HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2015-11-19 Minutes Brewster School Committee
November 19, 2015
Brewster Town Hall
Present for the Committee: Claire Gradone, Dave Telman, Jessica Larsen and Lori Gilmore
Present for the Administration: Thomas Conrad, Superintendent, Principal Denise Fronius, and Principal Joanna Hughes
Call to Order
Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Citizens Speak
None
School Committee Norms and Self-Evaluation
Chair Telman indicated that the current norms were created two years ago for the Brewster School committee. He asked
that members review them,edit, or add to them and bring their thoughts to the next meeting. These norms remind the
committee how the meeting should be run and how the committee interacts among themselves. Chair Telman indicated
that a self-evaluation was done by the Committee four years ago. He indicated that goals were set at the beginning of the
year but at the end of the year the committee evaluates how they did individually and as a whole.He hopes to begin this
process in the summer months. The MASC evaluation form was distributed for members to review. This will be
discussed at the next meeting.
Administrators'Reports
Principal's reports were included in the packet. Principal Fronius recognized the Brewster Recreation Program and NYA
for donating mulch for the playground.
Motion:
On a motion by Claire Gradone, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted 3 yeas and 1 abstention(Jessica Larsen)to
accept the gifts of$1,000 from NYA and $500 from the Brewster Recreation Program.
Keith Gauley,Assistant Superintendent, report was in the packet. He was not in attendance as he was at the High
School Presenting information on the IB Program as Nauset has gone forward with their application. The Committee was
asked to forward questions.
Superintendent Conrad reported that the state is moving to a new test, MCAS 2.0. The Department of Education's goal
was to blend MCAS with PARCC. The Superintendent indicated that they are looking for volunteers to work on this and
he would like to get practitioners to work on this. He hopes to get further information so that he can guide the district.
The Superintendent is working on his Superintendent's Entry Plan and is analyzing the data he collected to help with goal
setting and planning. He will have a report to the Committees in January. He also reported that an Educational
Endowment for academics has been established in the District. They would like to create mini-grants for preschool—
grade 12 to benefit some things that cannot be funded in the school budget. He has been hearing from parents regarding
the new Math program, EngageNY. He is working with Keith Gauley to schedule parent forums on the subject. Other
topics parents might be interested in discussing are: Common Core and the new report cards. Keith Gauley is surveying
staff to see what went well and what did not so that it gets better going forward. The Superintendent reported that he
attended the MASC conference and attended many very interesting sessions. He said it was very helpful and topnotch.
He also reported that he was the guest speaker at a forum in Orleans to discuss education and answer questions.
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Fundraising Policy
Chair Telman indicated a couple of years ago the committee could not agree if the School Committee should approve
fundraisers or if it was out of their jurisdiction. Chair Telman indicated that Principals brought an informal list of
fundraisers to the School Committee and they were accepted and approved. Chair Telman felt the School Committee
should know what is happening in the schools with regard to fundraisers. He cited instances where he would not want
certain fundraiser to take place and be associated with the school because the fundraiser was inappropriate.
Motion:
On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted 4-0 to approve the fundraising policy as written
for a first reading.
FY16 Budget Update
Superintendent Conrad reported that account 5010, has a variance of$49,932,which will be updated once the new person
is hired. The present balance for Stony Brook is-$27,108. Chair Telman reminded the Committee of the two out of
district placements. Principal Fronius indicated that K.T. Stone will be retiring at the end of the year. A search committee
has interviewed for the position and there will be a savings.
The balance at the Eddy School is$103,390 and everything is tracking well. Chair Telman suggested if members have
questions to email him and he will contact the Superintendent.
FY17 Budget Timeline
Superintendent Conrad distributed budget books to committee members. He indicated that this is a very aggressive
schedule and he asked the members to review the budget prior to the next meeting and come with their questions.
The Principals will review the budget section by section. He thanked the Principals for doing such a good job on their
budgets. Superintendent Conrad reminded the committee that there will be variables as they go through the process and
that this is a working document.
Surplus Material and Equipment
Motion:
On a motion by Claire Gradone, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously to approve the surplus items as
submitted.
REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Preschool—Enrollment report in packet.
Cape Cod Collaborative—Ms. Larsen indicated that there was no meeting due to lack of a quorum.
PTO Liaison—Lori Gilmore reported that the PTO is talking about the Pasta Supper, Brewster Kids Helping Kids, Toy
Drive,Brewster Flea Market,Jewelry fundraiser and the Scholastic Book Fair. March 4th is the Pasta Supper.
School Council Liaison—Eddy-Ms. Larsen indicated the meeting is later in the month.
School Council Liaison—Stony Brook—Ms. Gilmore reported that 86.6%of parents attended Open House,National
Crunch Day was held,November report card and information pamphlet went out,and classroom parents had a meeting
about healthy treats and classroom celebrations. Feedback is being gathered from parent meetings relative to the new
report card. Ms. Seymour, Grade 5 teacher, indicated the feedback from parents of students in her classroom was very
positive. She liked that the report car was divided into standards and not just subjects. She also indicated that the
comment section was not warm and personal.
Policy Subcommittee—None
MASC Conference—Jessica Larsen reported on the very informative MASC conference. She spoke to Resolution 7.
The overarching themes included tolerance, school lunch, healthy eating, and SEL. She joined the State Task Force for
SEL. Claire Gradone went to a workshop on PARCC and MCAS. She also went to the Community Engagement session
and she felt Nauset is doing a good job with this.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of October
15,2015.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:46 p.m., subject to
payment of bills.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Tefft
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