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
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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:
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Briscoe parents were happy to have received information on teams but curious to know who the
respective teachers are.
??
Transportation questions.
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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.
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Teaching Assignments.
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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.
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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
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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
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25-30 students who attended. The freshmen will start school on Wednesday, September 6 and the rest of the
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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
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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
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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,
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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
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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