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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2013-10-17 Minutes - .,. r w Brewster School Committee e f,, C` October 17, 2013 "` r"":� q Brewster Town Hall v !/�' Present for the Committee: Donna Kalinick,Brenda Cazeault, Trish Hill, Marie Enochty and Dave Telmer I „_._, as F 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, and Principal Joanna Hughes Call to Order—Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Agenda Changes—Reports and Information—Add: Negotiations Subcommittee Recognitions—Principal Fronius recognized the Stony Brook Kindergarten Teachers and Educational Assistants who created an amazing and informative Kindergarten Curriculum night. Citizens Speak—None Capital Plan Super!intendent Hoffmann reviewed the Capital Plan with the Committee identifying the items that will be on the warr t for the November Town Meeting which includes the Stony Brook Kindergarten costs and HVAC Plumbing and electrical Maintenance and Replace Eddy School Roof/HVAC Units Engineering&Design has been combined into dine line, Stony Brook Window Replacement Project Design Expense and Service Expenses for Bleachers,Back Boards and Folding Wall and Clock Replacement/PA System Repairs. Item F. Testing for Ahera Compliance—The Finance Committee suggested to broaden the wording to any kind of testing and abatement. Article#1.—wording will come from Mr. Sumner. Dr. Hoffmann suggested the Committee work on a longer range plan as we proceed. Committee members stressed we need to show the Board where we have spent the money for Capital projects and requested that Giovanna Venditti prepare a report showing the balances in the Capital Accounts and the status of the projects. Barry Schofield, Head of Building and Maintenance, reported that the insurance company did an inspection and indicated that there could be a possible problem in the maintenance garage and boiler room with the floor drains. The iisurance company was concerned that if a line ruptured it would create an environmental problem so it was suggested that drain closure was necessary. During the repair process, electrical wires were accidentally cut. The electrician was called in to do repairs. The work might be $2,000 or more. The drain work is last year's money. Mr. Schofield also indicated that the boilers at Stony Brook Elementary are in good shape having been re-gasketed 10 years ago. Preventative maintenance is done on the boilers every year. The problem last winter was the strainer was plugged,water valve not functioning and the low water indicator shut the boiler down. Other than that,there has not been a problem with the boiler failing that he can recall. He also indicated there was no gas on the site at Eddy. He lodked at converting from oil to gas a few years ago and the cost for removing the water heater alone was cost prohinitive. To replace univents would cost$6,000 per unit. They have maintenance twice a year and as long as they are maintained they run fine. Priority Business Administrators' Reports—MCAS Presentation, written reports in packets i Dr. Caretti followed up with the committee regarding a request about Head Start families on the Preschool wait list indicating that these were not Head Start Families on the wait list. She also indicated that Preschool enrollment has stayed the same in Brewster. _ Brewster School Committee 10-17-2013 Page 1 ,,r , Assistant Superintendent Gauley gave a follow-up report on the cost of Galileo which is$8,000 per student and$4.00 for FAST which includes DIBELS NEXT. He also reported on grant funding which included Title I and Title II and the breakdown in salaries. He indicated the kindergarten grant was just approved. Dr.Hoffmann reported that there may be effects from the sequestration on some grants and that Dr.Caretti received a memo to anticipate an 8%cut. Superintendent Hoffmann reported on the Citizens' Technology Forum that will take place on October 246 at 5:30 p.m. at the Nauset Middle School,Auditorium. A press release has been printed in the Cape Cod Times and the Cape Codder. He enjoyed a wonderful lunch with third and fourth graders and indicated there was a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables to select on the menu. Two former Eddy School students,Kate Elliot Grunes and Jessica Williams,were honored at the Doris Kearnes Goodwin Event for their essays. He also indicated there will be a short presentation about Calmer Choice,which is self-regulation,Transportation, Superintendent's Evaluation and Policies. MCAS Presentation Assistant Superintendent Keith Gauley and Principal Joanna Hughes gave a presentation on the results of the 2013 MCAS administration. Principal Hughes indicated that overall they are very pleased and thanked all teachers in grades K-5. She indicated that there are two ways to look at MCAS results: Student Achievement and Student Growth Percentile. She went on to highlight the key points in Math, Science and ELA scores. Assistant Superintendent Gauley explained what the Student Growth Percentile represents noting it is the most important piece of information for individual students. He explained the school report card,CPI, PPI, SGP and what the acronyms mean, sub groups,and narrowing the performance gaps. He explained the next steps in analyzing the student data. Most importantly he stated that every student has strengths in different areas and we offer art,music , science, robotics etc. He reminded the committee that you never want to lose that balance and wants kids to have a passion for learning. He indicated we will continue to challenge students and put in the interventions that we know are effective. School Committee members asked for further reports. Noted also was Eddy is an outstanding school district because of interventions,tiered instruction, approaches to learning,team teaching, collaboration and professional development across the district. FY 14 Budget Update Giovanna Venditti,Director of Finance and Operations,reviewed the expenditure reports noting salaries and transportation costs have been encumbered. Ms.Venditti reviewed the additional revenue resources such as savings in transportation, $51,473 from the Fall Town Meeting, $20,000 in Circuit Breaker money and money from the building use rental account. The bills will be paid on the 1S`Monday of the month and made available for signature the night of the Selectmen's meeting so that members can get into the building and at the regular Brewster School Committee meeting. A question was raised regarding the projected negative balance in the cafeteria accounts. Ms.Venditti noted that the federal reimbursement for May and June was not posted until July. School Committee members asked for clarification on the numbers. It was suggested that parent lunches be included in plans with a curriculum connection. Superintendent's Evaluation Update Dr.Hoffmann presented a summary of action that will be taken on the four goals and what other kinds of evidence that will be collected. He also indicated he is about to launch a survey for parents from the National Center for School Leadership which covers topics like academics, communication,responsiveness, school climate,to name a few. The survey will provide the district with excellent information and feedback. He noted that the Superintendent never sees the answers on the survey and that it is very confidential. Ms. Kalinick noted that the Eddy survey results were sent to school committee members and provide valuable information and also stressed that students want more hand on and collaborative learning. Brewster School Committee Goals After discussion regarding school committee member personal goals or school committee goals as a group,members read their individual goals. Ms. Enochty suggested that the goals relate to the Smart Goals and that the school 5y Brewster School Committee 10-17-2013 Page 2 committee's goals be goals within their jurisdiction. Ms. Enochty collected the goals and will organize them in groups to see how closely, or not,they relate to one another. This will be taken up again at the next meeting MASC Conference On a motion by Donna Kalinick, seconded by Trish Hill, it was voted unanimously to appoint Brenda Cazeault as the delegate for the MASC Conference. It was also voted that Marie Enochty would be the alternate. Policy Update Motion: On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Brenda Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to reaffirm the concussion policy, add the middle school and use a similar format at the elementary schools. Motion: On a motion by Donna Kalinick, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted unanimously to approve the policy on bullying with the change in definitions and the adding of the wording for staff. Motion: On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Brenda Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to approve Section G of the Policy Manual for a first reading. Motion: On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Brenda Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to approve Section H of the Policy Manual for a first reading. Other Reports and Information A. Preschool—Dr. Caretti reported earlier in the meeting B. cape Cod Collaborative—Trish Hill reported the main topic of discussion was language changes regarding attendance at meetings. C. PTO Liaison—Donna Kalinick reminded everyone of the Annual Eddy School Pasta Dinner on Friday,November 1st D. Policy Subcommittee—no report E. Building Needs Subcommittee—Chair Telman reported that John Porter and the committee got up on the Eddy School roof and were shocked at their findings. Chair Telman indicated that he will push to get the whole roof done next summer. The RFS is on the street and will be advertised in the Central Register and in the Cape Codder with the bid opening on November 1St. He suggested the Building Needs subcommittee prepare a video so that people can actually see what is happening with the roof. Ms. Kalinick requested information from Principal Fronius regarding the church rental and the approximate timeframe that they will be using the building including what they do when it snows. Principal Fronius will try to get more information for the next meeting. F. Negotiations Subcommittee —Marie Enochty cannot be the representative due to her heavy work sbhedule Off-Cape and Chair Telman agreed to represent Brewster. Approval of Minutes On a motion by Trish Hill, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted 4 yeas and 1 abstention, to approve the minutes of September 23, 2013. Adjournment On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Donna Kalinick, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:57 p.m., subject to payment of bills. Brewster School Committee 10-17-2013 Page 3 , ttr�a