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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. { 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. } • 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. Brewster School Committee Meeting 11-15-212 Page 2 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