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
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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.
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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.
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