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1999-03-08BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS March 8, 1999 A regular meet'mg of the Beverly School Committee was held on Monday, March 8, 1999 in the Beverly High School Library, Beverly, MA. Members Present: Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Brusil, Mrs. Frotiger, Mrs. Goodenough, Mr. McHugh, and Mr. Cahill. Members Absent: Mayor ScanIon. Also in Attendance: William Lupini, Superintendent of Schools, Judy DeLucia, Assistant Superintendent, Keith Manville, Assistant Superintendent, and Judy Mulligan, School Business Manager. President Bill Cahill called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Bjork. OPEN FORUM FOR CITIZEN CONCERNS Toni Musante was recognized concerning a letter she plans to submit to the Beverly City Council and the School Committee requesting reconsideration of the sale of the Hardie Building until Briscoe renovations and space needs have been determined. Copies of Ms. Musante's letter will be forwarded to members. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS School Committee members noted the following activities: · Beverly High School Jazz Ensemble participation in district and state competition, and receipt of silver medal honors. · Presidents Day Assembly at McKeown Elementary School - an appreciation letter for the excellent presentation will be sent to Mrs. Morency, on behalf of the Committee. · Beverly High School host for early childhood education visits last weekend - praise and compliments for the maintenance staff at BHS, as well as appreciation to 9th graders who served as volunteers. REPORT FROM STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE There was no student representative present at the meeting A meeting of the Student Advisory Committee was held earlier this evening. Members noted that a revitalization of student government at Beverly High is taking place and students have expressed great interest in moving this effort forward. Regular Meeting March 8, 1999 Page 2 APPROVAL OF RECORDS · It was moved by Mrs. Goodenough and seconded to approve the records of the regular meeting held February 8, 1999, with an amendment on page 6 to reflect that the Grade Configuration Committee membership will include two principals. Unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS: Members received the following communications: · Questions on the budget process · Questions on the technology plan · Information regarding transportation reimbursement · Student participation in Odyssey of the Mind BEVERLY HIGH SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT Bob Dunn, Beverly High School teacher, presented an overview of the Mission Statement. Several members of the Ad Hoc Committee were in attendance to answer questions and provide information. Comments were received from members and Superintendent Lupini. · It was moved by Mrs. Frutiger and seconded to accept the Beverly High School Mission Statement, as presented. A roll call vote was requested, which resulted in the following: Mr. McHugh, Mrs. Brusil, Mrs. Frutiger and Mr. Cahill. NO: Mrs. Goodenough and Mr. Bjork The vote was 4 in favor of and 2 in opposition to the motion. Motion approved. President Bill Cahill thanked Mr. Dunn and the "Ad Hoc" members for many hours of dedication and participation on this committee. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT School Committee Retreat Because of time constraints and budget preparation work, the retreat will be postponed until May. MCAS Update Test dates for the 1999 MCAS programs are April 26-30 and May 17-June 2. The Superintendent provided a written summary of the composition of testing sessions. Standardized Testing The following recommendation from Assistant Superintendent Dr. Judy Delucia concerning adoption of standardized testing for second and sixth grade will be implemented in the Fall, 1999: Regular Meeting March 8, 1999 Page 3 Grade 2 - Fail administration of Tetra Nova (complete battery, multiple assessments) Grade 6 - Fail administration of Stanford 9 (core battery, performance assessments in mathematics, language arts, sociai studies and science) Rights, Respect and Responsibilities Week Mayor Scatdon has designated March 21-27, 1999 as Rights, Respect and Responsibilities Week. Schools are implementing various activities throughout the week. Building Issues Superimendent Lupini presented a written update on building projects and renovations. TIMSS Assessment A representative sample of Briscoe Middle School eighth grade students will participate in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) testing program on April 6, 1999. COMMITFEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities Mr. Bjork presented minutes of a meeting held March 1, 1999. Future meeting of the standing committee are scheduled for Monday, March 15 and Monday, March 22, at 7:00 PM in the School Committee Room. · Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities and the Administration, it was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to approve the creation of a .5 ESP position at Patten Elementary School for the remainder of the 1998-99 school year, at a cost of $2,206, to be paid from the speciai education contingency account. Unanimously voted. · Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities and the Administration, it was moved by Mr. Bjork and seconded to approve a tuition rate of $16,500 per year for out-of-district students attending the Alternative School, and authorize the Administration to accept one student who is moving out of district on this basis, pending approval of a formal policy. Grade Configuration Committee Superintendent Lupini presented a proposal on the scope of work to be completed by the Grade Configuration Committee. · Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, it was moved by Mrs. Goodenough and seconded that the following charge be approved: "The Grade Configuration Committee is charged with the task of researching the various grade configurations utilized in school districts, identifying those that could possibly be viable in our district, specifying the benefits and disadvantages of each for student learning, and making a final recommendation concerning this issue to the School Committee." Unanimously voted. Regular Meeting March 8, 1999 Page 4 Joint Committee on Secondary Facilities All scheduled meetings of this committee are in recess until the work of the Grade Configuration Committee is completed. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life Mrs. Frutiger presented minutes of the meeting held March 1, 1999. The next meeting will be held Monday, April 5, 1999 at 7:00 PM in the School Committee Room. Subcommittee on Negotiations There is no report at this time. Hurd Stadium Advisory Committee Mr. McHugh reported that inside work at the facility will be completed this spring. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, March 10, 1999 at 7:00 PM in the School Committee Room. Superintendent's Attendance At National Conference Superintendent Lupini gave a brief summary and highlights of the AASA national conference held in February in California. Workshops of particular interest were school start times, child care, curriculum with respect to before/after school programs, class size, and 360 feedback in administrative evaluations. Joint School Committee and City Council Meeting A joint meeting of the Beverly School Committee and the Beverly City Council will be held on Monday, March 29, 1999 at 7:00 PM at the Beverly High School Library. · It was moved by Mrs. Goodenough and seconded to go into Executive Session to consider negotiations with non-union personnel, take whatever action necessary, and not return to Open Session. A roll call vote was requested, which resulted in the following: Mr. McHugh, Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Brusil, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Goodenough and Mr. Cahill. NO: None Unanimously voted. · It was moved by Mrs. Goodenough and seconded to go into Executive Session to consider negotiations with union personnel, take whatever action necessary, and not return to Open Session. Regular Meeting March 8, 1999 Page 5 A roll call vote was requested, which resulted in the following: YES: Mr. Bjork, Mrs. Brusil, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Goodenough Mr. McHugh and Mr. Cahill. NO: None Unanimously voted. · It was moved by Mrs. Goodenough and seconded to go into Executive Session to consider a grievance from AFSCME, take whatever action necessary, and not return to Open Session. A roll call vote was requested, which resulted in the following: YES: Mrs. Brusil, Mrs. Frutiger, Mrs. Goodenough, Mr. McHugh, Mr. Bjork and Mr. Cahill. NO: None Unanimously voted. The Committee recessed at 8:50 PM. The Committee went into Executive Session at 9:00 PM. Elizabeth Frutiger Secretary