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2003-04-16BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS April 16, 2003 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, April 16, 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. Ms. Bell led the Pledge of Allegiance. RECOGNITION - SUCH OTHER MATTERS (KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS) Superintendent Lupini and President Coburn introduced and recognized the following individuals: Chris Sarantopoulos, third grade teacher at Centerville Elementary School, was recognized as a recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Massachusetts State Teachers Award for grades K-5. Bill Foley, Principal at Centerville Elementary School, joined the committee in honoring Ms. Sarantopoulos. Peter VanDeBogart, Adjustment Counselor at Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School, was recognized for the recent publication of his book, “Innocence and outRAGE!” Rhonda Gauthier, Principal of Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School, joined the committee in honoring Mr. VanDeBogart. A brief recess was declared at 7:15 p.m. The Committee reconvened at 7:30 p.m. Richard King, Director of Fine Arts, thanked the following sponsors of the Beverly Public Schools Art Festival: Cummings Properties, Give Lumber First Night Beverly, Moynihan Lumber, Beverly Music & Performing Arts Association, Beverly Cooperative Bank, Henry’s Market, K & C Music Beverly Chamber of Commerce, Beverly Citywide PTO, Beverly National Bank, and Beverly Cultural Council. Mr. King also thanked the Administration, School Committee, Fine Arts Faculty and the many students involved in the program. Regular Meeting April 16, 2003 Page (2) CITIZEN INPUT Renee Mary spoke about the Superintendent’s contract and her concerns REPORT FROM STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO SCHOOL COMMITTEE Laura Cancellieri reported that she has received many comments about the curriculum changes discussed at the last committee meeting. Most comments were positive, however some expressed concern about changing AP European History availability to every other year. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Crean mentioned the school department budget numbers are holding at this point, with no guarantee due to the changing situation at the state level. In response to a letter appearing recently in the newspaper, the Mayor informed the committee that the money raised by the City for sewer and water is placed in a dedicated fund, and this money can only be used for those entities. The Mayor also mentioned that in a recent conversation with the Commissioner of Education regarding the state school reimbursement list, Mr. Driscoll stated that of the potential 63 schools on the list, only 28 have been approved. REPORT FROM BEVERLY REPRESENTATIVE TO THE NORTH SHORE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE Mr. Dean Porteous informed the committee that approximately 24% of the entire enrollments at the Technical High School are residents of Beverly. He spoke to the committee about a variety of programs available and the many opportunities offered to students in their chosen field of study. Mr. Porteous also Evan is the Senior Class President, has been accepted to the Culinary Institute of America, is a candidate for vocational student of the year was featured in a recent newspaper article and was recognized as a “Super Teen Winner” in Next Step Magazine. Mr. Porteous extended an invitation to the committee to attend dinner at the school and tour the facility in the near future. COMMUNICATIONS Members noted receipt of communications addressing the following topics: · Schematic Design, Pro and Con · School department raises. · ROTC support Dr. Lupini explained the original agreement with the Marines required adding a o second instructor after 2 years. We asked for an extension because of enrollments and were given a one-year extension and put on warning. After considerable review, the administration advised against the additional position, but recommended adding half an instructor in order to keep the program available. Dr. Lupini emphasized value of the program and expressed hope that a compromise can be reached. He will meet with students about their concerns. · In support of Mr. Foye remaining as principal of Beverly High School · Amicable resolution to Superintendent’s contract · Disappointment with City Council vote on Schematic Design · Status of Foreign Exchange Trips · Open Forum on Beverly High School at Centerville Improvement Society on April 17, 2003. · Accreditation of Beverly High School and concern about the next step in the process toward an override Regular Meeting April 16, 2003 Page (3) RECORDS OF MEETINGS It was moved by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Ms. Bell to approve the records of the regular meeting held March 12, 2003 as presented. Following discussion Ms. Brusil proposed the list of recognitions be amended to reflect those students who were present at the meeting. Mrs. Cronin moved the minutes be approved as amended. Unanimously approved SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT District Policy The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended the following policies (Section J: Students) for a second reading by the School Committee: * Drug and Alcohol Use * Student Activity Accounts It was moved by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Ms. Bell to adopt these policies as presented. Unanimously approved The Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities recommended the following policies (Section D: Fiscal Management) for a second reading by the School Committee: * Revolving Accounts * Purchasing It was moved by Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Bell to approve these policies as presented. Unanimously approved The Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities recommended the following policies (Section F: Facilities Development) for a second reading by the School Committee: * Renovations and/or Improvement to Schools or School Sites It was moved by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve this policy as presented. Unanimously approved The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended the attached policies (Section J: Students) for a first reading by the School Committee. This reading does not require formal action by the Committee. A second reading will occur at our May meeting. The following policies are being considered as part of this section: * Search and Seizure * Corporal Punishment Elementary Textbook Adoption The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended the adoption of “Everyday Math” as the district’s K-5 mathematics program. Dr Hayes explained to the committee that implementation of the program will begin in Grades K-2, and another grade will be added each year. A motion was made by Mayor Crean and seconded by Ms. Bell to adopt “Everyday Math” as the district’s K-5 mathematics program. Unanimously voted. Elementary Handbook Regular Meeting April 16, 2003 Page (4) The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended approval of the 2003- 2004 Elementary Student Handbook, which includes modifications, discussed at the most recent Standing Committee meeting. A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Bell to approve the 2003-2004 Elementary Student Handbook as presented. Unanimously voted. High School Handbook The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended approval of the 2003- 2004 High School Student Handbook, which includes modifications, discussed at the most recent Standing Committee meeting. Ms. Carla Scuzzarella clarified some of the modifications, and informed the committee that the Department of Education has recommended Beverly High School’s Student Handbook as a model handbook. A motion was made by Ms. Bell and seconded by Ms. Brusil to approve the 2003-2004 High School Student Handbook as presented. Unanimously voted. Student Fees The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities recommended acceptance of the following fees for the 2003-2004 school year, subject to a June 30, 2004 expiration date: Transportation Fee: $250 per year Preschool Tuition: $200 per month for the morning session; $150 per month for the afternoon session Extended Day Kindergarten Tuition: $3,000 per year Elementary Instrumental & String Fee: $75 per year High School Parking Fee: $50 per year EEC Program $800 per year Grades 4 & 5; $400 per year Grade 3 Furthermore, the administration is charged with ensuring that scholarship programs, as well as family maximums, exist in each of these fee areas. It was mentioned that this list is not all-inclusive; other fees will be discussed at the next Finance and Facilities meeting. A motion was made by Ms. Bell and seconded by Mr. Tallo to accept the fees for the 2003-2004 school year as presented. Unanimously voted. Acceptance of Elementary School Buildings The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities recommended acceptance of the McKeown Elementary School from the City of Beverly for use as an elementary school commencing with the academic year 1998. Following discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Crean and seconded by Mr. Tallo to accept the McKeown Elementary School from the City of Beverly for use as an elementary school commencing with the academic year 1998. Unanimously voted. Regular Meeting April 16, 2003 Page (5) The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities recommended acceptance of the Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School from the City of Beverly for use as an elementary school commencing with the academic year 1999. A motion was made by Ms. Bell and seconded by Mr. Tallo to accept the Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School from the City of Beverly for use as an elementary school commencing with the academic year 1999. Unanimously voted. School Choice The administration recommends the following school choice numbers for the 2003-2004 school year: Grade One: 4 students (1 presently enrolled) Grade Two: 5 students (2 presently enrolled) Grade Three: 8 students (6 presently enrolled) Grade Four: 3 students (3 presently enrolled) Grade Five: 13 students (5 presently enrolled) Grade Six: 10 students (5 presently enrolled) Grade Seven: 5 students (1 presently enrolled) Grade Eight: 8 students (4 presently enrolled) Grade Nine: 5 students (3 presently enrolled) Grade Ten: 8 students (6 presently enrolled) Grade Eleven: 11 students (7 presently enrolled) Grade Twelve: 11 students (9 presently enrolled) A motion was made by Ms. Bell and seconded by Mayor Crean to accept the school choice numbers for the 2003-2004 school year as presented. Unanimously voted. Advertising on School Buses The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities recommended that the School Committee vote to authorize the sale of advertising on school buses owned and operated by the Beverly Public Schools, subject to the conditions of Section 197. A motion was made by Ms. Norris and seconded by Ms. Bell to authorize the sale of advertising on school buses owned and operated by the Beverly Public Schools, subject to the conditions of Section 197. Unanimously voted The administration recommends that the School Committee establish a governing board, per the conditions of Section 197 that will oversee the sale of advertising on school buses. The following individuals are recommended for appointment to this board and will make recommendations regarding advertisers to the Superintendent: Greg Zammuto, Bill Burke, Emily Rockwell, and Monica Richards. A motion was made by Ms. Bell and seconded by Mr. Tallo to establish a governing board per Section 197 to oversee the sale of advertising on school buses as presented. Unanimously voted School Committee Meeting Schedule: Fall, 2003 The Administration recommended the following School Committee meeting schedule for September 2003, through December 2003: Monday, September 8, 2003 Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life Briscoe Conference Room @ 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting April 16, 2003 Page (6) Wednesday, September 17, 2003 School Committee City Council Chambers @ 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, 2003 Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities Briscoe Conference Room @ 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, 2003 Secondary Facilities Committee Briscoe Conference Room @ 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2003 Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life Briscoe Conference Room @ 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2003 School Committee City Council Chambers @ 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2003 Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities Briscoe Conference Room @ 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, 2003 Secondary Facilities Committee Briscoe Conference Room @ 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 3, 2003 Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life Briscoe Conference Room @ 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2003 School Committee City Council Chambers @ 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 18, 2003 Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities Briscoe Conference Room @ 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2003 Secondary Facilities Committee Briscoe Conference Room @ 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 1, 2003 Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life Briscoe Conference Room @ 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2003 School Committee City Council Chambers @ 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2003 Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities Briscoe Conference Room @ 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2003 Secondary Facilities Committee Briscoe Conference Room @ 7:00 p.m. A motion was made by Ms. Bell and seconded by Mr. Tallo to accept the School Committee meeting schedule for September 2003 through December 2003 as presented. Unanimously voted English as a Second Language (ESL) Audit On Tuesday, March 11, Russell Fleming, from the Department of Education, visited the district to examine the effectiveness of our English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and the use of the grant money we have received. He offered suggestions that will help us improve our ESL program, but told us that we are well positioned to meet the new expectations presented by the passage of Question 2. Beverly High School Accreditation A copy of the most recent letter from Pam Gray-Bennett, Executive Director of the Commission on Secondary Schools was distributed to Committee members. Dr. Lupini mentioned that he will not be filing a written submission of intent to show cause to the Commission given our inability to present any new evidence that the “problems cited either do not exist or have been resolved”. Therefore, the NEASC Board of Trustees will consider the Commission’s recommendation of probationary status for Beverly High School at their meeting on May 15, 2003. Regular Meeting April 16, 2003 Page (7) Spanish and French Foreign Trip Updates Dr. Lupini met with parents and some students involved in these trips on Monday, April 7, 2003, to discuss the trips, as well as the possibility of canceling and/or students and parents choosing to drop out. The students departed for Spain on Sunday, April 13, 2003, and France on Tuesday, April 15, 2003. Kindergarten Registration As of April 10, 2003, a total of 304 students have registered for kindergarten at our six elementary schools. Following is a breakdown of these registrations: Ayers Ryal Side: 54 total students; including 5 special needs students, and 8 students selected in the extended day lottery (41 currently placed in half-day program) Centerville: 60 total students; including 2 special needs students, and 18 students selected in the extended day lottery (40 currently placed in half-day program) Cove: 64 total students; including 5 special needs students, and 14 selected in the extended day lottery (45 currently placed in half-day program) Hannah: 42 total students, including 1 intensive kindergarten student, 4special needs students, and six students selected in the extended day lottery (31 currently placed in half-day program) McKeown: 43 total students; including 2 intensive kindergarten students, 4 special needs students, 2 students selected in the extended day lottery (35 currently placed in half-day program) North Beverly: 41 total students; including 2 special needs students, and 1 student selected in the extended day lottery (37 currently placed in half-day program) A total of 49 regular education students have been placed in the extended day program, with an additional 24 special needs students assigned to these classes. Four (4) students have been assigned to the intensive full-day kindergarten program. No Child Left Behind: School and District Report Cards Copies of the No Child Left Behind Report Cards for each school and the district were distributed to Committee members. Dr. Hayes provided an overview of the testing and certification data. Parent Survey Administration recently sent out another random sampling of surveys and is closing in on the number of returns required for the study to be statistically significant. Results should be available at our May or June meeting. 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 th. Mr. Tallo reported the Standing Committee last met on March 26 Mayor Crean has engaged an architect who conducted an audit of the feasibility reports. He agreed with many findings of those reports and mentioned temporary solutions, which resulted in considerable discussion. City Councilors and the Building Commission member will be invited to the next meeting on April th 29, and discussion will include the order in which the architect’s recommendations will be addressed. Regular Meeting April 16, 2003 Page (8) 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 met on April 7, 2003. Discussion included policies, handbooks, and textbook adoption. The next meeting of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life is scheduled for Monday, May 5, 2003. Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities School Committee Goal V - Update District Policy Manual th The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities met on March 25 and April 9 to discuss the th FY04 Budget. The next meeting is scheduled for April 29, and an additional meeting will also th be held on May 9. Also discussed at the last meeting was the possible future use of the McKay and Edwards buildings. A copy of the proposed FY04 budget will be available to the public on thth May 16 in the Central Office. The Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 19, and the School Committee vote on the budget will be May 21st. Mayor Crean mentioned the City plans to submit the final budget on June 2, 2003. Subcommittee on Negotiations School Committee Goal IV - Review Process and Documentation for Superintendent's Evaluation Ms. Bell mentioned that the Subcommittee on Negotiations met on March 25, 2003 to discuss negotiations with non-union personnel. They have not met with AFSCME or the Beverly Teachers Union, but expect to do so in May. School Committee Goal III - Develop a Strategic Plan for the Beverly Public Schools No report at this time. A motion was made by Ms. Norris and seconded by Ms. Bell to go to Executive Session to discuss negotiations with non-union personnel and to return to Open Session. Following discussion, a roll call was taken: Yes: Ms. Norris, Mr. Tallo, Ms. Bell, Ms. Cronin, and Ms. Coburn No: Ms. Brusil, Mayor Crean The Committee adjourned to Executive Session at 10:05 p.m. Following Executive Session, the Committee returned to Open Session at 10:38 p.m. A motion was made by Ms. Bell and seconded by Ms. Norris to accept the Superintendent’s contract as recommended by the Subcommittee on Negotiations at their meeting on March 25, 2003. Yes: Ms. Bell, Ms. Cronin, Ms. Norris, Mr. Tallo, and Ms. Coburn No: Mayor Crean, Ms. Brusil Meeting adjourned 11 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Janet Norris Secretary