EASTHAM SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting, October 20, 2009
ROLL CALL
For the Committee: Joanna Stevens, Wendy Frazier, Sean Fleming
For the Administration: Richard Hoffmann, Susan Glass Helman
Others in Attendance: Coreen Olsen and four citizens
- CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA CHANGES
Joanna Stevens, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Eastham Elementary School.
II. CITIZENS SPEAK – No one wished to speak.
III. RECOGNITION
Principal Helman acknowledged Subject Coordinators, Tracey Deegan and Tina Escher for the recent evening presentation to kindergarten parents of the building blocks of reading and myths about math. Also, thanks went to Kolleen Kender for the artistic front lobby and Tina Escher for organizing the annual community read-aloud. They will each receive a personal letter from Dr. Hoffmann.
VI. PRIORITY BUSINESS
Administrators’ Reports
Mrs. Helman’s report included information about the recent evening meeting for kindergarten parents on the topics of literacy and math; the annual community read- aloud; Pennies for Peace; the MCAS celebration provided by the Parents’ Group; Differentiated Instruction training; and, Mimio training for 20 professional staff.
As promised at the previous school committee meeting, Mrs. Helman provided the committee with an extensive analysis of the recent MCAS results showing the growth from year to year. She said Eastham has every right to be proud of its students and teachers. Ms Stevens offered her congratulations to the students and teachers for their outstanding results.
Dr. Hoffmann spoke about his recent day-long visits to all the schools. Eastham’s day was on September 24. After spending time with Principal Helman, he said he had gotten a good sense of what her day was like. He visited all the classrooms and met personally with staff and received some comments and suggestions. He will be presenting some goals for the district shortly. He has sent out a survey to parents. He is very much looking forward to reading Stuart Little to the children. Recently, members of MASBO came in to do a study of financial procedures at the Central Office. Each of the staff was interviewed. Dr. Hoffmann hopes the results will be back in about a month so it can be on the December 3 Joint agenda. He thanked Kathy Schrock
for uploading school newsletters onto the Nauset web site. We will spread the word that they appear there, but parents will still receive hard copies.
FY 10 Budget Update
Dr. Hoffmann noted that the FY11 budget season is fact approaching. He said the expense side of the budget is going to be very difficult this coming year. Principals are looking at level funding all except negotiated salary increases.
Eastham School Committee, Regular Meeting, October 20, 2009
School Committee Appointment Process
The Selectmen are waiting to see who might be interested in serving on the school committee. They will fill the vacancies until the May elections. Anyone who is interested should contact Sheila Vanderhoeff. Three members of the audience spoke up indicating they were told to attend the meeting tonight to be interviewed for the vacancies on the committee. Ms. Stevens took their names and said she would be touch with the Selectmen for clarification.
V. REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Cape Cod Collaborative
Mr. Fleming said the Collaborative had its annual Open House tour of most of the facilities on the Cape featuring behavior and transportation programs. He remarked that the Collaborative is a big operation. He said there was an American History grant available to anyone interested in pursuing it.
Transportation Subcommittee Update
Mrs. Frazier said the recent meeting didn’t seem to pertain to the elementary schools so much. School start times were discussed with various ideas brought forward. Dr. Hoffmann said it is hoped Nauset can get some competition for the upcoming transportation bid process.
Policy Subcommittee Update
The subcommittee is looking to revise old policies and adding new necessary policies. The subcommittee meets tomorrow to work on a new transportation policy. The bid specs will be going out after the holidays.
Dr. Hoffmann noted that the FY10 budget is running the way its supposed to. There will be adjustments three times per year. The committee has to vote any salary transfer items. The Central Office is in the process of encumbering salaries.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Sean Fleming and seconded by Wendy Frazier to approve the minutes of September 15, 2009 as printed. Voted unanimously.
VII. PAYMENT OF BILLS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia M. Templeton, Secretary
Eastham School Committee
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