HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2016-03-17 Minutes (2) Brewster School Committee 41U1 0
March 17,2016 (f 09PEP
Brewster Town Hall
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 Joanna Stevens, Director of Nauset
Integrated Preschool
Call to Order/Agenda Changes: Chau Telman called the meeting to order at 6:OOPM.
Citizens Speak: None
PRIORITY BUSINESS:
Brewster Whitecaps
Peter Blatz representative of the Brewster Whitecaps addressed the Committee regarding the annual
maintenance of the fields and the application of herbicide to control grubs. The application would be applied
during April vacation and a letter will be sent to parents prior to vacation from Principal Fronius.
Motion:
On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously to accept the field
maintenance by the Brewster Whitecaps.
Claire Gradone recused herself from the following discussion.
Peter Blatz and Mike Gradone, representatives for the Brewster Whitecaps requested permission for their
sponsor, Trackman, to install a small radar system at Stony Brook field. Trackman is a sponsor of the Cape
Cod Baseball League and the Brewster Whitecaps. Trackman provides radar technology for player
development and evaluation. The information is gathered and made available to the players and coaches and
is also sold commercially. Trackman will install the equipment, provide proof of insurance, and has
completed a field use application. Trackman would also be willing to demonstrate the science supporting
this technology to the local schools.
Mr. Gradone indicated that Trackman hires an intern to maintain the equipment. He also stated that the
equipment is installed at the beginning of the season and taken down at the end.
The Superintendent asked if there was revenue involved, and when the answer was affirmative, he suggested
a fee be researched to charge Trackman based on fees already in place on the building use form. Ms.
Enochty suggested a donation to the computer lab and using Nauset students as interns. Mr. Gradone
indicated that since there is money involved it is not inappropriate to charge a fee. The Superintendent
calculated, using the Nauset building use fees, that Brewster could charge Trackman$100 per evening, with
approximately 22 games, and charge about $2,200 for the season. It was noted that Trackman would benefit
the Brewster Whitecap's players and give them exposure in the professional league.
Ms. Larsen asked that this be tabled until the next School Committee meeting in April so that the Committee
had time to research Trackman. Ms. Enochty stated that the Committee should be judicious and look at their
own policy. If there is a policy in place for field use, then it should be used and next year request more
money. She suggested the Committee instruct Mike Gradone and Peter Blatz to go back to Trackman with
the field use cost. Ms. Larsen asked that the Committee do its due diligence on behalf of the District.
1 JPage Brewster School Committee 3 - 17 - 2016
Motion: On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Lori Gilmore, it was voted 3 yeas and 1 nay(Jessica
Larsen)to table this until April with a directive that the Brewster Whitecaps speak to Trackman and give a
directive to the Cape League to request a$100 rental fee to see what the implications will be based on
School Committee policy, for further discussion. ($2,200 based on a regular season)
It was suggested that Mr. Gradone and Mr. Blatz come back to the meeting on April 28th with further
information.
Integrated Preschool Program
Joanna Stevens, Director of the Nauset Integrated Preschool,presented an overview of the preschool
program to the Committee. Presently Brewster has 4 classes and the enrollment in the District is 73 students.
She indicated that half the students are on I.E.P.'s and half are community friends. The Preschool held an
Open House for perspective students and parents and have been working on their website to assist parents.
She reported that Cindy Fox will retire from the Preschool Program after 31 years and they are interviewing
candidates for the position. She also reported that children are coming to school with more significant
special needs, family stresses and social stresses. Cindy Horgan, from the Children's Place hosted a round
table discussion in Brewster for families. Ms. Stevens also expressed the difficulties they have in attracting
community friends because their program is only 2 1/2 hours per day. They are looking at the census and
sending letters,working with PTO's, using back pack mail and using Facebook to get the word out to people
regarding the Integrated Preschool. Ms. Stevens reported that last year they started an extended day
program in Eastham. That class is usually full and the physical space is wonderful.
Administrators' Reports
Chair Telman indicated the Principals' reports were included in the packet. Principal Fronius reported that 64
registration packets have been distributed to new Kindergarten students.
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. The visit has been rescheduled until April
29''. He may also look at a program in Maynard. He will come back to Union 54 with further information.
The HR Coordinator is working on having our Administrators attend college job fairs as we are being very
aggressive recruiting new teachers. There are 12 openings in this district to date. Principals are getting out
there as early as possible to get the best people.
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. Eddy
balance is currently$111,718. At Stony Brook, she requested that the Committee approve the transfer of
expenses from appropriation from the YMCA account in the amount of$13,666.39. In the future, the Town
asked that this be charged directly to the rental account.
Motion:
On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously, that going forward,
the rental account will be charged directly.
The Stony Brook balance is -$65,293, noting that $35,045 has been placed back into the budget which gives
a balance of-$30,248. Ms. Venditti informed the Committee that the District is applying for Extraordinary
Relief and will be filing this on March 29th . The District will hear back at the end of May beginning of
June.
21Page Brewster School Committee 3 - 17- 2016
School Choice
The Superintendent recommended that the Committee not participate in School Choice for the 2016-2017
school year.
Motion:
On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously NOT to participate in
School Choice for the 2016-2017 school year.
Reports and Information
Preschool Enrollment was included in the packet.
Cape Cod Collaborative—Jessica Larsen reported that the Collaborative is hiring a business manager and
going through applications. This was advertised a second time with a higher salary and some great
candidates have applied. She reported that she visited Way Point and they are looking at relocating to Upper
Cape Tech. She also mentioned that she is looking forward to learning how they manage bus transportation.
PTO—Lori Gilmore reported that the Pasta Dinner was a huge success. The PTO had a visit from Ed
Lewis and a candidate for selectmen, Cindy Hughes.
School Council—Jessica Larsen reported that the school had a job fair and they are working on revising
plans. Ms. Fronius mentioned that they were very pleased with Parent/Teacher conferences with 100%
attendance.
Policy Subcommittee—no report
Transportation Subcommittee—Claire Gradone reported that the committee has a meeting coming in
April and will have a recommendation in June.
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. She also indicated that the District should look at its policies and this would
also be discussed at the Joint Meeting.
The Superintendent praised the Task Force for the work they are doing and thanked them for all their time
and efforts. He also indicated that the Nauset Public Schools has, for at least the past 20 years,provided an
educational opportunity when students are placed out of school. Students receive tutoring for up to ten hours
per week. He also stated that Nauset has never backed down from their commitment of giving every student
the opportunity to do all their work and get full credit when they come back to school. He also indicated that
Nauset has programs for every situation to work with agencies to give students opportunities as well.
Administration can take five days off the suspension when a student gets into one of those programs. It was
noted that the Superintendent is proud of what the District has done for students.
3JPage Brewster School Committee 3 - 17 - 2016
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously to approve the
minutes of February 25, 2016.
Adjournment
On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
The Committee was reminded that the POPS Concert was being held on Friday evening and Channel 22
would be broadcasting it LIVE.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Tefft
Recording Secretary
Included in the packet: Administrators' reports, FYI Expense Report, minutes
4IPage Brewster School Committee 3 - 17 - 2016