2002-12-11BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
December 11, 2002
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, December 11,
2002, at the City Council Chambers, Beverly City Hall, Beverly, MA.
Members Present: Ms. Bell, Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cronin, Mayor Crean,
Ms. Norris and Ms. Coburn.
Members Absent: Mr. Tallo
Administrators in Attendance: William Lupini, Superintendent of Schools,
James Hayes, Assistant Superintendent,
Greg Zammuto, Business Manager.
President Coburn called the meeting to order at 8 PM.
Laura Cancellieri led the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITION - SUCH OTHER MATTERS (KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS)
Superintendent Lupini and President Coburn introduced and recognized several persons.
Briscoe Middle School Principal John Aucone, and Assistant Principal Helen Coleman
commended Briscoe teachers Rebecca Finch, Shannon Lutrus, Jessica McDonald, and Heidi
Nock for having been recognized by the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS)
as “Promising Practitioners”. The purpose of this award is to honor teachers who are
beginning their careers, have demonstrated that they enjoy teaching at the middle level, make
a positive difference in their schools, seek professional development, foster community
connections, and strive to meet the needs of individual students using effective middle level
practices. Only six (6) teachers will be recognized with this award this year.
John Lyons, Director of Athletics, recognized the following student-athletes from Beverly
High School for their accomplishments during the Fall 2002 season: Corey Baker,
Northeastern Conference All-Star (Football); Randy Hurley, Northeastern Conference All-
Star (Football); Jay Munroe, Northeastern Conference All-Star (Football); Steve Rollins,
Northeastern Conference All-Star (Football); Brendan Fullerton, Northeastern Conference
All-Star (Golf); Matt Peterson, Northeastern Conference All-Star (Golf); Jillian Bourgeois,
Northeastern Conference All-Star (Field Hockey); Kerry O’Neill, Northeastern Conference
All-Star (Field Hockey); Larry Kline, Northeastern Conference All-Star (Cross Country); J.P.
Wonieck, Northeastern Conference All-Star (Cross Country); Arielle Slam, Northeastern
Conference All-Star (Cross Country); Emily Price, Northeastern Conference All-Star
(Tennis); Northeastern Conference Most Valuable Player (Tennis); Katie Ready,
Northeastern Conference All-Star (Tennis); Rachel DeCruz, Northeastern Conference All-
Star (Tennis); Ali Kaba, Northeastern Conference All-Star (Soccer); Northeastern
Conference Most Valuable Player (Soccer); Boston Globe All-Scholastic Team; Division I
“Player of the Year;” Massachusetts “Player of the Year;” All-American; Scott Lawson,
Regular Meeting
December 11, 2002
Page (2)
Northeastern Conference All-Star (Soccer); Erik Read, Northeastern Conference All-Star
(Soccer); Chris Ethier, Northeastern Conference All-Star (Soccer); Laura Pomponi,
Northeastern Conference All-Star (Soccer); Jennifer Holak, Northeastern Conference All-
Star (Soccer)
In addition, Coach Karen Corcoran was recognized for having been named Northeastern
Conference “Coach of the Year” for tennis. The Cross Country team was recognized for
winning the Sportsmanship Award, and the Boy’s Soccer team, as Division I North Finalists
(coached by Steve Sherriff, in his final season as Boy’s Soccer Coach).
The United States Figure Association for meeting her goals as a figure skater recently
recognized Laura Cancellieri, a senior at Beverly High School.
A brief recess was declared at 8:15 p.m.
The Committee reconvened at 8:25 p.m.
REPORT FROM STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The Committee welcomed Laura Cancellieri, a senior at Beverly High School and Vice-President
of the Student Senate, as the newly appointed student representative to the School Committee.
Laura spoke of the Student Senate’s work initiating a speaker series at the high school,
developing by-laws, and creating a mission statement for the Senate. Suggestion boxes have been
placed in the main office of the high school.
COMMUNICATIONS
Members noted receipt of communications addressing the following topics:
·
Questions regarding the McKay Elementary School, referred to Dr. Lupini
·
Improvement of student/teacher ratios accomplished through use of student teachers
·
Non-scheduled vacations
·
Middle School redistricting
Accomplishing enrollment balance at both middle schools by means of
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redistricting
Consideration of geographic integrity when redistricting
o
·
Beverly High School
Accreditation
o
Support of administration
o
Funding for feasibility study
o
Curriculum questions in regard to honors classes
o
Faculty member in support of the Jr. ROTC program
o
§ Dr. Lupini noted ROTC has stated the requirement of an additional teacher
in order to sustain the program at the high school. Administration will
speak to Captain Unsler about this requirement, and the Standing
Committee on Finance and Facilities will address this issue during budget
discussions.
Scheduling conflicts, referred to Dr. Hayes
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§ Parents’ afternoon back at BHS and one middle school were scheduled on
the same day in December
§ Fine Arts program and band awards
Regular Meeting
December 11, 2002
Page (3)
·
Middle School student visits to North Shore Regional Vocational School during school
hours, referred to Dr. Hayes
RECORDS OF MEETINGS
·
It was moved by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Mayor Crean to approve the records of the
regular meeting held November 13, 2002, as presented. So voted.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Naming of an Area after an Individual
Tom Kokos, Principal of North Beverly Elementary School, presented a request to name the
reading area in the North Beverly Media Center after Joey Scotti, a former student at North
Beverly who passed away following a long struggle with Nieman Pick disease. Mr. Kokos
also introduced Lora Bassett, Joey’s ESP while he was a student at North Beverly. They
spoke of the “true inspiration” Joey was to all the students at the school, and their hopes to
honor his memory with this dedication, including a portrait with an inscription. Dr. Lupini
expressed his support of the proposal, and spoke of the district policy which requires “The
announcement shall be made no less than forty-five (45) days prior to the final vote by two-
thirds vote of the entire board, which shall also be scheduled for a regular meeting.” The
committee will vote on this proposal at the February 12, 2003 meeting.
District Policy
Upon the recommendation of the administration, policies categorized as “Section C: General
School Administration” were submitted for a second reading by the School Committee. The
following policies were considered as part of this section:
* Administrative Goals
* Superintendent of School
* School Department Administrative Organization
* Leadership Team and Administrative
* School Building Administration
* Policy Implementation
* Communication of Policies and Procedures
* Approval of Handbooks (Revision)
* Administration in the Absence of Policy
* Temporary Administrative Arrangements
Changes were discussed. It was moved by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Ms. Bell to approve
the policies as amended. So voted.
The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended the
following policies (Section J: Students) for a first reading by the School Committee. This
initial reading required no formal action. Committee members asked questions and proposed
changes to the policies, which will be made prior to the second reading at our January
meeting and will require a formal vote of the Committee. The following policies were
considered as part of this section:
* Attendance
* School Admissions
* Admission of Exchange Students
* Student Rights and Responsibilities
* Student Due Process Rights
Regular Meeting
December 11, 2002
Page (4)
It was moved by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Ms. Bell to submit these policies as amended
for a second reading at the January 15, 2003 meeting. So voted
The Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities recommends the following policies
(Section F: Facilities Development) submitted for a first reading by the School Committee.
This initial reading required no formal action. Committee members asked questions and
proposed changes to the policies, which will be made prior to the second reading at our
January meeting and will require a formal vote of the Committee. The following policies are
being considered as part of this section:
* Facilities Development Goals
* Enrollment Projections
* Closing Schools
* Site Acquisition Procedure
It was moved by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Ms. Bell to submit these policies as amended
for a second reading at the January 15, 2003 meeting. So voted
Information Items
MCAS Appeals
On December 4th, Administration learned that only one of six appeals (two appeals were
filed for one student) had been granted. It appears that the majority of our appeals were
placed in the "no determination" column because of the lack of a cohort group; that is, an
adequate number of students in a comparison group that had taken the same courses as the
appealing student. Administration will continue to pursue appeals on behalf of these students.
However, in the interim they will need to participate in the December retest.
The State Board of Education recently heard from an 11th grade student regarding her appeal
of an answer on the tenth grade MCAS test given in Spring, 2002. Based on this appeal, the
Board voted to award credit for two answers to this question. Beverly had eleven (11) grade
10 student scores change as a result of this adjustment. One (1) student went from proficient
to advanced; seven (7) students went from needs improvement to proficient; and three (3)
students went from failing to needs improvement.
MCAS and Graduation Requirements
A copy of the legal opinion concerning MCAS and local school district graduation, which
was sent to Mike Long, Legal Counsel to MASS, by Rhoda Schneider, General Counsel to
the Department of Education, is included with this report.
Middle School Redistricting
A copy of the revised Middle School Redistricting data sheet was distributed with meeting
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materials. At their meeting on January 6The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction
and Student Life will review the most recent information available and present their
recommendation to the full committee on January 15, 2003.
North Shore Regional Vocational School Committee Appointment
Mayor Crean recommended the appointment, subject to the approval and ratification of the
Beverly School Committee, of Dean Porteous as Beverly’s Representative to the North Shore
Regional Vocational School Committee, for a three-year term beginning on January 9, 2003.
Regular Meeting
December 11, 2002
Page (5)
Mr. Porteous would replace Paul F. McDonald, whose term expires on that date.
It was moved by Ms. Brusil to approve the appointment of Dean Porteous as Beverly’s
Representative to the North Shore Regional Vocational School Committee.
After considerable discussion, the Committee recommended the Standing Committee on
Finance and Facility interview Mr. Porteous and present their recommendation to the full
committee at the January 15, 2003 meeting.
The motion was amended by Ms. Brusil to reflect that the Standing Committee on Finance
and Facilities will interview Mr. Porteous at the subcommittee meeting scheduled for
Tuesday, December 17, 2002; and their recommendation will be presented to the full
committee at the January 15, 2003 meeting. So voted.
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND UPDATE ON SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS
Standing Committee on Secondary Facilities
School Committee Goal I - Develop Plan to Improve Beverly High School Facility
In Mr. Tallo’s absence, Ms. Coburn reported the committee discussed the necessity of pursuing
short-term needs at the high school. The Superintendent has written to NEASC about our needs
going forward, and he will schedule a meeting with Building Commission members Mr. Ray
Bouchard and Ms. Maureen Hobin, and Mr. Phil Poinelli of SMMA to discuss a schematic
design. In mid-December the City Council is expected to share the City’s 5 Year Plan with the
committee.
Considerable discussion followed this summary. Mayor Crean spoke of his meeting with
Christine Lynch at SBAB about refurbishing vs. building new. Reimbursements could run from
7 to 10 years, possibly longer. The Mayor stated he felt that the only option available to fund a
new high school would be debt exclusion. The Committee also expressed interest in holding a
forum to present available options to the community in the near future.
Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life
School Committee Goal II - Promote Beverly High School
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At it’s meeting on December 2, this sub-committee discussed policies, advanced academic
endorsements in different subject areas, and middle school redistricting. Ms. Norris presented a
chronology outlining the process taken by the committee to reach its recommendation. March
2002 the committee voted at standing committee level to endorse Option 1 (Centerville, Cove and
Hannah to Briscoe; and Ayers, McKeown and North Beverly to Memorial) based on numbers
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available at that time. April 3 public hearing comments indicated parents wanted the committee
to slow down the process, obtain input from parents and use achievement indicators when making
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this decision. On November 18 a parent advisory group met and reviewed information available
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in October 2002. December 2 the standing committee met, reviewed November numbers and a
motion was made to reconsider their original recommendation of Option 1. After review and
considerable discussion, the sub-committee recommended Option 2 (North Beverly, Cove and
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Hannah to Briscoe; and Ayers, McKeown and Centerville to Memorial). On December 9
updated information was presented to the parent advisory group. Ms Norris recommended that on
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January 6 the standing committee should review the most recent information available. Their
recommendation would then be presented to the full committee on January 15, 2003.
Regular Meeting
December 11, 2002
Page (6)
A motion was made by Ms. Bell and seconded by Ms. Cronin to send this subject back to
subcommittee for reevaluation of available information. So voted.
Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities
School Committee Goal V - Update District Policy Manual
The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities met on November 25,2002. Committee
members discussed fiscal and facilities policies. A discussion on the FY03 budget indicated
continued concerns in the areas of special education tuition and health insurance. Administration
will continue to monitor. An open discussion was held regarding the FY04 budget, and members
explored means of increasing revenue and decreasing expenses. January will be the first pass at
the FY04 budget. Ms. Cronin and Dr. Lupini have met with City officials in hopes of
streamlining some services.
Facility update: Ayers paperwork will be completed soon. Centerville project has encountered
problems that will cause additional time and money. Punch list items remain incomplete at
Hannah and Cove; monies are being withheld pending completion. Small leaks in wall flashing at
McKeown should be repaired in the near future. North Beverly punch list items are nearing
completion. The high school boilers will be completed January or February.
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The next meeting of Finance and Facilities will be held on Tuesday, December 17.
Subcommittee on Negotiations
School Committee Goal IV - Review Process and Documentation for Superintendent's
Evaluation
Ms. Bell and Dr. Lupini continue to work on goals and timelines. The Subcommittee on
Negotiations will meet on January 16, 2003, and is expected to begin negotiations with bargaining
units after the first of the year.
School Committee Goal III - Develop a Strategic Plan for the Beverly Public Schools
Ms. Coburn and Dr. Lupini have met with Paul McGowan, an independent education consultant,
to discuss the development of a Strategic Plan.
It was moved by Ms. Bell, and seconded by Ms. Norris to adjourn. So voted.
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 PM.
Janet Norris
Secretary