HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2015-06-18 Minutes � DDD
Brewster School Committee
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June 18,2015
Brewster Town Hall
Pres6ht for the Committee: Claire Gradone, Dave Tolman, Lori Gilmore,Marie Enochty and Jessica Larsen
Present for the Administration: Dr. Richard Hoffinann,Superintendent, Mr.Keith Gauley,Assistant Superintendent, Ms.
Giovanna Venditti,Director of Finance and Operations,Principal Joanna Hughes,Principal Denise Fronius,Director of
Technology,Barbara Lavoine
Others in attendance: Elisa Buckie, Claire Moore,Noah Campbell-Haley, Chelsea Van Ness
Call to Order
Reorganization-
Dr. Hoffmann called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. and took nominations from the Committee for Chair.
Dave Telman and Marie Enochty were nominated for Chair, Marie Enochty declined.
On a motion by Marie Enochty,seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted 3 yeas and 1 nay(Jessica Larsen)to appoint
Dave Tolman as Chair of the Brewster School Committee.
On a motion by Claire Gradone,seconded by Lori Gilmore, it was voted unanimously to appoint Marie Enochty as Vice
Chair of the Brewster School Committee.
On a motion by Marie Enochty,seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously to appoint Ann Teff as secretary
to the Brewster School Committee.
Other positions were filled by consensus:
Payroll Authorizer: Dave Tolman and Claire Gradone
Subcommittees:
Policy—Dave Tolman
Central Office Budget—Jessica Larsen
Negotiations—Marie Enochty
Transportation—Claire Gradone
Building&Facilities—Dave Tolman
Committee Representatives:
Cape Cod Collaborative—Jessica Larsen
PTA Liaison—Lori Gilmore
School Council Liaison—Eddy School —Jessica Larsen, Stony Brook School—Lori Gilmore
Union 54 Voting Members
Dave Tolman,Marie Enochty,Claire Gradone Alternates: Lori Gilmore and Jessica Larsen
Citizens Speak
None
Priority Business
K-5 Technology Blueprint
Barbara Lavoine,Director of Technology addressed the Committee indicating that the 2014 Technology Plan was
presented and adopted by all the School Committees but needed a K-5 piece so a K-5 Technology Blueprint Committee
was formed. Members of the Committee included: Barbara Lavoine, Elaine Ponder,Joanna Hughes,Dawn Steber, Anne
Moore, Breigh Ami Menza,Chelsea Van Ness,Noah Campbell-Halley,Elisa Bucci,Laurie Daniels, Marianne Millette-
Kelley, Dr. Richard Hoffmann, and Keith Gauley.
Anne Moore and Elisa Bucci gave a presentation on Technology in the Brewster Schools today and what it would look
like in the future. A PowerPoint presentation demonstrated,through the grade levels,how students use technology in the
classroom.
Brewster School Committee 6-18-2015 page 1
Chelsea Van Ness and Noah Campbell-Halcy, First Grade Teachers at Stony Brook Elementary,reviewed the highlights
of the K-5 Technology Blueprint with the Committee identifying the goals,the actions needed and the outcomes. It was
also noted that Appendix B listed the Benchmarks and Expected Outcomes in Grade Two and Grade 5.
Chair Telman thanked the committee for the very informative presentation. He stated that it is good to set a foundation
for the students moving on to the Middle School and High School and the School Committee will push are and continue to
support this initiative. Ms. Enochty thanked the Committee for the presentation as well. She indicated she has been in the
classrooms and it is a pleasure to see the balance of technology in the classrooms. She congratulated Brewster and Nauset
for taking these steps forward in Technology.
Ms. Enochty took a moment to recognize Anne Moore,Librarian and Technology teacher at the Eddy School who will be
retiring in June. The Committee thanked her for her years of service to the children of Brewster.
Cape Cod Baseball League Re uest—Held for a future agenda.
Administrators' Reports
In addition to her report,Principal Fronius reported that the Grade Two students,under the direction of music teacher,
Mrs. Faris,sang the National anthem at the Whitecaps Opening Game on June 9't'. Principal Fronius had the honor of
throwing out the first pitch. She congratulated Mrs.Faris for a very successful Spring concert. She also thanked J.P.
Ludwig for videotaping the concert and featuring it on Brewster's cable TV channel 18. Other items of interest included
the Second Grade Send-Off, Field Day,and classroom celebrations. Mrs. K.T. Stone, the Brewster Whitecaps, Donna
Drown, Sara Slowik, Barry Schofield,Duane Gonzalves, Rich Hatfield, Susan Murray and Ken Foster were all given
special recognition for all their efforts to make Field Day so successful. 55 Kindergarten students are enrolled for
September. She reported that Mrs. Hannon will be looping to second grade with all of her first grade students,Mrs.
Holcomb-Jones will move from teaching Science and Title I to First Grade and Mrs. Rogers will be the new Science/Title
I teacher.
In addition to her report, Principal Hughes reported that Mr. Mullen enjoyed his final field day at Eddy Elementary School
as Ire will retire in June. She indicated that the Music and Arts Night was a huge success and thanked Mrs. Faris,Mrs.
Belliveau and Mrs. Moore for all their efforts in making the event so successful. She thanked the Fifth Grade parents who
have been very active in helping the school and also thanked there for putting together the yearbook. She recognized
retirees,Paul Mullen,Anne Moore and Jane Harwood. The Whitecaps came to"Career Day"at Eddy School and spoke
to students about making good choices and doing well in school. Tuesday,June 23rd is the Fifth Grade promotion event.
Keith Gauley,Assistant Superintendent,highlighted a few items in Ws written report. He indicated that the District
applied for the Massachusetts Tiered System of Support grant but just learned that Nauset was not chosen as a recipient.
He also recognized Tracey Deegan for providing year-long professional development to elementary staff on mathematical
content and mathematical practices. He distributed a list of Professional Development workshops that will take place in
the District this summer and fall.
Dr. Caretti was not in attendance due to a family emergency and Dr, Hoffmann reported in her absence. He distributed a
document from Dr. Caretti indicating the cost for a student with special needs who will require an out of district
placement next year as the school was not able to meet all the needs of this particular student. Potential costs were
outlined for the Committee.
Dr. Hoffmann reported that the Nauset High School graduation was wonderful and inserted a copy of his comments to the
graduates for the School Committee to read. Dr. Hoffmann attended the Celebration of Excellence at NRMS and noted
that Mrs.Joann Borsari was recognized by one of her former students. He also indicated that he has been working with
Superintendent-elect, Tom Conrad,and lie is happy to be helping with the transition. He thanked the committee for
working for the students in Brewster and always basing their decisions on what is best for children and also for working
with him over the past six years.
Brewster School Committee 6-18-2015 Page 2
FYI Budget Update
Ms. Venditti reviewed the Stony Brook expenditure report with the Committee. Stony Brook has a$4,672 balance. Ms,
Venditti highlighted accounts with variances, Ms. Venditti reviewed the Eddy expenditure report with the Committee
noting Eddy's balance of$41,880. End of Year spending plans are underway.
Motion:
On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve the use of funds that
we have in the Revolving Accounts as needed to offset expenses in the operating budget. Building Use Revolving Fund
has a balance of$4,899,99 and the YMCA Revolving Fund has a balance of$11,745.94. Ms, Venditti noted that this is
part of the spend-down plan as discussed at a prior meeting. Dr.Hoffmann indicated that you must delegate authority to
the Business Manager so that the budget can end in the black. Ms. Venditti stated she will be monitoring budgets closely
and that this will be fluid until the last day.
The Cafeteria Revolving Fund report was presented with a comparative with the prior year as well as projections for Julie.
Chair Telman asked why participation was down at Stony Brook since last year. He would like Ms. Murray,Nutrition
and Food Service Director to report to the Committee on this in the next school year. Ms. Hughes indicated that
enrollment is down so that could have an impact on participation.
Ms.Enochty indicated that there are other reasons parents do not purchase lunch as so many students have food allergies.
Stony Brook Elementary School—School Improvement Plan
Principal Fronius reviewed the Stony Brook Elementary School Improvement Plan with the Committee noting the focus
areas,actions needed and measureable outcomes. She thanked the school council and the teachers who assisted in putting
this plan together as it was quite a collaborative effort by everyone.
Motion:
On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve the Stony Brook
Elementary School Improvement Plan 2015-2017.
Cape Cod Collaborative—Articles of Agreement
On a motion by Marie Enochty,seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve the Articles of
Agreement from the Cape Cod Collaborative dated April 2015,
Reports and Information
Preschool Enrollment—Dr. Hoffinann indicated there was one new student,community friend. He also indicated that
there are more students with special needs than community friends attending the program. He stated that the Preschool
Program is outstanding in the Nauset district.
Cape Cod Collaborative—no report
PTO—no report
Policy—no report
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Marie Enochty,seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of May
21,2015,as corrected.
Adjournment
On a motion by Claire Gradone,seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:57
p,m., subject to payment of bills.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M.
Included in packet: Administrators'Reports,Expenditure Reports,K-5 Technology Blueprint,Cafeteria Report,Stony Brook Hementary School—School
Improvement Plan,CCC Articles of Agreement and minutes.
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