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HomeMy Public PortalAboutSupt. Search Subcommittee -- 11/20/2014 Minutes Brewster School Committee D D Thursday,November 20,2014 Brewster Town Hall Present for the Committee: Claire Gradone, Dave Telman, Brenda Cazeault, Marie Enochty,and Trish Hall Present for the Administration: Mr. Keith Gauley, Dr. Ann Caretti, Ms.Giovanna Venditti, and Principal Hughes Call to Order Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. Executive Session On a motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Ms.Gradone, it was voted by roll call vote to go into Executive Session to discuss the deployment of security personnel devices,or strategies with respect thereto. Ms. Gradone—aye,Ms.Enochty—aye, Ms.Cazeault—aye,Ms.Hill -aye,Chair Telman—aye The Committee went into Executive Session at 6:35 p.m.,to return to open session. The Committee came out of Executive Session at 7:11 p.m. Citizens Speak-None Recognitions-None PRIORITY BUSINESS Review Capital Plan Jim Nowack reviewed the 5 year capital plan with the Committee. He met with Ms. Venditti,and Mr. Schofield and made a few changes to the plan by adding additional blinds for FY17,removing$40,000 for sidewall shingles since it was done when the roof was replaced,and added$50,000 for HVAC Plumbing and Electrical. He also apprised the Committee of a situation with the roof at the Stony Brook School. On the rubber roof section some flat seams and corners are lifting. This will cost approximately$3,000 for repairs. The asphalt roof shingles where the solar panels were installed is leaking and the solar installation company will repair at no cost. In another section of the asphalt roof,shingles are blowing off. In talking with the manufacturer they have promised$1,600 to correct the situation. Mr.Nowack indicated that the roof is too new(12 yrs.)to be on the five-year capital plan and they will assess it each year. He also noted there is a guarantee on the shingles but not on the installation. MOTION: On a motion by Clair Gradone,seconded by Trish Hill, it was voted unanimously to accept the five-year capital plan as written. Administrators' Reports Mr.Gauley indicated that Principal Fronius' recovery is going well and she is connected to Stony Brook every day. Principal Hughes' report was included in the packet. She recognized Cary Ramos for conducting a Homework Clinic for parents. She was also pleased to announce the playground is completed! The Grand opening of the playground will be on Monday,24th at 9:30 a.m.with a rain date of Tuesday. She also mentioned that classes met the Chinese Visitor,Ms. Cheng. Ms. Cheng was exuberant and the students enjoyed meeting her. She met with staff and the staff helped her know how schools run in America. She was given an Eddy School yearbook and a T-shirt. Assistant Superintendent Gauley noted his report included in the packet and reviewed the GOLD assessment. He stated that K-2 students are assessed in two primary areas:social-emotional and cognitive, which takes place three times per year. Ms. Hill asked that this be explained to parents at Kindergarten Orientation Brewster School Committee 11-20-2014 Page 1 Mr. Gauley reviewed highlights from his written report which included the District being approved as a pilot district for the use of DESE model student and staff surveys. This is at no cost to the District in 2014-15 to participate in the use of these model surveys. He is working with the NEA and the contractor to work out timing when services will occur. This will be used for feedback to teachers and administrators to help with goals. Superintendent Hoffmann was not in attendance but Mr. Gauley asked that the Committee wait to review the "waiver of liability" form that is being presented for overnight field trips and field trips. He indicated that the staff had concerns about liability, especially on overnight trips. The attorney advised that this statement be included on every permission slip. Other elementary school committees in the district felt there was too much legalese and are concerned about how this would be presented to parents. The Superintendent has asked the attorney for a more parent friendly version of the waiver. Brewster School Committee members agreed to wait for another version from the attorney and will take it up at a later date. Ms. Hill inquired about the Technology blueprint for grades K-5. Mr. Gauley indicated that K-5 staff, Administrators, and Ms. Lavoine are working on this. The Technology Plan was created with grades K-12 in mind but the details have not been laid out. They are looking at how staff and students use technology. They are also looking at technology skills and technology integration. They are just beginning discussion and will keep the Committee informed. FY15 Budget Update Ms. Venditti, Director of Finance and Operations,reviewed the Stony Brook expenditure report with the Committee. She reported that the unencumbered balance at Stony Brook's is$72,613. She noted movement in the budget in the following accounts: Account 5002 Salary Secretary, negative variance of$7,777 due to vacation and sick leave buy back for the retiring secretary;Account 5012 Salaries Instructional Coordinators, negative variance of-149.00;and Account 5015 Salaries Educational Assistants,has a positive variance of$10,549 but this will be expended with a new hire for a student requiring a 1-1 educational assistant. It was also noted that the cost for the new Special Needs Teachers,$34,943 has not been encumbered and will be in account#5056. Dr. Caretti informed the Committee that a student has just moved into Brewster who will need a 1-1 educational assistant. They have advertised the position and the cost could be$15,769(step 4)for the remainder of the year. The child will also need additional contracted services that would be approximately$5,280. Total cost is approximately$21,049. She is holding the student out for two weeks while they go through the hiring process. Chair Telman indicated that the Finance Committee is aware of the new teacher and he will talk with Dr.Hofmann and Mr. Fitzgerald about how to handle this situation. Ms. Venditti reviewed the Eddy School expenditure report which has an unencumbered balance of$76,503. She reviewed the variances with the committee; noting many variances is contractual with new salary increases included that were not in the prior month's report. There was a copy machine replacement in Account 7023. The transportation account increase is due to increase in mileage and rates. FY 16 Budget Process Timeline Assistant Superintendent Gauley reported that the principals are working on their budgets that are due at the Central Office on November 19`h. The process is similar to past years. The final budget is due December 5`h. A draft will be presented to the School Committee on December 19th with the goal being to certify the budget on March 19t REPORTS AND INFORMATION Preschool Enrollment—Enrollment figures were included in the packet. A question was raised about the number of children in Early Intervention being tested. Mr.Gauley indicated that he will try to get that information for the December meeting. Brewster School Committee 11-20-2014 Page 2 Cape Cod Collaborative—Ms. Hill reported that at the last meeting there was no voting due to a posting situation. They talked about the upcoming budget. Ms. Hill will be serving on the evaluation team that will evaluate the director of the Cape Cod Collaborative. PTO—Ms. Enochty reported that the parents are working on fundraising activities and they have an upcoming Pasta Dinner that needs volunteers. They have permits secured for the flea market in the summer at Drummer Boy Park. Playground—Playground completed! Building and Needs Subcommittee—Chair Telman reported that the Eddy School roof is finished and that the last phase of the window replacement at Stony Brook Elementary School will take place next summer. Superintendent's Search Subcommittee—Ms. Cazeault reported that all focus groups went well and the Committee met to review the data with the consultant. The Committee revisited the membership of the search committee and took a vote to add a teacher and a parent to the group. Adding a student and community member was discussed but did not go forward. The teachers will be notified and will pick one person to represent them. The parents will be notified to submit their name and a random lottery will take place. Policy Subcommittee—Chair Telman reported that the working group comprised of Ann Caretti,Ann Cozier,Josh Stewart,Joanna Hughes,Ann Caretti, Mark Mathison and Nancy Waldron completed the School Committee/Staff Communication policy and had it reviewed by legal counsel. Everyone is in agreement with the new language. This will be brought forward to committees for first,second readings and adoption. He also indicated that the Policy Subcommittee is about 99%through the Policy Manual Updates. MASC/MASS—Ms.Gradone reported that she went to the Delegates Forum and that the Common Core vs. PARCC was a very contentious issue, especially in the western part of the state. She also attended the new School Committee orientation which provided her with a great deal of information and reinforced the importance of the work the school committee has to do. Approval of Minutes On a motion by Ms. Gradone,seconded by Ms. Cazeault,it was voted 3 yeas, 2 abstentions(Ms. Enochty and Ms. Hill) to approve the minutes of October 16, 2014, with revision as noted. Adjournment On a motion by Ms. Hill,seconded by Ms. Enochty, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m., subject to payment of bills. Respectfully submitted, Ann M.Tefft Included in packet: Five Year Capital Plan,Administrators' Reports, FY 16 budget calendar, Expenditure Report, Preschool Enrollment and Minutes. Brewster School Committee 11-20-2014 Page 3