2003-12-10BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
December 10, 2003
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, December 10,
2003, at the City Council Chambers, Beverly City Hall, Beverly, MA.
Members Present: Ms. Bell, Ms. Brusil (7:50 –8:00), Ms. Coburn, Mayor
Crean, Ms. Cronin, Ms. Norris, and Mr. Tallo.
Administrators in Attendance: William Lupini, Superintendent of Schools,
James Hayes, Assistant Superintendent
Heidi Zimmerman, Administrator of Finance &
Operations
President Coburn called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
Katie Ready led the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITION - SUCH OTHER MATTERS (KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS)
The following Beverly High School student-athletes, were recently recognized as
Northeastern Conference All-Stars: Katie Accomando, Meghan Oullet, Amanda Nichols,
Larry Kline and Mike Coughlin (Cross Country); Jeremy Mitton and Matt Pederson
(Golf); Peter Laurenzano, Matt Tracy, Zack Albrick, Chris Ethier and Desi Murphy
(Boy’s Soccer); Laura Pomponi and Tianna Carr (Girl’s Soccer); Jillian Bourgeois (Field
Hockey); and Katie Ready, Allison McAnniff, Kara Constantine, Jamie Sebastian,
Rachael DeCruz and Liz Goodenough (Tennis). In addition, Larry Kline was recognized
as the Northeastern Conference MVP for Cross Country, Katie Ready as Northeastern
Conference MVP for Girl’s Tennis, and our Boy’s Cross Country Team as the recipient
of the Team Sportsmanship award. John Lyons, Director of Health, Physical Education,
and Athletics, assisted in recognizing these students.
The following outgoing members of the Beverly School Committee were recognized and
thanked for their years of service: Virginia Coburn (four years), Laura Bell (four years),
Janet Norris (four years), and Mayor Thomas Crean (two years). Members spoke of their
experiences and encourage citizens who may be interested to consider pursuing available
seats as citizen advisors on subcommittees. In addition, the following citizen members of
Standing Committees were recognized for their service during the past two years: Steven
Galante, Elaine Crowley, Wendy Taylor, and Annemarie Cesa.
A brief recess was declared at 7:35 p.m.
The Committee reconvened at 7:50 p.m.
Regular Meeting
December 10, 2003
Page 2
OPEN FORUM FOR CITIZENS’ CONCERNS
Michele Gordon voiced her concerns with the Personnel Policy addressing Communication
Between School Committee and Staff, which was presented for a first reading at this meeting,
and questioned if all employees are required to have a TB test as a condition of employment.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT
Bryanne Salmonsen reported that implementation of the Senior Privilege Pass seems to be
going well. Approximately 70 students have registered to participate in this program, and
she has personally used her pass during last few weeks. Other events in the planning
stages are a Student Senate speaker series, a ski trip and a variety of different fundraisers
for local charities.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Crean thanked the committee for their service to the city. Additionally, he
extended his thanks to Mike Collins, Department of Public Works, for his efforts in
cleaning the city streets and sidewalks following the recent snow storms, and BevTV, in
particular Rob McCausland, for keeping the public informed by means of broadcasting
our meetings.
COMMUNICATIONS
·
Questions about the reopening of school following the snowstorms this week
·
Substitute policy
·
Communication from a parent about keeping up drug control efforts
·
Question about access of school records from 1920s
·
Ms. Coburn received positive comments about BHS Open House
RECORDS OF MEETINGS
A motion was made by Ms. Bell and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the minutes of the
following meetings:
·
Executive Session on Wednesday, October 1, 2003
·
Executive Session held Wednesday, October 15, 2003
·
Executive Session held Wednesday, October 29, 2003
·
Regular Meeting held Wednesday, November 19, 2003
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Following discussion, it was agreed to amend the minutes of November 19 referring to
the discussion about the Senior Privilege Pass to read that students with an incomplete
grade will not be allowed to participate until the incomplete status has been removed, and
that students will report back to the committee with an update following the first quarter’s
implementation. Unanimously approved.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Performance Goals
The Negotiations Committee recommended approval of the Superintendent Performance
Goals for 2003-2004. These goals, as well as timelines and specific benchmarks, were
distributed to the committee. A motion was made by Ms. Bell and seconded by Mr. Tallo
to accept the goals as presented. Following discussion, Dr. Lupini has agreed to list the
dependencies necessary to accomplish these goals. Unanimously approved.
Regular Meeting
December 10, 2003
Page 3
Personnel Policies
The Negotiations Committee recommended the following policies (Section G: Personnel)
for a first reading by the School Committee:
·
Equal Employment Opportunities & Affirmative Action
·
Communication Between School Committee and Staff
·
Criminal Offender Record Information
·
Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug-Free Workplace
·
Tobacco-Free Workplace
·
Staff Health & Examinations
Following considerable discussion, Dr. Lupini informed the committee that the policy
“Communication Between School Committee and Staff” would be withdrawn since that
policy has already been adopted under the category of School Committee Governance
and Operations. A formal vote will be required at our January meeting in order to
finalize these policies.
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
Dr. Hayes shared details of the individual school and district Adequate Yearly Progress
(AYP) data, which was recently released as required as part of “No Child Left Behind.”
This data will enable the district to identify strategies and implement changes to achieve
our 12-year goal, which is that all students will be proficient in English and Language
Arts and Mathematics. The presentation will be available on the district website.
High School Accreditation
A copy of the letter sent by Dr. Scuzzarella to Pamela Gray-Bennett, Executive Director
of the Commission on Secondary Schools at the New England Association of Schools
and Colleges (NEASC) was distributed to committee members. Dr. Lupini noted that
while we may receive questions from Dr. Bennett regarding our letter, it is more likely
that we will next hear from the Commission after their January meeting.
Northshore Education Consortium Update
The Consortium continues to move toward purchasing the Sohier Road property. It now
appears that the McCarthy School in Peabody and the McKay School in Beverly are the
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two most promising locations for temporary housing (between January 15 and June 30)
while renovations are completed at Sohier Road. For 2004-2005 and beyond, we are
continuing to look to McKay as a permanent home for our preschool program. However,
it has become evident that we will need to address the handicapped accessibility issues at
the facility in order to accomplish this goal. In addition, the Consortium continues to
show interest in locating preschool programs at McKay, other programs at Briscoe
Middle School, and the possibility of housing our administrative offices at the Sohier
Road location. We have had discussions with Beverly School for the Deaf and Beverly
Children’s Learning Center about locating programs at McKay. Again, these
rentals/partnerships would require that the building be made fully handicapped
accessible.
Regular Meeting
December 10, 2003
Page 4
Briscoe Middle School Principal Search
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Dr. Lupini will meet with the Briscoe Middle School Site Council on December 16 to
discuss the position of Briscoe Middle School Principal, which is available on July 1,
2004 due to the retirement of John Aucone.
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND UPDATE ON SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS
Secondary Facilities
School Committee Goal I - Develop Plan to Improve Beverly High School Facility
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The December 17 meeting of the Joint Committee on Secondary Facilities has been
cancelled. Mr. Tallo mentioned that future meetings would be considered at the School
Committee organizational meeting scheduled for January 5, 2004.
Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life
School Committee Goal II - Promote Beverly High School
The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life last met on
December 1, 2003. Ms. Norris stated the committee discussed a review of the
redistricting policy.
Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities
School Committee Goal V - Update District Policy Manual
The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities is scheduled to meet on December 16,
2003. Members will review the FY04 budget, including revenues and expenses.
Subcommittee on Negotiations
School Committee Goal IV - Review Process and Documentation for Superintendent's
Evaluation
The Subcommittee on Negotiations last met on December 4, 2003 to discuss the
Superintendent’s goals. Ms. Bell reported there have been no further meetings with the
Beverly Teachers’ Union.
A motion was made by Ms. Bell and seconded by Ms. Cronin to adjourn to Executive
Session and not return to Open Session.
Roll call:
Yes:
Ms. Bell, Ms. Coburn, Mayor Crean, Ms. Cronin, Ms. Norris, and Mr. Tallo
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM.
Janet Norris
Secretary