2004-05-19
BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
May 19, 2004
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at
the City Council Chambers, Beverly City Hall, Beverly, MA.
Members Present:
Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Ms. Cronin, Ms. Gordon, Ms. Saxton,
Mayor Scanlon, and Mr. Tallo
Also in Attendance:
Dr. James Hayes, Acting Superintendent of Schools
President Cronin called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
Mr. Tallo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPOINTMENT OF ACTING SUPERINTENDENT
Ms. Cronin mentioned that Dr. Lupini's last day, as Superintendent in Beverly was Friday, May 14,
2004. She also mentioned that the committee would like to thank Dr. Lupini for his 7 years of
service to the city of Beverly, and wishes him well as he begins his new role as Superintendent of
Brookline. As president, Ms. Cronin appointed Dr. Hayes to the position of Acting Superintendent
pending approval of the committee at this meeting.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Mr. Tallo to appoint Dr. James Hayes as Acting
Superintendent. Unanimously approved.
Dr. Hayes thanked the committee for their vote of confidence and expressed he is looking forward
to the challenge and responsibility of being the Acting Superintendent.
RECOGNITION - SUCH OTHER MATTERS (KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS)
Dr. Hayes and Ms. Cronin recognized the following employees:
. Kannan Vasudevan, Foreign Language teacher at Briscoe Middle School.
Kannan has been truly outstanding in his quest for professional development.
Last year, in order to get certified to teach French he attended an eight week
French Immersion Program. Most recently he applied for and received a
"French Government Teaching Assistantship." He will be teaching 8-year-old
children to speak English in France for a year. This is a major academic award,
and although it means he will be leaving a German program he has greatly
rebuilt, he is most deserving.
. Barbara Trudeau and Alice Madio, English Language Arts teachers at Briscoe
Middle School, conducted an Intergenerational Book Club involving Briscoe
students and elderly members of our community.
Principal John Aucone and Assistant Principal Helen Colemen assisted with these
recognitions.
Open Forum for Citizen Concerns
Ms. Janet Cahalin spoke to the committee about her concerns with the early dismissal of
Dr. Lupini.
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2004
Page 2
Ms. Patty Powers, a parent of 3 children at Cove Elementary School expressed her
concern with increasing class sizes in the elementary schools. She mentioned her
feelings that middle school students could handle the larger class sizes easier than
elementary students.
Ms. Chris Silverstein commended the committee for their tireless efforts and commitment
to the school department. Ms. Silverstein would like to see more citizen concern
expressed regarding the budget; in particular, increased class sizes and program cuts. She
urged citizens to write to state officials to voice their concerns.
Ms. Kathy Whitehair also thanked the committee for their efforts, but stressed her
concern with budget cuts, especially large class sizes. She expressed her hopes that
principals will be given the support to solve each school's individual problems within
their building.
Miranda Gooding expressed she would like to hear more discussion about alternative
ways of closing the budget gap other than cuts. School consolidation or reconfiguration
of the middle schools, increased health insurance contributions by employees, a
Proposition 2 1Iz override and selling the McKay are avenues she would like to see
explored.
RECORDS OF MEETINGS
A motion was made by Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Gordon to approve the minutes of
the meeting held on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 as presented. So voted.
NORTH SHORE REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
Superintendent Amy O'Malley informed the committee that 100 of the total 447 students
attending the Vocational School reside in Beverly. Students' successes include
. 100% of students in the graduating class of 2004 have passed the MCAS exam.
. Of the students in the graduating class of2005, 100% have passed the English
Language Arts portion, and 97% have passed the Math portion.
. Carpenters spent the better part of the year working on renovations at Lynch Park.
. Students recently held a pledge drive in memory of Michael Heitz, a student from
Beverly who was fatally injured in an automobile accident.
Ms. O'Malley also mentioned that the merger with Essex Agricultural School is moving
slowly. The legislation is currently in the House Ways and Means. A favorable report
will provide the $500,000 necessary to do a feasibility study, which will be presented to
participating communities with the actual proposed designs.
REPORT FROM STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
James Lang reported that some students are concerned about new user fees, and feel the
money gained will not be worth the possible loss of participants in the incoming
freshman class. He stated that he feels fees for the elementary music program are
discouraging, and he feels this would set that program back. In his opinion, the extra-
curricular activities are what make Beverly High School what it is.
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2004
Page 3
COMMUNICA TIONS
. Telephone calls, emails and letters with budget questions
. Concern about increased class sizes, reduction of media specialists and reading
specialists
. Consolidation of the middle schools
. Dr. Lupini's departure, comments both pro and con
. Questions about the handling of an injured student at Hurd Stadium during a
lacrosse game
o Ms. Saxton mentioned her concern that the athletic trainer has the proper
equipment, such as a cervical collar, to treat injured players. Dr. Hayes
will follow up to confirm that protocol will be followed.
. An invitation to committee members to participate in the Memorial Day Parade
on Sunday, May 30th
. An invitation was received to participate in the dedication of the Joseph Vittori
Medal of Honor Memorial on May 26th at Beverly High School
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Appointment to Finance & Facilities Subcommittee
A motion was made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Mr. Tallo to appoint Dr. James
Hayes as a voting member of the Finance and Facilities Committee. So voted.
Appointment to Negotiations Subcommittee
No appointment was made. The Superintendent serves as a consultant, not a voting
member of this committee.
Appointment as Representative to Northshore Education Consortium
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Gordon to appoint Dr. James
Hayes as a representative to the Northshore Education Consortium. So voted
Proposed "Corporal Joseph Vittori Medal of Honor Memorial" at Beverly High
School
The BHS Marine Corps ROTC 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. 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.
A motion was made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Ms. Cesa to grant permission to the
BHS Marine Corps ROTC to erect a "Corporal Joseph Vittori Medal of Honor
Memorial" at BHS. So voted.
Ayers Principal Search
Ms. Karla Pressman, Cove School principal, will chair the screening committee
comprised of parents and staff. Dr. Hayes and Ms. Pressman have met with the faculty,
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2004
Page 4
PTO and School for input on the qualifications we should look for in a new principal.
Finalists will be available for Dr. Hayes to interview prior to the end of the school year.
Preschool Location
The administration has determined the locations of preschool classrooms for 2004-2005.
Two classrooms will be housed at Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School and the remaining
two classrooms will be located at Cove Elementary School to take advantage of the
particular resources (staff and facilities) available at each school.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life
The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life presented the
following policies to be considered for a first reading. These policies will require a
formal vote at our June meeting:
. "Flag Displays and the Pledge of Allegiance" (Section I: Instruction). In addition, this
proposed revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
. "Report Cards and Progress Reports" (Section I: Instruction). In addition, this proposed
revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
. "Home Schooling" (Section I: Instruction). In addition, this proposed revision will
require a 2/3 vote of approval.
. "Teaching Controversial Issues" (Section I: Instruction).
. "Religion & the Schools" (Section A: Foundations and Basic Commitments).
. "Textbook Selection and Adoption" (Section I: Instruction). In addition, this proposed
revision will require a 2/3 vote of approval.
. "Relations with Non-Public Schools" (Section L: Education Agency Relations).
. "Student Dismissal" (Section J: Students).
. "School Ceremonies and Observances" (Section I: Instruction).
. "Evaluation ofInstructional Programs" (Section I: Instruction).
. "School Volunteers" (Section I: Instruction). In addition, this proposed revision will
require a 2/3 vote of approval.
. "Instructional Materials" (Section I: Instruction).
The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life recommended the
following policies be considered for a second reading, requiring a formal vote by the
Committee:
. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Gordon to adopt the policy
"Elementary and Middle School Redistricting" (Section F: Facilities
Development) as presented. So voted.
. A motion was made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Ms. Saxton to adopt the
policy "Education Agency Relations Goals" (Section L: Education Agency
Relations) as presented. So voted.
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction &
Student Life, a motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Saxton to approve
the Elementary School, Middle School and High School Student Handbooks as
presented. So voted.
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2004
Page 5
The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life recommended the
following School Improvement Plans for a formal vote of approval by the School
Committee:
. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Gordon to approve the
Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School Improvement Plan as presented. So voted.
. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Saxton to approve the
Centerville Elementary School Improvement Plan as presented. So voted.
. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Saxton to approve the
North Beverly Elementary School Improvement Plan as presented. So voted.
. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Gordon to approve the
Briscoe Middle School Improvement Plan as presented. So voted.
. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Saxton to approve the
Memorial Middle School Improvement Plan as presented. So voted.
Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities
The Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities met on April 26 and May 18, 2004. A
Public Hearing on the FY05 budget was held on April 27, 2004. Mr. Tallo thanked
parents for their involvement. The school committee and administration is still working
closely with city officials and the Mayor to close the gap, which remains at $l.2m. They
continue to welcome suggestions.
Dr. Hayes reported that following a recent meeting, Mayor Scanlon has offered an
additional $100,000 from the sale of the Edwards School, and he has also proposed an
additional savings $150,000 to the school budget derived from changeover to duel-fuel
capacity at the elementary and high school.
The joint meeting with the City Council and School Committee will be held on
Wednesday, May 26th at the BHS library. Agenda items include the BHS Accreditation
and the FY05 budget.
Mayor Scanlon mentioned that he feels the McKay School should be considered for use
by the city or an asset that can be sold; however, he stressed that immediate action should
not be taken to get full value.
Subcommittee on Negotiations
The Subcommittee on Negotiations recommended the following policies be considered
for a second reading, requiring a formal vote by the Committee:
A motion was made by Ms. Saxton and seconded by Mr. Tallo to adopt the policy
"Negotiations Goals" (Section H: Negotiations) as presented. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Saxton and seconded by Mr. Tallo to adopt the policy
"Contracts for Individually Contracted Employees" (Section G: Personnel) as presented.
So voted.
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2004
Page 6
The next meeting of the subcommittee on Negotiations will be scheduled shortly to begin
union negotiations.
Subcommittee on Policy Review
The Policy Review Subcommittee recommended the following policies be considered for
a second reading, requiring a formal vote by the Committee:
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Mr. Tallo to adopt the policy "School
Committee Operational Goals" (Section B: School Governance and Operations) as
presented. Following discussion it was agreed to omit the line "Evaluation of progress
made toward the goals shall be prepared in conjunction with the annual School
Committee self-evaluation process." So voted as amended.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Cesa to adopt the policy "School
Committee Legal Status" (Section B: School Governance and Operations) as presented.
So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Mr. Tallo to adopt the policy
"Committee Membership: Election, Qualifications, Term of Office, Resignation, and
Filling of Vacancies" (Section B: School Governance and Operations) as presented. So
voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Gordon to adopt the policy
"School Committee Member Code of Ethics" (Section B: School Governance and
Operations) as presented. So voted.
Ms. Brusil recommended returning the policy "School Committee Conflict ofInterest"
(Section B: School Governance and Operations) to subcommittee for further review.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Gordon to adopt the policy
"School Committee Internal Organization" (Section B: School Governance and
Operations) as presented. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Mr. Tallo to adopt the policy "School
Committee Subcommittees and Standing Committees" (Section B: School Governance
and Operations) as presented. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Cesa to adopt the policy
"Temporary and Advisory Committees" (Section B: School Governance and Operations)
as presented. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Gordon to adopt the policy
"School Councils" (Section B: School Governance and Operations) as presented.
Following discussion it was agreed to return this policy to the Policy Review
Subcommittee for further review.
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2004
Page 7
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Mr. Tallo to adopt the policy "School
Attorney" (Section B: School Governance and Operations) as presented. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Mr. Tallo to adopt the policy "School
Committee Meetings" (Section B: School Governance and Operations) as presented. So
voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Saxton to adopt the policy
"School Committee Executive Sessions" (Section B: School Governance and
Operations) as presented. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Gordon to adopt the policy
"School Committee Communications" (Section B: School Governance and Operations)
as presented. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Gordon to adopt the policy
"School Committee Member Services" (Section B: School Governance and Operations)
as presented. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Cesa to adopt the policy "School
Committee Memberships" (Section B: School Governance and Operations) as presented.
So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Gordon to adopt the policy
"School-Community Relations Goals" (Section K: School-Community Relations) as
presented. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Saxton to adopt the policy
"Media Relations" (Section K: School-Community Relations) as presented. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Mr. Tallo to adopt the policy "Field
Trips, Foreign (Out-of-Country) Trips, and Foreign Exchange Programs" (Section I:
Instruction) as presented. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Mr. Tallo to adopt the policy "Parent
Notification Relative to Sex Education" (Section I: Instruction) as presented. So voted.
UPDA TE ON SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS
Develop a Strategic Plan for the Beverly Public Schools
Upon the recommendation of the administration, and following discussion, a motion was
made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Brusil to eliminate the goal to Develop a
Strategic Plan for the Beverly Public Schools as a school committee goal due to budget
constraints. So voted.
Improve Efficiency in the Beverly Public Schools
No report at this meeting.
Regular Meeting
May 19, 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
Agenda item for the Joint City Council and School Committee meeting scheduled for
May 26,2004.
Consider Executive Session
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Ms. Saxton to consider executive session to
discuss contract negotiations with non-union personnel and not to return to open session.
Roll Call Results
Yes: Ms. Cronin, Ms. Gordon, Ms. Saxton, Mayor Scanlon, Mr. Tallo, Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Annemarie Cesa
Secretary