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
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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
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·
Notice posted in City Hall about surplus equipment
Dr. Lupini informed the committee that the department has old equipment in
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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.
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·
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
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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
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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