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2006-08-30 BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS August 30, 2006 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, August 30, 2006, at the City Council Chambers, Beverly City Hall, Beverly, MA. Members Present: Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Mr. Manzi, Mr. Manzo, Ms. Decker, Mayor Scanlon, and Mr. Latter arrived at 7:35 Also in Attendance: Dr. James Hayes, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marie Galinski, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Joan Liporto, Administrator of Finance & Operations Christopher Bougas, Student Representative President Brusil called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Mayor Scanlon led the Pledge of Allegiance. Discussion - Education Topic The educational topic selection for this evening’s meeting was Edward L. “Ned” Davis, a charter school teacher and author of “Lessons for Tomorrow: Bringing America’s Schools Back from the Brink”. The discussion and comments reflected on an interview in which Ned Davis talked about “New Architecture for Education”. Recognitions - Such Other Matters (Kudos, Congratulations) Dr. Hayes and Ms. Brusil took a few minutes to welcome some new members of the Administrative Team: Dan Bauer, Assistant Principal at Beverly High School Sean Gallagher, Assistant Principal at Beverly High School Doug Guy, Program Director for grades 7 through 12 Foreign Language Joan Liporto, Director of Finance & Operations and Matt Poska, Principal, Briscoe Middle School. Dr. Hayes and Ms. Brusil also welcomed Chris Bougas, senior at Beverly High School and the designated Student Representative to the School Committee. 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. Decker and seconded by Mr. Manzo to approve the minutes of the th So voted. Executive Committee meeting held on June 14, 2006. (6:08 p.m.) A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Decker to approve the minutes of the So voted. Executive Session meeting held on June 14, 2006. (10:15 p.m.) A motion was made by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the minutes of the regular So voted. school committee meeting held on June 14, 2006. A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Manzo to approve the minutes of the regular So voted. school committee meeting held on June 28, 2006 with two corrections. A motion was made by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Ms. Decker to approve the minutes of the regular So voted. school committee meeting held on July 25, 2006. Regular Meeting August 30, 2006 Page 2 A motion was made by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the minutes of the So voted. Executive Session meeting held on July 25, 2006. (9:15p.m.) Report from Student Representative Ms. Brusil welcomed Chris Bougas, Student Representative to the School Committee, to his first meeting. Ms. Brusil asked Chris to please bring forward any issues or concerns the students may have and to keep the Committee updated on all events and happenings at the high school. Communications: ?? Briscoe parents were happy to have received information on teams but curious to know who the respective teachers are. ?? Transportation questions. ?? Crossing guards. ?? There will be a student from Endicott College doing an internship at Beverly Public Schools full time. She will be splitting her time between Paul Cohen and Maddy August. ?? Teaching Assignments. ?? Congratulations on SAT scores. ?? Any adjustment in sports schedules with regard to Triple E virus. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Overnight Field Trip Proposal – Washington DC & Virginia Ms. Pilanen and Mr. Novack, Beverly High School Music Department, were on hand to discuss the field trip they are planning to Washington DC and Virginia Beach. The trip is planned for April 25-29, 2007. Mr. Novak and Ms. Pilanen summarized the agenda and schedule of events that they have in place for the students including security issues, cost, and fund raising. Ms. Pilanen also shared with the Committee that the Beverly High School Chorus had received a trophy last year for being the best in the nation. After questions from Committee Members a motion was made by Mr. Latter and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the Washington DC & Virginia So voted. overnight field trip. Approval of Positions Dr. Hayes explained that due to enrollment conditions in various schools/grades over the summer, he had authorized the following positions. a. One ESP at Ayers (Grade 2; estimated cost $14,053) b. One ESP at McKeown (Grade 1; estimated cost $14,053)) c. One ESP at Cove (Grade 1; estimated cost $14,053)) d. One Reading Teacher at Briscoe (Grade 6, estimated cost $45,000) Dr. Hayes explained further that the ESP positions were in lieu of teaching positions. At Briscoe they had not realized that the numbers would remain so high in the sixth grade ( average class size of 32, 33, 34) and, therefore, added a Reading Teacher to one team. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Latter So voted. to approve the ESP positions at Ayers, McKeown, and Cove and one Reading Teacher at Briscoe. Opening of School Reports Dr. Hayes asked Chris Rand, Director of Buildings and Grounds, to update the Committee on work done over the summer to upgrade our facilities. Mr. Rand reviewed his hand out documenting all of the work done at elementary level, secondary level and in the Memorial Building. Mr. Rand reported that the majority of the maintenance and upgrades were at the secondary schools for the second year in a row. Mr. Rand also reported on work done systemwide with regards to the upgrading and landscaping of the ball fields; all school boilers were opened, cleaned, inspected and closed in July; four out of nine buildings had their annual R.T.U. service and the remaining will be completed in September; 750 new restroom paper dispensers were installed in all buildings; and negotiations are still ongoing with Keyspan over the gas conversion at Memorial and Briscoe. th Mr. Matt Poska, Principal of Briscoe Middle School, reported on the high number of students in 6 grade (354). He acknowledged that staff were happy with the addition of the Reading Teacher position making one five person team. Total enrollment numbers are approximately 994. Mr. Poska said that Mr. Goncalves and Ms. Jenko had done a terrific job helping him get things in order over the summer. Mr. Poska feels that the numbers are at a very manageable level. Mr. Poska said that he is fully staffed and any facility issues outstanding are Regular Meeting August 30, 2006 Page 3 being addressed. Ms. Cesa suggested that next year the first day of school at the middle school level be for sixth graders only as is done at the high school for freshman. Dr. Carla Scuzzarella, Principal at Beverly High School, echoed Mr. Poska in praising the Director of Buildings and Grounds for all the hard work that he and his staff have done to get the building in the great shape that it is in. Other items Dr. Scuzzarella reported on were the following: the approval of two positions, an English Teacher and a .4 Wellness Teacher, has allowed the high school to restore several electives; the additional money approved for extra teaching periods for staff has significantly reduced class sizes, also allowing Beverly High School to offer more electives; all guidance counselors were in this week and working hard with students; all department heads have ordered all supplies needed and they are in. Dr. Scuzzarella thanked the Committee for approving the money used to order the 300 US History books. Additionally, she reported that they have purchased $6,000 of new science equipment. Dr. Scuzzarella reported that the new student orientation had taken place yesterday. There were approximately th 25-30 students who attended. The freshmen will start school on Wednesday, September 6 and the rest of the th student body will be returning on the 7. Football practice and band camp commenced last week; the remaining sports will begin this week. Dr. Scuzzarella stated that she has a few more positions to fill by the opening, but other than that all other positions are set and ready There were a couple of questions and comments for Dr. Scuzzarella about the numbers for the freshman class, the (360), possibility of having guidance come in periodically through out the summer instead of all in one week, and what is the status of the campus monitors (2 part-timers scheduled Tuesday through Friday). Dr. Scuzzarella did speak a little bit about the rise in the SAT scores and complimented the entire school system in preparing the students for these tests. Also Caroline Mahoney, who graduated last June had received the National Merit Scholarship from Scripps College in California. Dr. Scuzzarella summarized the “Special Progress Report” she has prepared to bring to the NEASC. In the report Dr. Scuzzarella outlined to NEASC where the City is on the hiring of Owners Project Manager. At this point in the meeting Dr. Hayes asked that the Mayor bring us up to date on the status. Dr. Scuzzarella continued with the rest of her report and summarized the other work done as requested by the NEASC. Dr. Scuzzarella will bring this report along with photos to the NEASC on Friday and await their review. BHS Accreditation Mayor Scanlon informed the Committee that the City secured and has an agreement with Heery International, Inc. as the Owner’s Project Manager. The expected cost should be about $1.4 million for the Owner’s Project Manager which will include the Clerk of the Works function. The RFQ for designer selection, was published in the Central Registry today. Mayor Scanlon stated that there will be a walk through of the high school by prospective architects next Tuesday with responses due back on September 14, 2006. Mayor Scanlon intends the intention is to have the designer selected and under contract by the end of the year. New Staff Orientation Day Dr. Hayes invited the Committee to join him along with district administrators in welcoming all new staff and st administration on Thursday, August 31 at the New Staff Orientation Day to be held at the Beverly Public Library. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. with refreshments and the program will commence at 9:30 a.m. Faculty Orientation Day Dr. Hayes reported that Faculty Orientation Day is scheduled for Tuesday, September 5th in the Beverly High School Auditorium. After the early morning program staff will return to their respective buildings and students will th return to school on September 6. MASC/MASS Annual Joint Conference Dr. Hayes reported that the MASC/MASS Annual Joint Conference will take place this fall. He expressed the importance of this conference and urged School Committee Members to take advantage of the professional development that is offered, even if only for one day. Ms. Brusil echoed those same sentiments. Regular Meeting August 30, 2006 Page 4 North Shore Recover High School Dr. Hayes reported that students at the North Shore Recovery High School will be arriving next Tuesday, th September 5and that the staff have been busy getting everything ready. Dr. Hayes spoke with the principal and she has fourteen students, two of whom are from Beverly and they are anxious to get started. Also, the North Shore Consortium is renting the upstairs at Memorial for their program. Dr. Hayes reported that they started school today. Report from School Committee President Crossing Guards: Ms. Brusil acknowledged that many of the members have received calls concerning Crossing Guards. Mr. Corcoran, president of St. Mary’s School Board, came to the podium requesting that the Committee reconsider the cutting of the crossing guard at St. Mary’s School and asked that the position be reinstated. Mr. Corcoran explained his concerns about the site at Federal and Chapman: downtown location, cut through from Rantoul to Cabot, large number of students crossing the area, and traffic issues. He inquired about the data reviewed and process that was used to come to this decision. Discussion and comments ensued. Mayor Scanlon suggested that the Superintendent replace the guard at Chapman and Federal and, if at the end of the year it posed a budget problem, the City would reimburse the School Department. Ms. Cesa stated she would prefer to have the money “up front” rather than being faced with the issue at the end of the year. Mr. Manzi stated he would like to see the guard at St. John’s replaced also. Dr. Hayes acknowledged these were not easy decisions. He stated that with input from the Traffic Supervisor and Transportation Director he based these decisions on the risk posed to students. He mentioned three areas where crossing guards had been eliminated that posed risk: Balch @ McKay; Sohier @ Briscoe; Dodge @ Putnam. Ms. Brusil expressed that her feeling is that Crossing Guards are a city safety issue, and she is willing to give what ever money is spent on crossing guards back to the City to have them manage the issue. After a lengthy discussion a motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Manzi to reinstate a crossing guard, at Federal and Chapman Streets with the City assuming the cost. Vote taken 3 – Motion fails. yes 3 – no. Committee Reports Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities: Paul Manzo, Chairperson Mr. Manzo reported that the next Finance and Facilities meeting will take place on September 20, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Building, Room 164. Mr. Manzo said you can also find the agenda posted on his web site: www.wardtwoschools.org. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life: Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson Ms. Cesa said that the Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life will meet next Wednesday, September 30, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Building, Room 164. Standing Committee on Negotiations: Jim Latter, Chairperson At this time a motion was made by Mr. Latter and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the Stipend So voted. Schedule for Coaches and Co-curricular Advisors – Unit A Contract 2005-08. Dates to Remember Dr. Hayes said that the Committee of the Whole meeting that is scheduled for September 27, 2006, at 7:00 pm at the Memorial Building, Room 164 had been omitted from the list. New Business st Reminder: Beverly High School Golf Tournament, Thursday, September 21, tee time is at 12:00 p.m. followed by dinner and an auction at 5:30 p.m. Ms. Brusil briefly discussed the double booking of school events and requested that the issue be Regular Meeting August 30, 2006 Page 5 further discussed at the next meeting. She also requested an update on the naming of the Briscoe Auditorium and the respective ceremony date. Ms. Brusil would like to review more information on the new food safety regulations. Lastly, the high school freshmen computer proficiency placement test – what is it now and how has it changed? Dr. Galinski reported it remained the exact same test. Opportunity for Questions from the Press None Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Maria Decker Secretary