HomeMy Public PortalAboutNauset Schools -- 2018-11-08 Minutes K:
[TI Nauset Regional School Committee r; r COD
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November 8 , 2018
. . Eastham Town Hall toI Imp,
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t resent for"the CWrimittee : Chris Easley, Robert Sinclair, Amy Handel , Richard Stewart, Judy Schumacher, John
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O ' Reilly, ax'd Rd'W'ert Jacobus
Absent for the Committee : Ed Brookshire, James O ' Leary
Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Chris Ellsasser, and Maxine Minkoff
Call to Order
Chair Easley called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p . m.
New Student Representative — Christina Reid was introduced as the new student representative to the Committee .
Chistina lives in Truro, lived in New York before coming to Cape Cod and was born in Jamaica . She is interested in
theatre, music and is a member of the Treble Chorus ,
Citizens Speak — none
Building Committee Update
Greg Levasseur, Chair of the Nauset Building Committee, updated the Committee on the building project. He
indicated that the design team of Flansburgh Associates will be looking at the physical plant and will attend the
upcoming building committee meeting. A website is being developed to keep everyone informed about what is
happening with the building project. Flansburgh will begin the process of working on the educational plan with
several groups . These meetings will be posted and are open to the public .
'rhe Superintendent informed the Committee that the Select Boards and Finance Committees would like quarterly
dates on the project. He has also established a partnership with the TV studio at the High School . They will be
doing a video tour of the High School which will be a ane-hour program that is narrated . (the same tour that was
given to MSBA) They will also be creating a video of the life of a student and a video for someone visiting the
campus for the first time . He also indicated that 25 community groups have been identified that will be contacted to
elicit feedback.
Greg Levasseur indicated that all of this information is geared toward the target date of April 22, 2019 when the
draft of the educational plan and an overview of the physical plant with recommendations from the engineers will be
presented to the MSBA . He indicated that those two pieces will set the project goal and budget.
Athletic Director
Ed Pavlu, Athletic Director at Nauset Middle School and Principal Minkoff gave an overview of the athletic program
at Nauset Middle School . He emphasized their "no cut" policy that was instituted in 2017 . The Middle School
added Cross Country this year and has seven runners . He suggested that the coach will boost the numbers next year.
He reviewed the number of coaches per sport, indicated he would like to add Lacrosse and indicated that there is a
limited amount of field space available . He informed the committee that coaches must have concussion training and
AED training . He also indicated that 27 varsity sports are offered at the High School . Ed Pavlu also informed the
committee that there is a statement of philosophy of athletics that he and Mary Stack created at the Middle school
that needs some updating. He distributed a list of fall , winter and spring sports showing participation since 2415 .
Nauset Regional School Committee, November 8, 2018 1 P a g e
Principals ' Reports
In addition to her written report, Principal Minkoff reported on the guest artist, Master woodcarver Ventura Fabian
and his son, Norberto , who visited the Middle School art classes from Mexico . She also indicated that the
Washington DC trip costs $ 775 per student that includes 4 buses, guides , hotel , food, boat trip, dinner dance,
museums, memorials , as well as visits to the Capitol , the Supreme Court and the National Archives . Everything is
tied to the curriculum .
Principal Ellsasser shared how he would like more student involvement in the structure of the policies and rules with
more of a voice at the school . He started the conversation about homework with the faculty and asked the question of
"balance between academic excellence and wellness ." He indicated the School Improvement Council will focus on
the Advisory program . He indicated that the globalization effort continues with current international students
sharing their experiences . They are having conversations about students and faculty going to other countries in an
exchange . A conversation is also happening about the daily schedule and "Nauset" time .
(time for students to improve their academics)
An incident that took place at a fundraising event was discussed and the Principal indicated how he addressed the
situation .
Approval of Fundraising Requests
On a motion by John O ' Reilly, seconded by Judy Schumacher, it was voted unanimously to approve the fundraising
requests as presented . (HRMS — Model UN Club — Beanstock Coffee, NRHS — Class of 2021 , selling flowers,
Class of 2020 — selling homemade crafts, selling water at the Turnip Festival)
Superintendent' s Report
The Superintendent reported that he met with the staff of the Eastham Elementary School and had a robust
conversation relative to making a district-wide policy on homework. He also reported that he had a visit from the
Safety Committee from the Town of Orleans who would like to cut some brush and trees to help with the sight lines
coming out of the Orleans Fire Department driveway and coming onto Eldredge Park Way. They also are looking at
a guardrail system to prevent a vehicle from going down the hill and onto the field at Eldredge Field . They are
researching this further and will get back to the Superintendent. He also reported that he and the Business Manager
are working through 7 budgets meeting with all principals . He is waiting for a narrative directive from the towns
relative to the budgets .
It was also mentioned that the Town of Eastham has been clearing brush at the High School for better visibility . The
town has provided big equipment and it should be finished by holiday break. The Superintendent expressed his
gratitude for all their efforts .
Approve Policies for a Second Reading and Adoption
1 . EFD — Meal Charging Policy A motion was made by John O ' Reilly, seconded by Robert Jacobus and voted
unanimously to approve the policy for a second reading and adoption .
2 . JICH Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use by Students Prohibited — On a motion by Robert Sinclair, seconded by
Amy Handel it was voted 6 yeas and 1 abstention (Richard Stewart) to approve the policy for a second reading and
adoption .
3 . JICH- 1 — Alcohol , Tobacco, and Drug Use by Students Prohibited (Screening Tool) — On a motion by John
O ' Reilly, seconded by Robert Jacobus it was voted, 5 yeas and 2 abstentions (Robert Sinclair and Richard Stewart)
to approve JICH- I for a second reading and adoption with the removal of the word "prohibited" from the title .
Nauset Regional School Committee, November 8, 2018 2 1 P a g e
4 . GBEBD — Online Fundraising and Solicitations — Crowdfunding — On a motion by John O ' Reilly, seconded by
Robert Jacobus, it was voted 7 yeas to approve the policy for a second reading and adoption ,
- (It was noted that you cannot solicit funds for things that are already in the operating budget.)
Dashboard Review
Giovanna Venditti reported that the Budget and Finance Subcommittee reviewed the Dashboard in detail . She
highlighted some items in the Dashboard report and indicated that E & D has been certified for $716,625 . Ms .
Venditti explained how money is placed in E & D from various line items that were unexpended . She also indicated
that at times the Committee votes to use E & D funds to reduce assessments to the four towns . It was noted that the
Region is allowed to have E & D up to 5% of the budget and right now the figure is 2 . 9% . She indicated that in the
Region Only budget there is a $435 ,289 balance that is due to the fact that a student going to out of district
placement was budgeted but did not come to fruition. She will continue to monitor the balance moving forward .
She indicated that there is a deficit in the transportation account of $71 , 000 and explained how the state utilizes
active expenses to calculate this revenue source . Since Nauset has been proactive in reducing transportation costs,
that is reflected in state funding. Ms . Vendittl will look at the transportation very carefully at budget time.
Re-vote Acceptance of Chapter 32 Section 20 of the MGL
The motion was read by Ms . Venditti, moved by Judy Schumacher and seconded by Amy Handel to clarify that the
vote made and passed at the June 12 , 2014 meeting of the School Committee was intended to, and does, constitute an
acceptance by the District of Chapter 32B Section 20, as it may be amended . The motion was approved with a vote
of 7 yeas .
Gifts and Grants
On a motion by Robert Jacobus, seconded by John O ' Reilly, it was voted unanimously to approve the gifts and
ants as submitted . (Masonic Angel Foundation - $300, Pleasant Bay - $3 ,600, Nauset Garden Club - $ 500, Annie
Garden Grant $ 3 ,000 for the NRMS)
Superintendent's Evaluation
The Superintendent reviewed his evaluation documents indicating his three goals as : Development of a District
Technology Plan 2019-2022, Develop a new five-year Strategic Plan for the Nauset School District, and to expand
his knowledge of project-based learning. He also reminded the committee that the Standards are mandated by the
state .
OPEB Update
Judy Schumacher indicated that the Budget and Finance Subcommittee met and is working on their recommendation
for an amount of money to be placed into OPEB . The subcommittee will have a recommendation and reasons for
their recommendation at the December meeting. Once voted by the Regional School Committee, this will go to the
four towns and they will address the issue . Some towns might pay for OPEB using free cash while others might
place it in a warrant article for spring town meeting. The Budget and Finance Subcommittee met with Town
Administrators and Finance Managers and they urged the committee to use an amount that would not adversely
impact the bond rating in anticipation of school construction.
Nauset Regional School Committee, November 8, 2018 3 ( P a g e
REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Capital Asset Subcommittee — Chris Easley reported that the subcommittee is looking at the five year capital plan .
They are also currently researching maintenance software .
Global and International Student Group — Robert Sinclair reported that the group is trying to figure out ways to
recruit students . There is a possibility of teachers and administrators helping with this and perhaps going to other
countries with an exchange .
Approval of Minutes
The Chair announced that amendments or changes to the minutes are done during the meeting. The minutes must be
voted as amended by the committee .
Robert Sinclair inquired about the issue of Treasurer and reiterated that the motion was to ask the attorney three
questions : the role of the Treasurer, to whom does the Treasurer report and who is responsible for hiring and firing
the Treasurer. He indicated that the attorney ' s opinion addressed different issues and wondered where the question
came from . He indicated the motion should be followed through as voted by the committee . He voiced concerns
about the process stating the motion should be implemented and not changed . The Chair suggested that in the future
if members have a motion, it should be written down and given to the Chair. The Chair mentioned the "motion"
form that was discussed last year .
On a motion by Judy Schumacher, seconded by Richard Stewart it was voted 5 yeas and 1 nay, Robert Sinclair, 1
abstention, Richard Stewart, to approve the minutes of October 11 , 2018 .
On a motion by John O ' Reilly, seconded by Judy Schumacher, it was voted 7 yeas to table the minutes of the
Executive Session until tuition agreement negotiations are completed .
Future Agenda Items -
Revisit Reorganization meeting — High School School Council representative position
Begin meetings with minutes a couple of times
Get list of "future agenda items"
AECOM — Interaction with students — follow up
Adjournment
On a motion by Judy Schumacher seconded by John O ' Reilly, it was voted unanimously to -adjourn the meeting at
8 : 17 p .m .
Submitted by
Ann M. Tefft
Included in packet : Administrators ' Reports , Policies, Dashboard , Supt. Evaluation, gifts and grants and minutes .
Distributed at meeting : Middle School sports participation .
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