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2004-08-18BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS August 18, 2004 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, August 18, 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 Heidi Zimmerman, Administrator of Finance & Operations President Cronin called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Nancy Brusil led the Pledge of Allegiance. RECOGNITION - SUCH OTHER MATTERS (KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS) Dr. Hayes and Ms. Cronin recognized the following employees: · Dean Eastman, Social Studies Teacher at Beverly High School, was recently honored at a ceremony at the State House as the 2004 Massachusetts Preserve America History Teacher of the Year. Dean will now compete with winners from the other 50 states for the honor of being named National History Teacher of the Year. · In the void created by revamping the position of Director of Athletics, former Athletic Director Red Hutt stepped forward and volunteered to help us get ready for the fall season. Red will mentor the new Athletic Director for a period of time, once that position is filled. Mr. Hutt recognized many individuals for their donations and assistance in o preparing for the upcoming school year. They include Heidi Zimmerman; Linda Zambouras; students in the ROTC program; the BHS football team, Mr. Spencer, who donated $2,000 worth of labor and supplies to irrigate the baseball field; Mr. Gilligan and the hockey team, for landscaping at Beverly High School; Mr. Fortier and Mr. Young for their assistance in the equipment room; Endicott College, for donating use of their fields for an evening football game and scrimmages; football coach Dan Bauer for his donation of profits from his camp used to reseed the practice field; Beverly National Bank, for their sponsorship of the middle school cross country program. In addition, donors who wish to remain anonymous gave $500 toward golf team expenses and $500 to be used for the girls’ basketball equipment. · Dr. Hayes introduced the following new members of the Leadership Team: Rhonda Gauthier, Principal of Briscoe Middle School, Sue Charochak, Principal of Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School; Jack Hughes, Assistant Principal of Memorial Middle School; Matt Poska, Assistant Principal of Beverly High School; and Chris Moran, Director of Buildings and Grounds. Open Forum for Citizen Input into Non-Agenda-Related Items Ms. Ashtar Boulos and Jade Weston, students at Beverly High School, offered proposed alternatives to the payment of $175 for student parking at the school. Their suggestions were Regular Meeting August 18, 2004 Page 2 to reduce the fee to $100, or to charge students $5 weekly for a pass that can be renewed each week, or to consider charging more money for spots closer to the school and less for spots further away. Opportunity for Citizen Input into Agenda-Related Items RECORDS OF MEETINGS A motion was made by Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Saxton to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on June 16, 2004. Following discussion, it was agreed to amend the minutes to reflect a vote to approve the student discipline statement on senior pranks to be included in the BHS Student Handbook. Mr. Tallo, Ms. Brusil and Mayor Scanlon voted in opposition. So voted as amended. A motion was made by Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Saxton to approve the minutes of an Executive Session on June 16, 2004. So voted. A motion was made by Ms. Saxton and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on June 29, 2004. It was agreed to amend Ms. Cronin’s comments about the implementation of the summer reading program at Beverly High School as follows: … She explained that while reviewing the budget, a recommendation was made by administration to delete the $9,000 teacher stipends for administering tests during the summer months and to have the testing completed in another manner once school resumed in the fall… So voted as amended. A motion was made by Ms. Saxton and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the minutes of the Executive Session held on June 29, 2004. So voted. A motion was made by Ms. Saxton and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on June 19, 2004. So voted. Heads Up Program Mr. Tom Grant explained to the Committee how this program works, and the basis for its foundation. The motivating factor is to recognize the funds raised by athletic team when “canning”, and offer a viable alternative. This program connects financial sponsors with student athletes performing community service. In the three years the program has been in existence, approximately 80 middle school athletes have donated 250 hours to the community. Committee members expressed their interest in such a program, and Dr. Hayes suggested Mr. Grant contact the high school principal or athletic director to explore implementation at the school. Consideration of the Superintendent Contract Ms. Saxton mentioned that the Negotiations Subcommittee met several times to discuss the contract of Dr. Hayes. They came to an agreement they felt was fair and represented the quality of work Dr. Regular Meeting August 18, 2004 Page 3 Hayes will bring to the district as well as his ability to accomplish what is necessary to move the district forward. Ms. Cronin explained that the term of this contract runs from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006. Renewal notification beyond 2006 must be made to Dr. Hayes by June 2005 in order to renew through 2007. A failure to notify Dr. Hayes of a decision not to renew the agreement would result in an automatic extension through 2007. The compensation effective July 1, 2004 is an annual salary of $126,000, and $132,400 effective July 1, 2005. In addition, Dr. Hayes will receive reimbursement of $400 per month for documented expenses and 25 days vacation. Dr. Hayes will submit his proposed performance st objectives by August 31, beginning in the year 2004. A performance objectives conference involving th members of the Committee and Dr. Hayes will be held by September 15, beginning in the year 2004. th The Committee and the Superintendent will develop final performance objectives by September 30, beginning in 2004. A formal evaluation conference involving the Committee and the Superintendent th will be held on or before May 31, 2005 and in subsequent years on or before August 30. A mid-year performance review conference, involving the Committee and the Superintendent will be held during the first year of this contract by January 31, 2005. A motion was made by Ms. Saxton and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the contract for Dr. Hayes as Superintendent of the Beverly Public Schools. Roll call results: Yes: Ms. Gordon, Ms. Saxton, Mayor Scanlon, Mr. Tallo, Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Ms. Cronin. Candidate for Assistant Superintendent For the past ten years, Dr. Galinski has been a principal in the Worcester Public Schools, with experiences that span all levels PreK-12. She has a total of twenty-three years as a school principal and began her career as a middle school teacher. Dr. Hayes introduced Dr. Marie E. Galinski to the Committee. She answered questions about her current principalship in a Prek-12 school in Worcester and the challenges she has faced, the type of programs she has implemented to address AYP, her reasons for applying in Beverly, her thoughts on addressing financial impacts on education during difficult budget times, and her view of the role of Assistant Superintendent as it relates to the Superintendent and the School Committee. Dr. Galinski expressed her excitement about the position, and feels her background will bring new things to Beverly A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Brusil to approve Dr. Galinski as Assistant Superintendent contingent upon successful contract negotiations. Roll call results: Yes: Ms. Cronin, Ms. Gordon, Ms. Saxton, Mayor Scanlon, Mr. Tallo, Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa COMMUNICATIONS · Concern about class sizes, referred to Dr. Hayes · Assistant Superintendent search · High School Accreditation · Upcoming school calendar · Potholes and parking fees at Beverly High School Regular Meeting August 18, 2004 Page 4 · Roof work at Beverly High School beginning early morning hours · Cancer walk held at the high school · Parent inquiring about athletic spending & Title IX requirements Ms. Brusil asked administration to provide the committee with an o overview · Parent concerned about cutting crossing guards · Parent concerned about kindergarten program moving from Centerville to North Beverly · Woman with ideas involving students in the community, referred to Dr. Hayes SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Early Release Days for Accreditation Work The administration recommends canceling early release days for the Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School and Briscoe Middle School. The early release days scheduled for Wednesday, September 22, 2004, Wednesday, January 26, 2005 (Briscoe only), and Wednesday, March 16, 2005, were specifically intended for the staff to work on its accreditation self-study. It is not feasible to maintain the accreditation timeline for these two schools due to budget cuts, thus these will not be necessary. Early release dates for this purpose will, however, remain in the calendar for Hannah Elementary School. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Brusil to amend the 2004-2005 school calendar to reflect the postponement of the Ayers and Briscoe school accreditation. So voted. High School’s Progress Report to NEASC Dr. Carla Scuzzarella submitted a progress report to the New England Association of Schools th & Colleges (NEASC) on August 10as requested by NEASC’s Commission on Public Secondary Schools. It details the joint resolution approved by City Council and the School Committee, work that is ongoing or planned for the year ahead, and the Mayor’s intentions as to a plan for renovation/construction of a new high school facility. The letter also responds to several other areas of concern relating to the High School’s progress in implementing certain recommendations. The Commission is expected to meet in the month of September to consider our progress report. Mayor Scanlon distributed a memo addressed to Committee Members that outlines a proposal to address the short and long-term improvements to the high school. A copy is attached to these minutes. Dr. Hayes explained that April or May of 2005 we would submit a concrete plan to NEASC. Dr. Hayes also emphasized the need to act quickly, address issues that satisfy all our needs, and to form a taskforce representative of school and community to discuss options beneficial to all. Ms. Cronin suggested that she and Dr. Hayes present a recommendation to the committee at the next scheduled meeting on September 8, 2004. Dr. Hayes suggested that members of the School Committee and City Council be invited to tour the High School facility during the month of September to view the Regular Meeting August 18, 2004 Page 5 renovation work that has been completed and to become better informed as to the work planned for the year ahead. MASC/MASS Conference A motion was made by Ms. Brusil and seconded by Mr. Tallo to appoint Ms. Gordon as a representative of the committee at this MASC/MASS Conference. So voted. COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life: Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson This committee will next meet on September 22, 2004 at Briscoe Middle School. Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities: Mike Tallo, Chairperson The next meetings of this committee are scheduled for September 1 and September 29, 2004, at Briscoe Middle School. Negotiations: Karen Saxton, Chairperson This subcommittee met many times throughout the summer to discuss union and non-union contracts. Work has primarily been to discuss available funds and research past practices as well as the work of surrounding communities. Policy Review: Nancy Brusil, Chairperson The next meeting is scheduled for October 7, 2004 at Briscoe Middle School Consider Executive Session A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Saxton to consider executive session to discuss negotiations with non-union personnel and not return to open session. Roll Call Results Yes: Ms. Saxton, Mayor Scanlon, Mr. Tallo, Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Ms. Cronin, Ms. Gordon Opportunity for Questions from the Press No questions at this meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9 pm. Annemarie Cesa Secretary