2018 11 14 School Committee MinutesBEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Regular School Committee Meeting
Wednesday, November 14 2018
Beverly City Hall — Council Chambers
Beverly, Massachusetts
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, in
Beverly City Hall, Council Chambers.
Members Present: Rachael Abell, Paul Goodwin, Kris Silverstein,
Lorinda Visnick, Kelley Ferretti
Not in Attendance: Mayor Cahill, John Mullady
Also in Attendance: Dr. Steven A. Hiersche, Superintendent of Schools, Jean Sherburne, Director of
Finance and Operations, Bethany Splansky, Special Education and Student Services Director, Donna
Bergeron, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and School Committee, Eliza Michaels,
Student Representative, Betty Taylor, BHS Principal, Terry Conant, BMS Assistant Principal, Dr. Debra
Lay, Ayers Ryal Side School Principal, Julie Smith, Centerville Principal, Lisa Oliver, Cove School
Principal, Gabrielle Montevecchi, Hannah School Principal, Erin Brown, North Beverly School Principal
Not in Attendance: Mayor Michael Cahill and John Mullady
Call to Order: Ms. Silverstein called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance: Ms. Abell led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA
Recognitions of Students, Employees and Community Member
Ms. Silverstein, Dr. Hiersche and the principals recognized the following students who attained a
perfect score on the MCAS test:
Avers Ryal Side Elementary School
Beverly High School
Kerry McCarthy - Math
Heather Blago — Math
Lydia Betts — ELA
Ibrahima Diagne — Math
Centerville Elementary School
Tessa Hautala — Math
Avery Paul - ELA
Jeremiah Lee — Math
Chloe McQuade — Math
Ronny Saldivar — Math
Cove Elementary
Charles Tilton — Math
Ian Checksfield — Math
Jackson Wood — Math
Victoria Wiederhold — ELA
Abigail Brauninger — ELA
Miranda Harrington — ELA
Lucy Curtis — ELA
Kara Walo — ELA
India Ingemi — ELA
Hannah Elementary School
Paula Rodriguez - ELA
Harper Parton - Math
Amanda Blanchard - Biology
North Beverly Elementary School
Sofia Bucco — Biology
Delia Gouker - ELA
Jackson Clark — Biology
Liam Geaney - ELA
Heidi Eberhardt — Biology
Logan Bowen - Math
Joss Kyrouz — Biology
Beverly Middle School
Benjamin Fry —Math
Linnea Avola — Math
Open Forum for Citizen Input into Non - Agenda - Related Items
None
Open Forum for Citizen Concerns or Citizen Input into Agenda - Related Item
None
Approval of Meeting Records
A motion was made by Ms. Ferretti to approve the minutes from the October 10, 2018, School
Committee meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Abell. Motion passed 5:0.
A motion was made by Ms. Ferretti to approve the minutes from the October 17, 2018 Committee of
the Whole meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Goodwin. Motion passed 5:0.
A motion was made by Ms. Visnick to approve the minutes from the October 24, 2018 Committee of
the Whole meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Ferretti. Motion passed 5:0.
Items by Consensus
Dr. Hiersche recommended approval of the following warrants:
A. The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19012 in the
amount of $266,455.01.
B. The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19013 in the
amount of $456,785.80.
C. The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19014 in the
amount of $483,622.44.
D. The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19015 in the
amount of $233,332.46.
E. The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19016 in the
amount of $322,557.98.
A motion was made by Ms. Abell to approve the warrants listed. The motion was seconded by Ms.
Ferretti. Motion passed 5:0.
Report from Student Representative to the School Committee
Eliza Michaels reported exciting times at BHS and the start of the second quarter. She reported the annual
Thanksgiving Day Football Game will be played at Hurd Stadium and tickets are available through the
athletic department and at Todd's Sporting Goods. The Powder Puff game will take place on November
16th at Bertram Field in Salem. The Class of 2022 is holding a fundraising blind book drive for charity,
North Shore Community College will sponsor an On the Spot Admissions event on November 16th for
seniors interested in applying and winter sports registration is open through November 25th. Spirit Week
kicks off next week and will conclude with the pep rally on Wednesday, November 21 st. Eliza reported that
first - quarter grades have been posted and can be accessed through the Aspen family portal. Most of the
freshman class will be going on a fieldtrip to work on problem solving and teamwork.
Communication from School Committee Members
Rachael Abell reported attending some PTO meetings and received questions on what's next for the
transportation survey.
Lorinda Visnick reported she had attended some PTO meetings and had received questions and inquiries
on transportation, superintendent search, booster clubs, and transportation relating to sports. She also
reported communications on access /rental of the new middle school and was happy to report on a recent
sport activity that was able to use the BMS gym.
Paul Goodwin reported communications on the superintendent search and concerns regarding sports team
which he referred to the athletic director and principal.
Kelley Ferretti reported communications on the superintendent search. She reported communications
regarding safe routes to schools from parents of students who live in the downtown area. She stated that
the parents expressed concerns with lack of visibility and crosswalk placement. Ms Ferretti stated she
has reached out to Mike Collins to schedule a meeting also Estelle Rand, Ward 2 Councilor and she said
she would keep us updated.
Kris Silverstein also noted communications on the superintendent search. She reported communications on
the crossing at Henry's Market intersection and stated that Principal Matt Poska will be meeting with
business owners, around the middle school with regards to the parking situation.
Report from Superintendent Hiersche
1. Overnight Field Trip — BHS - Salamanca Spain
Maribeth Rodolico - Linskey presented her request for approval of the overnight, immersion field trip to
Salamanca Spain. She remarked on how much the students enjoyed the trip last year. Ms. Rodolico-
Linskey stated they will be using the same company, T &E, as they did last year.
Ms. Silverstein asked about medical care for the students and also noted the picture in the brochure
of students with a glass of wine. Ms. Rodolico - Linskey stated the nurse is provided through T &E and
is available 24/7. Ms. Rodolico - Linskey stated that the parents have to sign -off giving their student
permission to have a glass of sangria, with their host family at dinner, as is customary. She stated
that the parents the students are living with are told, "yes they can or no they cannot ".
A motion was made by Ms. Visnick to approve the overnight field trip to Salamanca Spain projected
to take place in April, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Goodwin. Motion passed 5:0.
Report from School Committee President, Kris Silverstein
Action Items
1. MASC /MASS
Ms. Silverstein reported that she had attended the MASC /MASS Conference with Ms. Visnick and Dr.
Hiersche. Ms. Silverstein and Ms. Visnick provided a summary of the many sessions they attended. Ms.
Visnick reported that, as the delegate for the committee, all of the resolutions passed. She stated that
Resolution #7, Gender Identity, was amended to remove the clause about gender neutral facilities, and
passed. Dr. Hiersche stated that he and Ms. Silverstein provided a presentation on personalized learning
commenting that Ms.Silverstein represented the Beverly Public School District very well. Ms. Silverstein
stated that she had attended numerous workshops and provided highlights of those as well.
2. Superintendent Search Update
Ms. Silverstein reported at last night's Committee of the Whole meeting the members interviewed the search
firms and unanimously voted to hire the Collins Center for Public Management from UMass Boston to conduct
the search. The committee felt that they would provide a unique search for Beverly. She stated the next step,
with John Brackett from the Collins Center, is developing a profile of what we want to see in our next leader,
looking at November 28th for that meeting. She stated it would just be a meeting to layout the schedule and
noted that Mr. Brackett said the process will probably take about three to four months.
Committee Reports
A. Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities
Rachael Abell, Chairperson
Ms. Abell reported that the Finance and Facilities Committee last met on October 24, 2018. At that
meeting they received a report from Transportation Director, Dana Cruikshank, who provided much
information on the start of the year and also the shortage of runs for the athletic teams. Ms. Abell
stated the committee is also continuing to work on the building rental policy.
Ms. Abell stated she was bringing forward the following for approval.
1. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion
was made by Ms. Visnick to approve the Gifts to Schools — September 2018, totaling $280.27.
The motion was seconded by Ms. Ferretti. Motion passed 5:0.
B. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life
Paul Goodwin, Chairperson
Mr. Goodwin reported at the Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life Committee meeting on
November 7, 2018, the committee received a review of the Professional Development Day from Dr.
Charochak and a presentation of Google Classroom from Beverly Middle School teachers, Jessica
McGrath and Katelyn Orlando. Mr. Goodwin stated that the committee members were given the
chance to participate in a hands -on lesson.
C. Negotiations Subcommittee
John Mulladv, Chairperson
Ms. Silverstein stated that there is nothing to report at this time.
D. Policy Review Subcommittee
Rachael Abell, Chairperson
Ms. Abell reported that there is one policy currently under review. She stated that the committee will
need to begin looking at policies in the new year.
E. Safety Committee Summary
Kelley Ferretti
Ms. Ferretti stated they continue to work with schools, PTOs, and parents gathering their feedback
and using the information from the surveys.
Community Engagement
Ms. Abell stated she was excited to attend one of the Science Fairs on Friday and also reminded everyone
of the Bridging the Gap on Monday.
Ms. Silverstein reported that the Adams Scholarship breakfast will be held tomorrow morning at BHS and
the Beverly Middle School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place on Thursday.
Adjourn
A motion was made by Ms. Ferretti to adjourn the School Committee meeting. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Goodwin. Motion passed 5:0.
The Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachael Abell, Secretary
Beverly School Committee
Documents Reviewed at the meeting
Minutes for approval: Regular School Committee Meeting, October 10, 2018
Committee of the Whole Meeting October 17, 2018 minutes
Committee of the Whole Meeting October 24, 2018 minutes
Overnight Field Trip: BHS - Salamanca Spain