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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