Superintendent and Parent Leaders Meeting 12/2/20

Posted: 12/3/2020 3:36 pm

Notes by Zoe Stoesser.

COVID

Tricia Laham, Coordinator of School Health Services, gave the update. The district is publishing data on COVID-19 cases in Brookline schools as a whole on it's website. The dashboard is updated weekly (see the link below). There have been 43 cases total since school reopened this year and 10 cases the week of Nov 22.

https://sites.google.com/psbma.org/psb-reopening-hub/dashboard

The district is looking into free testing for asymptomatic teachers and staff through the townwide testing program. It is exploring how to fund the program now.

PTO made suggestions to improve the clarity of email notifications going to parents about COVID cases in the school.

Budget

The budget process for next year is beginning. There is a good deal of uncertainty over what scenario to base the budget on; will RLA and hybrid learning remain necessary next year or not? Enrollment declined this year compared to last and there is uncertainty over how many of the students who left will return.

The district is expecting a difficult fiscal year with funding from the state likely to be lower. The School Committee will begin discussing budget assumptions at it's next meeting and establishing priorities for the upcoming budget. The district is preparing school principals for the prospect of reductions.

Superintendent Search

The district is working with MASC (Massachusetts Association of School Committees) on the search for a new Superintendent. The position is about to be posted on the MASC website and applications will be received through January 11. Semifinalists will be interviewed in January. Finalists will be announced by February break and a final decision announced by the end of February.

End of Year Gifts

Dr. Marini reminded PTO of giving guidelines in light of the holiday season. Individual gifts to teachers are limited to $50 and class gifts are limited to $150.

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