HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2016-02-25 Minutes Brewster School Committee
February 25,2016
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Present for the Committee: Jessica Larsen, Dave Telman,Claire Gradone, Lori Gilmore, Marie Enochty
Present for the Administration:Thomas Conrad;Superintendent,Giovanna Venditti; Director of Finance&
Operations, Principal Denise Fronius, Principal Joanna Hughes, and Susan Murray, Director of Nutrition and Food
Services
Call to Order/Agenda Changes: Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:00PM. and announced an agenda
change in that there would be no Preschool Program report.
Citizens Speak: None
PRIORITY BUSINESS:
Food Service Program Update
Susan Murray, Director of Nutrition and Food Services,outlined what was happening in the cafeterias in
the District including; new staff,trainings, program improvements and promotions,special ways the
program is meeting goals and the continuing efforts to improve the program. She highlighted the
cafeteria managers at both schools and things that are happening in the individual schools like
celebrations, Food Day,going green at Stony Brook,and taste-testings.
Ms. Venditti reviewed the Daily Participation Summary sheet and the financial report indicating the
cafeterias are making good progress as compared to last year. It was noted that Ring Brothers is a new
local vendor for produce. Ms.Venditti invited Ms. Larson to meet and review some historical data
relative to the cafeterias.
It was also noted that$20,000 was profited from the concession stand at the Firebird games in the
summer. The state guideline for frozen yogurt was explained by Ms. Murray—4 oz. size and less than
200 calories.
Administrators' Reports
Chair Telman indicated the Principals' reports were included in the packet. Joanna Hughes highlighted a donation
from NYA in the amount of$1,000.
Motion: On a motion by Marie Enochty,seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted 4 yeas and 1 abstention (Jessica
Larsen)to accept the $1,000 donation from NYA, with gratitude.
Assistant Superintendent Keith Gaulev's report was included in the packet. There were no questions.
Superintendent's Report:Superintendent Conrad reported that his visit to the Clyde Brown School in Millis had to be
postponed due to their building air quality issues. He will reschedule the visit when things are back in order. He
thanked the School Committee members for attending the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee meeting. He
appreciated all their time and efforts with respect to the budget process. He also indicated that the Board of
Selectmen and Finance Committee members use iPads at their meetings. He was hoping that the Brewster School
Committee would pilot the iPad program for the District committees. All members were in agreement that they
would like to try the iPads. Chair Telman asked that a hard copy of the agenda and back-up materials be available at
the meeting.
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FY16 Budget Review: Giovanna Venditti, Director of Finance and Operations, reviewed the current Eddy and Stony
Brook Elementary School expenditure reports, highlighting variances from last month. The Stony Brook budget is$-
65,293.16. She has applied circuit breaker funds to the Special Needs expenses and next month she will reclassify the
rental money to help with expenses. Funds from utilizes have been unencumbers as there has been savings in that
account, Extraordinary relief deadline for filing is March 29th and she is expecting a reimbursement of$82,614. The
Eddy School has a balance of$76,875 and she will be unencumbering utilities in this budget as well.
FY17 Budget—Public Hearing
Chair Telman opened the Public Hearing on the FY17 budget at 6:34 p.m. He indicated that the Committee met with
the Selectmen on Monday and they voted to approve the budget. He thanked the Principals for doing such a good
job on their budgets. The Finance Committee did not vote the budget as they are waiting for the School Committee
to ratify the budget. Superintendent Conrad thanked Ms.Venditti and her staff. The budget process was started
very early this year and great deal of work and effort went into creating the budget. The Superintendent reviewed
the Power Point Presentation on the budget highlighting the budget development process,an overview of increases
and decreases, enrollment information, per pupil costs, academic programs and support services, professional
development, and a 2016-17 operating budget overview. Presently the budget is:
Stony Brook-$3,850,598—2.33%increase
Eddy-$3,396,872—1.73%increase
Central Office-$995,246- 1.25%decrease
The Superintendent stated that he attended open houses and curriculum nights across the district and found the
communities to be very proud, as he is,of the Nauset Schools. He closed by stating there is much to celebrate in
Brewster and in the Nauset District.
Ms.Venditti reviewed Version 3 of the budget. The Librarian position was clarified; Stony Brook,80%(40%Librarian
and 40%Reading)and at the Eddy School—20% Librarian. Ms. Gradone indicated she is very satisfied with this
arrangement noting all the kids will get Library time. She wants to make sure the Brewster kids go to the Middle
School with the same experience as students in other districts. She did express her concern regarding the need to
maintain two collections of books. The collections have to be current and compliment the curriculum. The
Committee must be aware of those issues.
Ms. Enochty mentioned that there are still two full time nurses in the schools which are really important especially
with allergies and health issues.
Chair Telman thanked the Principals,the Administration,and Ms.Venditti for all their hard work in meeting the
budget guidelines and stated that the Committee is confident that the students in Brewster are getting the proper
education that they so deserve.
Motion:
On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously,(5-0),to approve the FY17
Budget in the amount of$7,247,470.
Superintendent Conrad mentioned assessments and cautioned the Committee about assessments. He indicated that
data helps with outside funding but more importantly we must know what we are doing and why. He does not want
the teachers doing so many assessments just because we did them in the past. There are some assessments that are
not effective. He asked everyone to think about that as we move forward.
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REPORTS AND INFORMATION:
Preschool Enrollment was included in the packet.
Cape Cod Collaborative—Jessica Larsen reported that she met with the Accounts Payable and Payroll Department
at the Collaborative. She indicated that she and Claire Gradone will see how they do the transportation routing.
PTO—Lori Gilmore updated the Committee on the fundraisers and indicated that the Fudge Sale brought in$3,000.
She also stated that the Pasta Supper is coming up(March 4`h at 5:30 p.m.),the Flea Market will take place in the
summer,and the Community Read Day is coming up.
School Council—Jessica Larsen indicated that the School Council Meeting was canceled.
Policy Subcommittee—no report
Transportation Subcommittee—Claire Gradone reported that they met with the Cape Cod Collaborative;they are
gathering information and coming back to the April meeting. They are talking about using smaller buses and they
are also looking at the routes.
Substance Abuse Subcommittee—Marie Enochty reported that they are looking at what they would like to do this
year, next year and in five years. The Subcommittee will make a presentation at the Joint School Committee
meeting in March.
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Marie Enochty,seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of
January 21, 2016.
Adjournment
On a motion by Jessica Larsen,seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M.Tefft
Recording Secretary
Included in the packet: Food Service report,Administrators'reports, FY16 Expense Report, FY17 Public Hearing
Presentation and minutes.
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