1997-09-08 BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
September 8, 1997
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Monday,
September 8, 1997 in the Beverly High School Library, Beverly, MA.
Members Present: Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Gillespie,
Mrs. Krueger, Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh, Mayor ScanIon,
Mrs. Seamans and Mrs. Goodenough.
Members Absent: None
Also in Attendance: William Lupini, Superintendent of Schools,
Keith Manville, Assistant Superintendent of Schools,
and Judy Mulligan, School Business Manager.
Mrs. Goodenough called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Gillespie.
Mrs. Goodenough request a moment of silence in memory of staff who died,
and staff who lost loved ones over the summer months.
· It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the records of the regular
meeting held June 9, 1997, with noted corrections (spelling, name designation).
Unanimously voted.
· It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the records of the special
meeting held June 16, 1997, as presented. Unanimously voted.
· It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the records of the special
meeting held June 30, 1997, as presented. Unanimously voted.
Mrs. Gillespie requested a letter be forwarded to Mr. Cummings, informing him of
the action taken by the Committee in June regarding naming of the new school,
citing the wording in the motion.
COMMUNICATIONS
A delegate to the Annual Joint MASC/MASS Conference November 5-7 will be
named. Members were requested to inform the president if they plan to attend.
A Fast Track Conference on Issues will be held September 19 and 20.
Those wishing to attend should notify the Executive Secretary.
Members received miscellaneous communications over the past weeks, including
positive feedback and accolades for the new superintendent, excitement and
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September 8, 1997
Page 2
positive statements with regard to new teachers at Beverly High School, the
Technology Fund, maintenance projects underway, and questions regarding the
health of Dr. Tom Durkin, the status of Edwards School windows, and feedback
involving naming of the new school.
Superintendent Lupini presented a draft revision of the policy on Naming of
Buildings, Fields, or Room After Individuals. The Committee referred the matter
back to the Superintendent to rework the policy with notations and additions
resulting from the discussion. The revised policy will be presented for
consideration at the regular meeting on October 14, 1997.
· It was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded that the Beverly School Committee
declare their intent to take up the matter of naming the new school after James
McKeown, pending approval of a policy, and after the requisite waiting period has
passed. The motion passed 7-2, with Mrs. Frutiger and Mrs. Seamans voting in
opposition to the motion.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Mrs. Gauthier, Principal, presented the Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School
Improvement Plan for 1997-98, along with members of the School Site Council,
Janet Norris, Catherine Macy, and Jeanne Seamans.
· It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to accept the School Improvement Plan
of Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School, as presented. Unanimously voted.
Mr. Argyrople, Principal, presented the Hannah Elementary School Improvement
Plan for 1997-98.
° It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to accept the School Improvement Plan
of Hannah Elementary School, as presented. Unanimously voted.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Mrs. Goodenough introduced Heather Scialdone, Grade 11, Beverly High School,
student representative to the School Committee. Heather recognized students in
the audience who will serve with her at Beverly High School, and expressed a
desire to have a positive effect in presenting student issues at future Committee
meetings.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Mr. Lupini thanked the Committee for their cooperation in not meeting over the
summer to allow him time to get acclimated to the position, and thanked Keith
Manville for his cooperation and assistance.
Open Enrollment
Superintendent Lupini presented a brief summary of the open enrollment
guidelines presently being implemented in elementary schools. He emphasized
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September 8, 1997
Page 3
the need for an interim policy and asked that the matter be referred to Student Life
and Activities for a draft policy recommendation, including a "sunset clause", for
consideration at the November regular meeting.
Included in meeting materials was updated information on the third grade Iowa
Test of Basic Skills results for 1997.
· Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, it was moved by Ms. Levin
and seconded to approve the proposed meeting dates for the Beverly School
Committee for September through December, 1997. Unanimously voted.
Monday, September 8
Monday, September 22
Regular Meeting 7:30 PM
Finance & Facilities 7:00 PM
Monday, October 6
Monday, October 14
Monday, October 20
Monday, October 27
Monday, November 3
Monday, November 10
Monday, November 17
Monday, November 24
Curriculum & Instruction 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting 7:30 PM
Student Life & Activities7:30 PM
Joint City Council & 7:30 PM
School Committee
Curriculum & Instruction 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting 7:30 PM
Student Life & Activities7:30 PM
Finance & Facilities 7:00 PM
Monday, December 1
Monday, December 8
Monday, December 15
Monday, December 22
Curriculum & Instruction 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting 7:30 PM
Student Life & Activities7:30 PM
Finance & Facilities 7:00 PM
· It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the early release dates,
as recommended by the Administration. Unanimously voted.
Elementary Schools
Thursday, October 2, 1997
Thursday, November 6, 1997
Thursday, January 8, 1998
Thursday, February 5, 1998
Friday, March 6, 1998
Thursday, May 7, 1998
Thursday, November 6, 1997
Memorial Middle School
Thursday, November 6, 1997
Briscoe Middle School
Thursday, February 5, 1998
Beverly High School
date to be determined
° It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to adopt the Superintendent's
Performance Goals, as presented. Unanimously voted.
Mr. Lupini will present a progress report on the goals at the October meeting.
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September 8, 1997
Page 4
· It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to designate the Beverly Superintendent
of Schools as representative to the Northeast Education Consortium.
Unanimously voted.
Included in meeting materials was updated information on miscellaneous
building issues.
Superintendent Lupini presented information on the position of "secondary
diagnostician", noting the School Committee did not authorize the position, but
salary for the position was included in the 1997-98 "level programmed" portion of
the school department budget. The Committee referred the matter back to the
Superintendent for a recommendation; unless the Superintendent comes back
with a request to authorize continuance, the position does not exist.
A status report on the position of Assistant to the Special Services Director/Patten
Wing will be discussed later in executive session.
The Alternative Education Program is still being developed, awaiting site approval
from the Department of Education.
· It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded that the Beverly School Committee
approve the request of the Beverly School for the Deaf to operate a private school
in the City of Beverly. Unanimously voted.
The Administration noted a great opening of schools.
September, 1997 school enrollments were presented in meeting materials.
Citizen Input
Michael McLarrin appeared before the Committee challenging the kindergarten
entrance policy and requested that his child be admitted to public school
kindergarten in Beverly, although he does not meet the eligibility requirements.
Mr. McLarrin stated, that on two occasions, he/his wife were assured by office staff
during the summer that their child could transfer into the Beverly schools, having
begun public kindergarten out of state in August.
· It was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded to waive the kindergarten entrance
policy and the child (MCLarrin) be allowed to attend school in Beverly, because of
miscommunication, for a time not later than the last day in 1997. So voted, with
Mrs. Krueger and Ms. Levin voting in opposition to the motion.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Standing Committee on Student Life and Activities
· Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Student Life and
Activities, it was moved by Mrs. Frutiger and seconded to approve Second
Readings, with approved amendments, on the following policies:
JD, JIA, JIB, JICFA, JIH, JJE, JLCC, JLCCA. Unanimously voted.
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September 8, 1997
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The following policies, with no recommended change from the Standing
Committee, will be put in MASC format:
JA, JB, JE, JI, JIC, JJID, JK, JLDA, JPA, JRA.
Policies JC(School District Attendance Areas), JICL(Substances Subject to
Abuse), and JJIC(Student Eligibility for Participation in Athletics and Extra-
Curricular Activities) will be considered at a future committee meeting.
There were no other standing or subcommittee reports.
Mrs. Frutiger requested that minutes of Hurd Advisory Committee meetings be
included in School Committee mailings. Mr. McHugh, Chair, will provide copies.
Congratulations were given to Judy Mulligan on completion of the General
Certification Seminar in the Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official
program.
· It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to go into Executive Session for the
following purposes and not return to Open Session:
a) to consider negotiations with non-union administrative personnel;
b) to receive a report on pending litigation with J. Geller and C. Frey-Norton,
c) to hear a grievance from a parent relative to a ruling by the Superintendent,
d) to consider records of executive sessions, and take whatever action
necessary.
A roll call vote was requested, which resulted in the following:
YES: Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh, Mayor ScanIon, Mrs. Seamans,
Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Krueger and Mrs. Goodenough.
NO: Mrs. Gillespie.
So voted.
The Committee recessed at 10:23 PM.
The Committee went into Executive Session at 10:28 PM.
Stella Mae Seamarts
Secretary