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2020 03 04 COTW Minutes (1)SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Beverly Middle School Library 502 Cabot Street Beverly, MA 01915 Members Present: Mayor Michael Cahill, Kimberley Coelho, Rachael Abell, Kelley Ferretti, Kaarin Robinson, Lorinda Visnick (Remote Participation), John Mullady Members Absent: Also Present: Superintendent Dr. Sue Charochak, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dorothy Flaherty Call to Order: Ms. Abell called the meeting to order at 8:07 p.m. Ms. Robinson led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. Scheduled Overnight Field Trips Dr. Charochak shared an announcement from Governor Baker made on March 4, 2020 urging all higher ed and high schools to reconsider overnight travel stays due to the risk of the CoronaVirus. Dr. Charochak reported the following trips planned in the Spring of 2020: • Beverly High School Trip to Salamanca, Spain departing March 27 (15 students) • Beverly Middle School trip to Puerto Rico • Beverly High School Physical Fitness Competition in New Jersey from March 26 -28 (12 students) • Beverly High School Band Trip to Virginia on April Vacation (108 students) • Beverly High School Trip to Quebec City from April 16 -19 (18 students) • Beverly High School DECA (International) Finals to Nashville, TN • Beverly Middle School 6th Grade Trip to Nature's Classroom Ms. Robinson wondered how health situations have been handled in the past. Dr. Charochak responded by stating she has not known of another time when trips were cancelled. However, the policy states all proposed student trips can be cancelled prior to the departure date or in progress, if students are at risk. Additionally, they must make decisions at the earliest date possible. Dr. Charochak stated if the situation became more serious and students were traveling at the time, they would need to have a specific plan in place. Dr. Charochak and Ms. Taylor stated the final payment of $1,500 for the Beverly High School trip to Salamanca, Spain is due on March 10, 2020. The families and students have already paid for their lodging and courses they will take at the University. Ms. Taylor reported she has spoken with some families about the trip, but has not made a formal statement. She stated the Spanish trip will have some provisions for medical care, but they are not explicit in which services they will provide. Ms. Taylor explained the University is offering vouchers for courses that can be used within the year, but the price of the flight cannot be refunded. At this time, nine (9) students have paid for the trip in full and six (6) will need to pay the remaining balance by March 10. Dr. Charochak restated the School Committee Policy on student travel that reserves the right to cancel trips up to the departure date or during the trip if students are in danger; and, the Committee must determine cancellation at the earliest date possible. The committee discussed various concerns about making decisions to cancel trips and the lost opportunity and money. Dr. Charochak was asked what the next dates would be to protect families from losing more money. She reported that many students have paid in full or are on payment plans for The Beverly Middle School Puerto Rico Trip on April 18. However, if the trip is not cancelled by March 17, 2020 the entire amount of the trip will be lost. Mayor Cahill suggested advising families to postpone payment until March 17 to determine next steps. The Committee agreed on discussing each trip on a case -by -case basis at future meetings. Ms. Visnick made a motion to cancel the Beverly High School trip to Salamanca, Spain. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mullady. Roll Call Vote: • Ms. Coelho: Yes • Ms. Abell: Yes • Ms. Ferretti: Yes • Ms. Robinson: Yes • Ms. Visnick: Yes • Mayor Cahill: Yes • Mr. Mullady: Yes Mayor Cahill made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Ms. Ferretti Roll Call Vote: • Ms. Coelho: Yes • Ms. Abell: Yes • Ms. Ferretti: Yes • Ms. Robinson: Yes • Ms. Visnick Yes • Mayor Cahill: Yes • Mr. Mullady: Yes The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Rachael Abell President Secretary, Beverly School Committee