HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2013-04-25 Minutes ft`1
Brewster School Committee PPEO Apri125, 2013
(-NI Brewster Town Hall
Present ft the Committee: Chair Telman, Donna Kalinick,Brenda Cazeault, Mara Liebling
Present fa theAdministration: Dr. Hoffmann,Dr. Gifford, Dr. Caretti, Ms. Venditti, Principal Fronius and
Principal Gauley
Call to Order
Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Agenda Changes
Add: Under Superintendent's report—Principal search
FY 14 Budget—Update on enrollment and Head Start Program
At this time the following was read into the minutes by Chair David Telman:
"Yesterday I learned that Jennifer Rabold has resigned from the Brewster School Committee to pursue her career in
the field of education. The Committee wishes to thank Jennifer for her commitment to the children of Brewster, as
well as all the students in the Nauset District. Her dedication and work on the Brewster School Committee over the
past 8 years has been remarkable and she will be missed as a member of the board. She has spent many long hours
at school committee meetings and has spent countless hours on subcommittees, representing Brewster, and helping
the District move forward in many different areas. She has been a staunch advocate for students, teachers, and
administration, always seeking excellence, and providing thoughtful input and collaboration to bring about good
outcomes for the schools and the town. Please join me in thanking Jennifer for all that she has done for our schools,
our students, and the entire Brewster community."
,itizens Speak
Co, Trish Hill,PTO president, congratulated Principal Keith Gauley in his new role as Assistant Superintendent of the
Nauset Public Schools and addressed the committee regarding a collaborative selection process for hiring the new
principal of Eddy Elementary School.
RECOGNITIONS
Peace Poetry Contest winners,Kendall Smith and Jakeob Ambrosini read their Peace Poems.
PRIORTY BUSINESS
Principals Reports
Principal Fronius explained the use of Smart Boards as an instructional tool and introduced Miss Van Ness,Lilly
Collum,Atticus Brent,Mrs. Hannon, Rebecca Cahill and Devin Farrell,who showed the audience a few examples of
how teachers and students use the Smart Board in the classroom. It was noted that all first and second grade
classrooms have a Smart Board and Principal Fronius would like to have them in Kindergarten classrooms.
Eddy School presently has 4 Smart Boards in common areas and have plans to have one installed in third,fourth and
fifth grades. Principal Gauley indicated teachers and students are using the Smart Boards for Science and in the
Computer Lab and explained how older students use them.
The monthly attendance report and the make-up day for Stony Brook staff and students were discussed. It was noted
that Saturday,April 6th was reported as a highly successful day.
Ms.Kalinick reported that the Eddy School Chorus gave a fantastic performance at the Cultural Center and thanked
Mrs. Farris for all her efforts. She also indicated the performance will be shown on cable television.
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Dr. Ann caretti updated the Committee on plans to move the Orleans Preschool class to Eastham Elementary School.
She,reported that,the same teachers will be going to Eastham and that the move will benefit the preschool children.
3he'stated this is a wonderful opportunity for the parents of Eastham. Dr. Caretti also explained that this will not be 40
an added cost,just re-arranging service and staff. She indicated that she does not anticipate an increase in
transportation costs but will let the committee know if there is an additional cost in that area. Ms.Kalinick thanked
Dr. Caretti for managing the program so well.
Dr. Gifford reported she is using some Title I grant money to purchase a new Smart Board and some new computer
carts for each school. She also acknowledged the teachers and students for the awesome Smart Board presentation.
She reviewed the "flipped classroom"concept that was presented at the Joint School Committee meeting. The
Educator Evaluation Tool,District Determined Measures,and the challenges to judge the effectiveness of teaching
were discussed. Dr. Gifford meets with leaders of teams of teachers constantly and they indicating that teachers are
feeling a bit overwhelmed with al the initiatives,as are Administrators. She noted that Administration is responsive
to teachers needs and noted that we can only do our best. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that the new teacher evaluator
process is a very collaborative effort and that he and Dr. Gifford have met with the Executive Board of the Union,
with discussion being very positive. Dr. Gifford indicated that they are looking at two companies for assessment
software and it will be an expensive budget item next year.
Superintendent Hoffmann reviewed the process for the Principal search for the Eddy School which included an
aggressive timeline for applications and interviews. He discussed the selection process,establishment of a search
committee,protocols,and interview questions. Ms.Kalinick asked that Principal Fronius be on the search
committee,as the Brewster principals work collaboratively. Principal Fronius indicated that she has been on many
search committees and was the chair of the committee that hired Principal Gauley. Ms.Kalinick also noted that the
new principal will have to deal with the new playground,new security system,the roof and HVAC, as well as all the
new curriculums. Discussion ensued regarding numbers of applicants and how many to interview. Chair Telman
asked that Administration bring the top 15 qualified applications to the committee for review but other members of
he committee said that they would like to review all applications. Dr. Liebling felt the process for hiring a new
assistant superintendent was fine and that the process for hiring a principal is different. She would trust
Administration to cull down a lot of the applications. Dr.Hoffmann indicated that he will have an orientation for
search committee members so that they know what to look for in an application. Dr.Hoffmann was thanked for
putting together the process and outlining it for everyone. It was decided that a meeting of interested parents and
staff would be held to see who would like to be on the search committee. An email to all interested parents would be
sent through School Reach. Dr.Hoffmann indicated that the two school committee members would choose the two
parents for the search committee and that Dr. Hoffmann would work with the Principal to choose the two teachers for
the committee. A meeting was scheduled for Thursday, May 2nd from 5-6 p.m.to recruit parents and discuss
qualities and attributes that people would like to see in the next principal. Brenda Cazeault and Donna Kalinick will
represent the school committee on the search committee.
FY 13 Budget Update
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the monthly expenditure and variance reports with the committee. She also reviewed
the revolving accounts and spending plans. Chair Telman asked that data regarding food service participation and
sales be provided at the next meeting.
Dr.Hoffmann recommended not holding$15,000 for the playground and it was the consensus of the committee to
leave$5,000 in the account with the understanding that next month the committee may decide not to leave that
$5,000 in there. They indicated the playground committee has to understand that if they get the $200,000 at Town
meeting, the remainder of the money needed to build the playground has to be fundraised or obtained through a
grant. Principal Fronius shared how she would spend her end of year money that included; $20,000 for literacy
materials and$20,000 for technology(Smart Boards in Kindergarten classrooms)as well as new software. She
would also like to purchase WONDERS,which is a state of the art ELA program most aligned with the core
standards.
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Motion: On a motion by Donna Kalinick, seconded by Mara Liebling, it was voted unanimously(4-0)to reclassify
$15,000 in the rental account.
4.00,
FY 14 Budget Update
Dr. Hoffmann reported that 79 students have registered for kindergarten with the potential for 2 more who have taken
out registration packets and a possible few summer registrations would bring the kindergarten classes to 19 and 20
students in a class, which he thinks is too many students in a classroom. He suggested the need for another
kindergarten class and it was the consensus of the committee to ask the Chair to contact the Town Administrator
relative to adding a teacher and an educational assistant and increasing the budget by approximately$80,000 or less.
Principal Fronius will advertise for a Tools of the Mind Teacher for Kindergarten.
Building use and the rental agreement with the YMCA was discussed. Principal Fronius and Giovanna Venditti met
with representatives from the YMCA to review the lease. Presently they do not need another classroom but may in a
couple of years.
Superintendent's Evaluation
Dr. Hoffmann reviewed the process and the information sent to School Committee members that included status
update on the Superintendent's Goals and evidence for Performance Standards. A Union 54 meeting is scheduled for
May 9th where members will turn in their evaluation to the Chair,Gwynne Guzzeau,who will meet with John
O'Reilly and have a report for the Joint School Committee on May 23`d.
Policy Manual Sections E&F
Mara Liebling reviewed the policies with the committee and recommended approving"in form"sections E&F.
Dr. Liebling brought particular attention to the"idling on school property"that could be used as an environmental
initiative to prevent cars and buses from idling outside the school while waiting for students.
Cie On a motion by Donna Kalinick, seconded by Brenda Cazeault, it was voted unanimously, (4-0)to approve"in form"
sections E&F of the policy manual.
OTHER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
A. Cape Cod Collaborative—No report.
B. Transportation—No report.
C. Playground Subcommittee- Plans for the new playground were distributed and reviewed by Principal Gauley.
On a motion by Mara Liebling, seconded by Donna Kalinick it was voted unanimously(4-0)to retain
Jennifer Rabold as a parent representative on the playground subcommittee. Handicapped accessibility and ramps
were discussed. Principal Gauley indicated that changes have been made to the plan by the Accessibility
Committee who voted 4-0 to approve the plans. It was suggested that Ellen Ojala or Keith Gauley present this at
town meeting. Dr. Liebling will attend the next playground subcommittee meeting and report back to the full
committee. When the committee reorganizes in May, a new school committee representative will attend
playground subcommittee meetings.
D. Building Needs Subcommittee—The Buildings Needs Committee met and has chosen prepared a bid for the first
phase of the window project. The Statement of Interest(SOI)for the roof and HVAC has been submitted to the
MSBA.
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Mara Liebling, seconded by Donna Kalinick it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the
March 21, 2013 meeting with the following correction: add Mara Liebling's name to present for the committee,
Adjournment
Tn a motion by Donna Kalinick, seconded by Mara Liebling, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at
4110, 10:30 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Tefft
411
It is noted that the May meeting is Mara Liebling's last meeting as a member of the committee.
Included in the packet and handouts: Agenda,Principals'reports, Assistant Superintendent's report,Director of Student Services
Report,Eddy Principal Search Timeline and process,Monthly expenditure reports,end of year spending plans,Superintendent's
evaluation, preschool enrollment,playground project designs and minutes from March 21,2013.
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