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HomeMy Public PortalAboutOrleans School Committee Minutes 2011-04-25 ORLEANS SCHOOL COMMITTEE April 25, 2011 Chair Mary Lyttle called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. III JUL 121 2 06PM ROLL CALL the Committee: Mary Lyttle,Gwynne Guzzeau,Fred Walters,Josh Stewart ® Q Q ® ORLEANS TOWN CLERK ror the Administration: Diane Carreiro,Dr.Richard Hoffmann Others in attendance: Marie Enochty;Karen Sweeney,PTC;Nancy McInerney;Teacher I. Call to Order/Agenda Changes: None II. Citizens Speak: Karen Sweeney;PTC President,addressed the Committee regarding getting the word out to parents in regards to upcoming Orleans Town Meeting.The PTC will send out flyers to parents;offer child care,and do a FAQ sheet. Marie Enochty, Nauset SOS;will be providing child care services at all town meetings in the Nauset District. Marie will work with Karen to provide child care for Orleans Town Meeting. Discussion was held on various ways to get the word out to parents to attend the meeting,and out for the ballot votes should they occur. III. Recognition: Principal Carreiro wished to recognize Mary.Ellen Reed,Orleans School Nurse,for all of her hard work and dedication to the students of Orleans Elementary School and the Nauset Regional School District. IV. Priority Business: A. Administrators Reports: Principals Report:In addition to her handout,Principal Carreiro reported to the Committee:the Art position was advertised on schoolspring.com,so far there are 4 resumes/applications. It is anticipated this position will be advertised in the Cape Cod Times as well; Betty Malatesta, Educational Assistant,has announced her retirement;there is an amplifier in the school that needs replacement,cost is$680-$780,and the nurse's computer was recently replaced. Orleans theme event will take place on June I"; topic this year is Orient,Japan and China. Updates on MCAS,Bullying Program,Time&Learning constraints and fundraising for the Playground Committee were also discussed. In lieu of hiring a consultant for the entire fundraising process,Principal Carreiro recommended that the Committee approve that the PTC contract with Auction Knights in the amount of$2,500 for participation in a Gala/Auction event to be held in Fall 2011. Proceeds will be split between the PTC,OES and the Playground Committee.After discussion,Josh Stewart moved,Gwynne Guzzeau seconded and it was voted unanimously to approve Principal Carreiro's recommendation. Assistant Superintendent: Dr.Bonny Gifford's report was included in the Committee Packet. Superintendent: Dr.Hoffmann informed the Committee he had attending the Democratic Committee meeting in Brewster on April 9h, and was pleased to see strong school support; the Dept. of Education Coordinated Program Review on Special Education, English Learners and Civil Rights was completed; it seems everything went well; the position of Technology Coordinator has been posted due to the retirement of Kathy Schrock;and interviews for the Eastham Elementary School Principal position will be taking place shortly, there were 40 applicants for that position. Dr. Bonny Gifford is heading up the search committee and interview team. B. FY11 Budget Update: Principal Carreiro reported to the Committee that the transfers are done and all grant funds have been applied to existing items. There is$15,684 left in the FYI 1 Budget-extreme care is being taken regarding any new expenditure,however it is anticipated that OES will go over budget this year. C. FY12 Budget Update: Discussion was held on ways to get the word out to parents to attend Town Meeting,become educated on the issues and vote. Dr. Hoffmann has a flyer that will go home in back pack mail;Nauset SOS has brochures to distribute at the meeting and the PTC will mention it in their newsletter that goes home to all parents. Child care will be offered by PTC/Nauset SOS. Town Meeting structure,the order of Articles on the warrant and how to proceed should a ballot take place were discussed. D. Food Service Update: Dr.Hoffmann reported that Hans Baumhauer;Business Manager was putting together an RFP and would report at the next meeting. 1 E. Playground Update: Principal Carreiro reported that there was a joint Playground Committee meeting in April, including town officials, school committee members and PTC. The identified mission is to choose a vendor for the new playground structure. Josh Stewart reported;that the town as a whole seems supportive and helpful. Reports on the condition of the existing playground structure were distributed to the Committee in their packets for review. Three different inspections took place with varying results. All reported safety issues with the existing structure. Two of the three considered it to be in poor condition.The swing structure has already "been"removed. There was discussion on liability as well as the community attachment to and use of the existing structure. Gwynn Guzzeau made a motion to close the playground immediately. That motion was not seconded and was subsequently withdrawn. Mary Lyttle'suggested the Committee speak with the Town Attorney as well as the Board of Selectmen for an opinion and determination of safety. Josh Stewart,after reviewing the reports suggested that the Playground Committee attempt to make some repairs,perhaps engaging the Dept. of Public Works,parents and citizens. After further discussion Gwynne Guzzeau moved, Mary Lyttle seconded and it was voted 2 -2 to close the playground immediately. The motion did not pass. Gwynne Guzzeau then moved to close the playground for a period of 30 days while investigating potential remediation, Fred Walter seconded,and it was voted 2-2. The motion did not pass. After further discussion on the effects of closing the playground on the school and community,Josh Stewart moved that the playground be closed to Orleans Elementary School students during the school hours of 8:OOAM—2:30PM beginning April 25,2011.This decision will be revisited on May 16, 2011 after remediation is researched and discussion with town officials and the town attorney takes place. The motion was seconded by Mary Lyttle and voted unanimously. Principal Carreiro will send a notice home to parents and will speak to the students. Mary Lyttle will make an appointment to speak with the town attorney and Margie Fulcher,Chair ofthe Orleans Board of Selectmen. Gwynn Guzzeau suggested having a sign made indicating the playground is closed to students and for community members to use at their own risk. Principal Carreiro indicated she would take care of having a sign made. F. Review Policies(First Readin): This agenda item will be considered at the next meeting G. School Committee Vacancy: There will be two openings on the Committee;to date one person has taken out papers. Any interested person can take out papers up to the date of the election. Fred Walters kindly offered to continue to be the liaison to the Cape Cod Collaborative until September 2011,to allow time for the re-organization of the Committee. This offer was gratefully accepted. V. Reports and Information: Cape Cod Collaborative Fred Walters reported on the date of the All Cape Inservice,which will be held on October 7,2011. There were 677 participants last year,and this number is expected to increase.All classes are free to employees of the Nauset Regional School District. Enrollment at the Collaborative has remained steady,and their budget is stable as well. B. Playground Committee: See Item E under Priority Business. VI. Approval of Minutes: It was moved by Gwynne Guzzeau,seconded by Josh Stewart and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of March 21,2011 as written. VII. Payment of Bills IX. Adiournment: It was moved by Gwynne Guzzeau,seconded by Mary Lyttle and voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:25 PM. Re pectfully submitted, _ Arlynn Consig-,lio-Noks Recording Secretary 2