2001-06-29BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
June 29, 2001
A Meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Friday, June 29, 2001 in the
Administrative Conference Room at the Briscoe Middle School, Beverly, MA.
Members Present: Ms. Bell, Ms. Brusil, Mr. Cahill, Mr. McHugh,
Ms. Norris, Ms. Coburn
Members Absent: Mayor Scanlon
Also Present:
Dr. William Lupini, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Judy DeLucia, Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Jim Hayes, Assistant Superintendent
Ms. Judy Mulligan, Business Manager
Ms. Judith Cronin & Mr. Jack Terr'ill, Citizen Advisors
to the Finance & Facilities Subcommittee
President Cahill called the meeting to order at 6:07PM.
Ms. Brusil, Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities, stated that, as it
was not advertised as such, there would not be a Subcommittee Meeting, rather we
would move directly to the Full School Committee Meeting. She welcomed input from
Ms. Judith Cronin and Mr. Jack Terrill, Citizen Advisors.
POLICY ADOPTION
Dr. Lupini explained that our attorney, Naomi Stronberg had reviewed the proposed
policies. Changes were suggested and were incorporated into the policies. ·
Discussion regarding the policies being considered, led to the suggestion that all but
the School Choice. Policy be tabled until our August meeting.
Ms. Brusil made a motion that the School Committee adopt the School Choice Policy,
as presented. Mr. McHugh seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
TUITION RATES
Ms. Brusil moved that, upon the recommendation of the administration, the School
Committee endorse the adoption of Department of Education rates.for 502.1 to 502.4
students and programs, communicated to school districts through the school choice
rate setting report each year, as the tuition rates for these programs. These rates will
be applied to students enrolled in our district though group homes (from sending
school districts) and for out-of-district students placed in our programs. The rate for
FY02 would be $16,932, as compared to our current rates, which range from $5800
(502.1 for elementary) to $16,500 (Choices). Mr. McHugh. seconded the motion which
passed unanimously.
· PERSONNEL
Ms. Brusil moved that, upon the recommendation of the administration, the School
Committee endorse the approval of an ESP position at Choices from mid-May through
the end of the the 2000-2001 school year with a total cost of $1320. Ms. Bell
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
BUDGET TRANSFERS :-..
Ms. Brusil moved that, upon the recommendation of the administration, the School
Committee endorse the list of budget transfers, dated June 13, 2001, prepared by Judy
Mulligan, Business Manager. Mr. McHugh seconded the motion which passed
unanimously.
HURD STADIUM REVOLVING ACCOUNT
Ms. Brusil moved that, upon the recommendation of the administration, the School
Committee request the City Treasurer to sat up a revolving account for Hurd Stadium
in which will be deposited receipts generated by activities at Hurd Stadium including,
but not limited to, the sale of advertising space and any agreement that may be
approved with an exclusive beverage provider. Funds deposited in this account will
be used strictly for the repair and maintenance of the Hurd Stadium facility and
grounds.
Ms. Bell seconded the motion. Judy Mulligan explained that, according to the
Massachusetts Department of Revenue, receipts generated would typically be
deposited into the Athletic Department Revolving Account. That is why we need to be
specific as to which receipts should go into a Hurd Stadium Revolving account. The
motion passed unanimously.
SIGNAGE AT HURD STADIUM
Ms. Cobum moved that, upon the recommendation of the administration, the School
Committee endorse seeking bids for advertising signs at Hurd Stadium in exchange
for revenue to be used for maintenance of the facility within the following parameters:
· Signs will be placed on the inside of the field perimeter fence facing the field.
· Signs will be no larger than 3' by 8'.
· No more than 20 signs will be sold.
· Signs must be made of sheet metal or weatherproof hardboard.
· Signs will be installed by our school department staff. An installation fee of
$50.00 will be charged to cover expenses.
· Signs will remain the property of and be maintained by the advertiser. If not
properly maintained, signs will be removed after proper notification.
· The agreement will be for a term of one year.
· Types of advertising not permitted: tobacco products, alcoholic beverages,
illicit drugs, any ads containing mature content or sexual references, political
campaigns, or any ads viewed as being in poor taste or inappropriate for use
on school property. The Superintendent of Schools will be responsible for
determining the suitability of all advertisements.
Ms. Bell seconded the motion. Ms. Cobum asked should be specify the installation fee
of $50? Dr. Lupini responded that we will be reviewing the policy so that can be
raised as need be. Ms. Bell wondered whether or not the advertisers get to choose the
spot for their ad. She wondered if the highest bidder would be get to place their ad at
the 50 yard line, for example. Mr. McHugh explained that there is a serious situation at
Hurd. The stadium needs to be cleaned. It needs new toilets, lights, and heaters
installed. He stated that this advertising revenue is much needed. The motion passed
unanimously.
EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT FOR SODA AT HURD STADIUM
Discussion ensued about awarding a contract to a beverage company. Ms. Mulligan
explained that a bid would be prepared that specified exactly what would be included
in the contract. Mr. Cahill suggested that this vote be tabled until August at which time
the proposed contract could be reviewed before a vote will be taken.
AUTHORITY OF THE HURD STADIUM ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Dr. Lupini clarified the authority of the Hurd Stadium Advisory Committee. He stated
that in August, the administration will bring before the School Committee an updated
policy regarding the Hurd Stadium Advisory Committee. He said that the policy will
outline that the purpose of the committee is to address maintenance and use of the
stadium. Ms. Norris asked that the Hurd Stadium Advisory Committee be given a
chance to review the proposed policy prior to the School Committee's adoption vote.
Mr. McHugh stated that school department is responsible for the maintenance of the
stands and buildings at the stadium and that the city maintains the field itself. Mr.
Cahill stated that the maintenance of the field at Hurd as well as other school fields is
an ongoing issue that is being addressed through the joint ventures of the School
Committee and the City Council.
TRANSPORTATION FEES
Ms. Coburn moved that, upon the recommendation of the administration, the School
Committee endorse an increase from $180 to $200 in base transportation fees for
FY02. Ms. Brusil seconded the motion which passed Unanimously.
FYO2 SCHOOL. DEPARTMENT BUDGET
Dr. Lupini explained that according to the vote of the City Council which took place on
Wednesday, June 27, 2001, the School Department was being appropriated an
amount of money that is essentially $57,000 short of the current proposed budget. He
said that Bill Burke,. Director of Transportation said that his department would combine
some special education transportation runs and thereby absorb that amount for FY02.
He further stated that the administration has taken a more balance approach to
contingency accounts. There is still $115,000 in the Special Education Contingency
Account. He has been told that the City will cover any expenses that the Geller case
may generate.
Dr. Lupini further stated that the city has recommended that we reduce.our projected
health insurance costs by $100,000 as stated in the letter he addressed to the City
Council which he copied to the School Committee members. Ms. Judith Cronin,
Citizen Advisor to the Sanding Committee on Finance and Facilities, suggested that
the School Committee submit a written response to the letter.
Ms. Brusil stated that she does not agree with the notion of projecting our health
insurance costs at $100,000 less than was originally projected. She said she does not
believe that we are going to make that budget amount and that it will probably
necessitate us freezing our budget.
Mr. Cahill said that he spoke with Mayor Scanlon on the phone today and told him that
we need to know that we can come back to the City for funds if/when we are over
budget for health insurance costs.
Ms..Mulligan stated that John Dunn told her that the first $100,000 over budget will be
covered by the City.
Dr. Lupini stated that the current proposed budget preserves class sizes and some
core programs. He stated that next year it is going to be much more difficult to
continue to protect programs if health insurance and utility costs continue to rise.
Mr. McHugh and.members of the Committee thanked the School Administrators for
their hard work in preparing the budget.
Ms. Coburn asked that the School Committee be given updated enrollment figures
and projections. Dr. DeLucia stated that figures are included in the feasibility study
that was completed by NESDEC in preparation for the discussion regarding full day
Kindergarten.
Ms. Coburn moved that the budget as proposed on June 29, 2001 In the
amount of $36,476,056 be approved by the School Committee. Ms.
Brusil seconded the motion. The roll call vote was unanimous to approve
the proposed budget.
In other business, Mr. Cahill asked Ms. Mulligan about the high school feasibility study.
Do we have a signed contract for that? Ms. Mulligan said that we do not. Mr. Cahill
asked what the date for the completion of that study is. Ms. Mulligan stated that she
does not know.
Dr. Lupini informed members that the Kindergarten study that was completed by
NESDEC refers to back.up documentation and that that is available in the form of a
summary notebook.
Mr. Cahill stated that Dr. Hayes gathered, from the Guidance Department at the
Bevedy High School, a list of the colleges that graduating, seniors will be attending.
He stated that he has the information from the past five years. Ms. Bell said that she
would be interested to see the data as she was somewhat concemed to see that no
graduating senior will be attending an Ivy League school in the fall.
Mr. Cahill informed the Committee that the next meeting will take place in the library at
the Beverly High School on Monday, August 27, 2001 and will begin with a follow up
walking tour of the grounds of the Beverly High School at 6:15PM.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded at 7:25PM.
Janet A. Norris, Secretary