HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2016-12-15 Minutes Brewster School Committee L J ! WI!
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December 15,2016 llr
Brewster Town Hall
Present for the Committee: Jessica Larsen,Dave Telman, Claire Gradone,Bob Miller, and Marie Enochty
Itiii,Present for the Administration: Thomas Conrad,Keith Gauley, Giovanna Venditti,Principal Denise Fronius and
Principal Joanna Hughes
Call to Order/Agenda Changes: Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PRIORITY BUSINESS:
Administrators' Reports
Chair Telman indicated that the Principals' reports were included in the packet. There were no questions for the
Principals and if anyone had any questions on the Assistant Superintendent's report,they were encouraged to email
Mr. Gauley.
Superintendent Conrad thanked Principal Denise Fronius and Principal Joanna Hughes for all their efforts in making
Community Week successful at their schools. He indicated that he received many calls and emails from people about
the visit to the classrooms. Approximately 150 visitors across the district visited classrooms during Community Week.
He also reported that the MSBA(Massachusetts School Building Authority) is doing its annual survey of school
buildings across Massachusetts. They visited Stony Brook and Eddy School on Tuesday and met with the Principal
and the Head Custodian. He also reported that he held Parent Forums in all four towns which were well attended.
About 48 parents participated in some good discussion. Homework was a topic of discussion for parents. He was very
pleased to announce that the Boys' Soccer Team is State Champions. There was an outstanding community event
welcoming home the champions. The players are very humble and the Superintendent highlighted them on his
Superintendent Spotlight Show. They talked about how athletes balance their sports and academics. He would love to
have the boys go into the elementary schools, in their championship jerseys, and read to students. The Superintendent
thanked Jessica Larsen and Claire Gradone for their continued work regarding the two schools. He would like to invite
the Chair of the Board of Selectmen,John Dickson and Town Administrator,Mike Embury to the next meeting for a
Ihoonversation about a master plan in the Town. He would like to know their thoughts about the Council on Aging, the
afterschool programs, Preschool and move the dialog forward.
Wellness Policy(2°d Reading)
Chair Telman asked if anyone had any further discussion relative to the Wellness Policy. Hearing none,the
Committee voted the policy.
Motion:
On a motion by Robert Miller, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted unanimously to approve the Wellness Policy
for a second reading and adoption.
Strategic Plan
The current plan is in place until 2017. The Superintendent hopes to move forward in a couple of months on the
strategic objectives from 2017 and work on them until they have been completed.
FY17 Budget Review
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the expenditure report for Stony Brook and noted the balance was $3,319. She also
indicated that she needs to make some reclassifications from Circuit Breaker funds in the amount of$82,737 which
will bring the balance to$86,056. She reviewed the line items that had substantial variances. She then reviewed the
Eddy expenditure report indicating there is a balance of$93,054.13. She highlighted some variances in several
accounts. Principal Hughes explained the additional stipend that was added to the budget indicating that a teacher was
doing many of the things that met the criteria to receive this stipend and it was recently brought to her attention.
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FY18 Budget
Superintendent Conrad distributed the FY18 budget book. He asked the Committee to review the contents. At the
next meeting Principals will review their budget, section-by-section. The Superintendent has been working closely
with Mike Embury who indicated that this year the School Committee will have to have some responsibility for health
care costs and pensions. He thanked Giovanna Venditti,Joanna Hughes and Denise Fronius for all their efforts in
creating a budget that keeps programs intact. Stony Brook has a 3.29%increase and Eddy School has a 3.5% increase.
He does anticipate some retirements but cannot include it in the budget until we have something in writing from the
retiree. Healthcare costs and the retirement costs will come in around$200,000. The town is carrying a health care
increase of 10%or more. The Superintendent will keep the Committee informed of any retirements that come
forward. Chair Telman thanked the Principals and Administration for the budget and for getting it to them so quickly.
The Superintendent indicated that the budgets do not include the healthcare costs.
Marie Enochty requested that the budget timeline be shared and that members bring their calendars to the next meeting
in the event they have to schedule additional budget meetings.
Superintendent Conrad stated that at the end of the line item budget there is a number reserved for negotiations.
All unions are presently negotiating. Marie Enochty indicated that all the town departments are going through
negotiations at the same time which will have an impact on the overall town budget.
Brainstorming—Action Plan
The Superintendent indicated that the Committee has received enrollment data and building maps for their information
and review. He would like to have a conversation with the town officials.
Chair Telman asked if a conversation could be had regarding the number of classrooms available to educate the
students in Brewster and where each school stands. The Superintendent indicated that the Principals have identified
classrooms that would meet the criteria in each building. Eddy has 19 classrooms and Stony Brook has 28 classrooms.
(Technology Lab, Music and Art are separate) The information does not address the size of the gymnasium,cafeteria,
or what we are doing with the Special Needs classrooms. Chair Telman thought the committee could talk about
combining the two schools. He calculated that 25 classrooms are needed that would mean that the students could not
move into the Eddy School and that the only discussion could be if they moved to the Stony Brook School.
Jessica Larsen indicated that they do not fit into Stony Brook either. Marie Enochty stated that the Committee has to
think about the preschool for two additional classrooms. She also suggested that people assume that the Committee is
thinking about moving into Stonybrook. Jessica Larsen stated that either building will need adjustments and that Stony
Brook has remediation issues. It was noted the Stony Brook School is 40 years old and the Eddy School is 20 years
old. Marie Enochty asked if members had come to the conclusion that neither building has the
Claire Gradone suggested thinking about reconfiguring the schools indicating you don't have to close a school to make
this work. She stated the Committee needs to be concerned with the programs, student enrollment,and universal
preschool. She felt they would need more space than what is at Stony Brook.
Jessica Larsen indicated she would like to hear about a master plan.
Marie suggested that the Committee think about how we would like to see our schools in five years. Think
strategically. Plan with the Towns. Think about five years from now. Think about the hopes and dreams of the
Nauset schools. Brewster needs to think about the plan for all the buildings. There is bigger picture.
Jessica Larsen stated that she does not want the discussion to be about cutting.
Robert Miller stated that Stony Brook is an older building and if this process moves forward will it be able to
accommodate technology that we should have and will the physical plant be adequate. He suggested focusing on what
needs to be done to have our children with the latest technology and those kinds of things. He also stated that the
Town of Brewster has maintained Stony Brook and noted that they just completed a big window project.
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Marie Enochty requested that they look at the Five-Year Capital Plan. What are the next big projects for either
building? She also wondered how the IB Program impacts Stony Brook and Eddy School.
Chair Telman indicated that a meeting with the Town Administrator and the Chair of the Board of Selectmen will go a
C. long way. Do we need an addition to Eddy School or a small addition to the Stony Brook School? What is the focus
for other buildings in town?
The Superintendent will invite Mike Embury and John Dickson to the next meeting. They would like to know what is
the Council on Aging doing? What about the Recreation Program and the Afterschool Program? He also stressed the
need for connection between the Preschool and the childcare as a number of families take their children by the hand
from the YMCA Program to the Preschool program. He also mentioned that Dr.Ann Caretti is looking into 5 day
preschool programs. Nauset Preschool is a 4 day, 1/2 day program and this can be difficult for families.
Marie Enochty stated that as far as preschool, SN Integrated Preschool numbers will more than likely increase which is
tied directly to the opiate problem. Jessica Larsen stated she is hesitant to go forward with something like this unless
the School Committee has the backing of the Town.
Reports and Information
Preschool Enrollment—Included in the packet. There were no questions.
Cape Cod Collaborative—Jessica Larsen reported that the Collaborative is at the end of their audit and auditors are
pleased with staff and internal controls. They are working with OPEB, discussing budgeting impacts and mentioned
that it is 31%funded. The Collaborative has a new business manager and a new treasurer. They approved a new SN
class for certification through Bridgewater State College.
PTO—Claire Gradone reported that the PTO talked about the Pasta Supper which will be held on March 10th. They
are talking about other possible fundraisers which are fundraisers that don't involve direct selling. They have been
discussing a GIO run at the Eddy School, movie nights at Stony Brook and building a PTO website.
School Council—Stony Brook—No report.
Eddy—Jessica Larsen reported on the Virtual Tour of Class DoJo that is an app that some teachers are using for
classroom communication with parents.They can send pictures of students learning throughout the day, on field trips,
as well as send updates and reminders about the room, homework, student progress. She also reported that the school
participated in the Turkey Trot.
Policy Subcommittee—Chair Telman reported that the Policy Subcommittee met last month to review the Wellness
Policy.
Transportation Subcommittee—Claire Gradone indicated that the Transportation Subcommittee will meet on
January 3`d
Substance Abuse Subcommittee—Jessica Larsen reported the Task Force has been working on a student survey for
6-8 graders. This survey is used by other area schools and will provide important data that can be looked at Cape-
wide. The survey will be taken on-line, in school and anonymously. The survey also includes questions relative to
homelessness,food and substances.
Superintendent Conrad indicated that two of the four towns have approved the Wellness Policy and he is preparing a
letter for parents. He is hoping this will go into effect after the winter break.
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Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Robert Miller, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of
November 17, 2016.
Adjournment
On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Robert Miller, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Tefft,Recording Secretary
Included in the packet: Administrators'reports,Expenditure Report,Strategic Objectives and minutes. FY18 budget books distributed.
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