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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2014-08-21 Minutes Applovie Brewster School Committee Thursday,August 21, 2014 Brewster Town Hall ent for 1`,he Committee: Marie Enochty, Dave Telman, Claire Gradone, Trish Hill Present for the Adman tration: Dr. Richard Hoffmann, Mr. Keith Gauley, Dr.Ann Caretti, Ms. Giovanna Venditti, Principal Fronius and Principal Hughes Call to Order Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. Citizens Speak None PRIORITY BUSINESS School Committee Ms.Enochty guided the committee through an exercise of deciding how to work together and what things the committee agrees to do in order to run meetings in an efficient way. The committee thoughtfully collaborated on ideas and decided to work with the following: • Place cell phones on vibrate • Utilize time efficiently(start on time—2 V2 hr. meetings) • Mind your air time • Promote a spirit of inquiry(asks questions in advance of meeting) • Pause before you speak • Putting ideas on the table(come up with solutions to problems) • Pay attention to self and others • Presume positive intentions(respect each other and constituents) • Agree to disagree • Practice good listening—pausing so people can respond in a thoughtful way • come to the meeting prepared Dr.Ann Caretti addressed the committee regarding their role and the role of administration. She would appreciate questions in advance of the meeting. She would like the committee to focus on policy and finance stating that Brewster has very capable principals. She urged school committee members to encourage parents to talk to principals directly when they have concerns or questions. Dr. Caretti suggested that if school committee members have questions,they should go through their chair to get the answer. The answer would then be sent to the chair and he could send it to the committee members. Mr.Telman and Ms. Enochty indicated that it is hard to make decisions on budget when you don't know details of what is happening in the schools. The School Committee needs to know enough about what it is that is being utilized in the schools so the members are not blindly voting on items. She reiterated that questions need to be asked ahead of time. Ms. Enochty further stated that they rely on recommendations from Administrators. Tools of the Mind Dr. Hoffmann requested clarification of what kind of information would be helpful to the School Committee relative to Tools of the Mind. Ms. Enochty asked for the cost for budgeting and if we have to renew something or is the cost just the professional development? Mrs. Gradone asked if there was a Superintendent's recommendation. Dr.Caretti shared historical information with committee members that was distributed in October,2012. She reviewed the chronology of Tools of the Mind implementation and the recommendation of Superintendent Gradone. also noted that the literacy standards in Tools of the Mind are aligned with Common Core standards. Brewster School Committee 8-21-2014 Page 1 Ms. Hill voiced concerns about providing a method of engagement to the public. She further stated that Tools of the Mind is a"hot button"for parents in Brewster. There are still parents upset and wonder why it was initiated. She stated parents have not gotten that level of accountability back. She would like to have a conversation about"Tools of the Mind"in Brewster. She would like specific information such as DIBEL scores in comparison to groups that did not have Tools of ,4ind. Is the program more effective than past practice? She felt the program is language rich and reading poor. She would like to know what the outcomes are in DIBEL Benchmarks,Writing Benchmarks, and is curious to know if the writing has improved? She would also like to know how the change is reflected on the report card? Is this a methodology or a curriculum? She feels that the curriculum is different now and is not as rigorous as before. How does tools affect Math instruction? Ms. Enochty asked what the school was using for ELA in Kindergarten? How does literacy and math intersect with Tools of the Mind? How are students doing as they move through the grades? Mr. Gadley indicated that addressing the writing issue is problematic as there was a brand new writing benchmark last year and everything changed completely. There were also new math assessments last year and there is little data to compre results. Last year was the baseline. He suggested DIBELS data was the closest he can get and even DIBELS was switched to DIBELS NEXT. He encouraged committee members that if parents voice concerns to them,that they funnel it to the principals or to his office. Administrators' Reports Principal Fronius indicated that Stony Brook Kindergarten teachers are giving a presentation for parents on Curriculum night,October 16th at 5:30 p.m. School Committee members are welcome to attend. Principal Fronius reviewed staffing changes indicating that Jen Rogers' successor is Sara Brunnell. She also indicated that Principal Secretary, Pat Lindquist, is retiring in October. Her successor is Laureen Barnes and Sue Ford will move into the Office Receptionist/Data Management position. Enrollment is 232 Total and summer building projects have been completed which include a new telephone system. Due to the additional workload in the office because of the new security system and the traffic from the YMCA,Principal Fronius requested that a.5 receptionist be hired to answer the phone and buzz people in and out of the building 3 hours lay in the morning. She will bring costs and projected savings in the budget to the next meeting. Ms.Hill congratulated Pat,Laureen and Sue and was happy to hear Sue Ford will remain as the technology subject coordinator. She also wanted to know the job description for a receptionist. She reminded the committee and principals that there was a list of things that were cut from the budget and wanted to know what they would put back into the budget. She also indicated that this request was not one of the items. She suggested revisiting that list. She also wanted to know why this request would be a priority. Principal Hughest reviewed her staffing and indicated they are ready to open school. Enrollment is 214 students. She thanked Brewster for the new roof and indicated the building looks so good. Dr. Hoffmann reminded the public that school begins on September 4th for K-12 students. Opening day for staff is on September 2nd and September 3rd is a staff professional development day. All bus schedules have been posted on the website. FY 14 Final Expense Review Ms.Venditti indicated that balance in the budget was $374.60 at the Eddy School and$574.38 at Stony Brook. FY 15 pudget Update Ms.Venditti explained how the remaining$11,000 was split between Eddy and Stony Brook. $5,827 went into account 5022 Other Instructional Matierals—Stony Brook and account 7022 Other Instructional Materials—Eddy School. MOTION: motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously to move $5,827 into the other instructional material accounts at both schools. Brewster School Committee 8-21-2014 Page 2 PARCC VS. MCAS Mr. Gauley spoke to this item and stated after discussing it further with Principal Hughes and Dr. Hoffmann they have d"ided'?to recommend staying with MCAS. He indicated that he appreciated Ms. Hill's comments at the last meeting and t made more sense to stay with MCAS for another year. He indicated the technology infrastructure was strong but there is a scheduling component and not enough devices for students. Ms. Enochty attended a meeting where administrators shared concerns about students not having enough practice reading on a tablet. They felt reading a test on a device as opposed to paper is significantly different. She urged principals to have students read and practice using technology. Ms. Hill suggested that the schools hold off on PARCC and positon ourselves so the kids are ready by giving them the day-to-day experience of using technology. She would like an update as to how the school will position itself and what is the strategy for getting the kids ready for this tYpe of testing. She also reminded members that there is a budgeting piece and they must make sure we have enough devices,. This item will be on a future agenda. Principal Hughes indicated that a lot of this involves money and that we need to bring the use of technology to a level that it is more frequent than once a week in the computer lab. Ms. Hill indicated that money was just allocated back into the budget and wondered if there was anything in instructional technology that would build upon that capacity. Motion: On a motion by Trish Hill, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted unanimously to stay with MCAS for the 2014-15 school year. REPORTS AND INFORMATION Preschool Enrollment— 13 special needs students Cape Cod Collaborative—no report PTO—Ms. Hill reported that the last day of the flea market at the Drummer Boy is Saturday and that the Kindergarten al is Saturday from 3:00—5:00 p.m. at Stony Brook Elementary. Playground—Mr. Gauley shared the good news that the playground has made tremendous progress. They met with Coastal',Engineering and worked through issues. The installer is making steady progress. Target date for completion is in mid-September. Mr. Gauley gave kudos to everyone involved. Building Needs Subcommittee—Mr. Telman thanked the public for their support of the roof project. He also thanked Charlie Sumner and Bob Miller who worked tirelessly on the project. Mr.Telman reported that they are in the final stages of the project. The roof will be 100%completed by the opening of school. The fire alarm system has been upgraded. Pomeroy did a fabulous job. Joint Meeting follow-up—Ms. Enochty brought up"process"for what was brought up at the Joint Meeting. She does not want to have a conversation that starts from scratch. She indicated that the Subcommittee will meet with the Superintendent and report back at the next Joint meeting with the recommendation on how to proceed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Trish Hill, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of June 19, 2014. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Trish Hill, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ann M.Tefft Included in the packet: Principals' reports, Expenditure Reports and Minutes of June 19, 2014. Brewster School Committee 8-21-2014 Page 3