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2004-02-11BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS February 11, 2004 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, February 11, 2004, at the City Council Chambers, Beverly City Hall, Beverly, MA. Members Present: Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Ms. Cronin, Ms. Gordon, Mayor Scanlon, and Mr. Tallo Members Absent: Ms. Saxton Also in Attendance: Dr. William Lupini, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. James Hayes, Assistant Superintendent, Heidi Zimmerman, Administrator of Finance and Facilities President Cronin called the meeting to order at 7 PM. Ms. Virginia Coburn led the Pledge of Allegiance. RECOGNITION - SUCH OTHER MATTERS (KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS) The Beverly Teachers Association (BTA) recognized Virginia Coburn, Laura Bell, Janet Norris and Tom Crean for their service to the Beverly School Committee and the Beverly Public Schools. Pamela Turner, BTA President, was present to recognize these former Committee members. RECORDS OF MEETINGS A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the minutes of the meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2004. Following discussion, it was agreed to amend the minutes to indicate that Mr. Bob Dunn is the ADL for English, Social Studies and Foreign Language, and that the motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Ms. Saxton. Minutes were unanimously approved as amended. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT Bryanne Salmonsen reported that the Senior Privilege Pass still seems to be working very well. Dr. Scuzzarella will report back to the Committee at the March meeting. The th Student Senate has planned a ski trip on March 20 to Mount Sunapee. COMMUNICATIONS · Questions about scheduling and credits at Beverly High School th · Letters and telephone calls for and against approval of the overnight 7 grade Briscoe field trip to Cape Cod Dr. Lupini reminded the public that the Committee did not vote against the o proposal, but that he withdrew his recommendation of this field trip for a number of reasons. · Letter regarding the Principal search at Briscoe Dr. Lupini has responded to that letter, mentioning plans to implement o changes to address their concerns. Regular Meeting February 11, 2004 Page 2 · Email received by School Committee members today regarding the Principal search at Briscoe Dr. Lupini mentioned that since he did not receive the email until today, o he has not responded, but expressed his concern that the people who sent this email had not previously mentioned their concerns when he had seen them recently. · Telephone calls about the use of McKay School Dr. Lupini is continuing to work with the city’s building inspector, legal o council and others to move closer to a resolution that will satisfy the neighbors. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Proposed Naming of Entrance to Hurd Stadium Kevin Hobin, Ward 4 City Councilor, has introduced an order to Council calling for the entrance to Hurd Stadium to be named “Mel Deveau Way,” subject to approval by the School Committee. Current district policy mandates a forty-five (45) day “waiting” period for naming requests, along with the necessity of a 2/3 vote in favor by the Committee. This item will be a recommended “Action Item” from the administration at our March meeting. Competency Determination In the Class of 2004, we have 14 students who have not met the Competency Determination. (7 in mathematics, 4 in both English Language Arts and Math, and 3 who have no scores). Of these students, Administration believes that six (6) meet the criteria for an appeal, two (2) have recently relocated to Beverly from another state, and six (6) do not appear to meet the appeal criteria and, therefore, will need to pass the Spring MCAS in order to graduate. In the Class of 2005, we have 33 students who have not met the Competency Determination (17 in mathematics, 5 in English Language Arts, 10 in both areas, and 1 who does not have a score since he/she is home schooled). Most of these students are enrolled in some type of assistance program, and we hope to have positive results to report in the spring. COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life Ms. Annemarie Cesa, informed the Committee at the last meeting, held Monday, February 2, 2004, Mr. Clements and Ms. Brewster spoke about Virtual High School, a program that enables students to take classes on line. Mr. Clements is teaching AP Physics for Virtual High School. Dr. Scuzzarella presented the 2004-2005 Program of th Studies for review. Dr. Hayes presented the Stanford 9 results, which are taken by 6 grade students. The possibility of hosting an evening to explain results to parents was also discussed. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life, two policies were presented for a first reading by the Committee. Those policies are: Elementary and Middle School Redistricting (Section F: Facilities Regular Meeting February 11, 2004 Page 3 Development), and Homeless Children: Enrollment Rights and Services (Section J: Students). A formal vote will be required at our March meeting in order to finalize these policies. Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities Mr. Mike Tallo reported that this Committee met on Tuesday, January 27, 2004, and again on Tuesday, February 10, 2004. In January, discussion included a facilities update and the initial presentation of the FY05 budget. The budget process will continue for the next few months, and Mr. Tallo encouraged citizens to attend these meetings. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made by Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Brusil to approve an ESP position at the North Beverly Elementary School to support the reading specialist in accommodating a large number of students receiving reading services. The total cost of this position for the remainder of this school year is approximately $6,500. Funding for the position will come from the Special Education Contingency account. Unanimously approved. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made by Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve an additional mathematics position at the Beverly High School in order to accommodate large class sizes in MCAS Strategies and Algebra 2 courses for second semester. The total cost for this position for the remainder of this school year is approximately $20,000. Funding for this position will come from the Special Education Contingency account. Unanimously approved. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made by Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Gordon to approve an Inclusion ESP position at the Centerville Elementary School in Grade Three to accommodate a student’s I.E.P. There is no cost to the district for this position, as the Amesbury Public Schools will provide reimbursement. Unanimously approved. At the meeting on February 11, 2004, the FY04 Budget was discussed. Although there is work yet to be done, it appears we will end the year on budget. Mr. Tallo thanked Dr. Lupini and Ms. Zimmerman for their efforts. Subcommittee on Policy Review Ms. Brusil reported that this committee will hold their first meeting on Thursday, March 4, 2004 at the Briscoe Middle School. The committee’s goal is to have the policy manual completed by December. Subcommittee on Negotiations A Negotiations meeting will be scheduled in the near future. UPDATE ON SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS Ms. Cronin mentioned that in order to facilitate completion of the attached goals, and have participation from members in authorizing these goals, the chairperson of each subcommittee has been asked to “champion” each goal by participating in itemizing the Regular Meeting February 11, 2004 Page 4 milestones, setting dates to be accomplished, and identify any dependencies. Future updates will be presented to the full Committee. Develop a Strategic Plan for the Beverly Public Schools Ms. Cesa will champion this goal. A motion was made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve this goal as presented. Unanimously approved. Improve Efficiency in the Beverly Public Schools Mr. Tallo will champion this goal. A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve this goal as presented. Unanimously approved. Complete the School Committee Review of the District Policy Manual Ms. Brusil will champion this goal. A motion was made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve this goal as presented. Unanimously approved. Secure Full Accreditation for Beverly High School Ms. Cronin will champion this goal. Mayor Scanlon mentioned that issues with the high school are seen as both short term and longer term. Very little of the short term ($13.7M) will have a reimbursable component, and much of the short-term work will not have a long lifespan. Therefore, the object seems to be to pull the long-term project closer to short term project, and make sure the long-term project is subject to SBAB reimbursement. Mayor Scanlon does feel SBAB reimbursement is possible, although the percentage and date for reimbursement is inconclusive. By pulling the long-term project closer, we expect to minimize the cost of the short-term project. Although review of the short-term project is still in the early stages of development, he feels the first signals are favorable to reducing the size of the $13.7M estimate significantly. The Mayor intends to take a major role in developing the report to NEASC July 1, 2004. He intends this report will state that we will be prepared to start construction on the short-term project in July of 2005, and the long-term project by July 1, 2008. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve this goal as presented. Unanimously approved. A motion was made by Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Gordon to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:55pm. Annemarie Cesa Secretary