HomeMy Public PortalAboutSupt. Search Subcommittee -- 1/15/2015 Minutes •
Brewster School Committee
Thursday,January 15, 2015 G Brewster Town Hall
Present for the Committee: Claire Gradone, Dave Telman, Brenda Cazeault, and Marie Enochty
Present for the Administration: Dr. Richard Hoffmann, Dr. Ann Caretti, Ms. Giovanna Venditti, and Principal Hughes
Call to Order
Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
Citizens Speak-None
Recognitions—
Dr. Hoffmann read a letter from Marilyn Dearborn, Director of the Brewster Council on Aging,recognized the
Kindergarten classes and their teachers Ms. Erickson and Ms. Barnatchez for an outstanding performance for seniors
during the holidays.
PRIORITY BUSINESS
Administrators' Reports
Principal Hughes reported that the Cape Cod Five mini grant reception will take place at the community college with a
number of teachers receiving grants from the Eddy School which included the energy carnival, sewing club, a number of
science projects to name a few. Hat's off recognition to the teachers from Principal Hughes for pursuing funding for these
programs. Principal Hughes also reported that the roof and HVAC projects are working well and are very much
appreciated. She indicated that the Vocabulary Parade is Friday, February 5th and the Pasta Supper is Friday,January 23`d.
She thanked the Brewster Police Department, Chief Koch, Lt. Bausch, and Officer Andy Salerno who attended a staff
meeting to discussed security.
Mr. Gauley's report was included in the packet.
Dr. Hoffmann indicated that his Town Report is included in the packet. He reported that the enrollment at Stony Brook is
281 students and Brewster is not experiencing declining enrollment. Chair Telman indicated that Brewster has enrolled
30 new students in two years.
FY15 Budget Update
Giovanna Venditti, Director of Finance and Operations, reported that the Eddy School has a balance of$74,277. She
noted the encumbrance due to substitute custodial costs at the school. It was noted that the perfect attendance stipend is
included in the budget in the event that a custodian is not out of school.
Ms.Venditti reviewed the Stony Brook expenditure report noting a balance of$8,277. She suggested that the Committee
look at the overall budget and decide what to do going forward. With a balance of$8,277 and a teacher going out on
leave,the budget could be in the negative-$15,977. Ms. Venditti stated that the sources of funding, Circuit Breaker,
Rental YMCA, and Rental from the church will be approximately$27,152.
Dr. Hoffmann indicated that the school could use all the potential revenue and existing balance which would give Stony
$27,152 until the end of the year,which is not enough to get through the year. The Superintendent indicated that they will
fine tune how much is need and work with the Principals to do a spending plan. He went on to say if extra funds are
needed,we must alert the town.
Ms.Venditti indicated that unanticipated costs for the Teacher and the Educational Assistant are $55,305.
Chair Telman indicated that the school committee is meeting with the Finance Committee on March 11`h and he would
like to be able to have funds transferred. He reminded everyone that warrant close on February 18`h.
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Chair Telman would like to know what the balance coming forward was in the Rental Account this year He also stated
the rental from the church will end next year.
FY 16 Budget
Principal Hughes reviewed the Eddy line item budget noting increases as well as savings. Ms. Cazeault requested that the
"Significant Increases other than Salaries"be posted to the website along with the line item budget so that people can see
new categories and increases. Chair Telman questioned account#7022, Other Instructional Materials noting the last
three years this account has come in higher than the actual budget. This year less is budgeted and he questioned if more
would be expended. Principal Hughes anticipated that it would not and that she prioritizes items and feels that is a good
budget amount.
Account 7088, Transportation has increased. Ms.Venditti noted that it is the final year of the bus contract and that bids
will be opened on January 30`x'. She also noted that they are utilizing a different rate in the contract, 3.1 dropped to 1.93,
tanker rates in Boston as of December 1st. She also stated that Special Needs Transportation is provided by the Cape Cod
Collaborative and they have informed Administration that they need a 5% increase to cover their costs.
Ms. Venditti indicated that electrical costs will increase $8,000 between the two schools. The total increase for Eddy
School is 4.6%or$155,535.
Ms. Enochty stated that the School Council in Boston has a good UTube Video explaining their budget. She would like to
see the pie charts put on the website to help citizens understand what the school committee can control in the budget and
what is contractual.
Chair Telman would like to know the total increase(dollar amount)that was put in the budget for contracted salary
increases.
Policy Update
Chair Telman updated the committee on the revised School Committee—Staff Communication Policy and edits brought
forward by the Wellfleet School Committee and the Policy Subcommittee. Edits were grammatical and punctuation and
in no way impacted the intent of the subgroup who had worked on the policy. The NEA was part of the subgroup and
agreed with the policy.
Motion: On a motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Ms. Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve"in form", for a
first reading, School Committee—Staff Communication Policy.
Motion: On a motion by Ms. Gradone, seconded by Ms. Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to approve"in form", for a
second reading, Bidding Requirements.
Motion: On a motion by Ms. Gradone, seconded by Ms. Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to approve "in form", for a
second reading, Background Check Policy.
Dr. Hoffmann indicated that by now, school districts were instructed to notify all employees hired after July 1, 2013 and
we have notified 86 people. Substitutes were also notified and then the state sent out a plan saying everyone else hired
after July, 2013 must be fingerprinted before June,2016. Presently they do not have the capacity to fingerprint everyone
but Nauset HR Coordinator is working on plans for our schools.
Motion: On a motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Ms. Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve "in form", for a
first reading the Policy on Student Discipline.
Dr. Hoffmann noted the new policy indicates that schools must provide an education option or an in-school suspension for
students and that the policy is in the best interest of children. MGL Chapter 37 V2 addresses assault, weapons and drugs.
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REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Preschool Enrollment—included in the packet.
Cape Cod Collaborative—No report. The Committee has not assigned another member to that position. They meet on
Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. and it is about a two hour meeting.
PTO—Ms. Enochty indicated the PTO met today. They were very successful with the lightbulb fundraisers and great at
the Scholastic Book Fair. The Pasta Dinner is next Friday night with a very good raffle and silent auction. Stony Brook
will hold a Book Fair in April and they are working on the Readathon which will culminate with a sock hop theme.
Playground Update—Remove from agenda.
Building Needs Subcommittee—Remove from agenda.
Superintendent Search Subcommittee—Ms. Cazeault reported that the subcommittee met last week and school committee
members were sent an email that needs a response. She hoped members would fill it out and return it in a timely manner.
Minutes
On a motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Ms. Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of December
18, 2014,
Adjournment
On a motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Ms. Gradone, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m.,
subject to payment of bills.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Tefft
Included in packet: Administrators' Reports, Expenditure Report, Policies, Preschool Enrollment and Minutes.
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