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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2014-10-16 Minutes Brewster School Committee 11 1-3) -ti Thursday,October 16,2014 ir ,Brewster Town Hall J Present for the Committee; Claire Gradone, Dave Telman, and Brenda Cazeault Present for the Adifinistration: Dr. Richard Hoffmann,Mr.Keith Gauley,Dr. Ann Caretti, Ms. Giovanna Venditti, Ms. Joanna Stevens,Principal Fronius and Principal Hughes Call to Order Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Citizens Speak None Recognitions None PRIORITY BUSINESS Administrators' Reports Principal Fronius presented highlights from her report that included Captain Lexicon initiative showcasing vocabulary from art and masterpiece sentences,recognition of K.T. Stone for all the work she is doing to support Wellness, Kindergarten Curriculum Night and Community Reads Day. On a final note she recognized Pat Lindquist who will be officially retiring on October 3155. "Besides her many talents and ability to multi-task, she has a high level of professionalism that is balanced with a spirit of comfort. She promotes every initiative in the school and has been a wonderful resource in the community. She wished Pat a healthy, active and family-filled retirement." In addition to what was included in the packet,Principal Hughes reported that Eddy just had its first Digital Technology Night which covered a variety of topics. Parents indicated it was very helpful to help them navigate through the Nauset Website as well as the Eddy website and found it to be very beneficial. The Garden Club,the Culinary Club and the Goodship'Leadership Team have met. She indicated she is trying to get to know all the students on a personal level and is going on field trips with them. Ms. Cazeault mentioned that the Kindergarten Teachers did a really nice job at the Kindergarten Curriculum Night. She suggested having exit tickets for parents next year to comment or ask a quick question. Ms. Gradone indicated she attended as well and it was an excellent,informative presentation. Mr. Gauley highlighted a couple of items from his report and distributed brochures on the Habits of Learning for home and school and Nauset Elementary Schools Mathematics Guide for Fifth Grade. He also reported that all the Tools of the Mind information is posted on the Nauset website under the Assistant Superintendent page, Curriculum Tab. Dr. Hoffmann recognized teachers across the District. He attended all the Open Houses and witnessed our expert teaching staff engaging parents and students. There will be an Executive Session in November and Chief Koch will be invited to attend. Update on Capital Plan Chair Telman updated the Committee on the meeting with the Selectmen who did not approve to put the mower on the warrant and suggested that we keep borrowing from the DPW. Items that will be on the warrant in November include: Windows- $8,000,Interior Doors and Hardware- $25,000,Blinds -$10,000, and$30,000 for Technology. Outsourcing the landscaping was mentioned as the commercial mower is very expensive. He also reported that the Finance Committee was very excited about the technology and excited that we are working on a plan for the elementary schools. Jim Nowack reviewed the long-range capital plan with the Committee. He indicated that they added hazardous waste abatement to the plan. Ms. Cazeault questioned the decision not to include the mower. She would like the Selectmen and Brewster School Committee 10-16-2014 Page 1 ;` Finance Committee to know it was a sit down mower, why it is needed, and have the proper backup information at the time to make the decision. Mr. Telman inquired about the cost for HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical. He wondered if it could be reduced by $10,000 and that $10,000 be put toward technology. Mr.Nowack noted that Mr. Schofield felt it would be necessary. He would like the Committee to adopt the plan for May and after that, everything can still be updated. Motion: On a motion by Claire Gradone, seconded by Brenda Cazeault,it was voted unanimously(3-0)to approve the Capital Plan for May, 2015 component. Dr. Hoffmann noted that there may be balances in some of these items but the committee would get further information before meeting with the Selectmen again. MCAS Results Principal Joanna Hughes and Assistant Superintendent Keith Gauley presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the results of the May 2014 MCAS. Key Data points included that the Eddy school-wide CPI is 86.7 for ELA, 86.3 for Math, and 89.7 for Science&Technology/Engineering. Percentages of students at each achievement level in Math, ELA, and Science&Technology/Engineering surpass the state-wide percentages. Eddy is"on Target"with overall ELA and Math Student Growth Percentiles. 42%of Eddy's Grade 5 Math students scored in the Advanced level and 6 of these students had perfect score of 280. Despite high scores and strong Student Growth Percentiles,Eddy remains a"level 2"school as it continues to make progress in meeting targets for some of the identified subgroups. Eddy is currently at the 74th percentile relative to other schools in same grade span. Percentiles higher than 50 are significant in performance. Mr. Gauley explained the CPI—Accountability System,the term Level 2 School,PPI Data and student growth percentiles. The scores and four-year comparisons can be found on the Eddy School website. They will continue to focus on individual student growth with the goal of an SGP of 50 or greater,target interventions to students in need through NTSS and measure effectiveness of interventions,and continue to balance students' achievement, motivation, and interest in learning with a wide range of opportunities. Chair Telman expressed concerns regarding the Grade 4 ELA. Mr. Gauley indicated that student growth is 62%. Ms. Cazeault asked how the students are feeling and Mr. Gauley indicated that the scores indicate they are feeling good. Principal Hughes noted that the School Committee earmarked funds for classroom libraries and teachers creating guided reading spaces and libraries. Principal Hughes indicated that she is working on a grant for more books. Ms. Cazeault asked about the Principal's chat and Principal Hughes indicated she is focusing on more evening events such as how to help your child organize long-term projects,Family Math Night, Literacy Night and STEM Night. Mr. Gauley indicated there are math pilots in Go Math,Envisions,and Eureka(an on line tool). FY15 Budget Update Ms.Venditti reviewed the expenditure reports noting that transportation and salaries have been encumbered. She also reported the savings in the Stony Brook budget due to retirements. Account 5044 waste services—will eventually be reclassified to the building rental account. Account 5051 —Extraordinary Maintenance—it was noted that additional costs for AHERA testing and abatement. Discussion ensued regarding the need for a special needs teacher at Stony Brook and the possible cost due to an unanticipated need. The salary range could be $55,720, Step 5,with the health plan for a family an additional $17,433 or single$6,-7,000. Dr. Caretti indicated that this teacher would be needed next year as well. Dr. Hoffmann stated that this will be a big budget number and that perhaps the Committee would like to notify the Finance Committee and the town about the unanticipated need. The Committee requested that Dr. Hoffmann contact Mr. Fitzgerald and apprise him of the situation. Policy Updates Brewster School Committee 10-16-2014 Page 2 On a motion by Ms. Gradone, seconded by Ms. Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to approve for a second reading,"in form"Section B of the Policy Manual, School Committee Board Governance(without the School Committee/Staff Communication Policy). On a motion by Ms. Gradone,seconded by Ms. Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to approve for a second reading,"in form" Section D of the Policy Manual, Finance(without the E& D Policy). MASC Delegate On a motion by Mr. Telman, seconded by Ms. Cazeault,it was voted to appoint Ms. Gradone as the Brewster delegate for the MASC Conference on November 5"'. The Committee reviewed the resolutions and concurred with the Superintendent's recommendation to support items 1-4, 6 and 7. The Committee authorized Ms. Gradone to vote on#5 after hearing arguments at the conference. REPORTS AND INFORMATION Preschool Enrollment—included in the packet. Dr. Caretti introduced Joanna Stevens,Preschool Director,to the Committee. Cape Cod Collaborative—no report. PTO—no report. Playground—Mr. Gauley reported that the surfacing has been delivered with installation scheduled. They are on track with budget and moving in the right direction. Building and Needs Subcommittee—Chair Telman indicated that they received money for the window project and hope to finish this next summer. Superintendent's Search Subcommittee—Ms. Cazeault indicated that the subcommittee met and have scheduled forums for various groups to have input in the process. Administrators' —November 6th at 2:00 p.m.,Faculty—November 6`h at 4:00 p.m. at the Nauset Middle School and Community Forum—November 12th at the Middle School at 7:00 p.m. Approval of Minutes On a motion by Ms. Gradone, seconded by Ms. Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of September 18,2014. Adjournment On a motion by Ms. Gradone, seconded by Ms. Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m., subject to payment of bills. Respectfully submitted, Ann M. Tefft Included in packet: Administrators' Reports,MCAS Results,Expenidutre Reports, Capital Plan,Policy Updates,MASC Resolutions, and Minutes. Brewster School Committee 10-16-2014 Page 3