2003-01-15BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
January 15, 2003
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, January 15, 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.
Mayor Crean led the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITION - SUCH OTHER MATTERS (KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS)
Superintendent Lupini and President Coburn introduced and recognized several persons.
Mr. Bill Foye, Principal of Beverly High School recognized Jessica Davidson and Jennifer
Holak as recipients of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS)
Certificates of Academic Excellence for the 2002-2003 school year. Jessica and Jennifer
were recognized based on their academic rank in the current senior class.
Zoe Beaudoin and Katie Fish, fourth grade students at Hannah Elementary School, were
recognized for winning prizes in the recent Junior Achievement Christmas Card Contest.
Bob Dunn, Academic Division Leader for English, Social Studies and World Languages at
Beverly High School, was recognized for recently completing all requirements to achieve
National Board for Professional Teacher Standards status. Bob joins Betty Taylor and Lara
Collins, also teachers at Beverly High School, as Beverly teachers who have met this high
standard.
A brief recess was declared at 7:15 p.m.
The Committee reconvened at 7:20 p.m.
CITIZEN INPUT
Peter Gentile spoke to the Committee regarding his concerns about building issues at the McKay
School building. Dr. Lupini stated the School Department would follow the Department of Public
Health guidelines and recommendations on mold remediation. He will report back to the
committee regarding test results and progress on necessary remediation. Ms. Coburn asked Mr.
Gentile if he was satisfied that the testing done was adequate, and Mr. Gentile stated that he felt it
seemed like a very legitimate test.
Regular Meeting
January 15, 2003
Page (2)
Bob Stoneham addressed the Committee regarding middle schoolredistricting. Mr.
Stoneham, a Hannah parent who supports redistricting, stated he felt it important to keep the
elementary schools together and would like to see implementation next fall.
Nancy Levin also spoke in support of redistricting, and voiced her support for action at this
meeting. She expressed her concern regarding the impact on the students when their school
population is split, and expressed her hopes the Committee will apply the lessons learned
during elementary redistricting. If not passed, she suggested all schools should be split
between both middle schools.
COMMUNICATIONS
Members noted receipt of communications addressing the following topics:
·
McKay Elementary School, referred to Dr. Lupini
Request for further testing
o
Request for more communication
o
Request of results from Massachusetts Department of Public Health
o
Meeting with parents on December 31, 2002 resulted in the following concerns
o
expressed
§ Health concerns associated with the mold levels found within the building
§ Need and desire for a short term action plan to aggressively pursue steps to
investigate health concerns raised and to provide opportunities for further
analysis of the results by the MDPH
Action plan was developed on January 3, 2003 and carried
o
ththth
out on January 4, 5 and 6
Request for fair test including sealing the building 48 hours
o
prior to testing, which was completed on January 6th
Additional need for further communication from the
o
principal and the administration
th
§ PTO meeting was held January 7 where the MDPH
responded to parent concerns
§ Communications were received requesting that
recommendations come directly from the
Department of Health after they have interpreted
results
§ Similar parent meeting will be held once Department
of Health analysis has been completed
·
Middle School redistricting
Parent dismayed about recent newspaper comments expressed hopes these
o
sentiments will not effect students
Parent in support of moving forward with the decision
o
Concerns with lack of timely information
o
Concerns about reconsideration of Option 1
o
Support of Option 2
o
Request for a delay of the decision in order to provide time for Centerville parents
o
to interpret the impact of the change of options
Concern that with Option 2 some of the original goals of redistricting were
o
weakened
Regular Meeting
January 15, 2003
Page (3)
·
Beverly High School
Receipt of letter asking not to go forward with project
o
Concern about City Council’s lack of support of schematic design and high school
o
building appropriation
Lack of progress moving forward with NEASC recommendations
o
Concern about accreditation downgrade
o
Support of Proposition 2 ½ override
o
Positive comments regarding Dr. Lupini’s letter to parents describing the merits of
o
the high school
REPORT FROM STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Laura Cancellieri reported the student council has addressed the following issues
·
A fundraising campaign is currently underway
·
Guest speakers have been invited to a Speakers Series scheduled to be held in February
through the end of the school year
·
By-laws are nearly complete and will be approved at the next student council meeting
·
A Day of Respect is planned which will include activities and guest speakers
·
Ski trip currently is in the planning stages; students will meet with administration once
further details become available
RECORDS OF MEETINGS
It was moved by Ms. Bell and seconded by Ms. Cronin to approve the records of the regular
meeting held November 13, 2002, as presented. It was moved by Ms. Coburn that the report of
the Standing Committee on Secondary Facilities be amended to reflect that Dr. Lupini would
meet with Building Commission members and Mr. Phil Poinelli of SMMA to “discuss with
SMMA the issue of schematic design and what the cost for an analysis of what it would take to
bring Beverly High School up to NEASC standards”. Unanimously approved as amended.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Overnight Field Trip
Mr. Aucone spoke to the committee about an overnight field trip for Briscoe eighth grade
students to Mount Washington, New Hampshire from June 16 – 18, 2003. He explained this
is the second year this trip has been planned. A variety of activities have been organized
including a hike, a gondola ride, and an evening cruise aboard M/S Mount Washington.
Three teachers and other chaperones will attend, and a number of security measures will be
taken to ensure student safety. It was moved by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Bell to
approve the field trip as presented. So voted.
North Shore Regional School Committee Appointment
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities, it was moved
by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Norris to appoint Mr. Dean Porteous, 140 Rantoul Street,
as Beverly’s Representative to the North Shore Regional Vocation School Committee for a
three-year term beginning on January 9, 2003. So voted.
Ms. Norris will send a letter to express the Committee’s gratitude to Mr. Paul MacDonald,
former representative, and to invite him to the February 12th School Committee meeting.
Regular Meeting
January 15, 2003
Page (4)
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:
* Attendance
* School Admissions
* Admission of Exchange Students
* Student Rights and Responsibilities
* Student Due Process Rights
Changes were discussed. It was moved by Ms. Noris and seconded by Ms. Bell to approve
the policies as amended. So voted.
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities, the following
policies (Section F: Facilities Development) were submitted for a second reading by the
School Committee:
* Facilities Development Goals
* Enrollment Projections
* Closing Schools
* Site Acquisition Procedure
Changes were discussed. It was moved by Ms. Norris and seconded by Ms. Bell to approve
the policies as amended. So voted.
The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended the
following policies (Section J: Students) for a first reading by the School Committee. This
initial reading required no formal action. Committee members asked questions and proposed
changes to the policies, which will be made prior to the second reading at the February
meeting and will require a formal vote of the Committee. The following policies were
considered as part of this section:
* Student Citizenship
* Tobacco Use by Students
* Physical Restraint
It was moved by Ms. Cronin and seconded by Ms. Bell to submit these policies as amended
for a second reading at the February 12, 2003 meeting. So voted
The Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities recommended the following policies
(Section D: Fiscal Management) for a first reading by the School Committee. This initial
reading required no formal action. Committee members asked questions and proposed
changes to the policies, which will be made prior to the second reading at the February
meeting and will require a formal vote of the Committee. The following policies were
considered as part of this section:
* Accounting system
* Sales Calls and Demonstrations
* Payment Procedures
* Expense Authorization and Reimbursement
* Cash in School Buildings
Regular Meeting
January 15, 2003
Page (5)
Middle School Redistricting
The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended that the
School Committee adopt the following middle school redistricting plan for implementation,
beginning with the sixth grade, during the 2003-2004 school year:
Briscoe Middle School: Students from Hannah Elementary School, Cove Elementary
School and North Beverly Elementary School.
Memorial Middle School: Students from Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School,
Centerville Elementary School and McKeown Elementary School.
After considerable discussion addressing concerns of equal enrollments, small class sizes and
geographic integrity, a motion was made by Ms. Norris and seconded by Ms. Bell to accept
the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life.
So voted
Information Items
Special Education Funding (Residential Programs)
Dr. Lupini distributed a memo from the Commissioner of Education, David Driscoll,
informing local school districts that the state will be unable to pay its share of the cost for
st
special education students in out-of-district residential placements from April 1 through the
end of the current school year. Currently, local districts and the state share the costs of out-
of-district residential placements on a 50/50 basis. If this decision is permitted to stand, it
will require that Beverly find at least $75,000 in additional funding in FY03.
Centerville at McKay
Following is a chronology of steps taken with respect to the current situation at the
Centerville at McKay school:
·
Gordon Mycology conducted carpet, air and surface testing on Monday, January 6,
2003 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
·
Representatives from the Department of Public Health, including Suzanne Condon,
met with Centerville parents at a PTO meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2003, to
discuss testing procedures, their role in the process, and the safety of the school.
·
Administration has provided staff and student absenteeism information, as well as
data regarding student visits to the nurse, to the Department of Public Health for
analysis as part of their investigation.
·
Another meeting with parents will be held as soon as testing data and remediation
recommendations are available. Administration expects that representatives from
both DPH and Gordon Mycology will participate in that meeting.
Dr. Lupini informed the committee that administration is currently developing a contingency
plan in the event it becomes necessary to move students from the building. Individual
requests are being addressed as they are received.
Naming of an Area after an Individual
The administration supports the request from Mr. Tom Kokos, Principal of North Beverly
Elementary School, to name the reading area in the North Beverly Media Center after Joey
Scotti, a former student at North Beverly. This item will be referred to the Standing
Regular Meeting
January 15, 2003
Page (6)
Committee on Finance for their January meeting and, if recommended, to the full School
Committee in February.
German Trip Update
The German Exchange Trip, which was originally scheduled from February 14, 2003,
through March 1, 2003, has been changed to Sunday, February 16, 2003, through Monday,
March 3, 2003, due to carrier availability. This will necessitate having students miss one (1)
additional day of school.
In addition, students will spend the final three days of the trip in Berlin, rather than spending
the entire trip in Nuremberg. Mr. Guy has arranged for hotel reservations and evening
security procedures.
State Budget Funding
Dr. Lupini informed the committee that Governor Romney’s proposed cuts in funding for
schools would result in an additional $350,000 in cuts from our FY03 budget, and this cut
would effect staff. The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities will discuss further at
their meeting scheduled for January 28, 2003.
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
The next meeting, scheduled for January 30, 2003, has been cancelled. Discussion of the last City
Council meeting followed, and the members expressed the need for a joint meeting involving the
School Committee, City Council and Building Commission to discuss the high school facility and
accreditation. Members felt such a meeting will allow the city to move forward and show some
progress in addressing the concerns of NEASC. Although the Finance sub-committee of the City
Council has discussed the appropriation of funds to address building needs, the full City Council
has not yet met to discuss this issue. Mr. Tallo asked Ms. Coburn and Mr. Guanci to arrange for a
joint meeting. Ms. Cronin suggested three specific topics should be placed on the agenda for
discussion. Ms. Coburn asked members to forward suggestions for discussion to her.
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 January 6, 2003.
Committee members discussed and voted to forward their recommendation of Option 2 for
middle school redistricting to the full committee for their approval. Also discussed, was the use
of bicycles and scooters on school property within parameters set by the administration.
Following considerable discussion, a vote was taken that resulted in five members voting in favor
and five opposed. The motion failed. Committee members also reviewed policies, which were
forwarded to the full committee this evening for a first reading. The next meeting of the Standing
Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life is scheduled for February 3, 2003.
Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities
School Committee Goal V - Update District Policy Manual
The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities met on December 17, 2002. The committee
interviewed Mr. Dean Porteous, and a vote was taken to recommend to the full committee that
Regular Meeting
January 15, 2003
Page (7)
Mr. Porteous be appointed as Beverly’s representative on the North Shore Regional Vocational
School Committee. FY03 and FY04 budgets were discussed, as was the Mayor’s proposed
budget cut for FY03. Ms. Cronin and Dr. Lupini will review suggestions for FY04 budget cuts.
Policies were also discussed and have been forwarded to the full committee for a first reading at
this evening’s meeting.
The next meeting of Finance and Facilities will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2003.
Subcommittee on Negotiations
School Committee Goal IV - Review Process and Documentation for Superintendent's
Evaluation
Ms. Bell mentioned that the Subcommittee on Negotiations would meet on Thursday, January 16,
2003, to discuss strategy. AFSCME has requested to begin the bargaining process, and tentative
dates are being explored. The teachers’ union has not yet submitted their request to begin
negotiations.
School Committee Goal III - Develop a Strategic Plan for the Beverly Public Schools
Dr. Lupini informed the committee that the money proposed for the Strategic Plan will be part of
an FY03 budget cut.
Mayor Crean informed the committee that the Centerville Fire Station is under a purchase
agreement for $240,000. Additionally, a number of people have recently expressed their interest
in the Ryal Side station.
It was moved by Ms. Bell, and seconded by Mayor Crean to adjourn. So voted.
The meeting adjourned at 9 PM.
Janet Norris
Secretary