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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2015-03-19 Minutes Brewster School Committee March 19,2015 Brewster Town Hall Present for the Committee: Claire Gradone, Dave Telman, Brenda Cazeault,Marie Enochty, and Laurie Gilmore Present for the Administration: Superintendent Richard Hofftnann, Mr.Keith Gauley,Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Giovanna Venditti,Director of Finance and Operations, Principal Joanna Hughes and Principal Denise Fronius Call to Order Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Citizens Speak Ms. Cazeault thanked the bus drivers for doing a great job transporting the children to school with all the snow that we have experienced this winter. Dr. Hoffmann reported that he and Mr. Gauley were hosting a breakfast for all the bus drivers to thank them for all their efforts. Priority Business Brewster Whitecaps Peter Blatz of the Whitecaps addressed the Committee regarding the annual permission to treat the baseball field with pre- emergent, fertilizer and grub control. Motion: On a motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Ms. Cazeault,it was voted 4 yeas to approve the annual treatment of the fields. (Ms. Gradone recused herself from the voting.) Public Hearing—School Choice Chair Telman-moved the Public Hearing on School Choice for FYI up on the agenda for consideration. There were no citizens who wanted to speak to this issue and the Public Hearing was closed. Motion: On a motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Ms. Gradone, it was voted unanimously not to approve School Choice for the school year 2015-16. Administrators' Reports Administrators' reports were in the packet and would not be given orally at the meeting. FYI Budget Update Ms. Venditti reviewed the expenditure report with the Committee. Stony Brook has a balance of-$47,508. The Committee approved the transfer of some expenses out of the operating budget into the rental account but that has not been done yet. ($2,600 from rental money,new money from town $35,000 and reimbursement for roof shingles) It was also noted there was a change in the Educational Assistant line of$7,099 due to a reduction in the Kindergarten Grant. She reviewed the balances as compared to last month in other accounts and gave an explanation for the difference. Eddy School has a balance of$50,224. Cafeteria salaries have been encumbered as well as money for potential losses. She reviewed the balances as compared to last month in other accounts and gave an explanation for the difference. Dr. Hoffmann reviewed the negative balance of-$47,000 with the Committee and the sources of revenue that have not been applied yet. ($35,000 and$6,000—needs Town approval) He indicated that Stony Brook will have approximately $28,000 to finish the year and that Eddy School has $50,000 to finish the year. Both schools are being extremely cautious with their spending. Cafeteria salaries have been encumbered. Brewster School Committee 3-19-2015 Page 1 FYI Budget Chair Telman asked that the Committee make a motion to reduce the prior reduction list totaling$251,000. Motion: Ms. Enochty made a motion that was seconded by Ms. Gradone to reduce the budget. After a brief discussion and a Point of Order, Ms. Enochty withdrew her motion and Ms. Gradone withdrew her second. Ms. Cazeault indicated she would like to keep Account 5010, Salaries Teachers and would like further discussion with the Principals. She also asked to hear from the Principals regarding Account#5060, Special Needs Salary Educational Assistant position. Chair Telman thanked both Principals for all their hard work on the reduction lists. Ms. Enochty suggested that the Committee allow the Principals to justify the line items and impacts before discussion. She urged the Committee to ask clarifying questions, and discuss line items after all reductions have been reviewed. Principal Fronius indicated that account 5010 was for a Grade 2 teaching position based on class size. As a result of the budget,there will be 21-22 students per class. She emphasized that this would have an impact on education. The small reading groups will increase in size and there might be 4-6 students per small group. Account 5060, Special Needs Salaries Educational Assistant is not needed because the student is attending another school district. Ms. Cazeault asked for clarification on the class size range. Principal Fronius indicated that the School Committee recommendation was a class size in Grades K-2 is 17 students. The Committee reviewed the reduction lists, account by account. It was noted that the reduction of Educational Assistants would impact teachers and would reduce their common planning time. Teachers will have to do more duties. Account #5104 reduction would mean reconfiguration of the Library Program. It was noted that moving two full time custodians to .75 would have a significant impact. Principal Fronius indicated that the Reading Specialist works with both students and teachers. She also indicated that it is her goal to have an Educational Assistant in the Kindergarten classrooms during the Literacy Block,even though the state as eliminated them from their budget. She would like an Educational Assistant in the classrooms during the directed reading block. She noted that next year she will assign people to the classroom and stagger it so they are not in the same classroom every day. Principal Fronius indicated that the Teachers do a lot of planning during recess and lunch. Teachers doing recess and lunch duty is not the best use of their time. Ms. Enochty asked if common planning time was contractual. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that prep is not contractual but most teachers use this time to collaborate. He indicated that according to the contract,teachers have no more than two recess duties per week. The Principals will make sure the staff has common planning time. Ms. Cazeault expressed her frustration hearing a disjointed and dismantling of time when teachers can be together. Ms. Cazeault indicated that this will impact the way teachers teach in Brewster. She reminded the Committee that this is about students. Dr. Hoffmann reviewed the projected class sizes for the Committee. He indicated that First Grade will have an average class size of 20-21 and Grade Two will have an average class size of 22 students. Principal Hughes reviewed her list of potential reductions and clarified her rationale for the list. She did indicated that she is very concerned about reducing Account#7010, Reading Specialist and did not like the idea of reducing the Librarian and reconfiguring the Library Program. She stated that the Librarian promotes reading tin the school, does special events, and is a very valuable position. This position would have to be replaced with an Education Assistant. She also indicated that eliminating the Part—time evening custodian was a real concern. She worried about NYA and the Recreation program and the impact on those programs. She indicated that account 7060, Special Needs Salary Educational Assistant would mean less support in the classroom. Reducing Account#7079 means that the reduction in the number of hours for the science lab. She also indicated that she will not be able to offer after school academics. Brewster School Committee 3-19-2015 Page 2 Committee members asked questions about the Night Custodian position,the Library program, and the role of the Educational Assistants. Dr. Hoffinann indicated that the revised budget is$6,859,458 and that$552,175 is the subtotal of the reductions. Since it is lower than the town target, he indicated Principal would like to add a couple of items back,namely, data coaches. Total budget, including benefits is $6,905,154. The Town target number is$6,900,383,hence,the Committee is $4,771 above the target. Chair Telman clarified the totals on the reductions sheets that got the Committee to $552,000. Ms. Cazeault asked where an Educational Assistant would be pulled from to work in the Library and what the impact would be for students in the classroom. Ms. Enochty asked how many Educational Assistants remain after the reductions and it was indicated that there are 9 Full Time Educational Assistants and 1-.57 Educational Assistant at Stony Brook. Eddy School has 10 Full Time Educational Assistants and 3 —part time Educational Assistants(.57, .70, .50%). Chair Telman asked the Principals to review the items on the list that they would like to add back into the budget. Principal Fronius indicated that the first position she would like back is the teacher for Technology and Library, $12,869. The second position would be the Reading Specialist, $17,174 and the third position would be the two Full Time Night Custodians, $18,459. She would then add back a Full Time Educational Assistant, $23,742 and the Comcast Internet Service, 10,000. She indicated that she would then add back to the budget the Full Time Educational Assistant, $25,174 which will help teachers plan together and eliminate duties for teachers. Lastly she would add back the General Supplies, $3,200. Principal Hughes reviewed her list of priorities that she would like to bring back into the budget, should funds become available. She would like to add back the Part-time Librarian, $11,800,The Reading Specialist, $30,043,The Part-time Evening Custodian, $13,197,the Special Needs Educational Assistant .5 7, $12,193,the Comcast Internet Service, $10,000, Tutor salaries, $5,000, Instructional Materials, $2,000, Textbooks Software Media, $2,000, and General Supplies for$3,000. Chair Telman asked that the Principals further explain why the Educational Assistants are not listed in the top three of the priority lists. Principal Fronius indicated that the Reading Specialist is a great help for the teachers. She indicated that she needs the custodians for the building and noted the reading groups would increase from 4-6 students in a group to 5-7 students in a group. Principal Fronius also mentioned that Comcast was important for the teachers to get intemet that works properly. Chair Telman thanked the Town Administrator, Charlie Sumner, for attending the meeting. Chair Telman asked if money could be used from the Capital Account to offset the Operating Budget for one year because the elementary schools are in dire straits. He proposed taking$60,000 from Capital. Mr. Sumner indicated that it was an awful idea and that the town needs to spend 1.5 million dollars on facility maintenance. He felt it was bad business practice not to maintain our facilities. He also indicated that ultimately it was up to Town Meeting. Mr. Sumner stated he is working on the Special Town Meeting Warrant and realized that the Committee had to add a Special Needs Teacher in September that was an unanticipated budget expense. He would like to replenish the money the Committee has spent in this fiscal year for that position. He would like to increase FYI budget for that person, $35,000 plus cost for fringe benefits or a total of$41,000. This would become part of the base for FYI which would increase it by$43,000. Mr. Sumner asked the Committee to cut$511,250—2.5%,but now the Committee would have to cut $468,292. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that the schools appreciate that and it is a big help. Mr. Sumner stated that in the end the School Committee are the elected officials who are responsible for the education of our children. He also indicated that if the Committee felt they wanted to talk to Selectmen about an override,he would respect their right to do so. He stated he is trying to sustain town and school operations in general. He stated that the town has an override every 4-6 years and that he would like to avoid an override this year and maybe next year. He wants to see overrides done together for town departments and the schools. He cautioned the Committee that pursuing this would diminish the chance of a successful override. Mr. Sumner further stated that the program issues are disconcerting. The elementary budget is up 8% and a lot of this cost is health care. Mr. Telman dropped his idea of getting money from the Capital Account. Brewster School Committee 3-19-2015 Page 3 Ms. Enochty did not think the schools could get the support needed to use the Capital funding. The School Committee voted a five-year plan and has a vision. She also stated that the Committee must have a strategy and does not want to dismantle the program and rebuild it. She wanted to maintain the programs. She also stated that the Committee can't go before the townspeople and ask for more money. She cautioned the Committee about moving forward without thinking about everyone else that works in the town. Ms. Cazeault stated that the Committee needs to do this smarter in the future and in a more creative way. She would like a better dialog and a better plan. She noted the class sizes and the quality teachers. Ms. Enochty stated the Committee should vote a number that they have to cover if an override does not pass. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that if a budget was approved that needed an override and it did not pass, lay-off notices would be sent the next day. He stressed that the Committee has to have a balanced budget. Whatever amounts did not pass,you would have to reduce. Ms. Enochty explained how difficult it is to have an override campaign and reminded everyone that the last override did not pass by much. She further stated that it is a lot of work and needs the support of the Selectmen and the Finance Committee. The Committee has to think carefully about what they are asking for and can't say you want it all. The School Committee must do its due diligence. She suggested cutting all the items that did not have to do with personnel to start the process of reducing the budget. Ms. Cazeault stated that Brewster is part of a district that has class sizes of 13 and 14. She stated the Committee needs to talk about what that means and that this is an educational decision to be made by the School Committee. Ms.Enochty stated that we can't compare towns and that Brewster does great things with its larger class sizes and great staff. She did not think 22 in a class are so bad and that it was within the class size guidelines. Ms. Cazeault stressed the need to advocate to make correct balance for class size. Ms. Venditti reviewed the cost savings of$11,000 at each school if one bus was eliminated. It was noted pick up time would be earlier than 7:00 a.m. and students would have a longer bus ride. Middle School and High School students would be picked up 10 minutes later. The bus that would be eliminated is the Herring Bus that has 12-14 students. Dr. Hoffmann stated that when changing to a 2-tier system, it was the wish of the Committee that no child be picked up before 7:00 a.m. and no child rides the bus for more than 30 minutes. This would be a big change. Motion: On a motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Ms. Cazeault, it was voted unanimously to remove $184,535 from the budget. (Items include: 5002 Salaries Secretary $12,660 5007 Contracted Services Non-Instructional Technology $10,000 5048 Contracted Serv. Bldg. 2,500 5049 Contracted Services Equipment 4,800 5097 Circuit Breaker FYI 8,591 5097 Circuit Breaker FYI 13,961 5007 Contracted Serv. Ins. Tech. 400 5020 Other Professional Development 1,000 5022 Other Inst. Materials 1,000 5024 General Supplies 3,200 5027 Supplies Ins,Tech 1,000 5040 Other Student Activity Expense 2,000 5063 SN Textbooks Software 1,000 5087 SN Preschool Tuition 5,309 7007 Cont. Sery Non-Ins. Tech. 10,000 7010 Salaries Teachers 93,714 7048 Con. Serv. Bldg. 2,000 7007 Con. Serv.Non-Instructional Technology 400 7019 Con. Serv. Prof. Dev. 1,000 7021 Textbooks, Software, Media 2,000 7022 Instructional Materials 2,000 7024 General Supplies 3,000 7040 Student Activity Expense 500 7042 Supplies Custodial 1,000 7047 Contracted Services Grds. 1,500 Total =$184,535 ($283,757 short of town target minus the $22,000 for the bus= $261,757) The Committee proceeded to do a straw poll to see what further items they would eliminate from the budget. Discussion ensued relative to Brewster Recreation and the YMCA helping with custodial tasks. Brewster School Committee 3-19-2015 Page 4 Motion: On a Motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Ms. Gradone, it was voted unanimously to eliminate items as suggested to get to $212,719. Items Include: 5088 Reg. Day Transportation 11,000 7088 Reg. Day Transportation $11,000 7010 Salaries Teachers 5,800 7041 Salaries Custodians 13,197 7042 Substitutes Custodial 1,300 7079 Salaries Tutor 5,000 5060 SN Salaries Ed. Assistant 23,741 Total= $71,038 A general discussion relative to Educational Assistants ensued. Ms. Enochty felt that the Teachers and students would still have a lot of support. Ten Educational Assistants would remain at Eddy and 15 would remain at Stony Brook. Ms. Cazeault stressed the importance of Educational Assistants in the classroom for instruction. She felt further conversation should take place regarding curriculum and such. She indicated that she would like to talk about revisiting the priority lists. Principal Hughes stressed the importance of the Library program. She stated that by eliminating the Librarian,you eliminate a program. By eliminating Educational Assistants,you add to the number of students in a small reading group. Principal Fronius indicated that a Librarian would be ideal in the library. One Educational Assistant would be pulled out of the classroom to help with the library. She felt it was more important to keep the function of the Library. A strong volunteer program for the Library was mentioned. Superintendent Hoffmann indicated that it was not fair to ask which position is more important as they are all important and equally valued. Ms. Enochty stated that the Principals were asked for a priority list and the School Committee should stand behind it. Chair Telman agreed that the Principals were asked to do something that was very difficult. They gave the School Committee a list of positions that they want to keep and he did not want to question it. Ms. Cazeault indicated that she was not hearing that. Principal Hughes stated that at this point in the budget,there is nothing left to cut but positions. She stated that she can't cut a teacher, can't cut gym because of scheduling, and the only positions left are Educational Assistants. She further stated that there are not many choices on positions that are cut. Ms. Cazeault indicated that she wanted to see the visual impact and that she needs to know what the cutting of Educational Assistants means. Principal Hughes indicated that an Educational Assistant that used to be in one classroom might have to go between two classrooms. There will also be more students in a reading group. At Stony Brook there will be less people to count on to do supervision. Principal Fronius indicated that she would like to keep three of the Educational Assistants noting that 2 or 3 classes will not have a person. Chair Telman indicated that the Committee will keep items 1,2, 3 on the Stony Brook List,Part-time Librarian,Reading Specialist.and 2 Evening Custodians. The Committee will keep items 1 and 2 on the Eddy list,Part-time Librarian and Reading Specialist. He also noted the cuts were to $212,719 minus the grade 2 reading teacher—48,698 =$164,021. (Eliminate Items 3 &4 Eddy$25,380 and eliminate Items 4&6 Stony Brook—48,916= 89,715) He indicated that if the Principals keep the positions they really want,the Committee is still about$90,000 away from the target. Chair Telman indicated that more cuts were needed. Ms. Enochty challenged the Committee to decide on a bottom line and fight for it. Ms. Gradone stated that she knows the Committee has to get down to the town target. She was not in favor of taking apart the Library Program or eliminating the Comcast amount and felt a plan was needed even though it is not to the town's standards. Chair Telman asked if the Committee would agree on the Grade 2 teaching position and Ms. Enochty indicated that she cannot justify a new positon. Ms. Cazeault was not comfortable eliminating this position. Ms. Cazeault defended her position in wanting to keep the Grade 2 Teacher siting the Star Survey and class size. She indicated she would fight for the Gr. 2 Teaching position. Ms. Enochty felt it was being disingenuous to think that an override would pass. Brewster School Committee 3-19-2015 Page 5 Chair Telman indicated the need to keep cutting to get to 2.5% stating that the Town has been very good to the schools. The School Committee must do what is best for the town. He stated he is willing to fight for the two items in the principals' priority list. He indicated that someone could speak on town meeting floor and the budget could be reduced more. Ms. Enochty indicated she is will to fight for the library and the reading specialist. Chair Telman indicated he could go to the Selectmen and Finance Committee and justify this budget as he wants to keep our program the same. Ms. Enochty suggested looking at the Library and how much we have put into the two Libraries. She asked the Committee to think about the money that has been invested in these two programs,Library and Reading. Principal Fronius indicated there were a couple of years where the schools did not have a reading specialist but there is so much data work now that it is an important position. She also stated that most schools have a reading specialist. Chair Telman reiterated that he is willing to fight for the three items for Stony Brook and the 2 items for Eddy. He thanked the staff for coming to the meeting. He suggested the staff also attend the Selectmen and Finance Committee meetings. He is willing to fight for these positions but needs support. He indicated a reduction thus far from the $468,292 is$255,583 which leaves $212,719 left to reduce. Additional items under consideration for reductions include: 5010 Salaries Teachers Gr. 2 $48,698 5015 Salaries Ed.Assistant 25,174 5015 Salaries Ed.Assistant 23,742 7060 SN Salaries Ed. Assistant 12,193 Total=$109,807(leaves 102,912 remaining to cut plus the add backs of$40,596(Kindergarten Assistants)and$5,220 (Data Coaches) Ms. Enochty tried to explain to the Committee what Ms. Cazeault was trying to say earlier in the meeting regarding the Educational Assistants. She questioned the priority list and wondered if it was better to keep the five Educational Assistants for the price of a Reading Specialist. The Educational Assistants would have much more direct impact on children. She did not want an answer,but wanted the Principals to think about it. Having a Reading Specialist handling data teams is fine but teachers have been doing a good job. Should we pay for a Reading Specialist or should we pay for things that help reduce class size. What is the impact on kids? She suggested having further discussion in April about the priority lists. Chair Telman indicated that the Principals gave him a priority list that will impact the students the least. They are telling the Committee that they want a Reading Specialist and a Librarian. Ms. Enochty would like justifications at the April meeting. Chair Telman indicated that the Committee is meeting with the Selectmen on March 30th. The Committee is moving in the right direction but cannot go below$89,000. Dr. Hoffmann indicated that the Principals would like to put the data coaches back in the budget by adding stipends and reminded the Committee that the Kindergarten Educational Assistants were eliminated from the Governor's Budget and will not be funded next year. Reports and Information Preschool Enrollment—In packet. Cape Cod Collaborative—Marie Enochty reported that the last CCC meeting was Bob Tykas' last meeting. PTO—Marie Enochty reported that the PTO is in desperate need of board members next year. Superintendent Search—Brenda Cazeault reported that three candidates were interviewed and the Principal at the High School,Mr. Thomas Conrad, was voted unanimously the next Superintendent, pending contract negotiations. Policy—Chair Telman reported the Committee will meet next week to review the Domestic Violence Leave Policy and the Intra District Policy. Brewster School Committee 3-19-2015 Page 6 Approval of Minutes On a motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Ms. Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of February 26, 2015. On a Motion by Ms. Enochty, seconded by Ms. Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of March 9, 2015. Adjournment On a motion by Ms.Enochty, seconded by Ms. Gradone, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:07 p.m., subject to payment of bills. Respectfully submitted, Ann M. Tefft Included in packet: Pesticide Sheet for fields, FYI budget materials, Reduction Lists, Expenditure Reports, Administrators' Reports and minutes. Brewster School Committee 3-19-2015 Page 7