Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-30-ESTABROOK-minMinutes of the Site Council's final meeting of 2024-25 academic year (May 30th, 2025) Attendees: Gerardo Martinez, Maris Joniec, Karyn Zhao, Carolyn Mabardy, and Ethan Wells Agenda: I. Greeting / public speak II. General Updates III. Class sections 2925-26 / School budget / Staffing Update/ Technolology Policy Update / Council Configuration Public speak Dr. Martinez asked if anyone had heard any questions or commentary about the district budget. Ms. Zhao advised that there have been murmurs here and there, but nothing definitive. There have been some conversations about how budget cuts may impact supply issues. For more on this issue, see III (below). General Updates LEF has provisionally planned a golf fundraiser for early September. Details still TBD. III. Class sections / Budget/ Staffing /Tech Policy/ Council Configuration Total enrollment is expected to be at 482, down from 490 in 2024 and 537 in 2023. As of 5/29 Estabrook is below capacity for grades K-3, over capacity for 4, and at capacity for 5 (with a high likelihood of exceeding capacity by the start of the next school year). The district provides that classes exceeding 27 students are entitled to extra support in the form of 10 hours / week. What this means concretely is someone is hired for, in this case, 10 hours/week to assist the teacher in over -enrolled classes. Dr. Martinez noted that staffing a 10 hr/week position is difficult unless it can be packaged with other similar positions, since prospective employees tend to be looking for more hours. There will be 2 fewer sections next year (23 instead of 25). The section loss is in grades K and 1. The K teachers found a novel solution to avoid a staff reduction despite lower enrollment: two teachers will cover each other's leaves. There are 51 EL students. Estabrook currently has ample support for these students (2 teachers). Estabrook allocation for School counselors (currently, 2 counselors, 1 social worker, 1 behavior interventionist) will be going down by 1 next year. Dr. Martinez noted that 2026 will be the final year of an agreement where smaller schools are guaranteed 1 counselor and 1 social worker each, regardless of their enrollment. Although unstated, Estabrook would potentially stand to gain from the sunsetting of this agreement, as the second largest elementary school in the district. There will be a new Intensive Learning Program class, with an increase of 6-7 staffers, which will result in further parking difficulties next year. ILP shared between Hasting, Fiske and Estabrook. In terms of supplies: one of the biggest drivers is enrollment. Consequently with enrollment down, the supply budget has also been reduced by - $13,000. This reduction also reflects district wide cuts. That said, Dr. Martinez assured the council that Estabrook's budget is sufficient for the school's needs. The question remains, however, whether the budget pressures will continue into next year, and potentially force an even earlier budget freeze. Technology update: the school committee updated the policy about devices used in schools. Estabrook will clearly message the updated policy to students. In particular, students will not be allowed to have smart watches going forward, regardless of whether they are in school mode. Ms. Zhao asked about how chromebook repairs are being managed. Mr. Joniec explained the procedure for arranging repairs: the student brings the broken device to the attention to his/her teacher, who files a ticket. Most repairs are made within 24 hours. Ms. Zhao noted that technology tends to be abused when subs are teaching. Dr. Martinez suggested that in the future, teachers might be asked not to incorporate chromebooks into lesson plans for substitute teachers. Mr. Wells noted that it might be worth looking into devices with elnk displays might be more conducive to educational goals. There is a growing market in elnk tablets, though whether they are yet able to do all the things the school requires remains to be determined. Council configuration: Ms. Mabardy, Mr. Joniec and Mr. Wells will be leaving. Positions will be filled in the Fall. Misc. Blue ribbon update: as of now, Estabrook has submitted all required documentation and is formally a nominee. The next part of the process : MCAS scores will be reviewed by the state and it will be decided whether to advance the nomination to the US Department of Education. The latter will, if still extant, announce winners in September.