HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2012-11-15 Minutes 0DD i DBrewster School Committee
November 15, 2012
Brewster Town Hall
Present for the Committee: Chair Telman, Brenda Cazeault, Donna Kalinick and Jennifer Rabold
Present for the Administration: Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Gifford, Ms.Venditti, Principal Fronius and
Principal Gauley
Others: Greg Levasseur
Call to Order-Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and read a statement relative to
respectful decorum at the meetings.
Citizens Speak- Bridget Dixon addressed the committee regarding working toward a successful
partnership with parents, administration and school committee by creating respect through better
communication. She hopes Administration would work toward better timing and release of information
and really work to continue to involve parents and renew energy to attend forums. She indicated there
are many parents who want to support Administration.
Chair Telman indicated that any new information will be disseminated well in advance.
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Jennifer Rabold asked that parents of students who have left the district be surveyed.
Breanda Cazeault would like a summary of why we are using Tool of the Mind and why the change in
curriculum. She would also like data on the research on the program. Chair Telman indicated there
would be another discussion on Tools of the Mind. Ms. Kalinick reminded the committee to recall what
came out of the "visioning" event held last year suggesting it might be a good time to bring back the
facilitator to help get parents more engaged. Dr. Hoffmann indicated he would be happy to provide
additional information to the Committee. Tools of the Mind was planned back in 2009 and a Pilot
Program was taking place at two schools. A great deal of work went into this program and it was
endorsOd and recommended by former Supt. Gradone and former Assistant Superintendent Briere.
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• Jennifer Rabold stated that the committee should set goals and see if they reached the goals they set last
year. She suggested the committee consider their budget goals.
Trish Hill addressed the Committee and thanked Principal Fronius for the Tools of the Mind Presentation.
• She felt,the program was language rich but had significant concerns about the reading aspect of the
program. She also addressed the communication piece stating Administration should not be reactive but
• P roactive in getting information to parents. She su gg ested linking the agenda to the Town's web page.
She also suggested having a section after Citizens Speaks for updates on question asked in the past.
• Dr. HoffMann assured everyone that teachers are challenging all students and if a parent feels their child
is not being challenged they should contact the Principal or the teacher.
fi Discussion was held regarding the role of the school committee as it pertains to curriculum .
Brewster School Committee Meeting 11-15-212 Page 1
Dr. Hoffmann noted that most of the job in teaching and learning is left to the Administrators, Principals
and Teachers. Curriculum,programs and services is left up to the professional staff that school
committee hires. It was suggested that the school committee handles the budget and must defend what is
spent on curriculum.
Priority Business
Administrators' Reports
Principal Fronius reviewed results from Dibels Next with the committee, invited them to the Kids Fitness
Challenge, reported that parent conferences were well attended, and thanked PTO for providing
afternoon snacks at Eddy staff and a potluck supper for Stony Brook staff.
Principal Gauley introduced new staff member,Adam Bouche,grade 3 teacher,to the committee,thanked
parents who came out for the parent conferences, reported the pasta dinner/silent auction was a huge
success raising just under $5,000, explained Dibels and Daze testing. He also reported he planned several
good curriculum coffees with parents on math and science curriculum. School Council discussed offering
a workshop for parents in the new math. He invited the school committee to the school wide meeting on
December 4th.
School Nurse, Colleen Lawless,was commended for getting information out to parents on the flu clinc
which was part of the wellness program.
Dr. Caretti was not present to give her report but will have information relative to an unanticipated
special needs cost at the next meeting.
Dr. Hoffmann, in Barbara Lavoine's absence,highlighted Tic Talk News and the Unified Network Solution
Article that was in the school committee packet.
Dr.Gifford reported that the October 5th Professional Development was about curriculum, the Atlas site
is ready to go public on the website, Roger Faucher,high school teacher, is working with 4th and 5th grade
teachers on modifying lego units in science. She also reported that the district is using the state norms in
Dibels Next, assessment teams have been trained and are administering Dibels Next to students. Data
will be used to track students from K-12 to identify students in need of interventions. Dr. Gifford
reported the storytelling festival was a wonderful evening. The literacy theme will continue as children
will be donating books to community organizations in need of materials.
Dr. Hoffmann thanked Selectmen Ed Lewis for attending the Sustainability meetings. One of the focus
areas of the meetings was to promote and market our schools. Dr. Hoffmann reported that he and
Dr. Gifford attended their 3rd and final training on How to be an Effective Evaluator under the new system
and then they shared information with Principals. Training for all educators took place on November 6th.
Dr. Hoffmann thanked the Police, Fire and DPW for all their help during the Super Storm Sandy. He also
noted that Nauset High School was recognized for offering a large number of AP courses at the high
school with many students participating in the AP program and scoring 4 and 5. Presently the
Administration is working on preliminary budgets, staffing and enrollment projections. The Green
Repair Project came in under budget by 1.6 million dollars. He took a moment to thank the citizens of
Brewster for voting the Capital Needs budgets for Stony Brook and Eddy School in the amount of
$220,000.
An RFP will go out soon for the roof and windows.
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Jennifer Rabold mentioned the use of SMART goals at the MASC conference that she attended and
suggested students make SMART goals as well.
FY13 Budget Update
Ms.Venditti reviewed the expenditure report noting special needs transportation had been encumbered
at the schools but was not printed in the report for Stony Brook. The committee thanked Ms.Venditti for
the budget detail in their report. The committee asked questions about accounts 5042, 7042 and 5092
that were answered. The committee would like to have the cafeteria director come to a future meeting
and would like more information on how many people are using the new POS system. Dr. Hofmann
indicated a meeting is scheduled to discuss several issues with the cafeteria director. Ms. Rabold
suggested the Food Service Subcommittee reconvene. Dr. Hoffmann will bring a report on the cafeteria
to the next meeting. The Committee asked that lunch menus be sent home in back pack mail as well as
posted on the website.
FY14 Budget Timeline
Dr. Hoffmann indicated the FY 14 budgets will go out on December 14th to committee members. At the
December 20th the committee will review the preliminary budget and staffing. He suggested the
committee look at maintaining services within the budget, identify additional needs, and look within the
budget to fund these or perhaps reduce something of less priority. Teachers' salaries are going up 2.5%
not including the costs of lane changes and degrees. Dr. Hoffmann also suggested looking at the Strategic
Plan, revisiting goals to see what things are high priority for the children of Brewster. There has been no
budget guideline yet from the Town Administrator.
FY14 Capital Plan
Dr. Hofmann distributed the draft of the FY14 Capital Plan. He indicated that Barbara Lavoine
would address the committee as to how the$30,000 will be spent on technology at the schools.
He also',indicated that at town meeting the townspeople approved a study for the Eddy roof.
A Statement of Interest will be sent to the DESE in January for possible grant funding for the Eddy roof
In speaking with the Town Administrator, he is cautious about signing any agreement with the DESE as
they cannot be sure that the Eddy School will be an educational facility in 20 years. Dr. Hoffmann
indicated he will apply and it can always be declined. He does not know what will happen on the window
project for Stony Brook. Ms. Rabold asked that the playground be put back into the Capital Plan in the
amount of$100,000. After discussion the committee agreed to do so. She also noted the next
playground subcommittee meeting is November 27th at 6:30 p.m. at the Eddy School.
Motion:
On a motion by Jennifer Rabold, seconded by Brenda Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to approve the
FY14 Capital Plan.
Reports and Information
Cape Cod Collaborative- Chair Telman reported that at their last meeting they discussed budgets, Open
Meeting Law and posting to the website. Their articles of agreement are being reviewed and revised. A
draft will be ready in February for voting.
Brewster School Committee Meeting 11-15-212 Page 3
Transportation Subcommittee- Ms. Kalinick noted that the Transportation Subcommittee did not meet
but will wait until after the next ridership study has been completed.
Playground Subcommittee- Ms. Rabold indicated the subcommittee met with someone from the
Communtiy Preservation Committee who was very positive about the application. The projected cost of
the playground is between $310,000 - $389,000. Playground solid surfacing is included in this projected
cost. She indicated they are entering a big fundraising push.
Policy Subcommittee- Dr. Hoffmann indicated that the subcommittee met and reviewed the first two
sections of the policy manual. This will be a lengthy process and may take up to two years.
Preschool Enrollment- Dr. Hoffmann noted no significant change in enrollment. Dr. Caretti will report
on an additional program for two seriously involved students. He indicated that the Preschool will be
talked about at the Joint Meeting in January and at individual committees as well
MASC Conference- Ms. Cazeault indicated that all resolutions passed.
Chair Telman gave an update on the First Tee Program indcating that he received a donation from Joanne
Lieberless,President of the 18 hole Women's Association, in the amount of$250.
Motion:
On a motion by Jennifer Rabold, seconded by Brenda Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to accept the
donation with gratitude.
Chair Telman also reported that the 9-hole Women's Association would like to donate $250.
The Cape Cod National Golf Course has Brewster's Action Plan and are going before the PGA for a
donation.
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Jennifer Rabold, seconded by Donna Kalinick,it was voted unanimously to approve the
minutes of October 18, 2012.
Jennifer Rabold read a thank you note to the committee from Eleanore Perrier for allowing the bench in
memory of her husband to be placed on the field at Stony Brook Elementary.
Adjournment
On a motion by Donna Kalinick, seconded by Jennifer Rabold,it was voted unanimously to adjourn the
meeting at 9:07 p.m., subject to payment of bills.
Respectfully submitted,Ann M. Tefft
'13 MAR PN
BREWSTER tp47
LE RK
Information included in the School Committee packet Reports from Dr.Gifford and Dr.Caretti,Tic Talk News,Reports from Principals Fronius and Gauley,
Stony Brook Elementary Summary of Dibels Next,Stony Brook Elementary School Dibels Scores,Monthly Expenditure reports,Capital Improvement Program
for FY14,Minutes of October 18,2012,Volunteer Handbook from Stony Brook Elementary.
Brewster School Committee Meeting 11-15-212 Page 4