HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2016-10-20 Minutes (3) Brewster School Committee �
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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
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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,
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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.
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