2006-05-10
BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
May 10, 2006
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, May 10, 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. Marie Galinski, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Heidi Zimmerman, Administrator of Finance & Operations
Emily O’Toole, Student Representative
Not in Attendance: Dr. James Hayes, Superintendent
President Brusil called the meeting to order at 7:05.
Mr. Manzi led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Discussion - Education Topic
Ms. Brusil’s education topic of discussion was about the research papers of Professor Christopher
Dede, The Timothy E. Wirth Professor in Learning Technology at the Harvard Graduate School of
Education. Ms. Brusil briefly summarized two articles Professor Dede has written; this was followed
by a brief discussion.
Recognitions - Such Other Matters (Kudos, Congratulations)
Dr. Galinski and Ms. Brusil started the recognitions with Mr. Henry Sullivan, teacher at Beverly High School, who
was recently nominated in the Boston Globe’s upcoming “Teacher Honor Roll”. This nomination is for teachers
who have a lasting impact on a student’s life. Mr. Sullivan was nominated by a current student at BHS. Dr.
Galinski then read the story the student had submitted.
Mr. King, Director of Fine Arts joined in the recognitions of the following students who have made their mark on
the arts during 2005-2006:
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Thomas Benton, class of 2010, MMEA Northeast District, Junior District Chorus, tenor
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Allison Buchsbaum, class of 2011, MMEA Northeast District, Junior District Band, clarinet
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Chris Bouchard, class of 2006, IAJE Northeast District Jazz Festival, Certificate for
Outstanding Musicianship, drums
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Joseph Clemenzi, class of 2006, Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards, Honorable Mention,
photography
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Griffin Coombs, class of 2006, 2005-2006 Moynihan Lumber Student Performing Artist
Award
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Sean Curtis, class of 2006, MHSDG High School Drama Festival, All Star Company, acting
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Matt Eastburn, class of 2006, MMEA Northeast District, Senior District Jazz Band, trumpet;
IAJE Northeast District Jazz Festival, Certificate for Outstanding Musicianship, trumpet &
flugelhorn
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K. Daniel Ebersole, class of 2006, Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards, Silver Key,
photography
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Heather Goss, class of 2006, MHSDG High School Drama Festival, All Star Company,
acting
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Hannah Israelsohn, class of 2006, Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards, Portfolio Nominee
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Sarah Ivey, class of 2006, 2005-2006 Moynihan Lumber Student Performing Artist Award
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Jonathan Kenney, class of 2006, MMEA Northeast District, Senior District Jazz Band,
trombone; IAJE Northeast District Jazz Festival, Certificate for Outstanding Musicianship,
trombone
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Jessica Miedzionoski, class of 2006, Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards, Honorable
Mention, photography
Regular Meeting
May 10, 2006
Page 2
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Katherine Nelson, class of 2006, Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards, Honorable Mention,
photography
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Andy Porterfield, class of 2006, MMEA Northeast District, Senior District Chorus, tenor
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Samantha Richardson, class of 2006, MMEA Northeast District, Senior District Chorus, and
All State Chorus, alto
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Brittany Smith, class of 2006, MHSDG High School Drama Festival, All Star Company,
acting
Dr. Colleen McBride, Principal of the McKeown Elementary School joined Dr. Galinski and Ms. Brusil
in recognizing the individuals listed below, who were instrumental in developing the new playground
at her school. Before she started the introductions she thanked Mrs. Guy, clerk at the McKeown
School, for all of the work she had done, Ms. Shropshire and Ms. Athanas, McKeown’s Physical
Education teachers, and most importantly all of the students at McKeown School. Dr. McBride also
noted that about 180 businesses had made contributions.
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Julie DeSilva, PTO President
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Chris Rand, Director of Buildings and Grounds
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Philip Quill and Mark Quill from Jonquill Landscaping
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Steve Dibble a representative from Childscapes
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Chet Mazer from Cummings Properties
The Beverly Education Foundation members, Anna Green and Doug Walker, were present to award
the first formal District Wide Grant for Enhancing Literacy Skills, K-12, to Dr. Galinski and Barbara
Maver, Consultant Teacher for Literacy K-6, in the amount of $10,000. This grant will fund system-
wide initiatives that support new teaching strategies. The Foundation members also presented the
following five teacher grants:
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Math Literacy Library Expansion Project (Cathy Davison, Title one Math, Marjorie
Kaufman, teacher, and Colleen McBride, Principal McKeown Elementary School - $750.)
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Literacy for Struggling Readers - all elementary schools K-2 (Barbara Maver, Centerville
Elementary School - $590.70)
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Improving Reading Literacy Through Technology (Susan Tarr, teacher, Manuela Zerilli,
special education teacher and Sue Charochak, Principal, Ayers Ryal Side Elementary
School - $692)
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Cross Grade Buddy Reading, (Patricia Glasser and Joy Benosky, classroom teacher
Ayers Ryal Side School - $650)
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Writing Outside of the Box, (Marcy O’Brien, parent and Paula Gould, Enrichment
Coordinator, and William Foley, Jr., Principal Centerville Elementary School - $690)
Open Forum for Citizen Input into Non-Agenda-Related Items
None
Opportunity for Citizen Input into Agenda-Related Items
None
Records of Meetings
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the minutes of the regular
So voted.
meeting held on April 5, 2006.
Report from Student Representative
Emily O’Toole updated the following happenings at Beverly High School:
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Sophomore Semi was a few weeks ago and coverage will be on Bev Cam
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AP tests are coming to completion at the end of this week
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Junior Prom is scheduled for May 19 at Woodman’s in Essex
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National Honor Society inductees received their notification and the ceremony will be
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held on Wednesday, May 17 at 7p.m.
Regular Meeting
May 10, 2006
Page 3
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Seniors have 11 days of school left of school. The Mock Car Crash will be on June 6,
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and will be run by the NHS, the Prom is June 8 in Cambridge, Graduation is on June 11
at Hurd Stadium at 2pm and this will be followed by the Up All Night, party from 10 pm to
5 am.
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Student senate selected a new representative to the school committee to succeed Emily.
Communications:
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Crossing Guards
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Reconfiguration of elementary schools
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Elimination of teaching positions
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School funding and the timeline for this process
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Concerns regarding the Jr. ROTC Program
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Budget
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Parent concerned about where to send their children next year – may not be Beverly
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Why no coffee for students – new Wellness Policy in place
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Home Schooling process
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Sped allocation of ESP’s
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Concerns regarding budget as it relates to the high school curriculum and affects
accreditation
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Centerville 5 graders put on a great presentation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
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19 BHS students were honored for the academic excellence at the NS Chamber of
Commerce Honor Scholar Dinner and Award Ceremony
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School Committee needs to do a better job getting information out to the public
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Attended receptions for the three new principals
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Day on the Hill Rally
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Cove school parent concerned over lunch and recess
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Concern with reconfiguration that third grade shouldn’t be moved
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Concern not to split first and second grade – they use some of the same curriculum
materials
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Recovery High School
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Expressive arts classes at Briscoe, duplication of projects
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Overnight Field Trip Proposal – Great Britain – Bethany Nottingham and Kevin Leahy, History
teachers at Beverly High School, summarized the information they have about the trip. They talked
about what made them decide on going to London, cost of the trip, fundraising and accommodations.
There were other details that still needed to be completed. Ms. Nottingham and Mr. Leahy said that
the information would be forthcoming once they had approval. Ms. Brusil asked that in the fall they
please send paperwork in with more details as far as accommodations and finalized information.
A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the Great Britain overnight
So voted
field trip.
School Choice for 2006-2007
The administration recommends the following parameters for school choice during the 2006-2007
school year:
Kindergarten: 1 student at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10 students
Grade 1: 2 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10 students
Grade 2: 1 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10 students
Grade 3: 1 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10 students
Grade 4: 3 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10 students
Grade 5: 9 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10 students
Grade 6: 4 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10 students
Regular Meeting
May 10, 2006
Page 4
Grade 7: 9 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10 students
Grade 8: 4 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10 students
Grade 9: 3 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10 students
Grade 10: 7 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10 students
Grade 11: 11 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 11 students
Grade 12: 10 students at present; recommendation is to adopt a maximum of 10 students
A motion was made by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the acceptance of the
So voted.
School Choice students as presented.
Increase in Breakfast and Lunch Prices 2006-2007
Elementary Level – Breakfast from $1.00 to $1.25
Lunch from $2.00 to $2.25
Secondary Level – Breakfast from $1.00 to $1.25
Lunch from $2.25 to $2.50
A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the increase in the
So voted.
breakfast and lunch prices for the 2006-07 school year.
Beverly High School Dropout History
Erin Brown, Assistant Principal at Beverly High School, spoke to the Committee about dropout rates
at BHS over the past few years. She detailed the programs that are in place at the high school to
address this problem. One of the programs is the Alternative Ed program which includes about 20
students. Ms. Brown stated that highest number of dropouts is mostly sophomores and juniors and
the Alternative Ed program tries to target that group of students. In terms of special education
programs, the high school offers the Transitional Education program, for students with
social/emotional issues. There is a crisis team that meets every week to discuss students that may
be having issues while also trying to work out some type of strategies/interventions for those
students. For the seniors, they offer the School to Career program, allowing these students to get
elective credits through working.
Future plans - looking at conducting exit interviews for student that have dropped out. By conducting
these interviews they hope to see what could have been done to help them stay in school.
The Committee had questions surrounding transition from middle school to high school and MCAS
failure rates among students that are leaving. Dr. Scuzzarella reported that only 1 student in the last
five years did not graduate because of MCAS. Dr. Scuzzarella talked about the difficulties that some
students have who are not ready for ninth grade, but cannot remain in eighth grade. She feels we
need a “place” for this particular group of students, one where they can prepare themselves for that
transition.
Dr. Scuzzarella thought a good place to start, as a District, is to look at the seventh grade students to
see where things begin to fall apart. By doing this preventative work, we can hopefully keep more
students engaged and completing their school career.
Summer School 2006
The Beverly Summer School has been scheduled for July 5 – August 8 with a new Director, Mrs.
Elizabeth Taylor, English teacher at Beverly High School. There is no academic summer school for
elementary level but they do have the Summer Academy offerings.
Northshore Recovery High School
Dr. Galinski told us that it is official that there is going to be a recovery high school that will be located
in the Memorial building. The Northshore Education Consortium has received a five-year grant from
the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services to establish a
Recovery High School, to be located at the Memorial Building. The Northshore Recovery High
School is due to open in September. They have started the search for a principal.
Regular Meeting
May 10, 2006
Page 5
New England Biolabs Grant
Dr. Galinski reported that Beverly Public Schools is in receipt of a New England Biolabs Grant in the
amount of $2800. This grant will allow us to purchase and install an Interactive Whiteboard
(Smartboard) in a classroom at Briscoe and to ceiling mount a projector in that classroom. Dr.
Galinski said that the plan is to install this in a classroom with a teacher who is already highly
invested in using technology for instruction. Dr. Galinski said that that teacher would probably be
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Vanessa Henson, a 6 grade Math teacher. The classroom will also be set up to use the wireless
laptop cart; the teacher already has a laptop and projector which will allow us to do this for $2800.
The "full" cost for setting up a classroom in this way is estimated at $4,600
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities: Paul Manzo, Chairperson
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Mr. Manzo reported at their last meeting, held on April 26, one of the first items on the agenda was
the Buildings and Grounds report from Mr. Rand, Director of Buildings and Grounds. This was a
lengthy list that Mr. Manzo read to the committee. Also reviewed at that meeting was the FY ’06
budget.
Upon the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities, a motion was made
by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve a one half-time ESP position (1:1) for Grade 4
So voted.
at North Beverly Elementary School (not to exceed $1,657).
Upon the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities, a motion was made
So voted.
by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the new McKeown Playground.
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The next Finance and Facilities meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23.
Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life: Annemarie Cesa,
Chairperson
The Committee met last Wednesday, May 3rd. At that meeting they discussed the drop out rate, as
well as the summer reading program, which included a few minor changes.
The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life recommends the attached
policy regarding “Wellness” (Section J: Students) for a first reading. The second reading, which will
take place at our June 14, 2006 meeting, will require a majority vote of approval by the School
Committee.
Upon the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life,
a motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Decker to approve the policy on “Student
So voted.
Involvement in Decision-Making” (Section J: Students).
It was noted by Dr. Galinski that Dr. Hayes said starting next fall there will be a bi-monthly meeting
with a representative group of Beverly High School students that would meet before the School
Committee meeting.
New Business
None
Dates to Remember
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Thursday, May 11 – Committee of the Whole 4:30 pm
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Wednesday, May 17 – Committee of the Whole, 7:00 pm
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Tuesday, May 23 – Finance and Facilities, 6:30 pm
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Tuesday, May 23 – Committee of the Whole, 7:30 pm
All of the above are at the Memorial Building.
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Tuesday, May 16 Consolidation Group will be meeting at City Hall, at 9:00 am
Regular Meeting
May 10, 2006
Page 6
FY07 Budget Development
Ms. Brusil reported that the School Committee met last week and the gap between the cost and
revenues is about one million. Also, they looked at fees going up across the board with the exception
of parking at the high school. Ms. Brusil feels that these fees are at the highest they should go.
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There were discussions of what school might look like if they retain 6 grade at the elementary
schools and also the pairing of elementary schools.
Opportunity for Questions from the Press
None
Meeting adjourned 9:00
Maria Decker
Secretary