HomeMy Public PortalAboutOSC 2017-03-20 tE
ORLEANS SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting, March 20, 2017, Orleans Town Hall 7 4 r? r, ,; _
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Present for the Committee: Gail Briere, Chair, Hank Schumacher, David Abel, and Ginger Marks
For the Administration: Thomas Conrad, Superintendent, Giovanna Venditti, Director of Finance and
Operations, Elaine Pender, Principal, and James Nowack, Accounting Manager
CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA CHANGES
Ms. Briere called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. There were no agenda changes.
CITIZEN SPEAK
No one wished to speak.
PRIORITY BUSINESS
Administrators' Reports
Ms. Pender's Principal's Report contained many events that have taken place over the past month.
She specifically mentioned School Librarian, Kara Yuen, and all the community members who read to
the students on Community Read Day. STEM night was held in February and Ms. Pender cited Joanne
Harrington, OES Science teacher, in partnership with the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History for an
outstanding event. She welcomed Kaitlin Biehm, new Speech/Language Therapist. The upcoming
events calendar was full of activities, field trips, and meetings throughout the month of April.
Supt. Conrad recently attended a conference. He focused on a variety of issues: Technology and
how to measure it; International Baccalaureate program in elementary schools (only 3 schools in the
state offer the program - Provincetown being one); STEM/STEAM K through grade 16; redefining or
transforming learning; US/China through Superintendents' organization; and, looked at
"Personalization Learning" for students. He has been working on budgets and snow days. He met
with the Board of Selectmen and FinCom and had a good discussion. Mr. Abel suggested having the
Superintendent give the Committee an update on the various topics in his purview.
The March 2017 Assistant Superintendent's Report was in the packet. It consisted of a K-12
curriculum walk through of all seven schools.
FY17 Budget Review
The current balance is $10,169.66. Fuel escalation charges were put pack in the budget. After
adjustments to tuition and Circuit Breaker funds (in June), the balance will be $40,208.
Accept Gifts and Grants
The Committee reviewed a memo outlining the various gifts and grants received during the current
school year. A motion was made by Mr. Abel and seconded by Mrs. Marks to accept, with thanks, the
gifts and grants as presented. The vote was unanimous.
Capital Plan
Mr. Nowack presented the "5 Year Capital Plan" for fiscal years 2018-2022. The FY18 scope of work
includes $50,000 for the HVAC study and design of the 1956 wing by an engineer. The cost won't be
known until the bids are received. The system cannot be regulated and parts are no longer available.
Mr. Abel asked that the Committee see the RFP before it goes out. Will air conditioning be considered
in the event that the school year is extended? Mr. Nowack said he would speak with Ron Collins. The
work needs to be done the summer of 2018. The town asked for a feasibility study, which is just
finishing up. A report could be available for the next meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Abel and
seconded by Mr. Schumacher to approve the 5 Year Capital Plan for 2018-2022 as presented on March
20, 2017. The vote was unanimous.
School Choice - Public Hearing
The Committee discussed whether or not to participate in School Choice. It was the Superintendent's
recommendation to not participate. A motion was made by Mr. Schumacher and seconded by Mrs.
Marks to not participate in School Choice. The vote was unanimous.
OTHER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Preschool Enrollment - Statistics in packet.
Cape Cod Collaborative - Trying to decide whether to move off base; coming up with bus proposals for
Nauset to lower costs.
Transportation Subcommittee - Will meet in May
Policy Subcommittee - finishing up negotiations.
Substance Abuse Task Force - All agree there is a problem on the Cape. MS/HS surveys completed.
PTC - Upcoming April dance and spring fair.
School Council - Will meet Thursday.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Mrs. Marks and seconded by Mr. Schumacher to approve the minutes of
February 16, 2017 and February 27, 2017 as printed. The vote was unanimous.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
ADJOURNMENT- It was moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to adjourn at 4:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia M. Templeton, Secretary
Orleans School Committee