Loading...
2003-06-11BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS June 11, 2003 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, June 11, 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: Dr. William Lupini, Superintendent of Schools; Dr. James Hayes, Assistant Superintendent of Schools; Mr. Greg Zammuto, Business Manager. President Coburn called the meeting to order at 7:25 PM. Mr. Peter Gianolfi, coach of the Beverly High School Lacrosse Team, led the Pledge of Allegiance. RECOGNITION - SUCH OTHER MATTERS (KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS) Superintendent Lupini and President Coburn introduced and recognized the following individuals: Beverly Public Library’s 2003 Young Adult Poetry Contest nd Sarah O’Hare, a junior at Beverly High School, was recognized for her recent 2 place win in the High School Division of the Beverly Public Library Young Poetry Contest. A copy of her poem, entitled “Looking On” was distributed to committee members. Destination Imagination The Beverly High School Destination Imagination team, including Kyle Theriault, Mike Andruszkiewicz and Andrew Walker, who combined with Jennifer Ames of Pingree School, Sarah Diehl of Waring School and Casey Thomas of Manchester High School was recognized for capturing a third place finish in the Global Finals. Doug Walker coached the team. In addition, the Briscoe Middle School Destination Imagination team was recognized for their seventh place win in the Global Finals Members include Anna Roy, Stefanie Harris, Kaja Hopps, Lauren McInnes, Lindsey McLaughlin, Clare Stanton and Mallory Hall. Karen Stanton coached the team. Rotary Teacher of the Year Program Henry Sullivan, an Alternative Education teacher at Beverly High School, was recently honored as Beverly Rotary Teacher of the Year. Past recipients of this award include Camilla Corson and Carolyn Pilanen. Beverly High School Social Studies teacher Dean Eastman and Memorial Middle School Mathematics teacher Richard Foley were also nominated for the annual award. Gymnastic All Star Award Gymnastic Team Member Emily Rinaldo was recognized for her achievements. Ms. Rinaldo recently won First Place at the National & Gymnastic All-Star Competition held in Las Vegas. She was named NEC Regular Meeting June 11, 2003 Page (2) All-Star & MVP, Boston Globe All-Scholastic, Boston Herald All-Scholastic, and was a member of the nd team that won the MIAA North Sectional Finals and 2 Place in the State. Mayor Crean presented Emily with a bouquet of flowers. Beverly High School Lacrosse Team The Beverly High School Boys Lacrosse Team became the Div. 1 Boys Lacrosse State Champions at Hurd Stadium on Monday, June 9, 2003. They finished the season with an 18-1 record. In addition, Jeff Kaylor and Michael Sciamanna were both named Globe All-Scholastic. Named to the National All-Star Game First Team All League were Jeff Kaylor, Michael Sciamanna, Larry Kline, Ed O’Riley, Greg Hayes and J.P. Wioncek. Mr. Lyons thanked the parents for their support throughout the season, and recognized Coaches Steve Kaylor, Check Young, JP Salesse, and Head Coach Peter Gianolfi. Steve Kaylor was recently named Assistance Coach of the Year in Eastern Massachusetts. A brief recess was declared at 7:50 p.m. Mayor Crean presented a cake to the Lacrosse Team, and all in attendance joined in celebrating the Team’s recent success. The Committee reconvened at 8:05 p.m. MAYOR’S REPORT The State budget has not yet been finalized. He urged all Beverly residents to call state government officials to voice their concerns. COMMUNICATIONS Members noted receipt of communications addressing the following topics: · Principal position of Beverly High School · Budget · Letter regarding the Food Services Department, referred to Dr. Lupini · Parents concerned about PTO funding the Elementary and Middle School accreditation Dr. Lupini mentioned that a forum would be scheduled in the fall · Renovations of Beverly High School · Hurd Stadium renovations · Concern about retirement of lead guidance counselor and the impact on senior class regarding scheduling and recommendations · Middle School athletic offerings · HIPPA regulations and the impact on the school department · Student parking at the High School · Edwards School building · Superintendent’s contract RECORDS OF MEETINGS It was moved by Ms. Bell and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the records of the following meetings: Regular meeting held May 21, 2003, Public Hearing held May 27, 2003, and a Special Meeting held on May 29, 2003. Unanimously approved Executive Session Minutes for meetings held August 28, 2002, February 12, 2003 (2), April 16, 2002, and May 21, 2003. Following discussion it was agreed to amend wording of the minutes th for the meeting April 16 Unanimously approved. Regular Meeting June 11, 2003 Page (3) SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Coordinated Review We have received the draft report of our Department of Education Coordinated Review, which took place in November 2002. An executive summary of the findings in each area (Civil Rights, Special Education, Safe and Drug Free Schools, and Title I) was presented to the committee. Emily Rockwell, Debbie O’Connor, and John Lyons were present at the meeting to explain the findings. Health Coordinator John Lyons spoke about the findings in regard to Safe and Drug Free Schools. Three areas of concern in November were parental involvement, curriculum and instruction in the elementary schools, program plans and evaluation. Plans for addressing these areas of concern have been developed and will be implemented in the fall of 2003. Coordinator for Child Welfare and Attendance, Emily Rockwell informed the committee that the school department was found to be compliant in 18 of 21 areas under Title IX, and only 3 areas indicated partial compliance. Ms. Pamela Turner submitted a summary for the findings of the Title One portion of the review. Dr. Lupini spoke of a proposal addressing professional development issues to meet requirements. Debra O’Connor addressed the committee about the Special Services component. She spoke of the comprehensive study containing 57 elements based on state and federal laws and regulations. A random sampling was conducted of student folders, a survey of parents was performed, and administrators, teachers and support staff were interviewed. In addition, there were many classroom observations. No areas were found to be in non-compliance. The Choices program was found to be in partial compliance, but a plan is in place to move the program to a middle school. Commendations were received on participation in the parent advisory council, differentiated instruction at middle and elementary levels, testing and assessment batteries, and the special education manual. Dr. Lupini and Committee members thanked all involved for their efforts. District Policy The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended the following policy (Section G: Personnel) for a second reading by the School Committee. · Staff Ethics It was moved by Ms. Norris and seconded by Ms. Bell to adopt this policy as presented. Unanimously approved The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended the following policies (Section J: Students) for a first reading by the School Committee: · Code of Conduct · Student Records This reading will require formal action at the June 24, 2003 meeting. Regular Meeting June 11, 2003 Page (4) School Improvement Plans The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended acceptance of the School Improvement Plans for all schools for 2003-2004. Committee members thanked all involved for an outstanding job. Following discussion, it was moved by Ms. Bell and seconded by Mayor Crean to accept all nine School Improvement Plans as presented. Unanimously approved. Change in Meeting Date The administration recommends changing the date of the November School Committee thth meeting from Wednesday, November 12 to Wednesday, November 19, due to a conflict with the annual MASS/MASC Joint Conference. It was moved by Ms. Bell and seconded by Ms. Norris to move the November School Committee meeting to Wednesday, November 19, 2003. High School Principal Search The High School Principal Search Committee recently concluded their work in recommending finalists to the Superintendent for the Beverly High School Principalship. Eighteen (18) individuals applied for this position, with seven (7) administrators being offered interviews (six accepted). Finalists for the position will be announced on Monday, June 9, 2003. Public interviews will be held for finalists on Thursday, June 12, 2003, beginning at 6:00 p.m., in the Beverly High School Media Center. FY04 Budget Administration recommends that the Pre-School Program remain at the Edwards School until January or February, when the Carlson School will return to their building in Salem. Administration is still exploring opportunities for the Edwards School. Administration expects to keep the administration offices in the Briscoe Middle School yet still move the Choices program to Briscoe. A number of groups have been contacted about their potential interest in rental space at the McKay School building. School Choice revenue is anticipated to be larger than expected. Other areas of revenue are also being explored. A Public Hearing on the city’s Budget will be at 7pm on Monday, June 16, 2003 in City Council Chambers. 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 Mr. Tallo reported the Standing Committee last met on May 28, 2003. Members of the Building Commission and School Department will be meeting on Monday, June 16, 2003 to coordinate Regular Meeting June 11, 2003 Page (5) efforts to determine necessary repairs and the costs of those repairs. Discussion was also held with Mayor Crean about the City’s 5 Year Plan. The next meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Secondary Facilities will be on Wednesday, June 25, 2003. 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 June 2nd and June 9, 2003 to review the School Improvement Plans. The Staff Ethics, Code of Conduct and Student Records policies were reviewed Also discussed was the possibility of using an agency to coordinate foreign exchange students. Bob Dunn will continue to explore this possibility. Ms. Norris notified the Committee that the records of the School Committee meetings reflecting acceptance of the Ayers Ryal Side, Mckeown, Cove and Hannah and will be given to the City Clerk to be notarized so they can be forwarded to the Department of Education. Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities School Committee Goal V - Update District Policy Manual A Public Hearing regarding the FY04 budget was held on May 27.2003, a Special Meeting was held on May 29 to vote on the budget, and a budget presentation to the City Council held on June 4, 2003. Ms. Cronin commended Mr. Zammuto, Dr. Hayes, Dr. Lupini and other Committee members for an outstanding job under very difficult circumstances. The next meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities will be held on June 17, 2003. An updated copy of the District Policy Manual will be available at the August meeting. Subcommittee on Negotiations School Committee Goal IV - Review Process and Documentation for Superintendent's Evaluation This subcommittee will meet this summer to address the Superintendent’s evaluation document. Union negotiations have not yet begun. The Committee adjourned at 9:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, Janet Norris Secretary