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2003-08-27BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS August 27, 2003 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, August 27, 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 7:00 PM. Mayor Crean led the Pledge of Allegiance. RECOGNITION - SUCH OTHER MATTERS (KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS) Superintendent Lupini and President Coburn introduced and recognized Mr. Shaun Reynolds, a parent from the McKeown Elementary School, for his assistance to the teachers and students involved with this year’s SOAR program. Mr. Reynolds became the “in-house field trip expert” by helping to build an ornithopter (flying bird machine) for the “Flying High with Leonardo da Vinci” project. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Crean informed the Committee that the Building Commission has been working with SMMA to come up with a comprehensive plan for repairs to Beverly High School. The estimated cost for the preliminary design for repairs is $55,000. This is not a study, but work necessary for the bidding process as required by state law. This will give us a definitive repair plan and the specifications for bidding all the work which is needed under Massachusetts General Law 30B. In addition, Gale Associates has submitted a letter of evaluation and rough estimate for roof repairs to the field house outlining two options: simple repair or full replacement. Since the field house will be part of a new facility, Mayor Crean recommends a full replacement at a cost of $450,000, but this will be decided by the Building Commission. Discussions with the Department of Revenue have yielded the fact that according to state law, positive balances from the bonding of three elementary schools totaling $2.3m can be used with Council approval for a like project for a like period of time. Our bond counsel also agrees with this use of the funds. Mayor Crean gave the following breakdown of remaining funds: Ayers $9,120.72; Cove $923,490.72; Hannah $1,371,676.03. The McKeown project has a zero balance. It is anticipated that the City Council’s Finance th and Property should address this issue at its meeting on September 9, and the full Council on September 15, 2003. The Mayor stated that this money, along with the possible funds from proceeds from the sale of the Edwards School, would enable us to get a good start on the repairs to the High School. This information will be shared with NEASC. COMMUNICATIONS Members noted receipt of communications addressing the following topics: · High School and Middle School start times, referred to the Superintendent Regular Meeting August 27, 2003 Page (2) · Middle School athletics Dr. Lupini stated that information will be sent to Middle School parents o · Notice posted in City Hall about surplus equipment Dr. Lupini informed the committee that the department has old equipment in o storage that will first be offered to interested teachers for use in their classrooms. Postings have been removed, and the School Committee will first declare any remaining equipment not used in the district as surplus before re-posting in City Hall. th · Parking stickers for Beverly High School, on sale Thursday, August 28 at 9am · BHS scheduling · Annual meeting of MASC Division 1 will be held on September 18, 2003 · MASC/MASS Conference in Worcester will be held on November 12, 13 and 14, 2003 · District website calendar Ms. Coburn stressed the need to avoid conflicts; Dr. Lupini has spoken to the o Leadership Team · School bus signs RECORDS OF MEETINGS It was moved by Ms. Bell and seconded by Ms. Cronin to approve the records of the meeting held June 11, 2001 following discussion. Approved as amended. It was moved by Ms. Norris and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the records of the special meeting held June 24, 2003. 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. · Code of Conduct · Student Records Following discussion, it was moved by Ms. Bell and seconded by Mr. Tallo to adopt these policies as amended. Unanimously approved The Administration recommended the following policy (Section B: School Committee Governance & Operations) for a first reading by the School Committee: · Electronic Correspondence Between Committee Members Considerable discussion ensued. This reading will require formal action at the meeting on September 17, 2003. Overnight Field Trip Mr. Bob Dunn spoke to the Committee about the Model United Nations Conference trip to Brown University, which will take place on November 7-9, 2003. Approximately thirty (30) students will participate in this event. Upon the Administration’s recommendation, a motion was made by Mayor Crean and seconded by Ms. Bell to approve the Model United Nations Conference trip as presented. Unanimously approved. Regular Meeting August 27, 2003 Page (3) Acceptance of Elementary School Buildings Due to the expenditure of additional funds on this project and upon the recommendation of the Administration, it was moved by Ms. Norris and seconded by Ms. Bell to accept the Hannah Elementary School from the City of Beverly for use as an elementary school commencing with the academic year 2000. Due to the expenditure of additional funds on this project and upon the recommendation of the Administration, it was moved by Ms. Norris and seconded by Ms. Bell to accept the Cove Elementary School from the City of Beverly for use as an elementary school commencing with the academic year 2001. FY03 Budget Administration will have a copy of the final disposition of the FY03 school department budget, detailing the budget transfers that were necessary to balance accounts, as well as the present status of existing revolving accounts at the Finance and Facilities meeting scheduled in September. In addition, final details regarding the School Committee having granted permission in June for the administration to pay up to $50,000 in June/July bills in FY04 will also be discussed at that meeting. Mr. Greg Zammuto will be assuming the position of Business Manager for the town of Stoneham in the next few weeks. Dr. Lupini expressed his appreciation to Mr. Zammuto for his work this past year and wished him success in his new position. Administration Team Dr. Lupini introduced Martha Jo Fritz to the Committee. Ms. Fritz, formerly the Food Service Director in Penntucket and Rockport, has been hired as Director of Food Services. New Beverly Teachers for 2003-2004 A listing of new teachers in Beverly for the 2003-2004 school year, including their assignments, academic credentials, where they were previously employed (if applicable), and their starting salaries will be included in the September packet. Dr. Hayes spoke to Committee about the new teacher induction, scheduled for Thursday, August 28 in the Beverly Public Library. Approximately 40 new staff will be given introductory information and the mentoring program will be explained. Following lunch, the secondary faculty will proceed to their buildings for further orientation, and the elementary faculty will remain at the library to learn more about our literacy and math programs. Opening Day for Teachers Opening day for teachers will be on Tuesday, September 2, 2003. Dr. Peggy McIntosh will be our guest speaker. Centerville Elementary School nd A tour of the facility for City officials will take place on Tuesday, September 2 at 6pm. Dedication of the school will be held on September 21, 2003, at 12:00 p.m. followed by a family carnival. Regular Meeting August 27, 2003 Page (4) School Council Training School Council Training for presidents and co-chairs (principals) will be held at Beverly High School on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 in the Media Center from 7 to 9pm. Program Materials Copies of the following materials were distributed to the Committee: Beverly High School Student Handbook, Briscoe Middle School Student Handbook, Memorial Middle School Student Handbook, Elementary School Student Handbook, Elementary Instrumental Music Program Handbook, English as a Second Language Program Guidelines, and our “No Child Left Behind” Strategic Plan. Leadership Team and Administrative Contracts A listing of leadership team and administrative cabinet salaries for the 2003-2004 school year will be distributed to the Committee upon completion of all evaluations. Coordinated Review Responses to issues cited in our Federal Program Coordinated Review are due to the Department of Education on September 26, 2003, and will be distributed to the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life at their October meeting. District Policy Update An up-to-date district policy manual was distributed to Committee members. In addition, a summary of the progress on the policy manual was included with the materials for this meeting. Student Work & Teaching Materials in Schools Administration will update the Committee on “new” regulations concerning the hanging of student work and teaching materials following a meeting with Fire Department officials in the next few weeks. 2003 MCAS Results Reporting Schedule An update on the reporting of 2003 MCAS Test Results was distributed for review. Results of “cut” scores should be available soon. EEC Orientation Dale Boutin and Pam Fall, EEC teachers, held an orientation for parents new to the program on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at Memorial Middle School. Ms. Rhonda Gauthier, Program Administrator, also worked closely with the teachers to facilitate this “welcome” to the program. ESL Program Dr. Hayes explained that the orientation program scheduled for today was cancelled since no new students have been enrolled in the program this year. Summer Programs A summary of our summer programs, including staffing, number of participants, dates, locations and coordinators/staff was distributed to Committee members. Revenue has not yet been determined. 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 Regular Meeting August 27, 2003 Page (5) Mr. Tallo reported the Standing Committee on Secondary Facilities cancelled the meeting scheduled for June 25th. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, September 24, 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 will meet June Monday, September 8, 2003. Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities School Committee Goal V - Update District Policy Manual The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities reviewed the food services contract, declared the Edward School surplus and discussed the issue of substitute teacher and additional parameters to be set around the issue of absences. The next meeting is on September 23, 2003, and topics for discussion will be the closeout of the FY03 budget, and possible future revenue sources. Subcommittee on Negotiations School Committee Goal IV - Review Process and Documentation for Superintendent's Evaluation This subcommittee met this summer to discuss the Superintendent evaluation document. Material for this evaluation was distributed to Committee members at this meeting. Dr. Lupini also used this document for a self-evaluation, including supporting documentation, which was also distributed to Committee members. Ms. Coburn asked members to return narrative documents to the School Committee Secretary on or before the September meeting. It was agreed that the compilation of comments would not include Committee members’ names. Requests by unions to begin negotiations have been received and dates for meetings in September or October are being explored. An Executive Session to discuss parameters of negotiations will be scheduled for the September meeting. Upon the recommendation of the Administration, 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 not return to Open Session. A roll call was taken: Yes: Ms. Bell, Ms. Brusil, Mayor Crean, Ms. Cronin, Ms. Norris, Mr. Tallo, Ms. Coburn The motion passed 7-0 The Committee adjourned at 8:35 pm. Respectfully submitted, Janet Norris Secretary