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1997-10-14BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS October 14, 1997 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Tuesday, October 14, 1997 in the Beverly High School Library, Beverly, MA. Members Present: Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Gillespie, Mrs. Krueger, Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh, Mrs. Seamans and Mrs. Goodenough. Mayor ScanIon arrived at 8:25 PM. Members Absent: None Also in Attendance: William Lupini, Superintendent of Schools, Keith Manville, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Judy Mulligan, School Business Manager, and Heather Scialdone, Student Representative. Mrs. Goodenough called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM, following a reception for National Merit Scholarship students. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Bjork. Excellence in Education Awards Mrs. Goodenough, President, and Ms. Levin, Vice President, recognized students for outstanding achievement and presented Excellence in Education Awards to the following: Paul DeLuca, National Merit Semi-Finalist Jessica Herzog, National Merit Semi-Finalist Alison Barth, National Merit Commended Student Jeffrey Butler, National Merit Commended Student Bradley Kochick, National Merit Commended Student Shannan Ready, National Merit Commended Student Scott Taylor, National Merit Commended Student Dr. Manville, Assistant Superintendent, recognized Paula Borsetti, Beverly High School art teacher, for excellent performance as a first year teacher, and presented her with the Excellence in Education Award, and a certificate from the American Association of School Administrators. Special recognition noted by Committee members included: Beverly High School Band presentation at shopping center Briscoe Middle School Curriculum Night PTO meetings at school buildings Regular Meeting October 14, 1997 Page 2 Positive feedback on Superintendent Lupini Accolades for BHS students who helped a stranded motorist Student respect for buildings (Cummings Properties), a tribute to community. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE'S REPORT Miss Scialdone expressed great concern at recent press and television reports related to Beverly High School, projecting a negative image. She felt the negative behaviors are generated by a small minority who are ruining the image of the entire school, students are angry and worried, and are asking what they can do to change the atmosphere and concern. Superintendent Lupini stated the High School Administration is taking steps that were planned, but will now be done earlier in the year, to get the correct message out. HURD STADIUM ADVISORY COMMITTEE Bob McHugh, presented records of committee meetings. Plans for the Alumni Dance to benefit Hurd Stadium will be held October 24 at Danversport. The committee has been expanded to ten members. The next meeting will be held October 15, 1997 at 7:00 PM to establish a priority list of improvements. · It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the records of the regular meeting held September 8, 1997. Unanimously voted. COMMUNICATIONS Miscellaneous communications from members included input regarding naming the new school, math programmatic concerns at Beverly High School, problems related to girls soccer, questions on teacher programs for early release days, technology fund support, questions surrounding the alternative program, concerns for student safety at McKay Street related to large trucks and traffic, and maintenance issues. Mrs. Gillespie presented a written request, received this date, to consider naming the new school after James Manzi. A Joint School Committee and City Council meeting will be held Monday, October 27, 1997 at 7:30 PM in the Beverly High School Library. ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATION ON ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS DURING ELEMENTARY BUILDING PROJECT Superintendent Lupini presented an extensive written report prepared by the Administration and the Task Force outlining assumptions, options, specific school situations, and final recommendations and implications. Mr. Lupini expressed pleasure with the plan and commended the Administration and the committee for their contributions. The Superintendent recommended having the School Committee entertain a final recommendation on the projects at the conclusion of the Hannah renovation. Regular Meeting October 14, 1997 Page 3 · Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, it was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to accept the recommendation of the Administration on relocation of students during the elementary building cycle. Unanimously voted. 1998-1999 e Move McKay (grades kindergarten through five), as well as the two districtwide special education programs, to the New School. Move Ayers population (grade two through five), as well as the districtwide special education programs, to the McKay Elementary School. Move Ayers kindergarten (half-day) and grade one to Patten. 1999-2000 Move Ayers population (grades kindergarten through five) back to renovated Ayers Elementary School. Move Hannah population (grades two through five) to the McKay Elementary School. Move Hannah kindergarten (half-day) and grade one to renovated Ayers School. 2000-2001 Move Hannah population (grades kindergarten through five) back to renovated Hannah Elementary School. Move Cove population (grades two through five) to the McKay Elementary School. Move Cove kindergarten (half-day) and grade one to renovated Ayers School· Citizens requesting to speak (Virginia Coburn, Charles Welch and Marcia Charlton) were recognized for statements and comments. Mrs. Goodenough declared a brief recess at 8:30 PM. The Committee reconvened at 8:42 PM. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Mr. Lupini presented requests and recommendations for staffing needs. ° It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the creation of two additional part-time reading positions, at no additional cost. Unanimously voted. ° It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the creation of 3.5 special education aide positions, identified through the IEP process. Regular Meeting October 14, 1997 Page 4 (Mr. Lupini will notify the Committee where the funding will come from.) Unanimously voted. · It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to authorize the Superintendent to create one additional school psychologist position, one additional speech therapist position, one .5 adjustment counselor position, and five classroom aide positions, (in priority order: Grade 1 at Ayers Ryal Side, Grade 4 at Centerville, Grade 4 at North Beverly, Grade 5 at Ayers Ryal Side, Grade 5 at McKay), subject to funding. Unanimously voted. · It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the adoption of a "preferred substitute" program, which would allow the Administration to hire eight elementary substitutes and four secondary substitutes at $55.00 per day, for a 191-day assignment. The motion was amended to read for the 1997-1998 school year. Unanimously voted. ° It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to increase the rate for substitute aides from $7o61 to $8.00 per hour, effective immediately. Unanimously voted. · It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to approve the Superintendent's request to attend the National Conference of the American Association of School Administrators in San Diego, CA February 27-March 2, 1998. Unanimously voted. Superintendent Lupini presented a written progress report on his performance goals. He will continue to present updates at regular meetings. Mr. Lupini conducted a survey on attendance of students and staff on recent Jewish holidays and concluded the number of absences due to the religious holidays were not significant enough to recommend additional holidays in the school calendar. Discussions on a pre-Labor Day start will be conducted with the Beverly Teachers Association and consideration will be given to one winter vacation(March) in place of two vacations(February and April) as has been the practice. The need for a larger window of construction time will be a major factor in establishing the school calendar during the renovation and building projects over the next five years. The Superintendent will conduct more research and present a proposal for a start date and calendar at the next meeting. The Alternative Program is still pending. The State Department denied the Balch YMCA site and a preliminary inspection and evaluation of an alternative site is being conducted this week. Maintenance projects included the completion of the Centerville roof. Repairs to the High School roof are in progress. Work on the storm windows at Edwards School will begin following receipt of a recommendation from Gale Associates. Regular Meeting October 14, 1997 Page 5 · Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, it was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to accept the gift of thirty-four (34) Pentium workstations for Beverly High School from the Beverly Technology Steering Committee. Unanimously voted. Superintendent Lupini acknowledged receipt of generous donations to schools from citizens in the community and expressed appreciation to all donors. The proposed policy on Naming of Buildings, Fields, or Rooms After Individuals was presented for a Second Reading. · It was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to amend paragraph four to read, "Names of persons currently employed by the City of Beverly shall not be considered during their term of employment or until three years after. School Committee members may not initiate a request during their term of office or for two years after." Amendment passed. · It was moved by Mrs. Gillespie to amend paragraph five to read..."the final vote by a two-thirds vote of the entire board...". Amendment passed, with Mr. McHugh and Mrs. Goodenough voting in opposition. The policy, as amended, was unanimously approved. Consideration of naming the new school after James McKeown will be held at the November meeting. · It was moved by Mrs. Gillespie and seconded to include the request of Tom Manzi to name the new school in honor of his father, James Manzi, in the discussion at the November meeting. Motion defeated, with Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Gillespie and Mrs. Seamans voting in favor of the motion. A First Reading on a policy for Long-Term Substitute Pay was presented. A Second Reading and adoption will be considered at the November meeting. Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities · Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities, it was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to approve the transfers requested by the Beverly High School principal in memos dated 7/14, 7/23, 7/29 and 8/4/97. Unanimously voted. ° Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities, it was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to approve the transfers requested by the Ayers School principal in a memo dated 6/9/97. Unanimously voted. Regular Meeting October 14, 1997 Page 6 · Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities, it was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to approve the transfers requested by the McKay School acting principal in a memo dated 9/8/97. Unanimously voted. An amendment to the current policy on Budget Transfers was presented for a First Reading, an insertion to the current policy. "Budget line for the purposes of this policy means any individual line on the budget format voted on by the School Committee and presented to the public." Standing Committee on Curriculum and Instruction Mrs. Krueger will forward minutes of the meeting held October 6, 1997. ° It was moved by Mrs. Krueger and seconded to accept the final draft of the Core Curriculum as presented on October 6, 1997, as a basis for the development of the Beverly Public Schools curriculum in the four major subject areas. Unanimously voted. Standing Committee on Student Life and Activities Mrs. Frutiger announced the next meeting will be held October 20, 1997. Building Commission Mrs. Mulligan stated regular meetings are being held. New solar panels have been installed at Beverly High School. Other projects included the Centerville and High School roof repairs. Student Advisory Committee- a meeting will be scheduled. ° It was moved by Ms. Levin and seconded to go into Executive Session for the following reasons and not return to Open Session: a) to consider negotiations with union and non-union personnel, b) to consider pending litigation, and c) to consider records of executive sessions, and take whatever action necessary. A roll call vote was requested, which resulted in the following: YES: Mrs. Seamans, Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Krueger, Ms. Levin, Mr. McHugh, Mayor ScanIon and Mrs. Goodenough. NO: Mrs. Gillespie Motion approved. Regular Meeting October 14, 1997 Page 7 The Committee recessed at 9:50 PM. The Committee went into Executive Session at 9:55 PM. Stella Mae Seamans Secretary