HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2016-05-19 Minutes Brewster School Committee
May 19,2016
Brewster Town Hall
Present for the Committee: Jessica Larsen,Dave Telman, Claire Gradone,Marie Enochty,Bob Miller
Present for the Administration:Thomas Conrad, Superintendent,Keith Gauley,Assistant Superintendent, Giovanna
Venditti,Director of Finance&Operations,Barbara Lavoine,Director of Technology, Principal Denise Fronius and
Principal Joanna Hughes
Call to Order/Agenda Changes: Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
Chair Telman welcomed new board member,Bob Miller.
Citizens Speak: None
PRIORITY BUSINESS:
Administrators' Reports
Chair Telman indicated the Principals' reports were included in the packet. There were no questions.
Chair Telman asked that the Committee email Mr. Gauley if they have any questions on his report.
Superintendent's Report—Superintendent Conrad reported that he was a panelist at a forum in Orleans at the Federated
Church regarding substance abuse and in particular,the documentary Heroine Cape Cod. He indicated that this was a
very powerful documentary.
He also reported that he visited Millis Public Schools and observed the Spanish Immersion Program students in Grade
One, Students in Grades 3 &4, and the Middle School. He toured the programs with Joanne Irish, School Committee
member from Eastham and Ann Leighton, Spanish Teacher,Nauset Regional Middle School. He observed a First
Grade class with 26 students speaking in all Spanish doing a math lesson and witnessed how remarkable the Spanish
conversation was in Grade One. They also observed a mini-town meeting with Grade 3 and Grade 4. The First Grade
students carne into the prograin through a lottery. Spanish is spoken all day except for two special subjects,which
takes place in Grades 2-4. The team was not as impressed with the Middle School students as at the elementary level.
At the High School level, students take one block of Spanish Immersion and then take the AP exam. Spanish is the
only language offered in the entire system. Millis is very proud of their program and they were very welcoming to the
Nauset team. The team met the following week and reviewed the pros and cons of the program. They felt the program
was intense and not the model they want for Nauset. The team will be looking at the Amigos School in Cambridge on
June 13'x'.
Superintendent Conrad asked Committee members to email their ls`and 2°d choices for strategic objectives for the
district. He will gather the data and begin to develop and action plan. He does not believe the committees should take
on more than 1 or 2 of these objectives. This can be discussed at a future meeting.
He reported to the Committee that he met with Mike Embury,Town Administrator, after receiving a letter from the
MSBA telling thein what the town can do with the Eddy School now that the loan is paid off. The opinion from
MSBA,General Counsel,is that there is no restriction placed upon the town for the future use of the Eddy School.
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 Eddy School balance is
currently$103,837.21 The Spending Plan for Eddy was reviewed. The only question was about a small room by the
5d'Grade wing at Eddy being used for a special needs classroom which would give them more space for movement.
On a motion by Claire Gradone, seconded by Jessica Larsen,it was voted unanimously to approve the spending plan
for the Eddy School.
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The balance at Stony Brook is currently$-31,779.There will be$30,174 put back into the budget applying Circuit
Breaker money that must be spent this year. The Stony Brook spending plan was reviewed. Discussion ensued
regarding the Vision Tester and replacing the flooring in the staff room. They are getting a price for abatement. Ms.
Venditti indicated that they have$10,000 from a prior year and will use those dollars.
On a motion by Claire Gradone,seconded by Marie Enochty,it was voted unanimously to approve the end-of-year
spending plan for the Stony Brook Elementary School.
Reports and Information
Preschool Enrollment was included in the packet.
Cape Cod Collaborative—Jessica Larsen reported that the Collaborative has hired a business manager, Mr. James
Albright,who was the Director of Finance and Operations at Sturgis. Paul Hilton is investigating partnership
programs in China. She also indicated that the Collaborative is hosting a Golf Tournament on June 4t"at the Bay Point
Country Club in Onset.
PTO—No report.
School Council—No report.
Policy Subcommittee—No report.
Transportation Subcommittee—Claire Gradone reported that next meeting is in June. The subcommittee will
continue to work on transportation costs into next year.
Substance Abuse Subcommittee—Jessica Larsen reported that they had a lot of general discussion. At their next
meeting someone from the Barnstable Task Force will attend.
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Claire Gradone,seconded by Jessica Larsen,it was voted 4 yeas and 1 abstention(Bob Miller)to
approve the minutes of April 28, 2016.
Adjournment
On a motion by Marie Enochty,seconded by Claire Gradone,it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m., subject
to payment of bills.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Tefft,Recording Secretary
Included in the packet: Administrators' reports,FYI Expense Report, Strategic Objectives &minutes
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