HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2012-10-18 Minutes AppovED
Brewster School Committee
October 18, 2012
Brewster Town Hall
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
Fronius
CALL TO ORDER- Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES—Dr. Hof niann explained the Open Meeting Law as it pertains to agenda
changes, in that, you may add items prior to the meeting, if the Chair did not think the item was to be
discussed previously. You cannot add items to the agenda at the meeting. You can make changes to the
order of the items. A copy of the Open Meeting Laws was requested.
CITIZENS SPEAK—None
PRIORITY BUSINESS—
Administrators' Reports
In addition to what was included in the written report, Principal Fronius reported that Timothy Basil Ering
gave a presentation to the entire school and inspired staff and students for the community wide read
project. She thanked Mrs. Susan Ford, Ms. Elisa Bucci, and Mrs. Patrice Michael for assisting with the
Community Reading Day as well as the PTO for the wonderful reception. DIBELS Next is being
administered by an assessment team consisting of Donna Derosiers, Mary Berzinis, and Cary Noyse.
By using the Data Teams the test is very objective and teachers are not pulled out of their classrooms for a
day of testing. Data teams have been trained on how to interpret reports and all elementary schools are
using the same system so that data is reliable with the same measurements. Principal Fronius also
reported how well the YMCA use of classrooms is working out.
Principal Gauley reported the SEA Program and some Enrichment Programs are up and running that
include: Brewster One-Wheelers, Community Service Club, Culinary Arts Program, Science Enrichment
Program, Eddy Gazette Newspaper Club, Book Club, Homework clubs, Art Enrichment Program, and
Title After School Programs. Principal Gauley invited school committee members to the Vocabulary
Day Parade on October 31st and the Pasta Dinner on November 2nd
Motion:
On a motion by Jennifer Rabold, seconded by Brenda Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to approve the
Eddy Elementary School Improvement Plan.
Dr. Bonny Gifford reported on the ATLAS curriculum mapping with K-5 math and ELA maps completed
and soon to be on the website. The Science Curriculum has not yet been released but the District is busy
purchasing resources for Engineering is Elementary units and Lego WeDo Robotics kits. These resources
foster engineering and technological literacy among children. Roger Faucher, Robotics teacher at the
high school, is leading the Lego Robotics initiative throughout the District. It was requested that the
website be utilized to let parents know what is happening with curriculum.
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Superintendent Hoffmann reported that an agreement has been signed with the NEA President, Mark
Mathison, for the Educator Evaluation System and the draft document has been sent to all educators and
teachers. He thanked Mark Mathison for working so hard on this with Administration. He also noted that
all Principals signed up for multiple day training sessions to be good evaluators. Ken Chapman trained
Principals and Administration on how to conduct observations in the classroom. Dr. Hoffmann met the
President of Cape Cod Community College, John Cox who shared he was considering having a linkage to
Bridgewater and UMass Dartmouth for a Bachelor's Degree Program. Dr. Hoffmann asked Dr. Cox to
consider setting up a program to grant associate degrees in physical therapy and occupational therapy. Dr.
Hoffmann indicated the District would like to partner with Cape Cod Community College on their STEM
initiative. He also reported the Wellness Committee is in the process of reconfiguring their subcommittee
with representation from each school and students from the middle school and high school. The Green
Repair Project has the roof completed, the punch list done and will be working with the solar integrator in
the spring. The window project is complete and the contractors are working on the punch list. The entire
project is 1.8 million dollars under budget,thanks to the great specifications submitted by the architect,
Steve Habeeb. Once the Brewster Town Meeting approves the roof study, Administration will prepare an
RFP to hire an engineer to look at the Eddy School roof.
First Tee Program
Principals Gauley and Fronius had a meeting with their PE teachers regarding the program and both PE
teachers were ecstatic about being involved in this program. Rob Harris, Captain's Golf Course, indicated
the Captain's would like to give a gift of$500 to fund the program and will send their donation directly to
the)first Tee Program of Massachusetts on behalf of the Brewster Schools. In addition, Mark O'Brien,
has a Junior Golf Fund and would like to pledge another gift of$500 for this program.
Motion:
On a motion by Jennifer Rabold, seconded by Brenda Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to accept these
most generous gifts with gratitude.
Chair Telman has contacted Jim Campbell from the Cape Cod National Golf course to help put together
an action plan that is needed by the Massachusetts PGA. They are looking to cover the balance for this
program.
Tools of the Mind
Dr. Maggie Mack and Kate Berg gave a very informative presentation on the kindergarten curriculum,
Tools of the Mind. Dr. Mack gave a brief history of the program in Nauset. Kate Berg and Dr. Mack
shared a PowerPoint Presentation regarding teaching and learning in the classroom. She also indicated
that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education endorses this program. School Committee
members questioned the need to change the kindergarten program and asked how the program is being
implemented and how parents can learn about the curriculum. Dr. Mack explained that kindergarten
teachers are very excited about this program which is a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
Information about the program was distributed at Curriculum Night and Principal Fronius hosted a
Principal's chat, which was not well attended. Handouts were given out at Kindergarten screening and
Open House. A parent in the audience indicated she would have liked to have had more information
before her child entered kindergarten and was also concerned about students transitioning to first grade.
Dr. Mack explained the"Bridge to First Grade"in the Tools of the Mind program. Chair Telman
requested that next year the incoming kindergarten parents have a presentation on the program and that
information be given to parents earlier so that they can become better informed. Further information
relative to the data that led to the decision to use Tools of the Mind was requested by school committee
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members. Dr. Hoffman indicated that Principal Fronius will schedule and informational night for parents
relative to Tools of the Mind in the very near future.
MCAS Presentation
Principal Gauley gave a PowerPoint Presentation on FY12 MCAS results for the Eddy School noting key
data points,ELA and Math scores, Science and Technology Scores, Student Growth Percentiles, How
Narrowing Proficiency Gaps is Determined and gave a review of next steps to meet targets and improve
student learning and achievement.
FY 1 3 Budget
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the monthly expenditure reports with the Committee. She explained that she
is in constant communication with the Principals and if there is an overage,they identify where the money
will come from to cover the overage. Ms. Kalinick asked for a detailed explanation in accounts 7098 and
5098 for the POS systems as the accounts are over expended by$3,000. Ms. Venditti explained that these
costs were associated with setting up the technology for the POS system. She will run a detailed report
on these accounts. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that it was brought to his attention in late July that the vendor
had to be changed to move forward with the POS system. Ms. Kalinik indicated the committee
scrutinized this account and would have liked further information. She would also like to know if the
bookkeeping is going to make a difference. She indicated that a parent contacted her regarding a$1.95
fee to deposit money into her child's account. She stated she would not have supported going forward
withithis system if she knew parents would be charged fees to put money on account. Dr. Hoffmann
indicated that he was not told there would be a fee and feels the business office staff and the cafeteria
outsourcing subcommittee did not investigate this thoroughly. Ms. Kalinick asked Principals to send
something to parents indicating the charge. Ms. Kalinick requested in the future that everything be
researched to avoid these situations.
Ms. Rabold asked if the revolving account money from the YMCA rental can be earmarked for the
playground. Ms. Venditti indicated that in the past,money in the rental account was used by Barry
Schofield for building repairs but she will look into the laws regarding revolving accounts and it funds
can carry over from year-to-year.
Ms. Venditti reviewed roof expenditures from FY08-FY12 with the Committee and noted the Eddy
Elementary School roof is 16 years old. The Stony Brook Elementary School roof is under warranty
which expires in 2014. It was noted that approximately$200,000 has been spent on the roof and HVAC
at the Eddy School over the past five years.
FY 141 Budget Timeline
Dr. Hoffmann reviewed the budget timeline with the Committee. He noted that we are in the third year of
labor contracts and that base salaries are going up 2.5%. Principals are scrutinizing salaries and are
looking at fixed costs. Budget dates were discussed and will be finalized at a later date.
Capital Plan Update
Dr. Hoffmann indicated that the Town Administrator has submitted the warrant article for capital proects
for fall Town Meeting. He noted that it has been changed internally as some funds have been reallocated
that are not spent for window replacement at Stony Brook.
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Chair Telman,who is also a member of the Town of Brewster Building Needs Assessment Committee,
asked the Brewster School Committee to give decision-making authority to the town subcommittee as it
is comprised of people who are knowledgeable about construction and can give guidance on the Eddy
roof,if the study is approved at Town Meeting. It was indicated by Chair Telman that the School
Committee would have final approval of plans.
MASC Resolutions
Dr. Hoffmann reviewed the MASC Resolutions with the Committee. The consensus of the committee
was to support all five Resolutions.
Motion:
On a motion by Jennifer Rabold, seconded by Donna Kalinick, it was voted unanimously to appoint
Brenda Cazeault as the delegate from Brewster.
Reports and Information
Cape Cod Collaborative—no report
Transportation—Donna Kalinick reported that the subcommittee met and the primary discussion was
about the first day of school bus transportation and the need for better communication. There was also
some concern about two buses arriving late at the high school,which has been rectified. There is a
concern about overcrowding on a few Middle/High School buses. The Elementary Schools seem to be
doing fine.
Playground—Jennifer Rabold indicated the subcommittee met with a member of CPC. The
subcommittee is in the process of developing fundraising plans. They plan to submit a CPC grant in
December and have it voted at the May town meeting. They will also be soliciting for in-kind donations
and hope the playground will be a community effort.
Policy—A policy subcommittee meeting is coming up and the group will review the first two sections of
the policy manual. This is a one-two year project.
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Jennifer Rabold, seconded by Brenda Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to approve the
minutes of September 25, 2012 meeting.
Adjournment
On a motion by Jennifer Rabold, seconded by Donna Kalinick, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the
meeting at 10:35 p.m., subject to payment of bills.
Respectfully submitted, '13 2:12PM
Ann M. Tefft BRE ER TOWN CLERK
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