2004-04-14BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
April 14, 2004
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at
the BevCam Studios, Beverly High School, Beverly, MA.
Members Present: Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Ms. Cronin, Ms. Gordon, Ms. Saxton,
Mayor Scanlon, and Mr. Tallo
Also in Attendance: Dr. William Lupini, Superintendent of Schools,
Dr. James Hayes, Assistant Superintendent,
President Cronin called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
Karen Saxton led the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITION - SUCH OTHER MATTERS (KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS)
Dr. Lupini, Ms. Cronin and Richard King, Director of Fine Arts, introduced the following
students, who have made their “Mark on the Arts:”
·
Sara Atkinson (Class of 2005): Massachusetts High School Drama Guild
(MHSDG) All-Star Company – Acting
·
Ashtar Boulis (Class of 2005): Massachusetts Music Educators Association
(MMEA) All-State Chorus (Alto)
·
Chris Brusil (Class of 2004): Berklee College of Music Jazz Ensemble Festival
Judges’ Choice Trophy (Trumpet)
·
Marianna DiMaggio (Class of 2008): MMEA Northeast District, Junior District
Orchestra (Violin)
·
David Hyland (Class of 2004): The Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards, Gold
Key (Painting & Photo Portfolio Nominee)
·
Meghan Kavanaugh (Class of 2004): MHSDG All-Star Company (Directing)
·
Jonathan Kenney (Class of 2006): International Association of Jazz Educators
(IAJE) State Festival, Certificate of Outstanding Musicianship (Trombone)
·
Molly Kelley (Class of 2005): MHSDG All-Star Company (Acting)
·
Amy Klessart (Class of 2005): MMEA All-State Chorus (Soprano)
·
Kate LaChance (Class of 2004): The Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards,
Honorable Mention (Drawing)
·
Whitney Nelson (Class of 2004): MMEA All-State Orchestra (Mallets)
·
Jillian Pelletier (Class of 2004): MHSDG All-Star Company (Acting)
·
Joe Pino (Class of 2004): IAJE Northeast District Certificate of Outstanding
Musicianship; Norwood Jazz Festival Certificate of Outstanding Musicianship;
IAJE State Festival, Certificate of Outstanding Musicianship (Trumpet)
·
Erla Shehu (Class of 2004): The Boston Glob Scholastic Art Awards, Honorable
Mention (Drawing & Art Portfolio Nominee); 2004 Sixth District Congressional
Art Show, Best in School; Coca Cola “Art of Harmony” Northeast Regional
Finalist
·
James Soares (Class of 2004): IAJE Northeast District Certificate of Outstanding
Musicianship (Drums)
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2004
Page 2
·
Beverly High School AEGIS: a National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
ranked publication
·
Beverly High School Marching Band: Silver Medal, Massachusetts Instrumental
& Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) State Finals
·
Beverly High School Jazz Band: Gold Medal, IAJE Northeast District Festival;
Silver Medal, Norwood Jazz Festival; Silver Medal, IAJE State Festival
·
Beverly High School Choral & Vocal Ensemble: Bronze Medal, MICCA Choral
Festival; Silver Medal, MICCA Choral Festival
Dr. Lupini and Ms. Cronin recognized the following employees:
·
Helen Coleman, who currently serves as Assistant Principal at Briscoe Middle
School, has resigned her position to become Principal of Clark Avenue Middle
School with the Chelsea Public Schools. Mrs. Coleman will begin her new
position on July 1, 2004. Mr. John Aucone, Principal of Briscoe Middle School
was also on hand to recognize Mrs. Coleman.
·
Patricia Dube, a teacher at Beverly High School, was recently selected to receive
the 2004 Radio Shack National Teacher Award. Since 1988, Radio Shack
Corporation has recognized outstanding mathematics, science and technology
teachers for the work that they do each day in the classroom. Carla Scuzzarella,
Principal of Beverly High School, attended the meeting to assist in recognizing
Pat.
·
Karen Blaustein, a teacher at Memorial Middle School, was recently selected as
one of the recipients of the 2004 Massachusetts Software Council Education
Foundation’s Above and Beyond Awards for her outstanding efforts as a middle
school science teacher. Donna Jenko, Principal of Memorial Middle School,
attended the meeting to assist in recognizing Karen.
Additionally, Dr. Lupini, Ms. Cronin and Dr. Scuzzarella, Beverly High School Principal
recognized the following group:
·
The Beverly High School PTSO recently donated $7,000 for technology at the
school. The administration was able to purchase 24 new CPU’s (with these funds
and previous Technology Fund monies). These computers are now located in
G206, which was first refurbished and upgraded in 1997.
RECORDS OF MEETINGS
A motion was made by Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Brusil to approve the minutes of
the meeting on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 as presented. Following discussion it was
agreed to amend the minutes to reflect a unanimous voted against the policy on
Elementary and Middle School Redistricting (Section F: Facilities Development), prior to
a motion made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Ms. Saxton to return this policy to the
Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life for further evaluation
along with the policy addressing the closing of schools.
A motion was made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the minutes of
the meeting on Wednesday, March 10 as amended. So voted.
COMMUNICATIONS
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2004
Page 3
·
McKeown parent who would like subcommittee minutes posted on the school
website
Dr. Lupini explained the restricted space available on the current site
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would not make this feasible.
·
McKeown parent offering to help raise funds for the schools, referred to the
Director of Finance and Operations
·
Questions about a replacement for the Superintendent
·
Budget questions
·
Photo given to Mr. Tallo showing a launch by the Rocket Club. This group may
be traveling to Virginia for further competition.
·
Letter from Superintendent Lisa Dana from Danvers Public Schools writing in her
role as Vice Chairman of the Northshore Education Consortium Board of
Directors, thanking Dr. Lupini for his work on behalf of the Consortium in
assisting them with their search for a permanent home for the Consortium.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Overnight Field Trips
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The administration requests retroactive approval of the Nature’s Classroom trip for 6
grade students from Memorial Middle School to Charlton, Massachusetts. The trip was
tentatively approved by the Superintendent and took place on April 5-9, 2004.
A motion was made by Ms. Saxton and seconded by Mr. Tallo to ratify the Nature’s
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Classroom trip to Charlton, Massachusetts for 6 grade Memorial Middle School
students. So voted.
Upon the recommendation of the administration, a motion was made by Ms. Cesa and
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seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the Nature’s Classroom trip for 6 grade students from
Briscoe Middle School to Freedom, New Hampshire. This trip is scheduled to take place
from November 8-12, 2004. So voted.
Approval for Landmark School to Operate as a School in Beverly
Robert Broudo, Headmaster of Landmark School, has requested that the Beverly School
Committee approve Landmark School to operate as a school in Beverly in order to
comply with Chapter 76, Section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws states that “For
the purposes of this section, school committees shall approve a private school when
satisfied that the instruction in all the studies required by law equals in thoroughness and
efficiency . . . that of the public schools in the same town.”
A motion was made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Mayor Scanlon to approve
Landmark School to operate as a school in Beverly. So voted.
Following discussion, it was agreed that Administration will ask the Department of
Education for guidelines regarding the supervision and the review process.
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2004
Page 4
Proposed “Corporal Joseph Vittori Medal of Honor Memorial” at Beverly High
School
The BHS Marine Corps ROTC has requested permission to erect a “Corporal Joseph
Vittori Medal of Honor Memorial” at BHS. The Corporal Vittori Medal of Honor
Committee and the Vittori-Rocci Italian American Veterans Post have pledged to cover
all costs for the manufacturing and placement of the Memorial. The BHS ROTC will
work closely with the organization in designing the Memorial, placement of the
Memorial and the dedication ceremony.
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. The
administration recommends that the School Committee approve this request at the regular
May meeting.
School Choice for 2004-2005
The administration recommends the following parameters for school choice during the
2004-2005 school year:
Kindergarten: 0 students at present; recommendation is to adopt school choice
(maximum of 10 students)
Grade 1: 0 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10
students
Grade 2: 2 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10
students
Grade 3: 9 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10
students
Grade 4: 9 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10
students
Grade 5: 4 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10
students
Grade 6: 9 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10
student
Grade 7: 4 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10
students
Grade 8: 3 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10
students
Grade 9: 4 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10
students
Grade 10: 6 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10
students
Grade 11: 6 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10
students
Grade 12: 11 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 11
students
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the acceptance of
School Choice students as presented. So voted.
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2004
Page 5
District and School Report Cards
Copies of the most recent district and individual school report cards are attached to this
report. These report cards can also be viewed on our website.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life
The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life last met on
Monday, April 12. Ms. Cesa reported that following a test pilot, a reading pilot by Rigby
as been recommended for adoption. At this meeting, Judy Miller also presented a status
report on the technology available in our schools. Mr. Bisceglia, director of Summer
School, reported an increase of $10 for courses offered at the middle and high school
levels. Elementary programs will not be available this year. Elementary handbooks were
reviewed and minor changes recommended.
The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life recommends the
following policies to be considered for a second reading, requiring a formal vote by the
Committee:
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Saxton to adopt the policy
Education Agency Relations Goals (Section L: Education Agency Relations). Following
discussion, it was agreed to return to the subcommittee for further revisions.
A motion was made by Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Saxton to accept the policy
School Year & School Calendar (Section I: Instruction). So voted
A motion as made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Mr. Tallo to adopt the policy
Relations with Education Research Agencies (Section L: Education Agency Relations).
So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Gordon to adopt the policy Child
Abuse and Neglect Reporting (Section J: Students). So voted.
Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities
The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities met on March 25, April 8 and April
13 to discuss the FY04 and FY05 budgets. Mr. Tallo mentioned considerable parental
interest in the development of the FY05 budget, and thanked those who attended recent
meetings. He feels we are at a point where the Committee will soon make a
recommendation to the Mayor based on what they feel is in the best interest of students,
with fiscal realities taken into consideration. The recommendation will be up to $1.2M
over the amount recommended by Mayor Scanlon. The Committee is also exploring
additional revenue options.
Mayor Scanlon distributed a letter to School Committee members explaining his thoughts
in regard to the budget. A copy of this letter is attached.
Other reductions suggested by Committee members are the elimination of crossing
guards, restructuring of athletic fees, user fees for music programs for which credit is not
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2004
Page 6
given, instituting a hiring freeze of administrative positions and review of individual
contracts.
The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities will next meet on Monday, April 26,
2004. A Public Hearing on the FY05 budget is scheduled for Tuesday, April 27, 2004.
Subcommittee on Negotiations
Ms. Saxton reported that the Negotiations Committee meeting last met in late March, and
reviewed four policies. Two are still under review and two are being brought forward for
a first reading.
Subcommittee on Policy Review
Ms. Brusil reported that this committee held their last meeting on Thursday, March 4,
2004 at the Briscoe Middle School. Eleven policies were discussed.
The following revised policies were submitted for a first reading by the Committee, and
will require a 2/3-vote of approval at the April meeting:
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the policy
“School Committee Policy Process (Section B: School Committee Governance &
Operation)”. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the policy
“Creation of New Positions (Section G: Personnel)”. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the policy
“Authorized Use of School-Controlled Materials (Section E: Support Services)”. So
voted.
In addition, the following policies submitted for a first reading by the Committee will be
presented at the April meeting for approval:
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Gordon to approve the policy
“Inclusive Schooling (Section I: Instruction)”. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the policy
“School Bus Safety (Section E: Support Services)”. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the policy
“School Closings and Cancellations (Section E: Support Services)”. So voted.
The following policies were presented for a first reading by the Committee. The second
reading will entail a formal vote at the May meeting:
·
“School Committee Operational Goals” (Section B: School Governance and
Operations). This proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School Committee Legal Status” (Section B: School Governance and
Operations) The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2004
Page 7
·
“Committee Membership: Election, Qualifications, Term of Office, Resignation,
and Filling of Vacancies” (Section B: School Governance and Operations) The
proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School Committee Member Code of Ethics” (Section B: School Governance
and Operations) The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School Committee Conflict of Interest” (Section B: School Governance and
Operations) The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School Committee Internal Organization” (Section B: School Governance and
Operations) The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School Committee Officers – Powers and Duties” (Section B: School
Governance and Operations) The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of
approval.
·
“School Committee Subcommittees and Standing Committees” (Section B:
School Governance and Operations) The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote
of approval.
·
“Temporary and Advisory Committees” (Section B: School Governance and
Operations) The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School Councils” (Section B: School Governance and Operations) for a first
reading. The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School Attorney” (Section B: School Governance and Operations) The proposed
revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School Committee Meetings” (Section B: School Governance and Operations)
The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School Committee Executive Sessions” (Section B: School Governance and
Operations) The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School Committee Communications” (Section B: School Governance and
Operations) The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School Committee Member Services” (Section B: School Governance and
Operations) The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School Committee Memberships” (Section B: School Governance and
Operations) The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
·
“School-Community Relations Goals” (Section K: School-Community Relations)
·
“Media Relations” (Section K: School-Community Relations) The revision will
require a 2/3 vote of approval.
“Parent Notification Relative to Sex Education” (Section I: Instruction) for a first
·
reading. The proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
UPDATE ON SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS
Develop a Strategic Plan for the Beverly Public Schools
Ms. Cronin mentioned that although $12,500 for the Strategic Plan is currently a budget
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line item, this will be further discussed at the April 26 meeting, where it will be
determined whether it is still appropriate as a goal in the current budget situation.
Improve Efficiency in the Beverly Public Schools
No report at this meeting.
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2004
Page 8
Complete the School Committee Review of the District Policy Manual
Work presented by the Policy Review Subcommittee was discussed earlier at this
meeting.
Secure Full Accreditation for Beverly High School
Ms. Cronin reported that she and Dr. Lupini recently met with Mayor Scanlon, City
Council President Paul Guanci, and Building Commission President Ray Bouchard to
determine the status as of the deliverables due to NEASC on July 1,2004 which will
entail plans to address the facility problems. Ms. Cronin, Dr. Lupini and Mayor Scanlon
also met recently with Senator Berry and Representative Grant to discuss the School
Building Assistance program. They advised that the moratorium is expected to continue
until current projects have been completed, which could be 3 ½ years. A small group is
expected to meet with NEASC and present an overview to determine if proposed plans
for renovation will address their concerns.
A joint meeting with the City Council and School Committee will be scheduled for May
26, 2004. The High School Accreditation will be an item on that agenda.
Massachusetts Association of School Committee Issues
The following information was distributed to the Committee for their review
·
Official Notice of the 2004 Delegate Assembly
·
Nomination Form for Election: MASC Officers
·
Resolutions Form
·
Nomination for Life Membership, Lifetime Achievement Recognition and 2004
All-State School Committee MASC Committees
Proposition 2 ½ Committee
Ms. Cronin and Paul Guanci have met on a few occasions; they have narrowed the scope
including feedback of potential members. Looking for citizen volunteers. Ms. Brusil and
Mr. Tallo will participate. Mr. Guanci will name City Council representatives, and the
outstanding details will be finalized in the next two weeks.
A motion was made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Ms. Cesa to go into Executive
Session to discuss contract negotiations with non-union personnel and not return to open
session. Roll call results were as follows:
Yes: Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Ms. Cronin, Ms. Gordon, Ms. Saxton, Mayor Scanlon, Mr.
Tallo
Unanimously voted.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 pm.
Annemarie Cesa
Secretary