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2003-02-12BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS February 12, 2003 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, February 12, 2003, at the City Council Chambers, Beverly City Hall, Beverly, MA. Members Present: Ms. Bell, Ms. Brusil, Ms. Coburn, Mayor Crean, Ms. Cronin, Ms. Norris and 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 7 PM. Beverly High School ROTC members Derek Schweitzer and Kate Conway led the Pledge of Allegiance. RECOGNITION - SUCH OTHER MATTERS (KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS) Superintendent Lupini and President Coburn introduced and recognized Mr. Paul McDonald, who represented Beverly on the School Committee of the North Shore Regional Technical High School for the past eighteen (18) years. EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Ms. Bell to go to Executive Session to discuss negotiation strategy with non-union personnel and return to open session. A roll call was taken resulting in the following vote: Yes: Ms. Cronin, Ms. Norris, Mr. Tallo, Ms. Bell, Ms. Coburn No: Ms. Brusil, Mayor Crean So voted. Ms. Coburn asked Naomi Stonberg, the School Committee attorney to join them in executive session. Open Session resumed at 8:45pm REPORT FROM STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO SCHOOL COMMITTEE Laura Cancellieri reported thatthe student government and senate are planning a ski trip to Mt. Sunapee, NH on Saturday, March 15, 2003. The trip is open to all interested students at Beverly High School. Ms. Cancellieri also spoke to the committee about the positive experiences, fine education and helpful administrators, teachers and staff at Beverly High School. She emphasized the numerous facility problems such as poor heating and leaking roofs, and she encouraged citizens to support an override in order to building a new Beverly High School. Regular Meeting February 12, 2003 Page (2) CITIZEN INPUT Tim Oman submitted a letter to the committee in regarding the accreditation of Beverly High School. He stated his support for the plan presented by Mr. Flaherty and Ms. Cronin at the recent joint meeting of the School Committee, City Council and Building Commission. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Crean reported on the Mass Mayor’s Association meeting he recently attended. Some items discussed at the meeting: · State reimbursement for schools already built may be lower than originally expected The state will give cities and towns their 50% of their share of Special Services, but · may not reimburse in FY04 Chapter 70 may be reformulated in FY04 with possible changes in foundation budget · · Senate bill S201 (economic stimulus package) COMMUNICATIONS Members noted receipt of communications addressing the following topics: · In support of Dr. Lupini remaining in Beverly · Contract Negotiations · In support of Mr. Foye remaining as principal of Beverly High School · McKay Elementary School, referred to Dr. Lupini · Support for building a new high school · Corporate sponsorship for district programs Committee members spoke of unsigned emails and letters they received, and requested citizens please include their name and address so members can respond to their communications. RECORDS OF MEETINGS It was moved by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the records of the regular meeting held January 15, 2002, as presented. Unanimously approved SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT District Policy Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life, the following policies (Section J: Students) were submitted for a second reading by the School Committee: * Student Citizenship * Tobacco Use by Students * Physical Restraint Changes were discussed. It was moved by Ms. Noris and seconded by Ms. Cronin to approve the policies as amended. Unanimously voted. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities, the following policies (Section D: Fiscal Management) were submitted for a second reading by the School Committee: * Accounting system * Sales Calls and Demonstrations * Payment Procedures * Expense Authorization and Reimbursement Regular Meeting February 12, 2003 Page (3) * Cash in School Buildings Changes were discussed. It was moved by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the policies as amended. Unanimously voted. Lunch Pricing The Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities recommended the approval of an increase in school lunch prices, effective Monday, March 3, 2003. These increases are as follows: Elementary Schools – from $1.69 to $2.00 Secondary Schools (Middle and High Schools) – from $1.75 to $2.25 These increases are necessary to cover the anticipated shortfall in the food service revolving account. It was moved by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the increase of school lunch prices as recommended by the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities. Unanimously voted. School Calendar The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended approval of the 2003-2004-school calendar with modifications that allow for elementary parent conferences. Following discussion, a motion was made by Ms. Bell and seconded by Ms. Norris to approve the 2003-2004 calendar with modifications as proposed. Unanimously voted. Northshore Education Consortium: Articles of Agreement The Administration recommended approval of the revised Northshore Education Consortium Articles of Agreement. Three documents in support of this recommendation were submitted for review: · A letter from Robert Gass, Executive Director of Northshore Education Consortium, describing the proposed modifications; · A letter from Joe Lisi, Rockport Superintendent, requesting membership in the Consortium; and · An amended version of the Articles of Agreement, including both previous and new language. A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Bell to approve the revised Articles of Agreement of the Northshore Education Consortium. Considerable discussion followed. Unanimously voted. FY03 Budget Transfers The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities recommended the attached transfers to address the FY03 shortfalls in Special Education and Health Insurance, as well as the $54,478 cut that Mayor Crean requested earlier this budget year. A motion was made by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Ms. Bell to approve the requested transfers to address the FY03 budget shortfalls. Unanimously voted Beverly High School Facility At the Joint Meeting of the School Committee, City Council and Building Commission on February 11, 2003, Ms. Cronin and Mr. Flaherty presented a proposal to move forward with the Schematic Design as outlined in the Mayor’s order where the funding would be from debt exclusion. Following that, an academic wing would be built on the existing structure in Regular Meeting February 12, 2003 Page (4) approximately 5-8 years in accordance with the Mayor’s second order, which was to appropriate $60,000,000 based on available funding. Also included was a proposal that the City take over maintenance of the facilities pending further review. The fourth discussion centered on future use of the buildings and maintenance work needed. Timing would be fluid depending upon debt exclusion or other funding. The Mayor stated at this point, debt exclusion would be the only available means of accomplishing this proposal. A motion was made by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Ms. Bell that the School Committee agree to proceed with the Schematic Design for Beverly High School with the stipulation that if no other funding is available, the School Committee will assume the expense. Following considerable discussion, the following vote was taken: YES: Mayor Crean, Ms. Bell, Ms. Norris, Ms. Coburn, Md. Cronin, Mr. Tallo NO: Ms. Brusil Information Items Beverly High School Accreditation Dr. Lupini distributed the most recent letter from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) to committee members. The letter noted that the accreditation status of BHS has been deferred until NEASC representatives complete a visit to ascertain the “negative impact on teaching and learning” of the physical structure, as well as the reason(s) that Beverly has not made progress on addressing the building issues. That visit is scheduled for Thursday, February 27, 2003. German Trip Update The Administration is continuing to work closely with Mr. Foye and Mr. Guy to evaluate safety risks associated with the German trip, which is to leave on Sunday, February 16, 2003. A meeting was held February 11, 2003 to discuss the current situation. All 18 students still th plan to participate; however the travel agent has set tomorrow, February 13 as a deadline for those students who decide not to travel. Dr. Lupini will find a way to reimburse any student who decides after that time that they would like to cancel. Administration will continue to monitor the situation and has been in contact with the state department regarding safety. Special Education Funding (Residential Programs) Update The administration is doubtful that the Department of Education will be able to meet their funding obligation for the last fiscal quarter’s 50/50 residential payment. However, DOE is currently setting up a process whereby we can access some percentage of these funds, hopefully close to or at 100% in July or August. Our current plan is to continue to evaluate the situation during the next few months, with the intention of paying residential schools the portion normally paid by DOE only when the funding is received by our district. FY03 Budget Update As part of Governor Romney’s FY03 budget reduction for cities and towns, Mayor Crean has informed us that our school department budget will be reduced by $200,000. Administration will be working to create proposals to address these new shortfalls, which may need to include mid-year staffing reductions. Dr. Lupini and Mrs. Cronin, Finance and Facilities Committee Chairperson, will continue to explore means of reducing the budget, and they will present those ideas at the next Finance and Facilities meeting scheduled for February 25, 2003. Regular Meeting February 12, 2003 Page (5) McKay Building Update Administration has prepared an Action Plan to deal with the recommendations included in the recent Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), as well as the 1999 report. Mr. Zammuto provided the School Committee with an update of the work to be completed over the February vacation. “No Child Left Behind” Planning Dr. Hayes provided the School Committee members with an update on the strategic planning process targeting the five goals that shape the “No Child Left Behind” laws. Thus far, Administration has identified improvement objectives, and the next step is to form subcommittees to focus on the improvement objectives, design strategies and develop action plans that will begin next fall. Summer Academy Dr. Hayes distributed copies of our brochure, which will be sent home with students in grades K-8 this week. A variety of programs will be offered, including sports camps that were previously run by private individuals. Programs will run both mornings and afternoons. MIAA Gymnastics Meets The MIAA Gymnastics North Team Final and the State Individual Championships will be held at Beverly High School. The North Sectionals are scheduled for Friday, February 14, 2003, with the Individuals scheduled for Friday, February 28, 2003. Parent Survey Surveys have been mailed to approximately 1,200 randomly selected parents throughout the district. Parents were asked to respond by Friday, February 28, 2003. After having the data tabulated, Administration will share the results with School Committee, Leadership Team, staff and the community. Due to the late hour, Ms. Coburn proposed suspending subcommittee reports. Members agreed. A motion was made my Ms. Coburn to return to Executive Session to continue discussions with the Superintendent and return to open session. Ms. Bell made a motion not to return to open session and Ms. Coburn seconded. A roll call vote was taken. YES: Mr. Tallo, Ms. Bell, Ms. Brusil, Mayor Crean, Ms. Cronin, Ms. Norris, Ms.Coburn Meeting adjourned 10:25. Respectfully submitted, Janet Norris Secretary