1997-03-24BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
March 24, 1997
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Monday,
March 24, 1997 in the School Committee Room, Briscoe Middle School,
Beverly, MA.
Members Present:
Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Gillespie, Mrs. Krueger,
Mr. McHugh, Mayor ScanIon, Mrs. Seamans and
Mrs. Goodenough.
Ms. Levin joined the meeting at 9:05 PM.
Members Absent:
None
Also in Attendance:
Judy Mulligan, School Business Administrator.
Mrs. Goodenough called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Seamans.
PRESENTATION OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS
Excellence in Education Awards were presented by Mrs. Goodenough and Mrs.
Seamans to the following staff:
David Lindsay, BHS Math Teacher
Victoria Kenneally, Grade 2 Teacher, Hannah
Darlene White, ESP, Grade 3, Edwards
Joana Civitarese, ESP, Grade 3, Centerville
Appreciation and commendations were expressed to the recipients for their
contributions to the Beverly Public Schools.
A brief recess was declared at 8:43 PM.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:45 PM.
OPEN FORUM FOR CITIZEN CONCERNS
Joanne Bolden was recognized for comments, noting she wrote letters to the
School Committee requesting information and responses to concerns,
personally, and as a civic association representative. President Goodenough
sent written responses to Ms. Bolden on behalf of the Committee.
Regular Meeting
March 24, 1997
Page 2
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZEN INPUT INTO AGENDA-RELATED ITEMS
Eileen Moffett addressed members with concerns on the kindergarten age
requirement policy, which she considers too rigid. She requested consideration
and alternatives for "exceptions" and more flexibility for allowing children born
between September 1 and December 31 to be considered for kindergarten.
Comments and suggestions included: be more flexible and offer a "contingency"
plan; consider psychological testing, at parents' expense, to determine readiness
for school; reconsider testing and screening procedures; and publicize more
information on kindergarten eligibility and entrance requirements in advance
throughout the community. This matter was referred to the Administration for
review and a recommendation from the Superintendent.
Alice Williams voiced concerns on behalf of Centerville parents regarding
increased enrollments, the need for modulars, and consideration of moving the
Centerville School building project up on the building plan construction order,
giving it a priority status. Mrs. Mulligan will refer these concerns to the
Administration and Building Commission.
Joanne Bolden voiced concerns regarding the school building plan, asking where
students will be redistricted as the plan unfolds, requesting not to have any "surprises".
She was informed there are many "unknowns" at this point and efforts will be made
to inform the public as plans progress on each facet of the building project.
WASHINGTON-BEADLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLOSING REPORT
Angel Crandall and Cheryl Sydorko presented the final report on the
closing of the Washington-Beadle Elementary School. Copies of the
report were received by the Committee in meeting materials. The co-
chairs felt there were many positive aspects of the closing that should be
continued in future school closings. They reiterated the greatest concern is
to resolve the school assets records and to take good inventory before the
closing process begins.
By way of a brief summary, the overriding concern in the responses was
class size. The question of equipment secured under grants - whose is it-
where/who does the equipment follow upon closing of the school - the
person who wrote the grant - or the school - is an issue that needs to be
resolved. This will be referred to the Policy Committee for consideration.
A suggestion was made to create a Task Force to Oversee School
Closings to eliminate any future problems in school closings and expand
on successful initiatives of the closing process. This was referred to the
Standing Committee on Student Life & Activities.
Regular Meeting
March 24, 1997
Page 3
Concerns were voiced regarding students from the Apple Village area and
the need to communicate with grade 4 and 5 parents immediately as to
where students will attend school next year.
Questions were raised regarding the guidelines for admission to the all-
day kindergarten at Patten, Beverly High School, including who decides
which students will attend, how are decisions made, does this involve
consideration of schools designated as Chapter I, and can programs be
moved "off site" and still qualify for Chapter I funding.
Committee response included a concern that the closing plan was costly and
questioned if we would be able to be as flexible and accommodating for future
closings. The issue was raised as to the present locations of computers from the
Washington-Beadle School. Dr. Manville has researched this and will be
requested to submit a report on his findings.
Special appreciation was conveyed to Mrs. Crandall and Mrs. Sydorko for their
generous commitment of time and energy over the past several months, serving
as co-chairs of the Washington Beadle School Closing.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE'S REPORT
Melissa Iovanni was in attendance and presented three concerns:
1) Hepatitis B immunizations- could High School students get these
immunizations along with middle school students, as this is a requirement
for college entrance and is a sizable cost to students. This will be
referred to the Health Director and the Administration for review.
2) Enforcement of the Eligibility Policy for participation in sports and extra-
curricular activities. This was referred to the Superintendent and Beverly
High School Principal to ascertain enforcement and/or exceptions of the
policy.
3) Girls lacrosse games and practices - the girls' varsity team would like a
playing field the same as afforded the boys' team. This was referred to the
Superintendent and Athletic Director for resolution.
COMMUNICATIONS
Members received miscellaneous communications from citizens, including
concerns and comments relative to the School Department budget, funding for
Beverly High School, money issues, the Superintendent Search, the election of a
new superintendent, and concerns regarding enrollments and building needs.
· It was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to request that the School Committee
direct the Superintendent to present a report at the April 14, 1997 regular meeting
with responses relative to requests for needs from the Ayers, Hannah and Centerville
Elementary Schools.
Regular Meeting
March 24, 1997
Page 4
· It was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded to amend the motion to include all
elementary schools. The amendment was approved, with Mrs. Seamans voting in
opposition to the motion. The amended motion was approved.
RECORDS OF: MEETINGS
· It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the records of the Public
Hearing on Redistricting held January 13, 1997, as presented.
· It was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded to amend the records of the
Public Hearing on Redistricting held January 13, 1997, with the notation that
"verbatim statements were not recorded and persons who spoke are
encouraged to resubmit their comments in writing." The amendment was
approved, with Mr. Bjork voting in opposition to the motion.
The records of the Public Hearing on Redistricting held January 13, 1997,
as amended, were approved.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Manville was out of town, attending a National Association of School
Administrators conference. A written report was included in meeting materials.
° Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, it was moved by Mrs.
Seamans to approve the Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School Handbook,
as presented. So voted.
· Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Standing Committee
on Finance and Facilities, it was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to approve
the Policy on Budget Deadlines and Schedule, as presented for a
Second Reading. Unanimously voted.
File: DBC
BUDGET DEADLINES AND SCHEDULE
Preparation of the annual budget will be scheduled in stages throughout the
school year with attention to certain deadlines established by law and charter.
The calendar for budget preparation will be determined by calculating
backwards from the date on which the Mayor is required, by law, to submit a
proposed city budget to the City Council. The following dates are established
by statute or charter:
° The School Committee shall schedule a vote on its final budget request
not less than 21 days before the Mayor's budget is required to be
submitted.
Regular Meeting
March 24, 1997
Page 5
· A public hearing on the proposed budget shall be held prior to the
committee vote. The School Committee shall not take a final vote on its
proposed budget until all persons who desire to be heard concerning the
budget proposal have had an opportunity to be heard. Notice of the
hearing will be published at least seven days prior to the hearing, and at
least one copy of the proposed budget shall be made available to the
public for a time period of not less than forty-eight hours prior to the
hearing.
° At least seven days before the meeting at which the School Committee
is scheduled to vote on its final budget request, the School Committee
shall cause to be published in a local newspaper a general summary of
its proposed budget. The summary shall specifically indicate any major
variations from the current budget, and the reasons for such changes.
It shall further indicate the time and places at which complete copies of its
proposed budget are available for examination by the public, and the
date, time, and place when and where a public hearing shall be held by
the School Committee on the proposed budget.
In order to permit a thorough review of the budget prior to fulfilling these
requirements, the Administration shall submit a proposed budget to the
Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities at least 60 days before the date
on which the Committee is required to vote on its budget request. This budget
shall be reviewed by the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities, which
shall submit its recommendations to the School Committee in time to comply
with the above dates.
LEGAL REFS:
M.G.L. 71:38N
City Charter, Article 6, Section 2
° Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Standing Committee
on Instruction, it was moved by Mrs. Krueger and seconded to approve the
Policy on Vision Statement for Inclusive Schooling, as presented for a
Second Reading. Unanimously voted.
File; IHB
VISION STATEMENT FOR INCLUSIVE SCHOOLING
Inclusion is a working philosophy which supports and promotes the ideal
that all children can and should be educated together in regular education
classrooms with age appropriate peers, to the extent possible. This philosophy
is planned and structured so that the learning environment takes into account
individual learning styles and provides opportunities for EVERY child to make
progress and achieve success.
Regular Meeting
March 24, 1997
Page 6
· It was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to suspend completion of the Core
Curriculum for one year, as recommended by the Acting Superintendent.
· It was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded to postpone the vote until the
Committee receives a response from the Superintendent regarding the
following: a) Are the vertical articulation concerns being addressed and
resolved? b) Is there assurance that Beverly High School students are offered
programs/courses that enable them to be ready for higher education and
schools and/or the work force upon graduation? c) If the process is
suspended for one year, do we need Curriculum Directors or replace them with
a Director of Technology?
The vote on the motion to postpone was 4 in favor of the motion
(Mr. McHugh, Mrs. Seamans, Mayor ScanIon and Mrs. Gillespie)
and 3 against the motion (Mr. Bjork, Ms. Levin, Mrs. Goodenough).
Mrs. Krueger abstained from voting on the motion. The motion was tabled.
The Committee requested that a response and opinion from Dr. Manville be
presented at the April 14 meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Bu~ding Commission
Mrs. Mulligan stated a meeting will be held on March 28 with the architects to
receive a report on the Secondary Schools Feasibility Study. The groundbreaking
for the new school has been scheduled for April 3, 1997.
Standing Committee on Instruction
Mrs. Krueger presented minutes of the meeting held January 21, 1996.
A meeting will be held March 26 to receive a presentation on the reading
programs in the Beverly schools. The proposed Technology Plan will be
presented at a joint meeting scheduled for Monday, March 31, 1997 at the
Beverly Public Library with members of the School Committee and the City
Council.
Hurd Stadium Advisory Committee
Mr. McHugh reported regular meetings are being held. The next meeting will
be held March 25, 1997 at 7:00 PM. The committee is in the process of
securing estimates for repairs to Hurd Stadium and prioritizing projects.
Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities
Mr. Bjork presented records of meetings held March 4 and March 18, 1997.
Meetings are scheduled for March 25 and April 1. A public hearing on the
proposed school department budget will be scheduled for April 14, 1997 at
7:00 PM in the Briscoe Middle School Cafeteria.
Regular Meeting
March 24, 1997
Page 7
· 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 and directors listed in a memo dated February 21,1997.
So voted.
° 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 the Sped Director and the High School Principal in a memo
dated March 4, 1997. So voted.
Standing Committee on Student Life and Activities
Mrs. Frutiger reported on a meeting held March 20, 1997. Peer Mediation
training will be conducted at the High School Library on April 10, 1997.
A brief meeting of the subcommittee will be held at approximately 8:15 PM,
following the training, to consider the Sexual Harassment policy.
Subcommittee on Negotiations
Ms. Levin announced the next meeting will be held Tuesday, March 25, 1997
at 6:15 PM in School Committee Room.
· It was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded that parameters of Mrs. Krueger
to serve as chair of the Standing Committee on Instruction be defined, the
parameters to be researched by the School Committee President and report
back to the School Committee.
A roll call vote was requested, which resulted in the following:
YES:
Mrs. Frutiger and Mrs. Gitlespie.
NO:
Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh, Mayor ScanIon, Mrs. Seamans,
Mr. Bjork and Mrs. Goodenough.
ABSTAINING:
Mrs. Krueger
The vote was 2 for, 6 against, and 1 abstention. Motion defeated.
° It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to go into Executive Session to
discuss negotiations with non-union personnel and take whatever action
necessary and not return to Open Session.
Regulm' Meeting
March 24, 1997
Page 8
A roll call vote was requested, which resulted in the following:
YES: Mrs. Gillespie, Mrs. Krueger, Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh,
Mayor Scanion, Mrs. Seamans, Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger
and Mrs. Goodenough.
NO: None
Unanimously voted.
The Committee recessed at 9:35 PM to move the meeting to the
Superintendent's Conference Room for the Executive Session.
The Committee reconvened and went into Executive Session at 9:38 PM.
Stella Mac Seamans
Secretary