HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2013-09-23 Minutes PPROVED Brewster School Committee
September 23, 2013
Brewster Town Hall
Present for the Committee: Donna Kalinick,Brenda Cazeault, Trish Hill, Marie Enochty
Present for the Administration: Supt. Richard Hoffmann,Asst. Supt. Keith Gauley,Giovanna Venditti, Director of
Finance and Operations,Ann Caretti,Director of Student Services, Principal Denise Fronius, Principal Joanna
Hughes, and Susan Murray Food Service Director
Call to Order—Vice Chair, Donna Kainick, called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Agenda Changes—None
Recogjnitions—None
Citizens Speak—Pat Hughes,Brewster Board of Selectmen, addressed the committee relative to strengthening
support for Brewster families who qualify for Head Start with additional funds that can expand the home-based
program. The Head Start Program serves hot meals to children and assists with field trips. Money is being raised in
the community to support the program and she encouraged the PTO to assist in helping this program.
Priority Business
Administrators' Reports
Principal Fronius reported on the opening day off school,welcoming school council members,wonderful attendance
at open house(86%), literacy data meetings taking place and summer reading program recognitions.
Principal Hughes reported that everything is off to a good start, fourth grade field trip to Pleasant Bay,Gr. 5 student
council being formed, after school clubs,homework clubs and enrichment being scheduled. The School Council will
elect a new representative. Summer reading certificates will be distributed and the new Title I teacher is Mrs.Debra
Meyers. There is an increase in the number of children purchasing breakfast.
Trish Hill asked how the Open House date was selected as it conflicted with 9/11 ceremonies. Administration will be
mindful of that date in the future. She also commended Principal Fronius for a wonderful open house and the
exceptional Health Expo. Principal Fronius indicated that a lot of work goes into the Health Expo by the school
nurse,Colleen Lawless and the Principal's Secretary, Pat Lindquist.
Brenda Cazeault inquired about the Drummer Boy Bus ride time of 45-55 minutes. Sandy Foley in the Business
Office!,has been called and is working with First Student for a solution. Supt. Hoffmann reminded the committee that
the 30 ininute ride time is an internal guideline and is not in the First Student Bus contract.
DonnallKalinick asked that the school council survey results be given to the school committee. Principal Hughes
indicated she would get members the results.
Dr. An Caretti, Director of Student Services, informed the Committee that there is an unanticipated out-of-district
placement with tuition of$45,405 and transportation costs of$18,972. She also explained to the Committee that in
Preschool,the community friends enrollment depends on the special needs student enrollment. Three families in
Brewster have requested to be on a waiting list. Brenda Cazeault asked Administration to see if these families were
Head Start families. Dr. Hoffmann indicated at the October meeting the Committee will receive an updated FY14
expense report including all encumbered salaries,discretionary spending,and the Circuit Breaker Account. He
suggested the Committee fund a portion of this unanticipated expense and then go to the Selectmen and Finance
Committee to fund the balance.
Brewster School Committee 9-19-2013 Page 1
Assistant Superintendent Gauley presented highlights from his written report that included: the new staff mentoring
program, Professional Development Day on September 4th that focused on curriculum,October 11th Professional
Development Day that will focus on Technology,the Assessment Calendar, and the Wonders Program. He indicated
that Administration is not looking for a particular program per se,but looking to see how we can challenge students,
how we meet their needs and explained that this is accomplished through a variety of genres. Discussion ensued
about the various tools used for instruction and alignment to the Common Core. It was suggested that a"how to be a
student"and the development of curriculum in the upper grades and at the middle school would benefit all students
as to expectations they should have for themselves. It was also noted that the STEM maps are based on Robotics and
the rest of the science curriculum is on hold until the science framework is received. Ms. Hill asked that the
Committee receive the cost associated with the assessments,FAST and Galileo for budgeting purposes.
Dr. Hoffmann reported on the terrific opening day for all Nauset Staff on September 3`d which highlighted focus
goals for educators this year. Other topics noted in his report included,visioning for technology,next steps in the
Educator Evaluation System, 35 new staff members district-wide, Superintendent's goals and system-wide goals.
He also indicated that the at the Eddy School Gr. 3 is participating in the PARCC assessments in ELA,Gr.4 ELA,
Gr. 7 in Math and at the high school in integrated math. He thanked the Brewster Police and Fire Departments for
participating in the 9-11 ceremony at the Middle School. Poison Ivy treatment was discussed and a letter will be sent
to parents when this will take place. Notification will be posted on the website and at the fields.
Update from Food Service Director
Susan Murray, Director of Nutrition and Food Services shared her ideas of increasing participation in the program by
adding things like: lucky tray days,taste testings, improving the website to be more user friendly,working with
PTO's, connecting with classrooms, sending out a monthly newsletter and creating a staff menu. She also indicated
that the first year was challenging due to the USDA guidelines,the increase in the price of lunch, staff training,and
finding consistency in all cafeterias. The student survey indicated that students do not like whole wheat but it is
mandated so she is looking for a whole wheat product that tastes better. The survey also indicated that pizza,
breakfast for lunch, Chicken Patties and Popcorn Chicken were favorite choices. Menu development, ordering,
production records and monitoring participation were discussed. Ms. Murray also indicated that the POS system is
being used more this year.
FY 14 Budget Update
Giovanna Venditti,Director of Finance and Operations, reviewed the expenditure reports noting that all substitute
line items, special needs transportation costs based on initial information from the Collaborative have been
encumbered. Next month transportation, salaries and utilities will be encumbered. There may be savings in
transportation at Stony Brook but this will be offset by the unanticipated special needs costs. The Collaborative bus
transportation is charging per mile this year instead of per day at the request of the Ms.Venditti. The cost is
significantly less and this is a much more efficient, cost effective way to do business.
It was asked that a description of the Rutz Grant be sent to Committee members.
It was decided that the School Committee will sign warrants twice a month to assist with the process and make it
more efficient for town hall. Warrants will be signed at the meeting and will also be ready for signatures at town
hall the first Monday of the month,when the Selectmen meet. It was also suggested that Brewster move their
meetings next year to the first Thursday of the month.
Five-Year Capital Plan
Superintendent Hoffmann reviewed the 5-year capital plan with the Committee. He indicated that the Eddy School is
moving forward with the feasibility study through the Building and Needs Assessment Committee for the roof and
HVAC. A list of FY15 Capital items was distributed. The Committee added conversion of boilers at Stony Brook to
the FY16 capital list. October 21st the Selectmen will review the schools capital articles at their meeting. In the
event that items have to be cut,the committee requested a list be prepared for items that could be completed in the
fall and spring. It was suggested that a fall priority list and a spring priority list be created. It was also suggested that
warrant articles 7a.—7i. be prioritized. It was the consensus of the Committee to move warrant articles 7h.,Carpet
Brewster School Committee 9-19-2013 Page 2
=lla
Replacement Project and 7i., Interior Exterior Painting Project, off the November warrant and defer to spring which
would bring the request of$305,000 to $250,000.
Other Reports and Information
A. School Committee Goals—Table until next meeting
B. C*pe Cod Collaborative—no report
C. Playground Subcommittee—It was reported that the summer mailing raised$1,500, working with
O'Brien and Sons to reduce costs, encouraged to go back to CPC to get funding for seating area and
feicing. Volunteers were thanked and the goal is to get this moving in the spring. Donations are still
being accepted.
D. Building and Needs—No report.
E. PTO report—Trish Hill reported that the summer Flea Market raised $10,000 for the schools. Greg
Baecker, Cecily Evans, Karen and Dave Whitney, Micheal Leyton and John Dickson were thanked for
all their efforts on behalf of the children of Brewster.
Approval of Minutes
On a Motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Trish Hill, it was voted 4 yeas, to approve the minutes August
22, 2013.
Adjournment
On a Motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Brenda Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the
meeting at 9:45 p.m., subject to payment of bills.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Tefft, Recording Secretary
Includ$d in the packet: Preschool Projected Enrollment Figures,Administrators' reports,monthly expenditure reports,FY-14-19
Capital',Plan,draft of the November 2013 town meeting warrant, and minutes.
EPDETEP
Brewster School Committee 9-19-2013 Page 3