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HomeMy Public PortalAboutSupt. Search Subcommittee -- 1/23/2014 Minutes D Nauset Regional School Committee January 23, 2014 11 frig Brewster Town Hall Present for the Committee: Sue Skidmore, Cheryl Codair, Chris Easely, Jayne Fowler, Ed Brookshire, Ed Lewis, Chris Galazzi, Brian Kavanaugh, Sarah Blackwell, Chair O'Reilly Present for the Administration: Principal Thomas Conrad, Principal Maxine Minkoff, Dr. Ann Caretti, Keith Gauley, Giovanna Venditti, Barbara Lavoine and Dr. Richard Hoffmann Chair O'Reilly called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Agenda Changes—No minutes for approval PRIORITY BUSINESS Draft of Technology Plan Members of the Technology Subcommittee gave a presentation of the Technology Plan to the Committee which included the mission, goals, benchmarks, accessibility of technology,professional development plan, impact of plan K-12, 1-1 devices, outcomes and 5 year implementation plan. Budget options were also presented. Members of the Technology Subcommittee are: Cheryl Codair, Sarah Blackwell, Jayne Fowler, Barbara Lavoine, Keith Gauley, Kathleen Tringale, Thomas Faris, Majen Hammond and Brandy Jackson. School Committee members thanked the presenters and members of the subcommittee for all their hard work. This is a 1.69 million dollar project and could be funded as an override or a capital plan project, according to Mr. Gauley. The Superintendent noted the last Technology Plan was written in 2010 and everything was completed with the exception of staffing. Recently, infrastructure has been updated in various locations and the back bone of the system was not in place until this year. Dr. Hoffmann indicated the District is committed to doing this over the next several years. Subcommittee Members stated that this is the foundation of education and they asked the committee for a commitment over the long term to get this moving forward. Some School Committee members expressed concern about the cost. Other members felt it was essential and a necessity for our students to compete when they leave Nauset. Questions by the School Committee included: 1. How many other schools in Massachusetts are doing this? 2. Where would Plan B take us? 3. First year, where would it get us, $558,598? 4. Where will the money come from? Debt exclusions, revenues? Mr. Gauley indicated that the goal would be to get other staff to the same level as people on the Subcommittee. He noted that 1-1 devices would engage the students, provide apps for searching information and sharing it with teachers, students would be able to work on line, would provide for multimedia presentations, collaboration simultaneously, instant feedback, and it will change the way teachers are teaching. Nauset Regional School Committee minutes January 23, 2014 Page 1 Dr. Hoffmann indicated that he did not expect the committee to vote but in the future would like them to weigh in on the plan. It would be an annual cost of about $500,000. He sensed the Committee was comfortable with Plan B. He stated the need for teachers to be comfortable with the tools and perhaps we could dedicate the device for students and pilot it in one grade level. Subcommittee members felt the leasing option was a good option for the district. Chair O'Reilly polled the school committee. Ms. Fowler was in favor of supporting the 1.6 million or more. Ms. Skidmore indicated she was in support and had confidence in what we are doing and would support the 1.6 million cost. Mr. Galazzi suggested implementing it at the Middle School and High School, Plan B start implementation at Grade 9. Ms. Blackwell felt if the committee went with Plan B it could get scaled back. Mr. Easely indicated that presenting this to the Towns was an important part of this and he would like more information. Mr. Lewis liked the lease purchase plan but strongly urged Administration to get someone who really understands pricing. He felt Plan B does not move us forward enough. Mr. Kavanaugh wanted to know exactly what the needs are and would like to know where we are now as well as how it would improve teaching and learning. He indicated he would like more details. Ms.Jackson indicated that the subcommittee will put together a presentation on what the students/staff are using currently and how technology is utilized in the classroom. Mr. Galazzi indicated that the school committee needs the tools to go back to the towns and convey to them how this translates into a marginal improvement in student learning. Chair O'Reilly stressed the need for further information and would like this back on the Feb. 6th agenda. FY15 Budget The Superintendent reviewed the enrollment updates with the committee including a draft of available seats for school choice. DRAFT of available seats: Middle School High School Or. 6= 32 seats Gr. 9 = 21 seats Gr. 7=4 seats for siblings Gr. 10=0 seats Gr. 8 =no seats Gr. 11 =0 seats Gr. 12 =0 seats The Superintendent indicated that the Principals will come back with the recommended maximum class sizes. A draft of the Region Summary budget was distributed and reviewed by Dr. Hoffmann. It was indicated that on March 6th the school committee will vote this document. He also stated that the Committee has to make a decision about how much revenue they will put toward the budget and will also ask Principals for slight reductions in their budgets. The Business Office will look more carefully at revenue projections that will be sued for the FY15 budget. Ms. Venditti is also working with town accountants to see how they want the District to structure the debt on the Green Repair Project. She also indicated that the Assessments to towns is based on the number of students who live in the town who attend public school. Nauset Regional School Committee minutes January 23, 2014 Page 2 • • Ms. Venditti reported that next year the annual capital repair budget will increase by 2.5%to $470,475. Mr. Lewis requested that the Region summary sheet include"actuals." Dr. Hoffmann said actual costs for multiple years are already included in the line item budgets. Region Revenue Updates The Governor's budget, Circuit Breaker, and projected cash available were discussed. Dr. Hoffmann stated that there is a savings FY 14 in Region Only of$225,000. The high school and middle school had some retirements after the budget was approved. It is estimated that the high school will have a $150,000 savings and the Middle School will have an $85,000 savings. End of Year spending plans will be reviewed soon. Dr. Hoffmann asked that any questions be sent to the Chair or the Superintendent. Mr. Kavanaugh asked what the towns would be incrementally paying in FY 15 due to enrollment changes: Brewster—.49%Less Eastham - .60%more Orleans—.72%more Wellfleet—.86% Less Mr. Lewis inquired about the warrant article for capital projects and if the committee can use that money for other capital expenditures or if the money can be used to help pay the debt service on the middle school roof project. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that the towns are very specific about capital articles and include detailed descriptions of projects when voted. Any deviation must be approved by the Town Accountants and voted on by the School Committee. Mr. Galazzi inquired about the Town's percentage share and it was indicated that this is based on the number of students from each town. Funding New Positions and Initiatives Full time computer science teacher at the High School Part time Green House Coordinator for outdoor science lab Principal Minkoff reported there are 650 participants in after school clubs which includes 255 students in sports. At the next meeting there will be information regarding school choice waiting list, circuit breaker, and five year history of E& D. There will also be adjustments for the high school and middle school budgets. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that he has been having discussions with the Cambridge Institute for a new agreement for recruitment and placement of International Students. This would help the District look at offering Mandarin at the High School. Principal Conrad enthusiastically supported this initiative as they are making adjustments to their foreign language department. He indicated that this program fosters partnerships with high performing schools like Nauset and offers short term placement experiences, a semester or half a semester. Administration will explore having agreements with Educatius and an agreement with Cambridge that would be exclusively with students from Asia. Nauset Regional School Committee minutes January 23, 2014 Page 3 Principal Conrad mentioned that eventually some of our students could go to china. He indicated that Dr. Hoffmann has worked hard on this and it is a good step forward. Middle School Roof Dr. Hoffmann reviewed a letter from the OPM, Mel Overmoyer, explaining costs differences on the Middle School roof project that may have resulted from pricing how the new roof is adhered. It was determined that they will have to use fasteners at the Middle School and not Rhino bond which will decrease the estimate by about$200,000. Mr. Kavanaugh suggested that School Committee members be invited to view the Middle School roof so they can better understand what is being discussed. Dr. Minkoff indicated that even before she became principal at the middle school, there were reports of leaking roofs and that it was a real problem. Chair O'Reilly expressed the need to decide whether or not to move forward either the 2.4 million dollar estimate, risk the$100,000 on architectural fees, or begin the process again next spring. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that the cost is unknown until you go out to bid. He suggested at the next meeting the committee take a vote. Keven Sullivan, from the MSBA, indicated that 2.4 million is a responsible estimate for this project. Tennis Courts Principal Conrad thanked Ed Lewis and Jon Porteus for being on the subcommittee and he also thanked Ed Brookshire for attending the CPC meeting where they voted 6-1 to move the request to town meeting in the amount of$366,240 in hopes that the project could start at the end of the summer. Truro/Provincetown Agreements Sarah Blackwell reported that she and Dr. Hoffmann are in negotiations with Truro and that Truro is hoping to increase the tuition incrementally, however,that was not an option on the table. They are at the end of a five year agreement. Dr. Hoffmann asked the committee to consider the length of the agreements with Truro and Provincetown. Motion: A motion was made by Ed Lewis, seconded by Ed Brookshire, for the negotiating team to work on a five year agreement with an increase of whatever our budget increases. Motion withdrawn. It was noted that Provincetown and Truro pay their own transportation costs. It was suggested that the Committee give the negotiating team ability to seek the best rate they can and one that is in the best interest of the students and taxpayers. Dr. Hoffmann suggested that they negotiate a 5 year agreement with a 2.5% increase each year based on the exact number that everyone in the other towns is paying. Motion: On a motion by Brian Kavanaugh, seconded by Ed Brookshire, it was voted unanimously to authorize Dr. Hofmann and Sarah Blackwell to negotiate up to a five year agreement and have base costs similar to other towns with an escalator of 2.5% each year. Nauset Regional School Committee minutes January 23, 2014 Page 4 • Executive Session On a motion by Ed Lewis, seconded by Chris Galazzi, it was voted by roll call vote to go into Executive Session at 10:17 p.m., not to return to open session, for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining with union personnel. On a roll call the vote was as follows: Sue Skidmore-yea, Cheryl Codair-yea, Chris Easely-yea, Jayne Fowler-yea, Ed Brookshire-yea, Ed Lewis-yea, Chris Galazzi-yea, Brian Kavanaugh-yea and Sarah Blackwell—yea, Chair O'Reilly- yea The Committee went into Executive Session at 10:17 p.m. On a motion by Ed Lewis, seconded by Chris Galazzi, it was voted by roll call vote to come out of Executive Session at 10:20 p.m. On a roll call the vote was as follows: Sue Skidmore- yea, Cheryl Codair- yea, Chris Easely- yea, Jayne Fowler-yea, Ed Brookshire-yea, Ed Lewis-yea, Chris Galazzi-yea, Brian Kavanaugh- yea and Sarah Blackwell—yea, Chair O'Reilly- yea The Committee went came out of Executive Session at 10:20 p.m. On a motion by Ed Lewis, seconded by Ed Brookshire, it was voted to adjourn at 10:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ann M. Tefft, recording secretary Nauset Regional School Committee minutes January 23, 2014 Page 5