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2006-12-13 BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS December 13, 2006 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, in the City Council Chambers, Beverly City Hall, Beverly, MA. Members Present: Ms. Brusil, Mr. Manzi, Mr. Manzo, Ms. Decker, Mr. Latter, and Ms. Cesa Also in Attendance: Dr. James Hayes, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marie Galinski, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Ms. Joan Liporto, Director of Finance & Operations Christopher Bougas, Student Representative Not in Attendance: Mayor Scanlon President Brusil called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Mr. Manzo led the Pledge of Allegiance. Discussion – Education Topic The topic for this month was a summary of remarks recently given by Paul Vallas, the CEO of the Philadelphia school system, regarding technology and its use in the Philadelphia district. There were some brief comments on this topic. Ms. Brusil referenced two articles, one that had appeared in the Salem News regarding "The Shrinking Work- Force -EffectsBusiness Expansion" and how it affects the financial picture. The second reference was to an article in TIME Magazine, "How to Build a Student for the 21st Century". Recognitions – Such Other Matters (Kudos, Congratulations) None 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 school So voted. committee meeting held on November 8, 2006. A motion was made by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the minutes of the Committee of the So voted. Whole, held on September 27, 2006 with one change. Report from Student Representative st Chris Bougas had the following to report: The Band and Chorus Winter Concert will be held on December 21; Girls Cross Country won N.E. Conference; Powder Puff game – fun but some concern that people feel it is taken to seriously – getting out of hand; there are thirteen new members elected to the National Honor Society; there was a fundraiser at Big Bully's and all ice cream sales went to benefit the Music Department; Pat Bailey and Coach Bauer were named football Player and Coach of the Year by the Lynn Item. Communications ?? Reconfigurations of schools – negative response, not an attractive model to move to ?? Block scheduling – parents and teachers in favor of retaining ?? Meeting with Ayers PTO and Principal regarding release and pickup. Looking at available space, at a later date, to possibly expand faculty parking. Issue with busses during release time – is it possible to release bus students earlier than walkers? ?? Energy cost control – fund raising by private groups ?? Parent input - trading four longer days for five shorter days, encourage all ideas from parents ?? PTO meetings at: Ayers – great job of running the enrichment programs by parents Hannah – MCAS - snacks provided? Can we replace with free breakfast for everyone? Briscoe – Winter Concert - nice to see such a large turnout to honor Virginia Goding Regular Meeting December 13, 2006 Page 2 BHS – meeting what to spend excess money on North Beverly – Holiday Fair ?? Selection process for full day kindergarten when we have siblings in home school ?? Everyday Math - moving to grade 6? th ?? Concern about cancellation of the traditional 8 grade trip ?? Meet the Principal at Briscoe – glad to have a coffee scheduled for this Friday ?? Property behind Hannah School that was declared surplus by the previous School Committee with a stipulation, this needs to be re-declared surplus without the stipulation. ?? Briscoe incident – referred to principal ?? Hannah - heard from a parent that had an issue with busing for a fieldtrip, referred to Mr. Burke, Director of Transportation. ?? P.T.O. meetings – all fund raising overall is down, concern is that because of our fees for other things, how this might impact any upcoming fund raising. ?? Class size ?? Hands over the Bridge – what a great group of student leaders in both Beverly and Salem. ?? Fall play “The Man Who Came to Dinner", well done and enjoyable – Beverly High School is in need of better acoustics and sound system. City/School Consolidation Study Committee Ms. Decker referred to the report included in the packet that was prepared by Kathy Griffin,Financial Analystfor Beverly City Hall. Ms. Decker said that Ms. Liporto, Director of Finance and Operations had attended one of the Consolidation Meetings and many of the items mentioned in the report have already been implemented. Mr. Manzo said that it is nice to see the City Council and School Committee working together to improve accounting and finances on both municipal and school side. Mr. Manzo said he is looking forward to seeing more accurate and timely keeping of the records. After some discussion and questions regarding accounts and tracking of the same a motion was made by Mr. Latter and seconded by Ms. Cesa to endorse the recommended changes to school accounting practices as So voted. described in the Potential Consolidation of City/School Business Finance Function Report. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Lyme Disease Prevention Research Dr. Hayes introduced Dr. Nancy Shadick, Melanie Zibit and Betsy Murphy, from Brigham and Women's Hospital to share with the Committee the Lyme Disease Prevention Program they have been promoting for the past two years. Dr. Shadick said that this program is geared towards elementary school children because reports show they are more at risk. Dr. Shadick explained, through her power point presentation, how they are working to educate the children about ticks, how to check for them, and, results have shown that this program is working. Dr. Shadick said that the goal of this initiative is to determine school needs as far as keeping kids safe, helping parents take precautions, and, to create a curriculum that they can give back to the schools to administer. Dr. Shadick would like to have Beverly included in this study. Ms. Brusil said that she thinks this is a terrific program and is looking forward to getting it started in our schools. Evaluation of Clerical Employees Dr. Hayes stated that the Evaluation of AFSCME Employees for the clerical staff, is the first of four to be ratified by the employees and needs School Committee approval. Dr. Hayes said that there is great improvement to these evaluation agreements in part because it is specific to the duties of clerical staff and also that the evaluation dates have changed to more closely reflect the school year (ending June 1) instead of the calendar year (ending December 31). Dr. Hayes told the Committee his hope is to bring the other three units (transportation, custodians, and cafeteria) evaluation forms to the Committee in January. A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the Employee Evaluation Form - So voted. Clerical. Overnight Field Trip – Great Britain Updated information about the overnight field trip to Great Britain that the school committee approved last May was presented. The sponsor should be available for questions at our January meeting. Regular Meeting December 13, 2006 Page 3 Virginia Goding Memorial Auditorium Dr. Hayes said that the dedication of the Briscoe Auditorium as the Virginia Goding Memorial Auditorium took place last evening. He commented that it was great to see so many people turn out for the dedication and what was a wonderful evening. Liaison to City’s Finance and Property Subcommittee Dr. Hayes referenced a formal document, included in the packets, authorizing Maria Decker to serve as a liaison to the City Finance and Properties Subcommittee. Naming of New Park Dr. Hayes reported on the information included regarding the renaming of the former Vitale Site Park. Dr. Hayes said that he was contacted by Councilor Flaherty and asked to involve students in the district in the naming this field. Ms. Decker said that there will be a contest for the naming of the field and it has to do with wetlands, conservation, the environment and possibly athletics. The flyer announcing this contest is due to go out shortly after the holiday break with a March 1 deadline. Judging will be done by the Finance and Properties Committee. COMMITTEE REPORTS There was a brief discussion by Ms. Cesa of placement of the regular school committee meeting and whether or not the regular School Committee meeting should take place after the Finance and Facilities meeting? Ms. Brusil said that if any members would like to see that discussed to let her know and it would be taken up as a formal proposal. Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities: Paul Manzo, Chairperson th At the last Finance and Facilities meeting on November 15 the following was discussed: block schedule at Beverly High School – fiscal implications as reported by Dr. Scuzzarella were looked at; enrollment data; music, athletics, kindergarten and preschool enrollment; buildings & grounds update from Mr. Rand, discussion on outside use of facilities – suitable compensation; summary of the fiscal '06 end of the year budget, surplus revenue ’07 discussed, and reviewed budget - fiscal ’07. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities a motion was made by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the creation of a new Math Teacher Specialist position at the Briscoe So voted. Middle School at an estimated cost of $28,000. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life: Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson Ms. Cesa said that at the last meeting they received a progress report for school improvement plans from North Beverly, and also had reports and amendments from Ayers and Briscoe, who did not make AYP but are working hard to alleviate those issues; Dr. Galinski gave a talk on AYP and the criteria that has to be met. Ms. Cesa said that there are three polices that have had a first reading and they are: "Childrenand Adolescents with HIV/AIDS in School Settings", “Staff Ethics", and "Compensatory Private Tutoring". These polices will be coming back in January for a second reading. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life a motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the attached policy regarding “Drug Free Schools” So voted. with one change. (controlled substance) Upon the recommendation 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 attached policy regarding “Student Policies So voted. Goals”. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life a motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the attached policy regarding “Equal Educational Opportunities”. There was some discussion and questions regarding the following "...every student will be given equal opportunity in school admission, enrollment in courses...". Ms. Brusil asked if this could be tabled and to have the wording clarified. Regular Meeting December 13, 2006 Page 4 Policy Review Committee: Maria Decker, Chairperson Ms. Decker said that at the last Policy Review Committee meeting there were thirteen policies taken up for review that are presented for a first reading. These policies will be coming back in January for a second reading. Committee of the Whole: Nancy Brusil, President Ms. Brusil reported at the last Committee of the Whole meeting the committee discussed elementary reconfiguration and block schedules. Ms. Brusil stated that the School Committee should look for more potential options and have them on the table to enable them to make good decisions. Ms. Brusil noted that they also discussed space issues with respect to the school system and the building of the new high school, including space for preschool classrooms, the dental clinic and placement of district offices for administrative staff. New Business Dr. Hayes commented on the designer selection committee. He reported that the Mayor has been given, in rank order, the five finalists, with the Mt. Vernon Group being number one. Dr. Hayes believes the Mayor will be arranging interviews soon to come to an agreement and final contract with an architectural firm. Dr. Hayes has started putting the final touches on the Educational Specifications and expects to have a completed document ready around the 1st of January. Opportunity for Questions from the Press Consider Executive Session A motion was made by Mr. Latter and seconded by Ms. Cesa to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with union personnel and to return to open session. Roll Call: Yes: Mr. Latter, Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Ms. Decker, Mr. Manzo, and Mr. Manzi. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Meeting re-convened at 10:00 p.m. At this time Mr. Doug Guy came before the committee to present information on the overnight field trip to th Nurnberg, Germany, scheduled for February 9 through February 27, 2007, at a cost of less than $1000 per student. Mr. Guy presented the itinerary for the trip including the names of the two chaperones and the nine students attending. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the overnight field trip to Nurnberg, So voted. Germany. Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Maria Decker Secretary