indicated that the playground poses no safety risks at this
time and as things have become in disrepair,they are removed.
Policy Subcommittee
Jim Hardy, MASC,has begun working with the Committee updating the Policy Book.
Preschool
Enrollment figures were included in the packet. Dr. Ann Caretti and Dr. Maggie Mack will report at the
October Meeting and talk about the financials. There is presently a second program in Brewster that
includes an extended day component for kids who are heavily involved in disability. It was also reported
that there are more requests than anticipated for the sliding scale. The question asked was out of the 17
on the sliding scale,how many are approved for the$80? How many are paying less than$80? The
Committee would like a snapshot of potential revenue. Dr. Hoffmann noted that the 2010 Census
indicated the poverty percentage is up significantly and he suggested the tuition rate be reviewed as rates
may need to be lowered. It was also noted that 2 Brewster students attend the Orleans Program due to
their disability and the program offered in Orleans.
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Jennifer Rabold, seconded by Donna Kalinick, it was voted unanimously to approve the
minutes of the August 16,2012 meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Jennifer Rabold, seconded by Donna Kalinick, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the
meeting at 9:14 p.m., subject to payment of bills.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Tefft
EWSTER TOWN CLERK
'13 MAR2212:12PN
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