The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal AboutBrewster School Committee -- 2017-09-21 Minutes - Brewster School Committee ;.y Thursday, September 21 , 2017 = p �.. ., Brewster Town Hall w : ,w ,_ :,.;` U�i 1 t .i } r .L� Presehf for the Committee: David Telman, Marie Enochty, Jessica Larsen, Claire Gradone, and Bob Miller Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Principal Joanna Hughes and Principal Patty Allen Call to Order Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6: 00 p .m . Citizens Speak None PRIORITY BUSINESS Administrators' Reports Principals ' reports were included in the packet. Principal Allen explained RTS, Read4o-Self time to the Committee. This initiative will promote increased opportunities for students to read text at their own levels across the school day. Keith Gauley' s report was included in the packet. If members had any questions, they were asked to email Mr. Gauley. The Superintendent reported a great school opening across the District. Staffs at the Eddy and Stony Brook Schools started the year together in a meeting at the Eddy School . Superintendent Conrad thanked the staffs for coming into school during the summer months and setting up their classrooms. He emphasized that the Nauset teachers do a great deal more than what is in their contracts. The summertime Open Houses that were held were terrific, helping children and parents feel less anxious on the first day of school . He thanked everyone for all their efforts. He thanked the Principals for all their hard work in getting the buildings ready and the custodial staff as well. He attended the Stony Brook and Eddy Open Houses, noting the Principals did a great job . He reported that the Transportation Subcommittee will have a presentation about bus transportation at the Joint School Committee meeting scheduled for October 26 at the Eastham Town Hall . The subcommittee has been working on a bus contract with the Cape Cod Collaborative, a non-profit group. He indicated that this work is being done because the bus contract has increased 40% in 3 years and in the last 12 years, the District has not had a competitive bid process in terms of awarding this contract. He also indicated that the Cape Cod Collaborative is presently providing bus transportation for other Cape communities. Subcommittee members have also been looking at bus configurations; 4042 passenger buses and 72 passenger buses. They are also researching propane or diesel fueled buses and maintenance costs . (half the buses in Boston Public Schools are fueled by propane) Bluebird Transportation will be at the Joint School Committee presentation. Paul Hilton will be there as well to talk about leasing buses . FY18 Budget Review Expenditure reports were not presented as salaries have not been encumbered yet. Ms . Venditti will provide a full expense report to the Committee in October. The Superintendent informed the Committee of a 45-day out-of-District placement for a student that will cost approximately $ 16,573 . 05 . ($4,995 transportation and $ 11 ,578 .05 tuition) This cost is for 45 days only. Dr. Caretti and the Superintendent will keep the Committee informed . Building Subcommittee Chair Telman asked that the Building Committee begin meeting with the Superintendent once again to continue discussing strategies, gathering information, and creating a timeline to disseminate information on the topic of consolidation . This discussion and fact- gathering is in the early stages . Holding a parent forum and/or sending a parent survey through the Superintendent's Office was mentioned in order to get a feel as to what staff and parents are thinking. The Superintendent wants all stakeholders involved . Brewster School Committee September 21, 2017 ill Renorts and Information Preschool Enrollment — Enrollment statistics for the preschool over the past five years was reviewed . It was requested that Administration provide the present number of community friends in the program this year. It was noted that although the Integrated Preschool Program is a great program, parents find the time in school to be too short. It was also noted that the Cape is one of the only places left that has the half day model. It is extremely difficult to get the special needs students all the services they need in just 2 '/i hours . The question would be, do we need to do more for our special needs students. Cape Cod Collaborative — Jessica Larsen reported that the Cape Cod Collaborative has successfully moved into the Wing School . Paul Hilton and Dr. Turner did a lot to get the building ready and they are off to a good start. School Councils — No report PTO — No report Policy Subcommittee — Meeting in September Transportation Subcommittee — Claire Gradone indicated that the Transportation Subcommittee has a meeting scheduled on Thursday, September 28 at 4 : 00 p .m . at the Central Office. Substance Abuse Subcommittee — Jessica Larsen reported that Generation Found will be shown on October 18 at 6 :00 p.m . at the Nauset Middle School followed by a panel discussion . Approval of Minutes On a motion by Robert Miller, seconded by Marie Enochty, it was voted to approve the minutes of August 17, 2017 , Adjournment On a motion by Claire Gradone, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6 : 37 p .m . Submitted by, Ann M . Tefft Included in the packet: Administrators ' reports and minutes . Handed out at the meeting: Preschool enrollment report. Brewster School Committee September 21, 2017 [2)