HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2016-09-15 Minutes Brewster School Committee Apitilow
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September 15,2016
Brewster Town Hall
Present for the Committee: Jessica Larsen,Dave Telman,Claire Gradone,Bob Miller
Absent: Marie Enochty
Present for the Administration: Thomas Conrad,Principal Denise Fronius and Principal Joanna Hughes
Call to Order/Agenda Changes: Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Citizens Speak: None
PRIORITY BUSINESS:
Administrators' Reports
Chair Telman indicated that the Principals' reports were included in the packet and gave the Committee an opportunity
for questions or comments. The new Buddy Bench and its use were explained by Principal Fronius. If a child has no
one to play with on the field, he/she can sit on the bench. When others see that child on the bench,they would invite
him/her to play with them. It is also used for conflict resolution. Principal Fronius indicated that Open House was
very well attended and the Wellness Expo was very successful.
Chair Telman indicated that the Assistant Superintendent's report was included in the packet. There were no questions
from the Committee.
Superintendent Conrad publicly recognized the staffs for a great opening. Kindergarten Open Houses were held in
August and many families were able to visit to alleviate first day concerns. The Superintendent thanked the teachers
for their extra effort on behalf of our students. He also congratulated Principal Fronius and her staff for an excellent
Open House.
The Superintendent indicated that he attended a 3 hour workshop on MCAS 2.0.The Administrative Team will talk
about moving our testing onto a technology device.This will not happen at the High School for a couple of years. This
must be decided by mid-October. He also indicated that the opening of schools across the district was outstanding.
He visited the seven schools and felt a sense of calmness in every school. He congratulated Principal Fronius,
Principal Hughes and the staffs at the schools for getting off to a strong start.
He reported that Dr.Ann Caretti attended a board meeting with him at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans.
Administration is focusing on trying to raise funds for meals and child care so that parents are able to attend meetings.
The Church of the Holy Spirit donated$2,000 for the cause. He thanked Dr.Ann Caretti for her help with this effort.
Preliminary Brainstorming Action Plan
Chair Telman reported that the School Committee toured both schools on Saturday, September 10th as a preliminary
visit to discuss the possibility of combining the two schools. He received an email from Marie Enochty,who could not
attend the meeting but shared some thoughts with the Chair that included: review enrollment for the last 5-8 years and
enrollment projections for 3-5 years,if the schools combined today,what would be the number of classes per grade
level,look at class size guidelines, what essential staff would be needed,review contracts,lunch room schedule and
impact, outside agencies that use the buildings,and other expenses such as furniture.
Bob Miller distributed a handout to Committee Members listing his thoughts for brainstorming topics that included:
Developing a budget,building space should be driven by educational needs and programs, complete Eddy School and
Stony Brook School utilization assessment, look at existing conditions—mechanical, educational plan and programs,
hold community workshops and seek community outreach from the beginning in a genuine manner, with meaningful
input from all stakeholders.
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Jessica Larsen indicated she would like to see strong communication with all stakeholders. She also suggested looking
at other Districts who have combined schools to see what worked and what did not work. She reminded the
Committee that their focus needs to be on student achievement.
Claire Gradone suggested looking at the programs in the two schools and consider what other programs are used in the
buildings. She reminded the Committee that mandatory Preschool could be coming in five-ten years and to think
about space assessments. PreK and infant type programs in collaboration with the Children's Place could take place in
Brewster. Other things to think about included the afterschool program,the YMCA Program,the core facility, lunch
schedule,heating system. She reminded the committee that one building is 20 years old(Eddy)and one school is 40
years old(Stony Brook).
Chair Telman asked about the septic system at Stony Brook and wanted to know if it could handle the entire K-5
population. He also indicated that the Town has maintained these two buildings through the Capital Projects Program.
He suggested looking at the heating system at Stony Brook as a capital project,regardless of any type of move.
Bob Miller made a motion to have a$10,000 warrant article for 2016 fall town meeting, for the purpose to authorize
the Superintendent of Schools to solicit bids and/or proposals, enter into a contract or contracts for consultants,
engineers,for the Brewster Elementary Schools. There was no second. Jessica Larsen felt the request for$10,000 was
too vague and getting ahead of the issue. She would like someone to help with the use of the buildings. Claire
Gradone suggested a feasibility study would be a starting point.
Bob Miller suggested doing all things suggested but wanted to capture the warrant for the fall town meeting so the
Committee would not have to wait until spring to start the process. Chair Telman indicated that the deadline to submit
a warrant article is October 3rd. Bob Miller indicated that the warrant article is just a placeholder and can always be
withdrawn.
Jessica Larsen expressed that she was struggling with what the Brewster kids are getting out of this project. Claire
Gradone indicated that the Committee wants to do this carefully and it requires that the Committee go slowly.
The Superintendent distributed his Action Plan Concept in how to proceed. The Superintendent reviewed his Action
Plan that included Key Activities(Actions),Resources(needed),Outcomes(What will be achieved?)and
Assumptions. He suggested that this format would help get the Committee organized. Jessica Larsen suggested a
study of the Stony Brook facility and what needs to be done to maintain the building. She stated the Committee should
know the needs of that facility no matter what is decided. Chair Telman suggested the Committee pick a couple of
actions they want to discuss at one meeting to get information out.
Jessica Larsen indicated she was still trying to figure out what the end goal was for Brewster students. She stated that
Brewster has something that is working right now. She wants to make sure what is done is right for students. Chair
Telman indicated the end goal is to provide an upgraded education for all students of Brewster. They would be
combining to have all the resources in one spot. The Committee is looking at this to help the town educate the students
in a more efficient manner. He indicated that monetarily and program wise,there is money that can be saved and more
programs offered. He also suggested that the Committee and Administration must figure out when it becomes too
expensive to condense. Claire Gradone stated the end goal is to make this workable for the school community while
maintaining the programs and improving the programs for our children. We have to think about the financial part of
this and what works best for the use of the buildings. She also stated that kids must have the programs that they need.
Bob Miller suggested the solution might be to start studying the space at Stony Brook and determine right now what
the student population with all the programs would be and whether or not Stony Brook can accommodate all the
children. Jessica Larsen did not think you could take Eddy and put it into Stony Brook without significant
adjustments.
Chair Telman thought there is adequate room to move Eddy into Stony Brook if the YMCA moved. He also stated if
the thinking is that an addition must be put on Stony Brook to accommodate all programs, the Committee should not
move forward. He suggested taking the YMCA and moving it to Eddy School. He asked how Eddy can fit into Stony
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Brook and if it would impact the programs. If it turns out that this cannot be done and there is talk about an addition,
the consolidation discussion ends at that point.
Jessica Larsen stated that Preschool and the YMCA are not extraneous services. She also thought there would be a
problem with the licensing for the afterschool program. She did not feel there would be enough space at one school for
the entire program and kids would be going home to empty houses. She was surprised that there was never a
discussion about expanding Stony Brook. Chair Telman suggested having a consultant come and tell the Committee
definitively if the schools can condense into Stony Brook. Jessica Larsen felt the committee does not need to spend
money on that.
Chair Telman asked the Superintendent to find out what resources are out there to help get this done. Claire Gradone
indicated that 7-8 years ago,there were plans for an eight room addition on the Stony Brook School. This is
something to consider as enrollment has gone down.
The Superintendent directed the Committee back to looking into the space issues,where they started last week by
taking the tours. He suggested looking at what you can put into Stony Brook building,what it would look like without
the YMCA. He questioned if that is a critical academic program and would like more information about connections
between Preschool and the YMCA. What would it look like keeping some programs at the Eddy School and will the
town pay for them. Look at what options would be considered. Look at pieces of work that have been done in the past
relative to consolidation. He will make them available to the Committee.
Jessica Larsen questioned the shifting of services and why? She felt it was two different things,building use and
educational space. Bob Miller suggested hiring a consultant with educational experience to assist the Committee.
Chair Telman suggested looking at other school districts that have gone through this. The question remained,does
Stony Brook have enough room to maintain the programs currently at both schools and is it able to provide the best
education we can for our kids. Bob Miller indicated that when Stony Brook had 780 children,4 portables,Eddy was
built. Eddy and Stony were two K-5 school buildings. After Eddy was built,parents wanted parity. There was a large
Committee who tried to resolve the issues. Chair Telman suggested getting some calls out to firms and costs by the
next meeting. Bob Miller stated that the Committee can withdraw a warrant article but if they don't submit one they
will have to wait until spring to get funding. The Superintendent indicated he will gather information for the
Committee.
Jessica Larsen expressed concerns about moving the YMCA. Chair Telman asked how many students from Brewster
are in the YMCA program. Principal Fronius indicated she would get those figures for the Committee. Revenues will
also be brought to the next meeting.
Bob Miller reminded the Committee that they are looking at two years and not deciding sooner. Bob Miller withdrew
his first motion.
Motion:
On a motion by Bob Miller, seconded by Dave Telman, it was voted 3 yeas and 1 nay(Jessica Larsen)to have a
$10,000 warrant article for 2016 fall town meeting, for the purpose to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to
solicit bids and/or proposals,enter into a contract or contracts for consultants, for the Brewster Elementary Schools
and to study to see if the Stony Brook School would provide the current PreK-5 programs.
FYI7 Budget Review
Salaries have not been encumbered and expenditure reports will not be presented until October.
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Policies
Motion:
On a motion by Bob Miller,seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve policy JLCD-
Administration of Medication to Students for a second reading.
On a motion by Claire Gradone,seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously to approve policy GBEC—
Drug Free Workplace for a second reading.
On a motion by Claire Gradone,seconded by Jessica Larsen,it was voted unanimously to approve policy IHAMB—
Teaching About Drugs,alcohol,and Tobacco for a second reading.
On a motion by Claire Gradone,seconded by Jessica Larsen,it was voted unanimously to approve policy JICH—Drug
and Alcohol Use by Students for a second reading.
Reports and Information
Preschool Enrollment—Included in the packet. There were no questions.
Cape Cod Collaborative—Jessica Larsen reported the board met and reorganized. The Collaborative is experiencing
a new wave of younger staff. They approved$75,000 to begin discussion to connect with Bridgewater.They have
purchase new furniture and a few new busses.
PTO—No report.
School Council—Bob Miller attended the Stony Brook School Council meeting and learned about the buddy bench.
The Eddy School Council has not met yet and is soliciting new parent representatives.
Policy Subcommittee—No report.
Transportation Subcommittee—Claire Gradone reported that next meeting is October 3`d at 4:00 p.m. at the Central
Office.
Substance Abuse Subcommittee—The Committee will meet in October.
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Bob Miller,seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of August
18,2016.
Adjournment
On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M.Tefft,Recording Secretary
Included in the packet: Administrators' reports,policies and minutes
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