HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster School Committee -- 2018-11-16 Minutes Brewster School CommitteeU11
Thursday, November 16 , 2018 Brewster Town Hall
Present for the Committee : David Telman, Jessica Larsen, Claire Gradone
Absent for the Committee : Robert Miller and Marie Enochty
Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Keith Gauley and Joanna Hughes
Call to Order
Chair Telman called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p .m .
Citizens Speak
Matilda and Jedadiah Delino addressed the committee regarding their child entering Kindergarten after the cut-off date
as spec ' fled in the school committee policy. This item was tabled until all board members are present at the February
meeting.
PRIORITY BUSINESS
Administrators ' Reports
Chairman Telman stated the Principals ' reports were included in the packet. If members had any questions, he asked
them to email the Principals .
Superintendent Conrad reported that he is holding forums throughout the District regarding homework. Brewster PTO
hosted a forum that had a great turnout and good discussion . He will be developing a policy to bring to the Policy
Subcommittee for review. He also reported that he read to students at the Stony Brook School on Community Read
Day. He also had a Superintendent' s Chat with teachers from the Eddy School discussing education and the future of
education . He updated the committee on the High School building project . The OPM and architectural designers are
moving forward . The High School is working on a vision statement for the educational program out to 2050 . The
process may take about four months . The options the MSBA will look at are : brand new school, renovation, or
renovation and some new buildings .
FY19 Budget
Giovanna Venditti reviewed the Stony Brook Elementary School expenditure report with the committee highlighting
the variances and showing a balance of $38 ,237 .48 . It was noted that line item #5095 , Special Needs Tuition is
458 , 137 . 99 for a student at the Cape Cod Collaborative .
Eddy Elementary School expenditure report had a balance of $ 10,926 . 31 . Ms . Venditti highlighted the variances in the
line items . She indicated that not reflected in the report is the Special Needs cost of $ 169, 000 that has yet to be
recorded . She has not applied Circuit Breaker Funds and will be applying for extraordinary relief. The Superintendent
and Ms . Venditti met with the Town Administrator regarding the changes in special needs costs and have another
meeting scheduled .
Declare Surplus
Mr. Gauley indicated he will send the list of surplus materials to the Cape Cod Collaborative . He also indicated that
the cafeteria chairs listed are not surplus .
Motion :
On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted unanimously to approve the surplus list as
submitted .
BREWSTER TOWN CLERK
Brewster School Committee Minutes November 16, 2018 [ 1 ] ' .11; DEC31 2122PIll
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Policies (Second Reading and Adoption)
Chair Telman referred to the policies that were in the packet with highlights of revisions signified in red . Members did
not have any questions on the policies .
On a motion by Claire Gradone, seconded by Jessica Larsen, it was voted unanimously to approve the policies (Meal
Charging, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use by Students Prohibited, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use by Students —
Screening Tool, and Online Fundraising and Solicitations — Crowdfunding Policy for a second reading and adoption .
Charge for Educational Vision
The Superintendent indicated that he has spent some time thinking about the Educational Vision Activity and Planning
to Year 2030 . He would like to have discussions with Stakeholders at the Stony Brook Elementary School Media
Center focusing on the topic; Education Program now and into the future . He would like Dr. Patricia Gremer to be the
facilitator and would invite groups like Select Board, Community Members, School Committee, Administrators,
Finance Committee, Parents, Students and Staff. He would like to "challenge our thinking, expose us to future
thinking and begin to challenge the status quo . " He would like to begin the process in January. He will have an
agenda for the forum next month to share with the Committee.
School Committee Membership
Chair Telman received the resignation of Robert Miller. He thanked Bob for his service on the school committee and
on the various town committees where he has served Brewster residents . He thanked him for all his time working for
the town and commended him for all his efforts . His resignation was submitted to the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk
sent it to the Office of the Board of Selectmen . A meeting will be scheduled on December 17`" with the Board of
Selectmen and the Brewster School Committee to appoint someone to finish his term, five months .
REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Preschool enrollment — report in packet
Cape Cod Collaborative — Jessica Larsen reported that the Board is discussing the Director ' s Evaluation and
performed other business as usual .
PTO — Jessica Larsen reported that there is a presentation relative to "dangers of vaping" sponsored by the PTO after
the school committee meeting.
School Council — Jessica Larsen reported that the Stony Brook School Council met and is creating a survey to shape
the direction the school is moving in .
Policy — no report
Transportation — no report
Substance Abuse Task Force — Jessica Larsen indicated that the subcommittee met last month and reviewed the
survey.
Building Needs Assessment Subcommittee — Chair Telman indicated that a fifth member has been appointed to the
Building Needs Assessment Subcommittee . He indicated that the Select Board will give them a charge.
Approval of Minutes
Motion : On a motion by Jessica Larsen, seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted 3 - 0 to approve the minutes of
October 18 , 2018 .
Adjournment
On a motion by Jessica Larsen seconded by Claire Gradone, it was voted 3 -0 to adjourn the meeting at 6 : 29 p .m .
Submitted by,
Ann M. Tefft
Included in the packet: Principals ' reports, expenditure reports, and surplus equipment, Policies for a Second Reading
and Adoption, and Supt. Evaluation document.
Brewster School Committee Minutes November 16, 2018 [2 ]