HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2018-03-08 Minutes i
Nauset Regional School Committee
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March 8 , 2018
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Ike Brewster Town Hall
Present for the Committee : Ed Brookshire, Sallie Probolus, Robert Sinclair, Deb Beal, Chris Easley,
John O 'Reilly and Richard Stewart
Student Representative — Michael Sanborn was in attendance
Absent for the Committee : Judith Schumacher, Sarah Blackwell and Jim O 'Leary
Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad, Keith Gauley, Giovanna Venditti, Ed MacDonald and
Maxine Minkoff
Call to Order
Chair Easley called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p . m .
Agenda Changes
Unfinished Business and Future Business need to be added to the agenda, moving forward . Anti-
discrimination clause is placed on future agendas .
Citizens Speak — none
Reports and Information
A. Policy Subcommittee — No report
B . Transportation Subcommittee — Superintendent Conrad distributed the signed memorandum of
understanding with the Cape Cod Collaborative . Members are asked to read and ask questions at the next
meeting.
C . Cape Cod Collaborative — No report
D . Capital Asset Subcommittee — Chair Easley indicated they are meeting on March 51h and they will
have an MSBA update. The subcommittee reviewed the technology inventory.
Chair Easley apologized for the ruling on reconsideration of the capital plan as it needed a majority vote
and not a 2/3 vote as he had thought.
E . Budget and Finance Subcommittee — There was no quorum . The committee reviewed the Dashboard
and addressed the issue of revolving funds . This will be on an agenda in the future. OPEB update —
Chair Easley indicated the school committee will have to go before town meetings to address the issue.
They will look for a separate article to fund OPEB . The subcommittee will suggest an amount the region
would contribute each year. This will be finalized and presented to each town meeting as a warrant article
in the future .
F . Substance Abuse Task Force — The Superintendent reported that a survey has been taken by students
system-wide . Dr. Caretti will address the boards in the future.
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G. Building Committee — Superintendent Conrad distributed the list of building committee members . He
will keep everyone informed regarding the work of the group .
H. Renewable Energy — The Superintendent was happy to announce that the solar panels are being
installed on the roof at Nauset High School . He congratulated Deb Beal for all her efforts . The Energy
Conservation club will begin shortly.
I. Evaluation of Student Learning Subcommittee — Robert Sinclair hopes Administration can get this
committee going with teachers and students included.
Priority Business
Student Representative Report
Michael Sanborn reported on the various activities happening at the High School in the various clubs and
sports teams .
Administrative Reports
Administrators ' reports were included in the packet. Principal MacDonald described the student protest
to show support for students at Parkland High School . Students and staff worked together to keep
students safe and secure . There will be no discipline for any student who attends . Administration does
not promote or discourage this event that is student driven .
It was also indicated that the IB programme will begin at the High School in September, 2018 . This is a
major achievement for Nauset. It was noted that the IB Programme will not replace the AP Program and
that both programs will be offered . Principal MacDonald indicated that the IB Diploma Programme is a
two-year program and presently there is no room for students to take AP courses this fall . This could be
something to look at in the future . Mr. Gauley indicated an IB Diploma Programme student can take an
AP exam . The AP program is more likely to get college credit and the IB program may get college credit
but it depends on the university. Mr. Gauley further stated that AP courses are more content focused and
the 113 Programme is more critical thinking. It was suggested that IB Programme be a future agenda item .
Mr. Gauley' s report was included in the packet. Highlights included the parent forum regarding ALICE
and the staff members visiting NET on March 19th . He updated the summary on professional
development. Mr. Gauley explained how funds are utilized for staff members . He also indicated that the
state has mandated an English Immersion course for all staff members . He explained the difference in
spending for workshops, consultants for staff professional development, mentoring, graduate credits, flex
day option and the course approval process .
The Superintendent reported that Mr. Sinclair will be on the search committee for the new principal at the
Nauset High School and indicated one more member is needed.
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Tree Project
On a motion by John O ' Reilly, seconded by Robert Sinclair, it was voted unanimously to approve the tree
project as submitted at Nauset High School. The School Committee requested a letter be sent to Sonja
Bergquist commending her efforts .
FY18 Budget
Ms . Venditti indicated the Budget and Finance Subcommittee met and reviewed the Dashboard . There
were questions about the cafeteria account in both schools . A comparison report with last year ' s figures
was requested . Ms. Venditti will email the Committee . Sue Murray was recognized for all her efforts .
Ed Brookshire indicated he is concerned with the cost of lunch especially for parents with 2 and 3
students .
The Superintendent reviewed where the Committee is in the budget process and indicated there were no
changes at this point. He is not changing the salary line items relative to future vacancies . A question was
raised about debt being part of the operating budget. It was indicated that debt service is not part of the
operating budget but it is calculated to get the total assessments. Ms . Venditti stated that the budget is
reviewed annually by the Department of Revenue and all is in order. Last year, the District was asked to
change the budget representation to conform to state requirements and this was done .
Public Hearing on School Choice — 2018-2019
On a motion by John O ' Reilly, seconded by Deb Beal, it was voted unanimously to go into a Public
Hearing on School Choice at 7 : 12 p . m .
The Superintendent reviewed the seats available for the 201849 school year.
Grade 6 = 15 seats Grade 9 = 34 seats
Grade 7 = 3 seats Grade 10 = 10 seats
Grade 8 = 3 seats Grade 11 = 10 seats
Grade 12 = 10 seats
On a motion by Deb Beal, seconded by Ed Brookshire, it was voted unanimously to approve the available
seats for school choice as submitted .
On a motion by Deb Beal, seconded by Ed Brookshire it was voted unanimously to come out of the
Public Hearing at 7 : 26 p.m .
Reconsideration of Five-Year Capital Plan
John O 'Reilly asked if it would be appropriate to offer a motion to accept the Capital Plan as was
presented back in November.
A motion was made by John O 'Reilly, seconded by Ed Brookshire, to accept the Capital Plan as was
presented in November. John O ' Reilly apologized for his vote for the reconsideration. He realized that
the Capital Asset Subcommittee spent 6 months reviewing the plan and the full committee adopted it
unanimously. He felt the plan is worthwhile, well-founded, grounded and that is why he made the
motion.
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Deb Beal and Robert Sinclair voiced their opposition to the motion indicating that the plan was not well-
grounded and should be reconsidered. They felt $320,000 for air conditioning for the auditorium at
Nauset Middle School was not a worthwhile expenditure . John O 'Reilly stated he looked at this as a
potential revenue source and that it could be a sizeable funding source in the future.
The septic system at the Middle School was mentioned . John O ' Reilly stated that the Middle School does
not have a bad septic system and that no septic system treats nitrogen. Tests were being shortw circuited
because of an unknown component of the system that was operational. That is why he could support the
capital plan .
Robert Sinclair found a problem with the motion on the floor because it hindered the possibility of
looking at alternatives and the rationale for reconsideration was to explore the possibility that this
particular expenditure did not meet the kinds of concerns that had to do with safety, security, teaching and
learning. He suggested that other expenditures might be more beneficial . He suggested the committee
did not have the opportunity to explore other options with that motion stopping the committee from
reconsideration . Deb Beal mentioned safety and security at the High School and would like to prioritize
things that need consideration .
The Chair wished to speak as a member of the body and members questioned who would be the chair
while he was speaking. The chair questioned the reconsideration of something that was discussed and
voted unanimously in November. He also referenced utilizing the asset, noting Nauset students would be
involved and benefit from it educationally. He further stated that the air conditioning would help to
generate funds in the future. He indicated there is a five-year capital plan and Principals may adjust the
plan . He supported the motion.
Deb Beal indicated the purpose of the school is instructional and that the Town of Orleans did not vote for
the Middle School to be a community center. She would like the money used for building maintenance .
She indicated that this is not building maintenance and is not necessary. She felt there is no need for air
conditioning and that events could be held outdoors . It was suggested that the committee was not in the
business to make money but first of all is an educational institution . Robert Sinclair indicated that air
conditioning was not a good decision by the Committee and wanted to look at security. He suggested that
the budget be reduced by that amount or the money should be used in different ways . Air conditioning
was not on the five-year capital plan initially and members may not have realized that at the time . It was
suggested to use the money to improve the educational program .
John O 'Reilly called the question and it was voted 5 yeas and 2 nays (Deb Beal and Robert Sinclair) to
end discussion . The Chair indicated that the committee would move into a vote. The motion was
restated.
Deb Beal and Robert Sinclair walked out of the meeting indicating there could be no vote because they
now did not have a quorum .
Vote of Capital Plan -The Committee voted 5 yeas to accept the original plan as approved in November.
Remaining members shared their displeasure at the actions of the member who walked out of the meeting.
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Security Presentation at Nauset Regional High School
Keith Gauley updated the Committee on the security presentation at the High School regarding ALICE
training. The High School has been working on security since 2001 . A committee was formed four years
ago and is on top of emergency crisis plans, reunification plans, implementation of Crisis Go and
Homeland Security. The Middle School will also have the ALICE presentation and training .
The Superintendent indicated that the High School has been working on security since Columbine High
School incident. From that day forward, there hardly is a week that doesn 't go by that security is not
talked about. The District has been meeting with Police Chiefs on a regular basis and has participated in
table top exercises . He indicated the schools are training all the time . Mr. Gauley indicated that the
police tactics have changed drastically since Columbine and they understand the gravity of the situation .
There have been 18 shootings this year in schools and 100 since Columbine . Administration understands
what they have to do on a regular basis and want people to know that they are doing everything they can
do for the schools to be as safe as they can. Mr. Gauley indicated the schools are very involved with
mental health issues of students and are implementing programs so that students grow in a positive way.
The Superintendent also indicated that the High School has the ability to have a relationship with every
student in the school through the Advisor program . Students want to meet with teachers and
administrators to come together and talk. Having students on campus that no one knows is a bad thing.
That is not the culture in the entire District. When you know students and you see something a little bit
different, you come together and work with the student and the family. Nauset is doing a good job at this.
Members asked if the buildings should have metal detectors or structural improvements within the
building to add security. The Superintendent stated more discussion on security would have to take place
in an Executive Session .
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by John O 'Reilly, seconded by Ed Brookshire,
It was voted unanimously to approve the minutes of February 8 , 2018 .
Future Agenda Topics :
Executive Session — Security
IB Programme
Adjournment
On a motion by Ed Brookshire, seconded by John O ' Reilly, it was voted 5 yeas to adjourn the meeting at
8 : 17 p. m.
fitted b
nn M. Te
Included in the Packet : Administrators ' Reports, Dashboard Report, School Choice Information, and
Minutes
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