2006-04-28 Joint Council Minutes
BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS & BEVERLY CITY COUNCIL
JOINT MEETING
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
April 28, 2006
A joint meeting of the Beverly School Committee and Beverly City Council was held on Thursday, April 28,
2006, at the Beverly Senior Center, Beverly, MA.
Beverly School Committee Members Present: Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Mr. Manzi, Mr. Manzo, Ms.
Decker, Mr. Latter, Mayor Scanlon,
Beverly City Council Members Present: Mr. Guanci, Mr. Flaherty, Mr. Coughlin, Ms.
Troubetaris, Ms. Gooding, Mr. Burke, Mr. Hobin,
Ms. Grimes 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 7:05pm.
President Guanci asked Mayor Scanlon to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Guanci asked Dr. Hayes to introduce our first presenter, Dr. Arthur Wagman, Director of
School Planning from Merrimack Education Center. Dr. Hayes explained the process the school
department followed in contracting with Merrimack Education Center to conduct a survey on long-
projected enrollments.
Dr. Wagman explained the methods that MEC used in providing the District with the numbers and
projections in the demographic study. Dr. Wagman said they conferred with a number of people
including the City Planner, City Clerk, and local real estate agents, to help put these numbers
together. At the conclusion of his presentation there was a question and answer period.
Next on the agenda: President Guanci introduced Dr. Hayes who presented his FY07 budget. Dr.
Hayes acknowledged that this has been a “daunting task” and he proceeded with a power point
presentation of his Initial Draft, which showed a shortfall of $4.8 million. He shared many screens
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dated March 29, April 10 and the latest meeting of April 26outlining efforts the school committee
and administration have proposed to close the gap between requested budget and projected revenue.
Dr. Hayes talked about cuts, Chapter 70 Aid, user fees, changes at Beverly High School, reorganizing
elementary schools and the need for an override.
In conclusion, Dr. Hayes said, “We have been chosen by this Community to be leaders. We have a
huge problem in front of us and we shouldn’t be managers. We should be leaders so let us try and
solve this problem for this Community so we stay a first rate Community.”
After a short recess President Guanci introduced Tracey Armstrong, from “YES, For Beverly”. Ms
Armstrong stated she was presented to discuss a Debt Exclusion Override for the construction of the
new high school academic wing. She elaborated on some of the challenges that the city has ahead of
Joint Council Meeting
April 28, 2006
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them. Ms. Armstrong stated that a debt exclusion override, or the possibility thereof, will help to
increase revenue for the City of Beverly so we can at least maintain the quality of life here at present.
Ms. Armstrong continued with a power point presentation showing the FY ‘07 spending growth over
FY ’06 Budget, Beverly High School’s approved construction, the cost and how it could be funded.
Ms. Armstrong explained that Proposition 2 1/2 general override is a permanent increase in the
amount of the property tax revenue, while a debt exclusion increases property tax revenue by a
limited amount for a limited time. Ms. Armstrong also talked about the effects of not proceeding with
a debt exclusion override. She proposed an election be held to let the citizens of Beverly decide if
they want a debt exclusion override.
A brief question and answer period ensued after which Ms. Dale Earl a representative from
Representative Mary Grant’s office came to the podium and read a letter from Rep. Grant. In the
letter Rep. Grant apologized that she was unable to attend as she was “in session”. She detailed the
monies lost in FY’03, that the cap has been lifted off of lottery revenues and cities and towns should
be receiving some of this money, and cuts in local aid.
President Guanci thanked Ms. Earl and then introduced Mayor Scanlon. Mayor Scanlon
acknowledged to the committee members and the audience that he cares deeply about education
however his focus is to balance the budget.
He related his personal thoughts on school spending and staffing. He expressed that the school
budget needs to be “brought under control” and suggested that the school department needs to do the
job with less people. Mayor Scanlon talked about a 2 1/2 override and/or debt exclusion override. He
speculated that either option may pit the people of lesser means against people of greater means.
Mayor Scanlon challenged the schools to hold their budget to a 3% annual increase for sustained
affordability and offered an additional $800,000/year for a period not to exceed 3 years. At the
conclusion of Mayor Scanlon’s speech, there was a very lengthy question and answer period.
President Guanci thanked all the members, presenter and the audience for their participation. He
announced that Rep. Grant has a meeting scheduled for May 2, 2006, “Metro Future which will be
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held at Endicott College from 7 pm to 9 pm. Also, on May 6at Beverly High School there will be a
CRT Electronics, refrigeration and white goods collection day. Cost is $5.
Meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
Nancy Brusil
President, Beverly School Committee
Paul Guanci
President, Beverly City Council