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Home My Public Portal AboutBrewster School Committee -- 2018-04-26 Minutes jtiii II'i,^ 1.1..1 --1 Brewster School Committee Sfi� ,4 , , a-„� ! - `q1� , do , .. Thursday, April 26 , 2018 Brewster Town Hall 1 . � I ()Ll'I w: r.. , Present for the Committee : David Telman, Jessica Larsen, Claire Gradone, Marie Enochty, Robert Miller Present for the Administration: Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Joanna Hughes, Patty Allen Call to Order Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 P .M . Citizens Speak Nicole, Bog Pond Road in Brewster, addressed the Committee relative to obtaining background information about the school committee members . Chair Telman indicated that the committee will get that information onto the website . Meadow Hilley, Brewster resident with children at each school addressed the committee relative to support for Patty Allen, Principal of the Stony Brook Elementary School . Jessica Larsen, a Brewster resident addressed the committee relative to the editorial in Cape Cod Today regarding the Brewster School Committee hiring an outside investigator, She obtained legal advice from MASC and they indicated that the Brewster School Committee should not launch a private investigation and should allow the Brewster Police Department to do their job . The Committee should concentrate on hiring practices and procedures to make sure they are sufficient. PRIORITY BUSINESS Administrators ' Reports Principal ' s Report Principals ' reports were included in the packet. Principal Allen thanked the staff for all their efforts and for what they do with students every day. She also thanked the entire community for the cards, notes and letters . Therapy dogs have visited classes and the community has embraced the entire staff. FY18 Budget Giovanna Venditti, Director of Finance and Operations, reviewed the expenditure report for Stony Brook Elementary School indicating a balance of -$48 , 887 . She indicated that the school will be receiving Extraordinary Relief in the amount of $26,600 which when added back into the budget leaves a negative balance of -$22,287 . Ms . Venditti reviewed variances in several line items and indicated she will continue to monitor the budget. Stony Brook has a balance of $ 134, 635 . There is a utility savings of $ 35 ,000 which will be unencumbered . This will make the budget balance $ 169, 635 and will help cover expenses for the Eddy School . The schools have a combined balance of $ 147,348 . At the next meeting the Principals will have a spending plan for the committee . Ms . Venditti highlighted line items with significant movement. Chair Telman asked that the oil tank be filled before the end of the year. Hiring and Background Check Process The Superintendent indicated he is working with the Human Resource Director, Carol Forgione, and had discussions with the Administrative team relative to current hiring procedures . He reviewed the current hiring process for the Committee . He shared concepts he is considering relative to hiring : ( 1 ) site visits for every employee, (2) questions we should be asking, (3 ) hiring background check firm $300 - $ 1 , 500 . Chair Telman indicated this would be a future agenda item and thanked the Superintendent for the work he is doing on the process . Policies — First Reading IJNDD — Policy on Social Media will be reviewed again by the Policy Subcommittee , Brewster School Committee Minutes ,, April 26, 2018 [ 1 ] Motion : On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted 4 yeas, to approve policies JICH- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use by Students Prohibited, GBEBD-Online Fundraising and Solicitations, Crowdfunding, ILD- Student Submission to Educational Surveys and Research and EFD-Meal Charging Policy for a first reading. Superintendent' s Evaluation Superintendent Conrad review the time line for his evaluation and indicated that there will be boxes of evidence provided to members at the Central Office for review. The elementary Committees will get together with Gail Briere to review the evidence and the evaluation document. Brewster Schools Future Discussion The Superintendent report that the subcommittee had a robust meeting with a number of parents in attendance. They would like to have a visioning event and discuss educational changes and programs . Media Center, Makerspace and Spanish were part of the discussion. The subcommittee would like to understand the education program that is needed prior to looking at space. Motion: On a motion by Claire Gradone, seconded by Jessica Larsen it was voted that the students and programs cannot fit into one building at this point and for the foreseeable future . Chair Telman read a statement from Marie Enochty who asked that the committee be thought and strategic about the future. Further discussion indicated that the committee will concentrate on student safety for the rest of the school year. June Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 20'h at 6 :30. (not 6 : 00 p.m. — due to Fifth Grade Ceremony) Reports and Information Preschool Enrollment — Included in packet. Cape Cod Collaborative — Jessica Larsen reported the board is working on Paul Hilton ' s evaluation . School Councils — Jessica Larsen reported that the Eddy School is working on the School Improvement Plan . PTO — Claire Gradone reported the pasta dinner was very successful with a great deal of parent participation . Policy Subcommittee — No report Transportation Subcommittee — No report Substance Abuse Subcommittee — Jessica Larsen reported that the subcommittee just met with Mr. Gauley to discuss social emotional curriculum . The Superintendent indicated that next year they will roll out the curriculum to parents at curriculum nights . Approval of Minutes On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted 3 yeas and 1 abstention (Bob Miller) to approve the minutes . Adjournment On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6 : 45 p .m . Submitted y Ann M. o� Included in the packet: Administrators ' reports, expenditure report, and minutes. Distributed at meeting — hiring procedures. Brewster School Committee Minutes - April 26, 2018 [2 ]