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HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2016-10-20 Minutes (3) Brewster School Committee � � ru October 20,2016 V Brewster Town Hall Present for the Committee: Jessica Larsen,Dave Telman, Claire Gradone,Bob Miller, and Marie Enochty Present for the Administration:Thomas Conrad,Keith Gauley, Giovanna Venditti,Principal Denise Fronius and Principal Joanna Hughes Call to Order/Aizenda Changes: Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Citizens Sneak: None PRIORITY BUSINESS: Fundraising— Principal Fronius read the list of fundraisers from the Brewster PTO that included a Fall Mixed Bag,Pasta Dinner, Eddy Book Fair,Fudge Sale(waiting to hear) Stony Brook Book Fair, and a Read-a-Thon. Administrators' Reports Chair Telman indicated that the Principals' reports were included in the packet. Principal Fronius let the Committee know that included in her report was a follow up to a question asked last month about the YMCA and the number of students who attend from the town as well as the wrap around service that is provided. (Brewster 11, Chatham 3,Dennis 1,Eastham 5, Harwich 8, Orleans 5, Wellfleet 1,Yarmouth 1 and 2 shared with Nauset Preschool) Superintendent Conrad reported that he and his team of Joanne Irish, Eastham School Committee and Ann Leighton, Spanish Teacher at Nauset Regional Middle School,visited the Barbieri School, dual immersion program in Framingham. They visited 30 classrooms in an elementary school with 700 students. The Principal had ideas about what Nauset could consider for a program. The team has also visited a school in Cambridge and Millis. The team will meet next week to brainstorm, consider an action plan and report back to Union 54. Chair Telman inquired about the class size in the Spanish immersion schools. The Superintendent indicated that in Millis,the program started in Kindergarten and there were 28 students selected by lottery. In Barbieri,there were 22 students in the Kindergarten class and in Cambridge 20 students in the Kindergarten class. The Superintendent recognized Joanna Hughes and her staff for a great open house. The parents were appreciative and the staff did a great job. He also reported that negotiations have started with all bargaining groups. He let them know that the Massachusetts School Building Authority(MSBA) is touring Nauset Regional High School on November 3rd to look at the High School and renovation proposals. They will not have a final decision until January. Ms.Venditti and the Superintendent will be meeting with Town Accountants and Town Administrators to keep them updated on the process and the scope of the project. Spring 2016 PARCC/MCAS Results Principal Hughes gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the 2016 MCAS results. She reviewed the 4-year comparisons in ELA and Math in Grades 3, 4, and 5. Eddy received extra credit for narrowing proficiency gaps in various subjects. Keith Gauley reviewed the Student Growth Percentiles and explained the state key as to what scores determine low growth(0-39),moderate growth(40-60)and high growth(61-99). He indicated that the interventions are working well. He also reviewed the 2016 Oficial Accountability Data that details narrowing gaps. He stated that Eddy is a Level 2 school and data is considered over a period of four years in improvement before you can reach Level 1. He further indicated that Eddy School had a very strong year. He indicated that Wellfleet is a Level 1 school, Eastham is a Level 1 school with commendations,Eddy is a Level 2 school, Orleans is a Level 2 school,the Middle School is a Level 2 school and the High School is a Level 1 school. He indicated that you must have 2 years in Level 1 to have status turned to Level 1. Participation does play a part in the score and there is no such thing as opting out in Massachusetts. Principal Hughes explained the reports that are sent to parents. The key data highlights and action steps included: Expanding the scope of work to include a K-6 focus; Collaboration around best practices for student 1 JPage Brewster School Committee 10 - 20 - 2016 achievement; additional support and enrichment to all students in increase student growth; integrate instructional opportunities for K-6 students to compare and contrast text;respond in writing using evidence from the text; and answer higher-level, inferential questions, use the eight mathematical practices consistently through all grades and increase opportunities for answering short response questions in math for student to explain their thinking; and prepare our students to access a computer-based version of MCAS 2.0. FY17 Budget Review Giovanna Venditti reviewed the expenditure report for Eddy School noting a balance of$119,045.41. She reviewed variances in accounts 7702, 7010, 7056, 7034,7102, and 7041. She reviewed the expenditure report for Stony Brook noting a balance of 42,782.05. Variance of-$82,614 is to be reclassified to Circuit Breaker as funds become available. This would bring the ending balance to$125,396. She reviewed variances in accounts 5015, 5060, 5102, 5097 and 5095. MASC Resolutions 1. Foundation Budget—On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously to support this resolution. 2. Tax Reform—On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted unanimously to support Resolution 2. 3. Charter School Issue—On a motion by Marie Enochty, seconded by Jessica Larsen it was voted unanimously to move the question forward. 4. Social and Emotional Well-being—On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted unanimously to support resolution 4. Review and discuss the vote to have$10,000 Warrant Article for 2016 fall town meeting Chair Telman indicated at the last meeting it was voted to put a warrant article on the November Town Meeting to request$10,000 to have a consultant do data research for our two schools. Ms. Enochty felt it was too soon for this request. There is no deadline and the Committee is not under pressure but should look at data and investigate everything to make an informed decision. The Committee has not had a collection of data and she felt asking for money at this time is not fiscally responsible. Bob Miller asked the question of who would compile this data and it was indicated that the Administration would do this. Jessica Larsen indicated she would like to withdraw the warrant article. Enrollment Data The Superintendent distributed a packet to the Committee with enrollment data included. He indicated that Claire Gradone and Jessica Larsen met with him and spent some time brainstorming a list of things the Committee would like to review. The list included: enrollment data,communication,educational benefits and identifying educational spaces. The Superintendent suggested the Committee review the enrollment data information and come back with questions. (Included in packet were History of Enrollment,Kindergarten Enrollment Census Information,NESDEC Enrollment and Study from COA) The Chair thanked the Superintendent for all the information. Chair Telman inquired as to whether or not the enrollment information changed the committees' minds about the warrant article. The Superintendent stated that this is just the beginning of this process and he is laying out what the Committee can handle over the next few months. He let the Committee know that this could take some time. He wants all stakeholders to be able to discuss this with the School Committee. Jessica Larsen stated the warrant article addresses what we would do to combine Eddy into Stony Brook and the School Committee has not made that decision. Bob Miller stated the information on enrollment is excellent. He suggested the location in terms of consolidation would provide additional data for this committee to see if it is feasible to have all the students at the Stony Brook School. He asked the Committee to consider the amount of time the Superintendent must put into this and he is stretching his resources in compiling this information, which was another reason the motion for the warrant article was made. Claire Gradone asked for it to be reconsidered. She stated the Committee is in the preliminary stages of gathering data. She stated that the Committee asks the Superintendent for data all the time. A consultant would have to be given guidelines and a fundamental process. The Committee needs to spend more time looking at this in depth. Chair Telman indicated he is leaning toward asking the town for the money, 2JPage Brewster School Committee 10 - 20 - 2016 as he stated it can always be withdrawn at town meeting. He also indicated he has been a proponent of moving into one school for many years. There are two budgets and a duplication of a lot of support personnel. He would like to have a consultant in the future, six months from now. He also informed the Committee that he and the Superintendent are scheduled to go before the Board of Selectmen on Monday. Chair Telman indicated he was leaning toward voting to not take it off the warrant. Marie Enochty stated she was not prepared to ask the town for$10,000. MOTION: On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted 3 yeas and 2 nays(Dave Telman and Bob Miller)to overturn the warrant article and rescind the motion for the request for$10,000 from the town. Chair Telman suggested that Claire Gradone and Jessica Larsen come up with action items to review at the next meeting. Claire Gradone requested the Committee look at the Class Size Guidelines. Reports and Information Preschool Enrollment—Included in the packet. There were no questions. Cape Cod Collaborative—Jessica Larsen reported that the Collaborative is narrowing down spaces to build a new school. She also indicated the Professional Development calendar is r ublished. PTO—No report. School Council—Stony Brook-Bob Miller reported that Curriculum Night was well attended. The Council also reviewed strategy for the School Improvement Plan for 2017-2018. Eddy—Jessica Larsen indicated the meeting had to be rescheduled. Policy Subcommittee—No report. Transportation Subcommittee—Claire Gradone reported that next meeting is October 3rd at 4:30 p.m. at the Central Office. Substance Abuse Subcommittee—Jessica Larsen reported the Task Force set some goals for the year and determined ways of getting information about Nauset students and their habits. The meetings take place on the second Monday of the month and the next meeting is November 21`at 5:00 p.m. at the Central Office. Approval of Minutes On a motion by Bob Miller, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of August 10, 2016. On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Clair Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the September 15, 2016 meeting. Adjournment On a motion by Bob Miller, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ann M. Tefft, Recording Secretary Included in the packet: Administrators'reports,2016 MCAS Results,Expenditure Report,MASC Resolutions,and minutes. 3 JPage Brewster School Committee 10 - 20 - 2016