HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2013-12-30 Minutes r
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Brewster School Committee ;0
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December 30,2013 0
Brewster Town Hall i
Present for the Committee: Donna Kalinick,Brenda Cazeault,Trish Hill,Marie Enochty and Chair Dave Telman
(arrived at 7:15 p.m.)
Present for the Administration: Dr.Richard Hoffmann, Superintendent, Keith Gauley,Assistant Superintendent,
Giovanna Venditti,Director of Finance and Operations,Principal Denise Fronius,and Principal Joanna Hughes
Y. Call to Order—Vice Chair Kalinick called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Priority Business
Administrators' Reports—
Principal Fronius referenced her Principal's Report highlighting the performance of the Nauset High School Jazz
Band and Orchestra in December.
Principal Hughes thanked everyone for their generosity in their efforts to help needy families during the holiday
season. She also thanked Stacey Faris and Leah Belliveau for the wonderful holiday concert and sing-a-long.
She indicated that nine students will audition for the All-State Treble Chorus and wished those students well.
Many of the Eddy staff were awarded Grants from the Cape Cod Five. She listed the afterschool courses taking place
at Eddy.
The School Committee members thanked the Community Service Club for their holiday arrangements and
congratulated teachers who are obtaining grants.
Assistant Superintendent Gauley referenced his report and highlighted that Nauset recently hired two ESL tutors in
order to meet the required instructional hours for our ELLs at the elementary and secondary level. This is significant
for Brewster because they will see an increase in terms of instructional hours. He also noted that the DRAFT of the
Technology Plan was distributed to Region School Committee members. A final plan will be brought forward at the
end of January which will include a budget for the elementary levels. The Technology Subcommittee is in the
process of making a video tape for the public about the Technology Plan and the course of action.
Ms Hill asked if there was a fmancial impact for the District with regard to District Determined Measures.
Mr.Gauley indicated that teachers worked on this on Professional Development Days,November 7th and December
4,2013. She indicated she would like to see an outline of DDM K-5 for Art,Music and PE. Mr. Gauley indicated
there probably won't be a final plan until May and that he did not anticipate any budget implications beyond what is
proposed.
Ms Kalinick noted that the preschool occupational therapist resigned and the Collaborative is servicing students for
the remainder of the year. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that the position will be filled next year.
Dr.Hoffmann reported that he attended many wonderful holiday concerts throughout the District. The
Administration and NEA are into negotiations for teachers and educational assistants. The committee will be
app'ised of negotiations in Executive Session. He also indicated that he has been visiting Gr.2 mathematics classes
in the district noting the engaging power of the interactive whiteboards.
FY 1 4 Budget Update
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the expenditure reports with the Committee. It was noted that a part time educational
assistant was hired in October to fulfill the needs of an IEP; $51,473 was added to the overall budget for the
additional Kindergarten Teacher,some additional contracted services HVAC costs.
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Dr.Hoffmann suggested advising the Finance Committee that the schools are trying to cover a$41,000 tuition and
are not sure they can cover all of it in the operating budget. The Committee suggested it would be wise for
Dr.Hoffinann to send a letter to the Finance Committee Chair apprising them of this situation.
Discussion was held regarding Circuit Breaker money. Ms. Venditti indicated there is a certain minimum we need to
spend on an annual basis and will check into this.
Ms.Kalinick would like to be informed quarterly on how much money is being spent out of the capital account for
HVAC and electric. She noted if we spend too much of this money and can't get through the first design phase,that
will be an issue. It was also noted the security upgrade was not covered under the capital plan.Principal Fronius
indicated that the surveillance camera needed upgrading. The Afterschool program will be funding a portion of this
for the back door.
The Committee reviewed the revolving accounts. The Chair requested that the loss in the cafeteria last year be
included and asked if a list of expenditures could be given to the Committee so that they could see where the money
is spent. Ms.Venditti explained that the cafeterias are doing everything they can to increase participation.
Dr.Hoffmann indicated that almost every school in the state is experiencing deficits in their cafeterias. Next month
the committee would like an additional column on the report that includes the loss at the same time from last year.
FY15 Budget Process
Dr.Hoffmann reviewed the materials in the budget book which included accomplishments,goals,priorities,per pupil
costs,enrollment data,line item budgets and justifications,and grants. He also indicated the Central Office
Subcommittee is reviewing the Central Office budget and has requested Administration to come in at 2.5%. He
noted that there has been a change in Title I budget allocations as more funding is going to the Middle School and
less funding is going to Brewster. (unanticipated)
Principal Fronius reviewed her line item budget with the Committee highlighting increases or changes from last year.
Questions from the committee included rates for electricity, building rental account,enrollment figures,class size,
special needs program at Stony Brook to keep students in District,technology,apportionments in the Region,
substitutes,preschool associated specifically with Stony Brook,and assessments.
Principal Hughes reviewed her line item budget with the Committee highlighting increases or changes from last year
and noted that some items were new as they were taken from other sources in prior years but needed to be moved
into the budget. Questions from the committee included technology increases,textbooks and software purchasing,
instructional materials#7022—make sure everything is in the right account,and Instructional Software—large
amount for site licenses.
Ms.Kalinick noted that some of the increases are historical as cuts have been made in the line item budgets and what
we are seeing is a culmination of those things combined,plus this budget. She stated that the schools have not been
buying textbooks and the Committee can't keep cutting certain line items.
Ms.Enochty stated that when the Committee thinks about making reductions,they ask the Principals to tell them .
where the reductions should be made that have the least impact on student learning.
Cafeterias—the Committee voiced concerns about the deficits in these accounts and are also concerned about cutting
as it would create greater deficits.
Ms.Enochty voiced that the Committee should try to think about the connective tissue integration of ELA and the Y,
Common Core. Ms.Cazeault suggested the Committee talk about the technology infrastructure that has been
brought into the schools especially with regards to mandated testing. Ms. Hill indicated that these are choices we are
making but there are costs associated with them.
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It was indicated that to get the budget to 2.5%;about$160,000 needs to be cut. Chair Telman indicated that at the
next meeting the Committee should begin to look at reductions and suggested the Principals prepare a list for the
School Committee to review. The Committee was asked to send their questions to Chair Telman and he would
forward them to Dr.Hoffmann.
Policy Update
On a motion by Marie Enochty,seconded by Donna Kalinick, it was voted 3-2 to approve Section H, "in form"for a
second reading.
Committee members requested copies of the policies and Dr. Hoffmann indicated they were on the website and he
would have a hard copy made for Ms.Cazeault and Ms.Hill.
Reports and Information
Cape Cod Collaborative—Trish Hill reported that the Collaborative talked about Nauset going out to bid with bus
services and costs in the budget for Smart EDU.
PTO—Trish Hill reported on upcoming events.
Policy Subcommittee—Chair Telman reported that he was unable to make the meeting due to his attendance at
another meeting.
Building and Needs Subcommittee—Chair Telman reported that estimates from Habeeb and Associates have been
distributed. Both estimates are higher than 1.5 million. The School Committee is meeting with Selectmen and
Finance Committee on Monday,January 6th at which time there will be a joint vote on the Eddy School roof project.
Chair Telman will forward proposals and options to School Committee members prior to that meeting.
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Donna Kalinick,seconded by Trish Hill,it was voted 4— 1 with one abstention,Marie Enochty,to
approve the minutes of November 21,2013.
Executive Session
On,a motion by Marie Enochty,seconded by Trish Hill it was voted by roll call to go into Executive Session at
9:47 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with union personnel,not to return to open
session. On a roll call the vote was as follows:
Trish Hill—yea,Marie Enochty—yea,Brenda Cazeault—yea, Donna Kalinick—yea, Chair Telman—yea
The Committee went into Executive Session at 9:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M.Tefft
Included in the packet: Administrators' reports,Preschool Enrollment,Expenditure Reports, Minutes,
Revolving Account Report and Cafeteria Report.
Brewster School Committee 12-30-2013 Page 3
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