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HomeMy Public PortalAboutSupt. Search Subcommittee -- 12/18/2014 Minutes Brewster School Committee 4PAR,-,"? Thursday, December 18,2014 Brewster Town Hall Present for the Committee: Claire Gradone, Dave Telman,Brenda Cazeault,Marie Enochty,and Trish Hall Present for the Administration: Dr. Richard Hoffmann,Mr. Keith Gauley, Dr. Ann Caretti, Ms. Giovanna Venditti,and Principal Hughes Call to Order Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Citizens Speak-None Recognitions—Gavin Rice,a former Brewster Elementary School student,was recognized for his award winning musical talents and ability to play the fiddle,mandolin and Irish tenor banjo. He participated in two bands outside of school as well as the Jazz club and orchestra at Nauset Regional Middle School. He played in the Cape Cod Symphony Youth Orchestra Debut Strings group last year. He won the Silver Medal for tenor banjo at the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh Irish Music competition and qualified to represent the Easter Region of the United States at the International competition in Sligo, Ireland this coming summer. He will be playing with his band at Arts' Day at Nauset Middle School on February 10`h PRIORITY BUSINESS Food Service Update Susan Murray, Food Service Director, updated the Committee on what is happening in the Food Service Department. Changes for this year include USDA requirements to reduce sodium content and the new Smart Snack Rules. Nutritional analysis of menus items is now on the website. All staff is currently certified in Serve Safe and CPR. It was noted that Massachusetts governs the school lunch program and the USDA governs everything on school grounds during the school day. School Committee members would like to see participation figures and financial reports. How Professional Development is accomplished was discussed. Administrators' Reports Principal Hughes recognized the Eddy School Community Service Club who made the beautiful centerpieces given to the School Committee and also to the homeless shelter. She thanked Mary Hooper and Michele Gray for the phenomenal book fair and Mr. Torres for the Cape Cod compact light bulb fundraiser. Grants from the Cape Cod Five were awarded to: Ralf Torres,Patsy Marchant,Cindy Eldredge,Ms.Potter and Wende O'Brien. Mrs. Dugas and Mr.Torres received a Brewster Garden Club grant. Patsy Marchant received a Brewster Garden Club grant and a Nauset Garden club Grant. She also thanked Ms. Faris and Ms. Belliveau for a wonderful concert. Principal Hughes also reported on the equipment that was purchased for Technology. Ms. Hill thanked the town for supporting the capital article. Principal Fronius acknowledged Laureen Barnes and Sue Ford for doing a great job in transitioning in the front office. Everything is running efficiently! She also thanked Dr.DeRosiers for being the point person while she was recuperating. She informed the Committee of new staff; Erin Gates, Special Needs Teacher and Emily LaBonte, Special Needs Educational Assistant. Principal Fronius reported on rising enrollment at Stony Brook. Since summer, 28 new students have entered school. Cape Cod Five grant recipient,Patsy Marchant,will be attending a ceremony on January 13`h. The holiday concert is taking place a 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19`h. The Kindergarten is singing at Pleasant Bay and Brewster Council on Aging. She thanked the parents group for providing a delicious meal to teachers at the conferences. She also recognized Donna Drown for doing such a good job with students,noting it is all about building relationships with the students. Committee members asked Principal Fronius to do a more in-depth report on the enrollment figures for next month. Assistant Superintendent Gauley's report was included in the packet and he highlighted the draft of the new second grade report card that the team has been working on since last summer. It has been sent to staff or feedback and he encouraged Brewster School Committee 12-18-2014 Page 1 School Committee members to give feedback as well. Mr.Gauley indicated that they are creating a better tool for putting information into X2 quickly and is more informative for parents. Discussion ensued about the changes in the report card, grouping of areas and assessments in a particular area. Ms. Cazeault indicated that parents are not feeling a good two-way communication time period at the conferences,especially if you have more than one student. Mr.Gauley encouraged the committee to forward feedback to him. Ms. Enochty stated there is so much data now and it would be good to help parents understand all the data,Common Core,and the changing report cards. She felt more curriculum night and PTO sponsored events would enable parents to be educated in the approaches to learning and what kids need. She stressed the need help our families. Superintendent Hoffmann reported that the Administrative Team is participating in a book study, The Skillful Leader,by Platt and Tripp. The Administrative Team is collaborating on how to get consistency in evaluations across the five elementary schools. FY15 Budget Update Ms. Venditti,Director of Finance and Operations,reviewed the Eddy School expenditure report with the Committee. Eddy unexpended balance is $76,669. She also reported that the Stony Brook valance is$17,577.26. It was noted that account 5059—SN Long Term Subs, has a negative balance of$34,943 due to student needs. Account#5060, SN Educational Assistants is-$13,085 due to student's needs. Chair Telman asked if the Finance Committee needed to be apprised of this situation and would like them to know sooner than later. Dr. Hoffmann indicated they have been notified but no dollar figure has been attached at this time. Ms.Venditti indicated that there could be money from the rental account and journal entries could be made. There may also be$40,000 of revenue from Circuit Breaker that could be added to the bottom line. There will be further discussion and more information at the next meeting. FY16 Budget Dr. Hoffmann reviewed the contents of the budget book noting the town budget policy of 2.5%and the district is waiting for the health insurance projections from Cape Cod Collaborative,which may increase 6-8%. The Principals reviewed significant increases in their budgets. Ms. Hill inquired about the Contracted Services Non-Instructional Technology account that increased substantially. It was noted the internet connection has triple access for the iPads and Smart Boards being used for instruction. $2,500 was added for consulting for standards based report cards and money was added for cloud based back up system. Ms. Cazeault asked for a breakdown for the Technology budget with an explanation. Dr. Hoffmann also indicated that the Central Office budget increased 13%due to a request for an additional full time Accountant position and the one-time cost for the Superintendent's vacation buy back. The Central Office Budget Subcommittee has already cut this budget by $15-20,000. Ms. Venditti indicated that the gas and electricity was increased by about 10%. Dr. Hoffmann also reminded the committee that the bid for bus transportation will open in early February. Discussion ensued about NYA and the after school program teaming up to offer programs. Principal Hughes does not want to entertain that option as the tutoring after and before school is needs-based and specific children are targeted. Principal Hughes indicated that this is re-teaching concepts,special reading programs to boost students' scores and she does not want parents paying for this service. Chair Telman asked the Committee to take a good look at this budget for discussion at the next meeting. He also would like to set a date for additional meetings and asked member to bring their calendars. Trish Hill congratulated the Administrative Team for the budget presentation and the way it is so clear, concise,and organized. She thanked the team for making it so easy to follow along. Jim Nowack was thanked for all the work he did on the capital projects. Policy Update Motion: On a motion by Ms. Enochty,seconded by Ms.Gradone,it was voted unanimously to approve"in form",for a first reading, Policy DJE, Bidding Requirements. Motion: On a motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Ms.Gradone,it was voted unanimously to approve"in form",for a first reading,Policy ADDA, Background Checks. Brewster School Committee 12-18-2014 Page 2 REPORTS AND INFORMATION Preschool Enrollment—Ms. Cazeault expressed her appreciation for the information contained in the Preschool enrollment report. Cape Cod Collaborative—Ms. Hill reported that she is on the committee to evaluate the director and they are looking at different tools that do not directly align to Superintendent's rubric as they would like to make the evaluation more in line with his job description. PTO-Ms. Enochty indicated that the PTO did not meet. She indicated that they would like to get the PTO website back up and running and need help with that initiative. The Eddy School Pasta Dinner fundraiser scheduled for January 23rd needs donations and volunteers. Playground Update—Mr.Gauley gave his last report indicating that the grand opening went very well and more landscaping will be done in the spring. Building Needs Subcommittee—Mr. Telman indicated that the subcommittee has not met. Superintendent Search Subcommittee—Ms. Cazeault reported that the brochure advertising the position is on the website. The announcement has not yet been made for the parent and teacher members to the search committee. The position is being advertised in various newspapers. The Supt. Search Subcommittee will meet again on January 12`n Policy Subcommittee—Mr.Telman indicated that the staff communication policy is being tweaked with some grammatical changes. The Policy Subcommittee is checking with Mark Mathison and legal counsel. Ms. Enochty updated the committee on the Joint Board Committee meeting for DESE and the Dept. of Early Childhood and Care. Expansion grant at Early Childhood level. A Joint Subcommittee was formed. Moving forward in ways that we have not seen before. Minutes On a motion by Ms. Enochty,seconded by Ms. Hill,it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of November 20, 2014. Chair Telman announced,with regret,that he was accepting the resignation of school committee member,Trish Hill,as she is moving to Sandwich. He indicated that the committee is losing her expertise and that she has been a dedicated parent and member of the committee giving so much to the students in the District. Ms. Hill indicated that she took a principal's position in Sandwich and that her family is moving to Sandwich so that they can enjoy more family time. She stated it has been an honor to serve and work with the board and for the families in Brewster. Adjournment On a motion by Ms. Hill,seconded by Ms.Gradone,it was voted 4-1 to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m., subject to payment of bills. Respectfully submitted, Ann M.Tefft Included in packet: Administrators' Reports, FY16 budget book, Expenditure Report, Preschool Enrollment and Minutes. Brewster School Committee 12-18-2014 Page 3