2006-07-25
BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
July 25, 2006
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Tuesday, July 25, 2006, in the Memorial
Building, Room 164, Beverly, MA.
Members Present: Ms. Brusil, Mr. Manzi, Mr. Manzo, Ms. Decker, Mayor Scanlon, and Mr.
Latter.
Also in Attendance: Dr. James Hayes, Superintendent of Schools
Not in Attendance: Dr. Marie Galinski, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Annemarie Cesa, Vice President, School Committee
President Brusil called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Mr. Latter led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Open Forum for Citizen Input into Non-Agenda-Related Items
None
Opportunity for Citizen Input into Agenda-Related Items
None
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Interview and Approval for new Director of Finance & Operations:
Dr. Hayes updated the Committee on the status of hiring a new Director of Finance and & Operations
to replace Ms. Zimmerman. Dr. Hayes said that they had received fifteen applications for this position
and interviewed five semi-finalists. The panel that conducted the interviews along with Dr. Hayes
were as follows: Dr. Marie Galinski, Assistant Superintendent; Ms. Debbie O’Conner, Director of
Pupil Personnel; Ms. Karen Aucone, Director of Personnel; Ms. Karla Pressman, Principal, Cove
Elementary School; and Mr. Paul Manzo, School Committee member. Present at tonight’s meeting
was Mrs. Joan Liporto the finalist chosen for the position of Director of Finance and Operations.
Ms. Brusil began the interview process by asking Mrs. Liporto what her reasons were for coming back
to the Beverly Public School System. Mrs. Liporto explained her reasons and history with the Beverly
Public Schools. She summarized the different positions she held during the 16 years she was
employed by the school department and what she learned in those different roles. Before her
departure in June of 2005 Mrs. Liporto held the position of Director of Personnel. Mrs. Liporto
summarized her current position with the North Andover School Department and what responsibilities
she has had there.
Following questions from other committee members the interview concluded with Mrs. Brusil thanking
Mrs. Liporto for coming.
FY07 Budget Development
Dr. Hayes presented his handout “FY07 Plans for FY06 Surplus”. Dr. Hayes went over the items on
the list. There were lengthy discussions and questions around various items on the list.
Noted during this discussion was a letter that had gone out to the parents of Beverly High School
students from the principal and concerns over the negative tone of the letter. Also noted were the
many calls committee members had received with regards to the above mentioned letter. Dr. Hayes
said that it was being addressed.
Regular Meeting
July 25, 2006
Page 2
Dr. Hayes finished going over the list and it was agreed upon among the members that some of the
surplus monies would be used for the following: Hire a full time English teacher and part time
Wellness teacher at Beverly High School; hire a Grade 5 teacher at the North Beverly Elementary
School; and hire an additional classroom aide at the Hannah Elementary School. Ms. Brusil felt there
were discrepancies with the figures for the district computer network and installation of overhead
projectors. Dr. Hayes said that he would revisit those items.
Mr. Manzo said he felt if there was any surplus monies that they should be used to reinstate four
person teams at the Briscoe Middle School. Mrs. Brusil said she felt she couldn’t do that based on
the premise that next year we would have to eliminate them again. Ms. Brusil also said that the
number one priority was the new wing at Beverly High School.
New Business
Mayor Scanlon requested a copy of the letter that had gone home to high school parents.
Ms. Brusil asked Mayor Scanlon to update the Committee on where he is to date on the hiring of an
Owner’s Project Manager for the high school building project. Mayor Scanlon said that there were
fifteen parties for the committee to evaluate and they had reduced that number down to six to be
interviewed and ranked. That process was completed and the Mayor said he is going to sit down with
the number one party this week and go over, among other things, the cost involved. The Mayor said
he would keep us updated.
A motion was made by Mr. Latter and seconded by Ms. Decker to go into Executive Session to
discuss negotiations with non-union personnel and return to Open Session.
Roll call results unanimous:
Yes: Mr. Manzo, Mr. Manzi, Mayor Scanlon, Mr. Latter, Ms. Brusil, Ms. Decker
The Committee adjourned to Executive Session at 8:30 p.m.
Opportunity for Questions from the Press
Martina Brendal, reporter from the Salem News, asked if the business manager position would be
voted on tonight and also if she could obtain a copy of the letter from Carla Scuzzarella, Principal at
Beverly High School.
The Committee returned to Open Session at 9:50 p.m.
Ms. Brusil requested a roll call vote be taken on the candidate for Director of Finance & Operations.
A roll call vote was taken to approve Mrs. Joan Liporto to the position.
Roll call results unanimous:
Yes; Ms. Decker, Mr. Manzo, Mr. Manzi, Mayor Scanlon, Mr. Latter, Ms. Brusil
Meeting adjourned 10:00 p.m.
Maria Decker
Secretary