2006-03-07-Joint Council Minutes
BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS & BEVERLY CITY COUNCIL
JOINT MEETING
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
March 7, 2006
A joint meeting of the Beverly School Committee and Beverly City Council was held on Tuesday, March 7,
2006, in the Beverly High School Library, Beverly, MA.
School Committee
Members Present: Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Mr. Manzi, Mr. Manzo, Ms. Decker, Mr. Latter, and
Mayor Scanlon
City Council
Members Present: Mr. Guanci, Mr. Flaherty, Mr. Coughlin, Ms. Troubetaris, Ms. Gooding,
Mr. Burke, Mr. Hobin, and Mr. Martin
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 Guanci called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. He then welcomed new members to the
School Committee and City Council.
Mayor Scanlon led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Beverly High School Construction Project
Mayor Scanlon gave a brief summary of where we are to date on the high school project. They are working on
hiring an owner’s project manager (OPM), 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 at the top of the list, if successful, a contract will be signed, if not he will continue
down the list. A similar process will be followed in the hiring of an architect. There will be two other
committees formed, Standing Building Commission, which will work throughout the project, and a committee
the Mayor refers to as the “Dreams, Ideas, and Realities Group” this group will bring in input from throughout
the city for this project.
Technology in our School
Dr. Hayes introduced Judy Miller, Director of Technology and Paul Cohen, Technology Operations
Manager, to present their power point presentation on Technology in our Schools. Ms. Miller talked
about the need for technology and went over a plan they presented last year that had been reviewed
and approved by the Committee. In this Plan it included six goals which Ms. Miller went over and
detailed where we are to date with each one: 1. Vision & Mission, 2. Technology Integration, 3.
Technology Professional Development, 4. Access to Technology, 5. Infrastructure and
Communication, and 6. Access to the internet outside the School Day. In conclusion Ms. Miller
discussed what we have / what we need and the 3 to 5 year Vision for the District, emphasizing the
need to maintain and update the computers we have.
Briscoe Middle School Update
Mr. Guanci introduced Chris Rand, Director of Buildings and Grounds for the School Department.
Mr. Rand summarized his maintenance update, which included the following: status of the repairs to
the heating system; rebuilding and repair of 100 windows; and the cost of bringing hot water to the
Joint Council Meeting
March 7, 2006
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ten bathroom facilities. Mr. Rand’s summer schedule includes: 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, installation of bubble sky lights, and repair and resurface gym floor. The auditorium ceiling is
scheduled to be repaired and restored and the last item to be addressed is the installation of the Alpha
I entry system for the rear loading bay doors.
Mr. Rand also discussed a number of items that need to be addressed but noted that this was more of a
“wish list” due to lack of money in the budget at this time.
Consolidation of School and City Maintenance Services
There was a discussion about the consolidation of school and city maintenance services. Mr. Flaherty
feels this is something that should be looked into and that the School Department should not have to
be concerned with maintenance issues. Mr. Guanci suggested that at the next council meeting Mr.
Flaherty file an order to form an Ad Hoc Committee that would include members from both sides to
discuss this issue. Ms. Brusil will have 2 or 3 school committee members on this joint Ad Hoc
Committee.
Future Meeting (April) - Demographic Study
Dr. Hayes told the Members about the Demographic Study that is almost near completion. The
company that is preparing this study, MEC (Merrimack Education Center), would like the opportunity
to present the study. Dr. Hayes thought a second meeting of the joint Councils would give them the
opportunity to do so.
Also, at that meeting the “Yes for Beverly” people would like an opportunity to do their presentation
regarding a debt exclusion override.
Mr. Martin requested the opportunity to have a tour of the Briscoe facility. Dr. Hayes will speak with
the principal and provide dates.
Mr. Guanci said that he would speak with Ms. Brusil and pick a date and time for the April joint
meeting that would work for both groups.
Mr. Guanci informed everyone that Art’s Festival week was kicking off this weekend with the
opening of the play “Beauty and the Beast” at Beverly High School.
Meeting adjourned 8:35.
Nancy Brusil
President, Beverly School Committee
Paul Guanci
President, Beverly City Council