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1997-02-10BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS February 10, 1997 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Monday, February 10, 1997 in the School Committee Room, Briscoe Middle School, Beverly, MA. Members Present: Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Gillespie, Mrs. Krueger, Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh, Mrs. Seamans and Mrs. Goodenough. Members Absent: Mayor ScanIon. Also in Attendance: Keith Manville, Acting Superintendent and Judy Mulligan, School Business Administrator. Mrs. Goodenough called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. McHugh. LIONS CLUB PRESENTATION Dr. Manville introduced Ray Tilton, Tom O'Connor and John Sullivan representing the Lions Club. Mr. Sullivan made a presentation on the Computer Learning Center and requested the Beverly Public Schools become a part of this program. The program collects and refurbishes old computers donated by either the School Department or members of the community and returns them to the schools. Mr. Sullivan inquired into the availability of a storage area where some of the computers could be stored. Dr. Manville suggested a space under B-Wing at Beverly High School. It was also suggested the School Department could advertise on cable television, local newspapers and through building principals. REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE · It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to accept the recommendations of the Redistricting Committee, as presented, including the Addendum to Street List submitted by Loyce Thompson. Following discussion of Mr. Jack Terrill's letter concerning neighborhood safety, it was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded to amend the motion to include the second to last paragraph of Mr. Terrill's letter. The vote was 4 for and 4 against the motion. Amendment defeated. It was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to amend the motion to include a statement that the School Committee will insure that students are not moved from school to school. School Committee Meeting February 10, 1997 Page 2 · After discussion, it was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to send that issue to the Student Life Committee. Unanimously voted. It was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded to amend the motion to change the third bullet to read "not less than 15% in each school." Following discussion of the motion to amend, the vote was 2 for and 5 against the motion. Motion defeated. · It was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to move the question. So voted. A roll call vote was requested on the main motion, which resulted in the following: YES: Mrs. Seamans, Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Krueger, Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh, Mrs. Goodenough. NO: Mrs. Gillespie. Motion approved. After further discussion, it was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to amend the motion to include "maintaining an active and open file on the Redistricting Committee including all letters, etc." Unanimously voted. RECORDS OF MEETINGS · It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the records of the public hearing held January 13, 1997, as presented. It was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded to amend the minutes to include comments from the public. Following discussion, it was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to table the minutes. Unanimously voted. · It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the records of the regular meeting held January 13, 1997, as presented. It was moved by Mrs. Frutiger and seconded to amend the records, page five second paragraph, to read: ... "urging all members to stand for re-election in November. The Committee agreed to seek the City Solicitor's opinion." So voted. The records of the regular meeting held January 13, 1997, as amended, were unanimously approved. School Committee Meeting February 10, 1997 Page 3 It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the records of the Committee of the Whole meeting held January 27, 1997, as presented. Unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS Dr. Manville commented on communications in meeting materials, including the letter from Rhonda Gauthier commending Robert Chapman, the floater custodian, on a terrific job. He also commented on the memo from Larry Drouin regarding art and music scheduling concerns, and the memo from Russ Bjork regarding their meeting with the Ayers Ryal Side Site Council. Other communications members noted included concerns on busing issues, redistricting plan, outside building maintenance, budget issues, wiring for the new school, Core Curriculum, Technology Committee, Ward II Civic Association, and several phone calls and letters regarding staffing levels. AYERS RYAL SIDE SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL Mr. Bjork delivered a report on his meeting with Dr. Manville and the Ayers Site Council. Mr. Bjork spoke on the reading concerns, the fact that there is no all day Title I Kindergarten program at Ayers, and he also presented a chart distributed at the meeting by Mrs. Macy relative to Beverly's per pupil spending and how Beverly compares to other North Shore communities. Dr. Manville presented the Ayers plan to decrease the academic gap through the area of reading/language arts and to raise the reading scores on standardized tests. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Manville presented information relative to the current first grade reading tests. He informed the Committee that the school system is currently in the process of purchasing the ULTimate Reader computer assisted reading program. The Policy on Sexual Harassment is being presented for a Second Reading and adoption by the Beverly School Committee. Dr. Manville suggested the policy be amended to include Judith Mulligan, School Business Manager, in Section III, Complaints of Sexual Harassment, as a second contact along with Dr. Manville. It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the Sexual Harassment Policy for the Beverly Public Schools, as amended to include Judith Mulligan. Unanimously approved. (See attached.) COMMITTEE REPORTS Superintendent Search Committee Mrs. Krueger reported that the committee interviewed nine candidates for Superintendent. The finalists will be selected on Tuesday evening, February 11, 1997. She will issue a press release on Thursday. It was suggested to try School Committee Meeting February I0, 1997 Page 4 and set up some site visits during school vacation week, if at all possible. Members who attend site visits should bring back reports. Building Commission Mrs. Mulligan reported the Briscoe roof is almost complete. The Draft Report on the physical condition of the secondary school buildings will be presented by Strekalovsky & Holt, Inc. on February 19, 1997. Hurd Stadium Advisory Committee Mr. McHugh reported the Advisory Committee met January 14, 1997 and discussed quite a few repairs needed to be done at Hurd Stadium, including repairs to men's room, ladies' room, pressbox, concession stand, etc. The minutes of the January 14, 1997 meeting are including in meeting materials. They will make a list to present to the Building Commission. The next meeting of the Advisory Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, at 7:00 PM. Standin~l Committee on Finance and Facilities Mr. Bjork reported meetings were held on January 22 and February 4, 1997. The January 22 meeting was a first look at the budget and a brainstorming session. The minutes of the January 22 and February 4 meetings are in included in meeting materials. Mr. Bjork went over the following dates: Copies of the budget need to be advertised in local papers on April 7, 1997. Public Hearing on the budget April 14, 1997. Mr. Bjork reported there was good news in respect to this year's budget in that SPED may actually be below budget and the Transportation budget may balance. The Committee expressed commendations to these two departments. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities, it was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to approve budget transfers between SPED tuition out lines, as requested in a February 4, 1997 memo from the SPED Director (revised). Unanimously approved. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities, it was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to approve budget transfers requested by principals, as presented. Unanimously voted. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities, it was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to use $1800 of School Choice money, together with $13,200 received from Endicott College, to fund the $15,000 line for building rental income in the FY97 budget, with other building rental income being made available to the appropriate principals to use within the buildings. Unanimously voted. School Committee Meedng February 10, 1997 Page 5 Upon the recommendation of Dr. Manville, it was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to authorize $1465 from the salary account to correct the salary of a 2nd year teacher. Unanimously voted. Upon the recommendation of Dr. Manville, it was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to authorize the transfer of $2500 from the School Choice account in order to cover half the cost of hiring an aide to scan the materials for the ULTimate Reader Program. Unanimously approved. Mr. Bjork presented a First Reading on the proposed policy on Budget Deadlines and Schedule. Standing Committee on Instruction Mrs. Krueger presented minutes of the meeting of January 21, 1997. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Instruction, Mrs. Krueger requested a First Reading of the Vision Statement for the Inclusive Schooling, developed by Sharon Lyons and Julie Costa. The next meetings of the Standing Committee on Instruction are scheduled for March 6 and March 26, 1997 at 7:00 PM, which will be an evening of reading presented by the Administration and staff. Standing Committee on Student Life and Activities Mrs. Frutiger reported that, at the meeting on January 30, 1997, the Committee received a report by the Peer Educator on current programs. Copies of the minutes will be sent to the committee. The Standing Committee on Student Life and Activities is requesting students to survey classmates for input into bridging grades 5 to 6 and 8 to 9. The Committee is approaching Site Councils via principals in order to obtain input regarding student life issues. The Sexual Harassment Policy for students will be on the agenda for the meeting on March 30, 1997. Subcommittee on Negotiations Ms. Levin reported a meeting of the Subcommittee on Negotiations is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 1997 at 4:30 PM. SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE POLICIES · It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to accept the School Committee Governance Policy, File: BBA, "School Committee Powers and Duties", as presented. Following discussion, it was moved by Mrs. Gillespie to amend the motion to remove the statement "to accept the will of the majority vote in all cases and give wholehearted support to the resulting policy." There was no second. School Committee Meeting February 10, 1997 Page 6 It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to amend the motion to remove the word "wholehearted" from the statement. The vote was 5 for and 3 against. So voted. It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to amend the motion to change the language in the statement "to approve all programs as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools" to the following: "to approve all programs based on recommendations by the Superintendent of Schools." The vote was 7 for and 1 against. So voted. It was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded to amend the motion to change the language in the next sentence to read "to enable negotiations". The vote was 3 for and 5 against. Motion defeated. · It was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to call the question. The vote was 5 for and 1 against, with 2 members abstaining. So voted. A roll call vote was requested on the main motion, with approved amendments, which resulted in the following: YES: Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Krueger, Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh, Mrs. Seamans and Mrs. Goodenough. NO: Mrs. Gillespie. Motion approved. It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the School Committee Governance Policies, File: BBAB, Composition of School Committee Method of Election; File: BBBA, School Committee Member Qualifications and Eligibility; File: BBBB, Term of Office; File: BBBC, Resignation; and File: BBBE, Filling of Vacancies, as presented. It was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to move the question. The vote was 5 for and 3 against. So voted. A roll call vote was requested on the main motion, which resulted in the following: YES: Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Krueger, Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh, Mrs. Seamans, Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Goodenough. NO: Mrs. Gillespie. Motion approved. School Committee Meeting February 10, 1997 Page 7 It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the School Committee Governance Policy, File: BDA, School Committee Internal Organization, as presented. Following discussion, a roll call vote was requested, which resulted in the following: YES: Mrs. Gillespie, Mrs. Krueger, Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh, Mrs. Seamans, Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger and Mrs. Goodenough. NO: None Unanimously voted. It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the School Committee Governance Policy File: BDB, School Committee Officers Powers and Duties, as presented, using the second #2. Following discussion, it was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded to amend the motion by deleting #3. The vote was 4 for and 4 against the amendment. Motion defeated. It was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to move the question. The vote was 5 for and 3 against. So voted. It was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded to amend the main motion by deleting numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Discussion followed. The vote was 1 for and 7 against the amendment. Motion defeated. It was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded to refer all parliamentary inquiries to the proper authorities. The vote was 2 for and 5 against, with Mrs. Seamans abstaining. Motion defeated. · It was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to call the question. The vote was 5 for and 3 against. So voted. A roll call vote was requested on the main motion to accept the policy with the second number 2, which resulted in the following: YES: Mrs. Krueger, Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh, Mrs. Seamans, Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger and Mrs. Goodenough. NO: Mrs. Gillespie. The vote was 6 for and 1 against the motion. So voted. School Committee Meeting February 10, 1997 Page 8 It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the School Committee Governance Policy, File: BDE, Subcommittee and Standing Committees of the School Committee, as presented with the following changes: Voting members of the standing committees shall include: a) Three members of the School Committee b) Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee c) Two citizen advisors d) One staff member Voting members of a subcommittee shall consist of: a) The school committee president b) Two additional members of the school committee c) The superintendent of schools and/or his/her designee shall be consultants to the subcommittees. Appointments and Memberships: Add to number 2 the following: The Chairperson shall be responsible for submitting annual written reports. Following discussion, a roll call vote was requested which resulted in the following: YES: Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh, Mrs. Seamans, Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Krueger and Mrs. Goodenough. NO: Mrs. Gillespie. Motion approved. It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to accept the School Committee Governance Policy, File: BDD, School Committee - Superintendent Relationship, as presented with the MASC policy language as stated in number 2. Following discussion, a roll call vote was requested which resulted in the following: YES: Mr. McHugh, Mrs. Seamans, Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Krueger, Ms. Levin and Mrs. Goodenough. NO: Mrs. Gillespie. Motion approved. School Committee Meeting February 10, 1997 Page 9 SUCH OTHER MATTERS Mrs. Frutiger would like to send a special thank to Pauline LeClair for her pad in the Math and Science Night with parents. The Committee asked Dr. Manville to send a thank you. It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to go into Executive Session for the purposes of discussing negotiations with union personnel, and to discuss parameters for the Superintendent's contract, and not return to Open Session. A roll call vote was requested, which resulted in the following: YES: Mrs. Seamans, Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Krueger, Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh and Mrs. Goodenough. NO: Mrs. Gillespie. Motion approved. The Committee recessed at 10:40 PM. The Committee went into Executive Session at 10:45 PM. Stella Mae Seamans Secretary