2005-08-24
BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
August 24, 2005
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, August 24, 2005, at
the City Council Chambers, Beverly City Hall, Beverly, MA.
Members Present: Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Ms. Cronin, Ms. Gordon, Ms. Saxton, Mayor
Scanlon , Mr. Tallo
Also in Attendance: Dr. James Hayes, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Marie Galinski, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Heidi Zimmerman, Administrator of Finance & Operations
Emily O’Toole, Student Representative
President Cronin called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Ms. Gordon led the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITIONS - SUCH OTHER MATTERS (KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS)
Dr. Hayes and Ms. Cronin recognized the following:
Erin Brown, formerly Assistant Principal at Stapley Junior High School in
Mesa AZ, has been hired as Assistant Principal at Beverly High School.
Jon Longley, a wellness teacher and coach at Beverly High School, has been
hired as Athletic Director at Beverly High School.
Joanne Smith, has been hired as Assistant Business Manager
Emily O’Toole, is our Student Representative for 05-06 school year
Donna Bergeron, has moved into the position of Executive Secretary to the
Superintendent and School Committee.
Open Forum for Citizen Input into Non-Agenda-Related Items
No Comments at this meeting.
Opportunity for Citizen Input into Agenda-Related Items
Muriel Zaginailoff, President of the League of Women Voters – Beverly. Muriel spoke to
the naming of the Briscoe Middle School. The League felt strongly that they unite the
student body and proposed naming it Briscoe-Memorial Middle School.
Dr. Hayes recommended no action be taken that it remain Briscoe Middle School, and there
was a discussion from the committee around the name; possibly calling Memorial –
Memorial Administration Building to preserve the history of that name as well.
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Brusil to keep the name Briscoe
So Voted.
Middle School.
Regular Meeting
June 29, 2005
Page 2
RECORDS OF MEETINGS
A motion was made by Ms. Saxton and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the minutes of the
So voted.
regular meeting held on May 11, 2005 as presented.
A motion was made by Ms. Saxton and seconded by Ms. Gordon to approve the minutes of
So voted
the regular meeting held on June 8, 2005 as presented. .
A motion was made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Ms. Saxton to approve the minutes of
So voted
the special meeting held on June 29, 2005 as amended. .
REPORT FROM STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Emily O’Toole reported that she is entering into her senior year, is a member of the student
senate, looking forward to looking at colleges.
COMMUNICATIONS
??
BHS accreditation
??
Concerns around athletics - director and trainer.
??
Several middle school parents upset around letter assigning tables at lunch – has been
cleared up.
??
Ms. Brusil mentioned a call from Patty Cosmos with the organization for “Peer
Mediation” questioning where they stood. Number of students already trained as well
as administrators in both buildings. Proposed looking at funds to stipend the position.
Ms. Cronin asked that Dr. Hayes put it on the agenda for Finance & Facilities
Committee’s next meeting.
??
Concerns from parents around school supply list at elementary and middle school
level late going home this year. Suggestion by Ms. Cesa that it go home with last
report card.
??
Mayor Scanlon had call questioning start of school then four days off.
??
Ms. Cronin mentioned the two very articulate letters written to the editor around the
accreditation at the high school written by one student who graduated this year and a
former student, terrific letters.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Overnight Field Trip Proposal
Ms. Pilanen, BHS Music Dept. presented the proposal for the annual Music Tour, the cost,
fundraising, schedule, supervision, and points in the curriculum guide and BHS Mission
Statement that tie in with the project.
Concerns from committee members with regards to cost, amount of fund raising and
interfering in family vacations.
A motion was made by Ms. Brusil to approve and seconded by Mr. Tallo to approve the BHS
So voted
Music Department Music Tour. .
Regular Meeting
June 29, 2005
Page 3
Middle School Transition Update
The transition is very much on schedule rooms painted, furniture moved, roads paved for new bus pick-
up/drop-off. New signs put up on Colon Street for buses. Concerns around computer labs but seem to
be moving along. Class sizes are at the numbers we predicted.
Middle School Name Change
Discussed and voted to keep Briscoe Middle School.
Crossing Guards
It was recommended to reinstate the crossing guards to the level originally anticipated. Much
discussion ensued around this issue. Ms. Brusil felt responsibility should be put back on parents given
the budget issues and Mr. Tallo echoed some of the same concerns. Ms. Gordon voiced her concerns
with downtown students in winter months walking in the street. A motion was made by Ms. Gordon
So voted,
and seconded by Mayor Scanlon to approve funding of Crossing Guards. with Ms. Brusil
opposed.
Acceptance of North Beverly Elementary School for SBA
A motion was made by Ms. Saxton and seconded by Mr. Tallo for formal acceptance for the
So voted.
North Beverly Elementary School as of September 2002.
New Members of the Administrative Team
Erin Brown, formerly Assistant Principal at Stapley Junior High School in Mesa AZ, has
been hired as Assistant Principal at Beverly High School.
Jon Longley, a wellness teacher and coach at Beverly High School, has been hired as
Athletic Director at Beverly High School.
FY05 Budget
A detailed summary will be provided on how we closed out the FY’05 budget at the first Finance and
st
Facilities meeting on September 21. Ms Zimmerman did say that we did close out our year and made
our budget of $341,000.
FY06 Budget
Ms. Zimmerman said that she could not give hard numbers at this time because not all of the contracts
have been ratified. Ms. Zimmerman’s hoping some will be ratified tonight and at the next meeting on
September 14, 2005. That being the case, Ms. Zimmerman will have all numbers ready to present on
st
September 21.
BHS Accreditation
Dr. Hayes summarized the letter prepared by himself and Dr. Scuzzarella regarding the “show cause
response” to the adverse recommendation by the NEASC. This response was divided into six sections:
1. Renovation/Construction Plan
2. Facility Issues
3. Health & Safety
4. Curriculum and Instruction
5. Educations Program
6. Economic Realities
Regular Meeting
June 29, 2005
Page 4
Comments by members commending Dr. Hayes and Dr. Scuzzarella on the task of preparing the letter
and contents. Comments by committee members; very clear and distinct, incredible document.
Copies of the letter are available at the Beverly Public Library to review and will be put on our web-
site.
Dr. Scuzzarella spoke, commented, and answered questions pertaining to the letter. Spoke about the
information she gathered from colleges where our students have applied to in the past and how this
accreditation issue will not impact them.
Ms. Cronin recognized Representative Grant for her work she has done. Rep. Grant echoed Mayor
Scanlon’s comment that we are accredited right now. Rep. Grant was speaking as a person who has
gone through the accreditation twice before and noted that Beverly Public Schools has always been
regarded as a system with many positive attributes. Rep. Grant met with the Director of School
Building Assistance Authority and the Director had many positive comments as to the work we have
done and are doing. She reiterated the confidence of Rep. Grant in regaining our accreditation.
Upon the recommendation of Ms. Cronin a motion was made by Ms. Gordon and seconded by Mr.
Tallo to endorse the “show cause response” sent to the Commission written by Dr. Hayes and Dr.
So voted.
Scuzzarella.
Upon the recommendation of Ms. Cronin a motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mayor
Scanlon that the committee objects to the conclusion drawn by the NEASC Commission that the
So voted.
accreditation of Beverly High School be terminated.
Planning for HS Design
Dr. Hayes presented the “Development Assumptions & Educational Specifications” with
regards to the facility design it included:
- questions to be researched and discussed by school staff and administration;
- these issues should be presented in an open forum for parent, School Committee and
community input;
- opportunity to visit other schools that have been recently constructed;
- a set of assumptions/priorities should be developed to be shared with the architect;
- specific planning teams should be identified to prepare components of the
educational specifications.
There were many concerns and comments by the members – education vision, building
availability, strong feeling of the need for public & teacher input. Student involvement
important. After much discussion Ms. Cronin asked Dr. Hayes to come back to the
committee with input.
New Staff Orientation Day
th
Orientation Day will take place at the Beverly Public Library on Thursday, August 25 to welcome
new staff. Refreshments will be served and Committee members are welcomed.
Regular Meeting
June 29, 2005
Page 5
Faculty Orientation Day
Scheduled for Monday, August 29, 2005 beginning at 7:30 in the BHS auditorium. Agenda included in
packet.
MASC/MASS Annual Joint Conference
Dr. Hayes included information on the Annual Joint Conference, October 26-28. Anyone interest in
attending should contact Dr. Hayes.
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities: Mike Tallo, Chairperson
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 the policy regarding
“Restricted Use of Tax Identification/Exemption Number” (Section D: Fiscal Management)
So voted.
for a second reading.
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion
was made Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Gordon to approve the attached policy regarding
So voted.
“Conservation” (Section E: Support Services) for a second reading.
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 the attached policy regarding
So voted.
“Student Fees, Fines, & Charges” (Section J: Students) for a second reading.
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 the attached policy regarding
“Community Use of School Facilities” (Section K: Community Relations) for a second
So voted.
reading.
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities a motion was
made by Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Brusil to approve the attached policy regarding
So
“Advertising in Schools” (Section K: Community Relations) for a second reading.
voted.
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities a motion was
made by Mr. Tallo and seconded by Ms. Brusil to approve the attached policy regarding
“Donations and Solicitations in Schools” (Section K: Community Relations) for a second
So voted.
reading.
The next Finance and Facilities meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2005.
Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life: Annemarie Cesa,
Chairperson
Ms. Cesa went over the School Improvement Plans provided – . 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 following School Improvement Plans.
Regular Meeting
June 29, 2005
Page 6
a. District Improvement Plan
b. Hannah Elementary School
c. McKeown Elementary School
So voted.
d. Cove Elementary School
Negotiations: Karen Saxton, Chairperson
Dr. Hayes highlighted points of contracts. Consideration of Unit B Contracts 2003-05 and
So voted.
2005-08 a motion was made by Ms. Saxton and seconded by Mr. Tallo.
Consideration of AFSCME - Transportation Contracts 2003-05 and 2005-08 a motion was
So voted.
made by Ms. Saxton and seconded by Mr. Tallo.
Two remaining units are cafeteria and Unit C and both have tentative contracts.
Next Regular School Committee Meeting is scheduled for September 14, 2005
Opportunity for Questions from the Press
No questions at this meeting
Meeting adjourned 9:35
Annemarie Cesa
Secretary