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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2015-10-15 Minutes Brewster School Committee o October 15, 2015 Brewster Town Hall Present for the Committee: Claire Gradone, Dave Telman, Marie Enochty,Jessica Larsen Present for the Administration: Thomas Conrad, Superintendent, Mr. Keith Gauley,Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Giovanna Venditti, Director of Finance and Operations, Principal Denise Fronius, and Principal Joanna Hughes Call to Order Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Citizens Sneak None Administrators' Reports Principal's reports were included in the packet. Principal Fronius publicly recognized members of the Brewster Baptist Church for volunteering and painting several areas of the Stony Brook Elementary School. The School Committee expressed their sincere thanks as well. Keith Gauley, Assistant Superintendent, indicated his report was in the packet and if there were any questions,please let him know. He explained the DDM's and distributed a Grade 2 updated assessment to the committee to explain the work that is being done to promote student growth. Superintendent Conrad reviewed his entry plan with the Committee noting he will look at the strengths and weakness of the system and will include six focus areas. He indicated he has had 76 meetings and surveys including patents,teachers, ' town officials. He is gathering evidence and in January will present the survey findings. In April lie will identify 3-5 6-As related to student learning. He also informed the Committee he is meeting with Senator Dau Wolf, Representative Sarah Peake and Representative Tim Whelan to discuss issues which will include substance abuse,transportation, full funding of mandates and building projects. Superintendent Conrad reported that the Stony Brook window project is almost complete and they are working on the punch list. Ms. Enochty suggested he speak to the Senator and Representatives about the lifting of the Charter School Gap which greatly impact Nauset, Fundraising Policv Superintendent Conrad indicated the Fundraising Policy was in their packet for review and is in place in all towns except for Brewster. Members discussed the incident that came up in the past but noted the school committee would like to know what fundraising activities are being done for the schools. This will appear on next month's agenda for a first reading. October 1St Enrollment Superintendent Conrad indicated that the official October I"enrollment was included in the packet and that Principals did a great job breaking it down in their reports. October 1 enrollment is 271 students at Stony Brook and 224 students at Eddy School. He noted that enrollment figures fluctuate throughout the school year. MCAS Presentation Keith Gauley and Joanna Hughes presented data and information on the results of the 2015 MCAS administration. Principal Hughes reported that students in Gr. 3 ELA, 64%of the students were proficient or advanced and in Gr. 5 74% of the students were proficient oi•advanced. In Gr. 4 Math 62%of students were advanced or proficient and in Gr. 5 math ^'o were advanced or proficient with 41% in Advanced. She noted this is a fantastic job by students and teachers. Brewster School Committee 10-15-2015 Page 1 In Science and Technology, 80%of the students were Advanced or Proficient. Key data Points from 2015 MCAS included: Eddy's school-wide CPI is 86.5 for ELA, 86.4 for Math and 93.0 for Science&Technology/Engineering; percentages of students combined"Proficient and Advanced"levels in Math, ELA and Science surpass the state-wide percentages; Strengths noted in Math Student Growth Percentiles—medial SDP's increased in grade 4 math, grade 5 math, and all four of the math sub-groups of students; 41%of Eddy's Gr. 5 Math students scored in the Advanced level. They will continue the process of focusing on DDMs to best assess student achievement, learning and growth. Mr. Gauley reviewed the Student Growth Percentiles and explained what is lower growth 0-39, Moderate Growth 40-60 and Higher Growth which is 61-99. He compared SGP from 2414 vs. 2015 data noting how well Eddy students are doing. His goal is to be a 51 percent or higher which means they would be doing better in general than students across the state. They will analyze where did the students receive interventions and what was the SPG. Do they look at other options? He noted that professional development is transitioning from focus on math to focus on ELA. Mr.Gauley indicated they will be talking about the PARCC test at the Union 54 meeting. He reviewed the SGP of the subgroups and showed an example of how narrowing of proficiency gaps is determined. It was also noted that Zaner Bloser Handwriting is taught. Chair Telman suggested keeping in mind the decision regarding PARCC. The Brewster School Committee did not vote to take the PARCC last year because of technology. Ms. Enochty indicated that the state is still thinking about PARCC and will know more in November. Principal Hughes reminded the Committee that Eddy students piloted the PARCC test, She also stated that they teach the standards and stay focused on that. Ms.Enoclity suggested that when you visit a classroom,you should hear the voices of students and the teacher and that Brewster does a really good job at this and have been doing this for a long time. She applauded Brewster for keeping that pall of their vision. FY 16 Budeet Update Ms.Venditti, Director of Finance and Operations, reviewed the expenditure reported indicating a negative balance for Stony Brook in the amount of$56,863.20 and Eddy School a balance of$115,666.77. FYI Budeet Timeline Superintendent Conrad stated that he is presenting a very aggressive budget calendar with capital budgets complete and the operating budget underway. He noted the reason for the schedule is that Principals must concentrate on evaluations. He wants Principals to work on instruction, observations and work with the teachers. If everything goes as planned, lie will have budget drafts to the Committees in November. He is working with Towns to get their budget guidelines which will more than likely be between 2.5 and 3%. The Central Office budget will be completed in November before other budgets. Ms. Enochty suggested the members of the Committee bring their calendars to the November meeting to schedule additional meetings for budget if needed. (reserve them for now) Tuition Student Uodate Superintendent Conrad reviewed the handout he distributed to committee members regarding the tuition students at Stony Brook Elementary School, It is anticipated that the total unanticipated cost will be$149,868. Chair Telman indicated that they are meeting with Finance Committee members next week to keep them informed. MASC Resolutions and Delegate On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously to appoint Jessica Larsen as the MASC Delegate from Brewster. The Committee discussed the Resolutions and voiced their opinions indicating their agreement or disagreement with the resolutions. Substance Abuse Task Force The Superintendent asked for one committee member from Brewster volunteer to be on the Task Force, The Task Force will be made up of a member from each committee, five counselors, one nurse, and Dr. Ann Caretti,who will Chair the Committee. The Committee will begin to meet in a few weeks. On a motion by Claire Gradone, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted that Marie Enochty will represent Brewster on the Substance Abuse Task Force. (In the event that Ms. Enochty cannot make a meeting, Ms. Larsen will attend.) Brewster School Committee 10-15-2015 Page 2 Moving time of the Committee Meetings It was by consensus that the Committee determined meetings would begin at 6:00 p.m. beginning in November. Ms. Enochty asked that someone let the PTO know about the change ill time. ..PORTS AND INFORMATION Preschool---Enrollment report in packet. Cape Cod Collaborative—Ms. Larsen distributed a SAVE THE DATE for a presentation sponsored by Cape Cod Collaborative,Early Learning Network, Grant Project 808--"Collaborating for Early Childhood Education &Services with Mixed Delivery Systems. Ms. Enochty will be one of the presenters. If you are interest please contact s.inui•rav ,capecodcollaborative.oru. PTO Liaison—Ms. Enochty attended the meeting. The PTO is looking for people to chair the Pasta Dinner Fundraiser. The Book Fair is conning and they need volunteers. School Council Liaison—Ms. Larsen indicated that the Eddy School is planning a Career Day. Anyone interested in, please contact the school. Policy Subcommittee—None MASC—Jessica Larsen and Claire Gradone attending APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of September 22,2015. On a motion by Claire Gradone, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted unanimously to approve the executive session ari&utes as written on the agenda. ?n, ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m., subject to payment of bills. Respectfully submitted, Ann M. Tefft Brewster School Committee 10-1512015 page 3