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Home My Public Portal AboutBrewster School Committee -- 2015-08-20 Minutes t'71. Brewster School Committee O VED August 20,2015 Brewster Town Hall IIVresent for the Committee: Claire Gradone, Dave Telman,Marie Enochty and Jessica Larsen Present for the Administration: Thomas Conrad, Superintendent,Mr. Keith Gauley,Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Giovanna Venditti,Director of Finance and Operations, Principal Joanna Hughes,Principal, Director of Technology, Barbara$.avoine,Dr.Ann Caretti,Director of Student Services Call to Order Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Citizens speak None Priority business Chair Telman reviewed the time designation for each agenda item with the committee members. Administrators' Reports Principals' reports were included in the packet. No one had any questions regarding the reports. Keith Gauley,Assistant Superintendent,highlighted a few items in his written report. He reviewed the grant funding status with the committee. He indicated the elementary report card has been updated and it will be rolled out to staff on October 8h. He is developing handbooks for staff and parents to go with the report card. He also reported that there were 91 participants in summer professional development mostly focused on technology. There will be another 22 course offerings on September 3`a for professional development. He will provide an evaluation summary as he did last year. vigtperintendent Conrad reported that there has been a staffing change at the Central Office as Laura George, HR Coordinator,is moving to Wellfleet Elementary School in the position of secretary to the Principal. Carol Forgione is the new HR Director and has a very strong human resource background. This is a very big position for the district. He indicated he would like to have a report to the Committee in September of the reorganization of the business office and the .6 position. He attended the M.A.S.S. conference for four days and participated in the new Superintendent Induction Program which will have 8 full day sessions throughout the year. He reported that he attended the Cape Cod Institute at Ocean Edge put on by the Collaborative. At the Joint School Committee meeting he will be requesting to have a transportation subcommittee as the rates increased 33% last year. He also reported that he is in the process of forming a renewable energy committee with the Region Committee. The Superintendent met with town officials regarding the window project at Stony Brook. The project is behind schedule because when they opened the walls they discovered problems with studs, insulation and sheetrock. It is his hope that they will accelerate their pace as they have gotten some additional help. They will be working on the weekends and after school hours. The Superintendent emphasized the fact that they cannot do this work during school hours. He is watching this project very closely. Chair Telman expressed concerns about paying custodial overtime and that perhaps any overtime should be submitted to the town; The Superintendent indicated they will do as much of the work they can inside the school before school opens. Questions were raised about them working after hours,the need for lights and the concern for neighbors. FY 15 Buidget Update Ms. Venditti reviewed the final expenditure reports with the Committee. Eddy School balance is $901.38 which was returned to the town. Stony Brook balance is$66.38 which was returned to the town. Principals followed the end of year iding plans. Brewster School Committee 8-20-2015 Page 1 a Special Education Update Dr.Ann Caretti updated the committee on an out of district placement that will cost$104,389. Chair Telman indicated he would let the town officials know of this unanticipated cost as soon as possible. Capital Update Chair Telman met with Selectmen and the Finance Committee to review the capital items that will be on the special town meeting warrant. The Finance Committee voted all the items and the Selectmen deferred their vote. Ms.Venditti reviewed the list of items that included: HVACfPlumbing$15,000,Technology$30,000,Painting Interior and Exterior $15,000,Replacement of Flooring at Eddy$15,000 and Repair of the Trolly Wall$12,000. MOTION On a motion by Claire Gradone, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously,4-0,to approve the capital items on the September town warrant. Transportation Update Ms.Venditti reported that the new buses will not be available for the first day of school due to a glitch at the manufacturing company. She negotiated that First Student give us last year's rate and will adjust as new buses come on line. Hopefully the new buses will be in the district by the end of September. Bus routes were discussed and it was noted that the Committee eliminated one bus last year. Chair Telman asked the Superintendent his thoughts on the routes as he rode the buses in Brewster. The Superintendent reported that the largest group on the elementary buses was 25 students and went as low as 13 students. He reported that the buses run on time with only a couple of minutes of play. Chair Telman inquired if smaller buses would ever be used and perhaps save on fuel costs. The Superintendent indicated that the subcommittee will look at everything. He is very concerned with the 33% increase in transportation. He would like to talk with districts that own buses. Technology Update Barbara Lavoine,Director of Technology,reviewed the technology budget and K-5 Technology Plan with the Committee explaining the min and maximum ratios needed and cost estimates for iPads. (Eddy: Minimum ratio-$46,209, Maximum ratio-$98,748 and Stony Brook: Minimum ratio -$27,219,Maximum ratio-$53,505) IPads included in capital budget are for staff. Discussion ensued regarding technology integration. The technology teacher will be available to assist the classroom teacher with integration. She reviewed the Standards and expected outcomes for 5th graders with the committee. She noted that the K-5 Technology Plan is a five year plan,begins with Kindergarten students and moves along so that by the time students get to the Middle School,they move forward with the Grade 6 Technology Plan. The K-5 Technology Committee is in place moving forward. She also reported that the District is offering a tremendous amount of summer and fall professional development and that by the end of the year,all staff members will have an iPad, which is consistent across the district. Most of the staff is comfortable with the technology and just need to find the right application and integrate it appropriately. Ms. Lavoine also indicated that she has been talking with Kathy Lomberti, Town Technology Specialist,about the possibility of getting the schools connected to Open Cape. Ms.Lavoine suggested that an update on Technology and its use be presented to the Committee in the spring. Reports and Information A. Preschool enrollment—none B. Cape Cod Collaborative—Jessica Larsen reported that they voted business that was decided previously.Discussed GPS on vehicles. C. PTO Liaison—None D. Policy Subcommittee—None E. MASC Conference—November 4-7 Approval of Minutes Brewster School Committee 8-20-2015 Page 2 �u u ,.sw► On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously, 4-0,to approve the minutes of ' June 18,2015. kirro.d•ourninent On a motion by Claire Gradone, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously,4-0,to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 p.m., subject to payment of bills. Respectfully submitted, Ann M. Tefft Included in Packet: Final Expenditure Reports,Admin.Reports,Letter to Parents/field spraying,Capital Items,minutes Brewster School Committee 8-20-2015 Page 3