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2006-03-08 BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS March 8, 2006 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at the City Council Chambers, Beverly City Hall, Beverly, MA. Members Present: Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Mr. Manzi, Mr. Manzo, Ms. Decker, Mr. Latter, and Mayor Scanlon 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 Brusil called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Ms. Decker led the Pledge of Allegiance. Discussion - Education Topic This month’s education topic was “Interactive White Boards”. Ms. Brusil had suggested 4 URL’s for the Committee Members to read and comment on if they wish. There was a lot of positive feed back from the members and a few concerns as far as cost and if they are not used to their potential. Recognitions - Such Other Matters (Kudos, Congratulations) Ms. Brusil and Dr. Hayes recognized Caroline Mahoney, Senior at BHS, along with Dr. Scuzzarella. Caroline has been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Open Forum for Citizen Input into Non-Agenda-Related Items None Opportunity for Citizen Input into Agenda-Related Items None Technology Presentation Ms. Brusil introduced Beverly Dolinski, Citizen Advisor on the Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life Standing Committee and a member of the faculty at Endicott College and Kent Barclay, Associate Dean of Academic Technology at Endicott College. Dr. Dolinski spoke about technology and the expectations of students when they enter college. She had a handout with articles from The Chronicle of Higher Education in which it outlined the technology skills the students have, what they are expected to have and what is expected of the colleges. Another piece of the article was what type of technology you should buy, cost of technology, and which students should be using this technology. At this time Dr. Dolinski introduced Kent Barclay, Associate Dean of Academic Technology. Dean Barclay delivered a lengthy power point presentation on technology, the need for it and planning for it. He covered many areas of technology in his presentation starting with Basic Tools, Smart Classrooms, and Wireless laptops. He also discussed Blogs, ePortfolios, and Rich Media Streaming. At the completion of his presentations he answered questions and took comments from the Committee members. Regular Meeting March 8, 2006 Page 2 Records Of Meetings A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and second by Mr. Latter to approve the minutes of the regular So voted. meeting held on February 8, 2006 with two corrections. Report From Student Representative Emily O’Toole reported to the Committee on the latest events going on at Beverly High School. The Ping Pong Club, founded last year, is tentatively planning their first real match against St. Johns Prep. Emily will let us know when the date is announced. The winter sports pep rally that was held last week went very well. The Drama Fest took place last weekend with a play written by Vanessa Valdez, there were three acting awards given out to Shawn Curtis, Heather Goss, and Brittany Smith. NEC Hockey Cheerleading meet is taking place tonight. “Beauty and the Beast” opens Thursday evening and plays on through Sunday with an afternoon show. Communications ?? Connect Ed ?? Dropout rate at BHS ?? Hot water at Briscoe ?? Ayers PTO, fundraising ?? Condition of lockers at Briscoe ?? Teams from Middlesex prison possibly doing some painting over the summer ?? Busses behind Briscoe ?? Sped concerns ?? BHS Jazz Band - Gold medal on to States SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Renaming Solar Now Dr. Hayes requested that the School Committee join the Beverly City Council in approving the renaming of the Solar Now at the High School to the “John Coleman Solar Now” project. A motion was made by Mr. Latter and seconded by Ms. Decker to rename Solar Now the “John Coleman Solar So voted. Now” project. Naming Briscoe Middle School Auditorium Dr. Hayes introduced Dr. Gerald Levinson, Writing Teacher at Briscoe Middle School. Dr. Levinson had submitted a request to name the auditorium at the Briscoe Middle School the Virginia Goding Memorial Auditorium. Dr. Levinson explained his reasons why he and some of his other coworkers had made this request and felt that if approved in time it could be done at the National Junior Honor Society Program. Dr. Hayes said that the policy calls for a forty-five (45) day period between an initial announcement of a name change and the vote but should be able to deliver an answer by our May meeting. – BHS Spring Musical & Arts Festival Beauty and the Beast Dr. Hayes turned the microphone over to Mr. Richard King, Director of Fine Arts to talk about the upcoming events. Mr. King told the committee that the Arts Festival would kick off with the BHS Music Department’s presentation of “Beauty and the Beast”. The play will run from Thursday (3/9) through Sunday (3/12) with an afternoon performance Mr. King detailed the upcoming festivities during the Arts Festival 2006. Some of which are, An Evening of Theatre, Gallery Tours, An Evening of Jazz, of Strings and AGEIS Evening of Spoken Word. All of these events with the exception of the play are free. Regular Meeting March 8, 2006 Page 3 Adult Spelling Bee Mr. King gave the details for the upcoming Adult Spelling Bee to be held on May 21st. This activity is a fundraiser, which will raise money for professional development within the district. Mr. King explained how this came about and referred to the packet he had given out that explained the proposal, rules and procedures. He talked a little bit about the sample registration form and volunteer form that was included in the packet. Hannah Elementary School Accreditation Dr. Hayes reported that the Hannah School Accreditation was conducted this week, with the arrival of the visiting team on Sunday. Dr. Hayes said the School had done a terrific job of presenting the community to the team through a wonderful video presentation followed by a terrific meal put on by the Hannah School parents. The team finished up this week and we should have a draft report within a month’s time and the final report sometime the end of May. Principal Searches Dr. Hayes said that the searches are nearing completion with the North Beverly Committee having chosen four finalists. Dr. Hayes said he would make their selections public in the very near future. The Hannah Committee, he reported, should be wrapping up their decisions and presenting the finalists to him as early as Thursday morning. Interviews have already been set up for the North Beverly candidates. Dr. Hayes said that we are right on track with this process and expect to have the Principals in place by early April. The Briscoe search is on a slightly later track with the Committee formed and resumes being reviewed. Once this is concluded they will decide who will be interviewed. Briscoe Middle School Facility Dr. Hayes highlighted Chris Rand’s report from the Joint Council meeting the previous evening. The heating system restoration work is ongoing and should be completed by months end. The windows will be the next project with one window per classroom being rehabbed. Hot water to the restrooms is planned for the summer, if it is to be done at all. Dr. Hayes summarized Mr. Rand’s Summer schedule that included: re-tubing and rebuilding of the other boiler, pump out interior and order an inspection of the existing underground oil tank, fresh coat of paint in the gym, along with the installation of bubble sky lights and repair and resurfacing of the gym floor. Also repair and restore the auditorium ceiling and the last item is to install an Alpha I entry system for the rear loading bay doors. Briscoe Middle School – Make-up of Missed School Days Dr. Hayes told the Committee that he had submitted a waiver for the four days missed at Briscoe due to the flooding, but as expected, the Dept. of Education had declined. They did however say that another waiver request could be submitted after the winter season, if in fact, all 5 snow days had been used. Dr. Hayes thought he may submit a second request for waiver. Beverly High School Construction Project Dr. Hayes asked Mayor Scanlon to speak to this point. Mayor Scanlon summarized what he had reported to the Joint Council meeting the previous evening. The City is working on hiring an owner’s project manager (OPM), which in applying for this position an RFQ is submitted (request for qualifications) by the person and/or firm. A committee has been formed to review the responses submitted by the OPM and rank them from best to worst. When this process is completed Mayor Scanlon will then negotiate with that person and/or firm, if successful, a contract will be signed, if not he will continue down the list of candidates. Regular Meeting March 8, 2006 Page 4 Connect Ed Dr. Hayes said that we have entered into a contract with Connect Ed which will provide a web-based communication system district-wide. The process of uploading data has begun and he is in the process of scheduling trainings for Principals and other staff members. At the end of March there will be a test of the system. Dr. Hayes said that it was through the generous support of many of the School’s PTO’s that this contract was made possible. The Committee members had a few questions about maintaining and updating data to this system. Summer Academy Flyers Dr. Hayes reported that the flyers for Summer Academy had been completed and sent out today. Toyota Tapestry Grant Dr. Hayes reported that he had just received notification that Dr. Mette Schwartz, Science teacher at Briscoe Middle School had been the recipient of a $10,000 Toyota Tapestry Grant for the STEM th program. This will be presented to her on April 6 in Anaheim, CA. Dr. Hayes congratulated Dr. Schwartz on her all of her hard work. April School Committee Meeting – rescheduled Dr. Hayes said that we have a conflict with the date of the April School Committee meeting this being the first night of Passover. Therefore we need to reschedule. Ms. Brusil asked if we could move the Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life meeting and hold the regular School Committee Meeting on th the evening of April 5. All of the members were in agreement. Approval of Beverly School District Technology Plan Dr. Hayes reported that he had included a letter from the Department of Education in which they approved Beverly’s Technology Plan. Committee Reports Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities: Paul Manzo, Chairperson th Mr. Manzo reported that at the February 15 Finance and Facilities meeting there were no major issues in any of the buildings. Mr. John Dunn, Treasurers Office for the City of Beverly spoke to the Committee regarding revenues and expenditures. A motion was made by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve One half-time Intensive Preschool ESP Aide at Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School (Cost not exceed $6,874, to be funded So voted. from contingency). A motion was made by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Mr. Latter to declare a surplus several pieces of So voted. shop equipment currently stored in the Memorial Building. A motion was made by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Ms. Decker to make available for disposition classrooms at the Memorial Building for possible lease to the Northshore Education Consortium, with So voted. the value and number of classrooms to be determined by the Superintendent. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life: Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson st Ms. Cesa reported that at their March 1 meeting they had a presentation from Miffy Somers, Bay State Reading. She is working with Ayers on a Reading Pilot Program to help bring up reading scores. Ms. Cesa said that Judy Miller had spoke to them about technology. The Committee had a discussion about the school district as a whole drafting a new policy with regards to wellness. There Regular Meeting March 8, 2006 Page 5 were members of the Briscoe Middle School present at the meeting to talk about expressive arts and scheduling. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the 2006-2007 School So voted. District Calendar. Negotiations Subcommittee: Jim Latter, Chairperson Discussed some issues with non-union personnel. New Business None Opportunity for Questions from the Press No questions at this meeting. Ms. Brusil asked for a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with non-union personnel and not to return to open session. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Latter to go into Executive Session. Roll Call Results: Yes: Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Ms. Decker, Mr. Manzo, Mr. Manzi, Mayor Scanlon, and Mr. Latter. Meeting adjourned 9:30 Maria Decker Secretary