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2007-04-11 BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY,MASSACHUSETTS April 11, 2007 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, April 11 , 2007, in the City Council Chambers, Beverly City Hall, Beverly, MA. Members Present: Ms. Brusil, Mr. Manzi, Mr. Manzo, Ms. Decker, Mr. Latter, Ms. Cesa, and Mayor Scanlon 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 Donna Bergeron, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent and School Committee President Brusil called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Chris Bougas led the Pledge of Allegiance. Discussion - Education Topic Ms. Brusil asked Committee members for their thoughts on the Education Topic for this month "Universal Preschool". Ms. Brusil stated that this is not something that the School Committee had discussed previous but this topic is that is clearly on the horizon. During the brief discussion that followed the consensus seem to be that they liked the idea but had concerns: i.e. cost, space, qualified teaching staff so the program would be run appropriately. Recognitions - Such other Matters (Kudos, Congratulations) Dr. Hayes and Ms. Brusil introduced Ms. Emily Rockwell, Title VI & IX Coordinator to assist in recognizing Briscoe and Beverly High School students who have completed Peer Leadership training and are now implementing the program in their schools. Ms. Rockwell recognized Mr. Mark Thomas & Ms. Helen Gorman, Adjustment Counselors at Beverly High School and Ms. Kate Bassett, Administrative Assistant and Mr. Rick Penglase, Guidance Briscoe Middle School, who worked with and assisted in the training of these students. Ms. Rockwell said that these students have worked very hard and are now doing an amazing job working with their peers in their respective schools. Ms. Rockwell introduced the following BHS students: Caitlin Amatucci, Sarah August, Nibal Awad, Emily Bissel, Andrea Capodilupo, Stephen Capodilupo, Allison Chaisson, Megan Chatellier, Alison Coburn, Amy Couture, Sean Deady, Danielle Desmond, Meredith Driscoll, Elizabeth Dwyer, Victoria Kelleher, Julia Levin-Rector, Laura Mann, Aphrodite Marmarinos, Jacob Martz, Sean McKenna, Anne Marie Ngotho, Alanna O'Grady, Christine Oh, Hali Parsons, Julianne Perron, Sarah Powers, Kimberly Reinold, Michelle Rhoades, Jessica Richardson, Amanda Richards, Jacqueline Robichaud, Carly Schultz, Jayna Shea, Emily Walk and Jacqueline Willwerth. Mr. Penglase introduced the following Briscoe students: Kristina Adam, Sophie Blau, Daniel Cacciatore, Abigail Casale, Ariana Cerro, Courtney Hannable, Cameron Horack, Teegan Innis, Cameron Jones, Nicholas Koenig, Flavia Kuchenny, Jacob Levine, Connor Mahan, Sarah Nesbitt, Sarah Ofiesh, Jonathan Ouimet, Stephen Palagi, Nicholas Pinciaro, Hailey Rennick, Ali Salah, Abby Spencer, Blake Sullivan, Brandon Sungy, Anna Tran, Jennifer Usovicz, and Patrick Wilson Dr. Hayes and Ms. Brusil asked Mr. Doug Walker to tell the Committee about the Destination Imagination program and to also introduce the two teams from Beverly High School who recently won the competition at the state level. Mr. Walker said that both teams did an amazing job on their projects and are planning to attend the World Destination Imagination tournament in Tennessee which will take place in late May. Mr. Walker recognized the following students: The Theatrical Team: Shannon Walker, Breezy Dwyer, Olivia Jones, Kirsten McMahon, Emily Kerrigan and Katie Von Zweck. The Improve Team: Heather McAvoy, Michele Shaw, Vanessa Kelley, Matt Boccuzzi and Allie Coburn. 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 February 28, 2007 School Committee of the Whole with one change. So voted. Regular Meeting April 11, 2007 Page 2 A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the minutes of the March 3, 2007 School Committee Retreat. So voted. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Latter to approved the minutes of the March 14, 2007 regular School Committee meeting. So voted. Report from Student Representative Chris Bougas had the following to report: . The Vocal Ensemble and Concert Choir recently competed in the Mass. Instrumental Choral Conductors Association and both were awarded gold medals. . Eighth Grade students are shadowing high school students this week. . All City Band is performing this evening. . James L. McKeown Scholarships have been awarded to four BHS seniors: Meaghan Lyons, Darcy Milburn; Nicole Acciavatti and Christian Hurst . Pat Bailey was awarded the Salem News Student Athlete Award for being the best scholar athlete on the North Shore. Communications . Calls regarding moving the sped class at North Beverly to Centerville -- to be discussed further at the Committee of the Whole meeting. . Questions regarding Dr. Scuzzarella. . Questions on the number of parking spaces that will be available during construction at the high school. . Questions about the athletic director. . Note: the Health Advisory Committee is putting together a terrific health fair targeted at middle school students it will be held at BHS. . Ayers PTO Winter Carnival -- great turnout - they raised over $6,000 very successful and lots of fun. . Questions on the budget process. . Informational item-- email received from a parent who submitted athletic fee bills to their health provider (Fallon) and were reimbursed. Questioned if maybe other health providers offered this same benefit. . The Harlem Rockets Basketball Team vs. some of our teaching staff played at BHS -- great turnout for a good cause. . The Cove Auction was fabulous event -- great turnout. . Attended Destination Imagination competition and it was amazing to see the work done by our BHS students who participated. . Attended Cove's March PTO meeting. . Hannah Comedy Night -- great night out - lots of fun and laughs. . Attended Centerville PTO meeting. . The issue of the Presidential Primary and the FY07 -08 school calendar was again brought up. The chair indicated that this was not the appropriate forum for this discussion. . Questions on next year's Centerville 5th grade class size. . Questions about implementing Everyday Math in sixth grade. . Beverly AP Art students have some of their work on display at the Wenham Museum and will also be on display at the Peabody Essex Museum. . 133 entries were received in the "name the athletic fields" contest and have been narrowed down to four semi-finalist which will be submitted for a vote by the city council within the next couple of weeks. . Attended high school PTSO meeting - they will be holding a meeting on April 24th for potential new members. . Attended the Shamrock fund raiser sponsored by the Centerville School -- great event. . Sixteen BHS students left from Logan Airport today for the France trip. . Attended Middle School Music Macaroni Night -- terrific show. . Thank you to all the businesses in Beverly that sponsor and donate so many things to our schools -- they go above and beyond! . Calls regarding the elementary instrument music program for next year. . Third grade class sizes at Hannah next year. . Thank you for NSBA membership. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Overniqht Field Trip Proposal - Senior Class Trip to Maine Dr. Hayes introduced Ms. Anne Flaherty from BHS. Ms. Flaherty summarized the two overnight field trips she has submitted to the Committee for approval. The first field trip is to Crabapple Whitewater Rafting, The Forks, Regular Meeting April 11, 2007 Page 3 ME, scheduled for May 19th and 20th. Ms. Flaherty told the Committee that this is a four hour trip with 55 seniors plus five chaperones attending. The Crabapple Rafting is a family run business that has been in business for 25 years. The cost of the trip is $200.00 per participant. Ms. Flaherty answered questions from the Committee. Ms. Cesa motioned and Mr. Latter seconded to approve the Crabapple Whitewater Rafting trip. So voted Overniqht Field Trip Proposal- SAD.D. Convention The second overnight field trip is scheduled for July 7 through July 11, 2007. This field trip is the National SAD.D. Convention in New Orleans, LA. Ms. Flaherty explained that SAD.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions) would involve twenty-four students from Beverly High School and other students from across the country. While there, they will be involved in community service activities, seminars and workshops. Along with the 24 students attending there are two chaperones as well. The cost is $550 + airfare/per student and $600 + airfare/per chaperone. There were a couple of questions for Ms. Flaherty regarding students who are going (sophomores, juniors, seniors), fundraising and airfare. Ms. Decker motioned and Mr. Latter seconded to approve the National SAD.D. Convention to New Orleans, LA. So voted. Fall 2007 School Committee Meetinq Schedule Dr. Hayes told the Committee that he had included the Fall 2007 School Committee Meeting Schedule for their review and comments. Committee members felt there were changes that need to be made to the schedule; therefore it was decided that the revisions would be made and brought back for a vote at the May meeting. Hannah Accreditation - Special Proqress Report Ms. Susan Snyder, Principal of the Hannah Elementary School was introduced by Dr. Hayes who asked her to review, for the Committee, the Special Progress Report recently submitted to the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and answer any questions they may have. Ms. Snyder said that this is the second of two reports requested by NEASC. Ms. Snyder commended her teaching staff and said they have really "stepped up to the plate" which shows in all the hard work they have done and continue to do on the curriculum work as it relates to the district initiatives. Ms. Snyder said the next report due to NEASC is a year from now, April 1 ,2008. Ms. Snyder received praises on the work that was outlined in this report and also answered a few questions. Beverly Education Foundation - Teacher Grant Awards Dr. Hayes introduced Karen Fogarty, secretary for the Beverly Education Foundation and asked her to talk about the Foundation as well as the teacher grants the Foundation has awarded. Ms. Fogarty told the Committee that each January the Foundation solicits grant applications from teachers throughout the district for its teacher grant program. This year the Foundation received 13 unique proposals and out of those 13 they choose the five listed below to receive the Beverly Education Foundation 2007-2008 Teacher Grant Awards: Therapeutic Integrations In Preschool - Val Wilson, Ayers Elementary School & Karla Pressman and Julie Penner, Cove Elementary School Beverly High School - Peabody Essex Museum Multiple Visit Partnership - Paula Borsetti, Beverly High School Elementary Literacy Project - Barbara Maver Centerville Elementary School Native American Culture and Life - Kathleen Gross, Gretchen Kiessling, Janet Egan, Erin Foley, Julie Zeiff and Karla Pressman - Cove Elementary School Reading Across the Curriculum - Susan Snyder, Hannah Elementary School Ms. Fogerty told the Committee about some of the other events/programs the Foundation is involved with: the 4th Annual Honor A Teacher Fundraising event; School Council Grant Program; and District-wide Grant Programs. Ms. Fogerty said that last year the Foundation awarded in excess of $17,300 to the Beverly Public School in grants and scholarships. Lastly, Ms. Fogerty told the Committee about a new program called "Illuminate Beverly". This program is in collaboration with the 2007 graduating class and their Baccalaureate night. They will be selling luminary bags for $2.00 to be lit on the evening of the Baccalaureate. BHS Construction Proiect Update Dr. Hayes updated the Committee on the high school construction project. He reported that the School Building Committee met again last week along with the architects; he felt the meeting was very productive. Dr. Hayes Regular Meeting April 11, 2007 Page 4 said that Ms. Brusil had put together a terrific video of their tour of Chicopee High School in which the same architects we are using, Mt. Vernon Group, did their design. Dr. Hayes said that the five subcommittees are also making excellent progress. He reported that the Mt. Vernon Group designers are meeting with folks within the school system to further define the areas and bring us closer to a full schematic design. MASC Day on the Hill Dr. Hayes reported on the upcoming "MASC Day on the Hill". Dr. Hayes said that Superintendents as well as members of the School Committee are invited and he plans to attend. Dr. Hayes said that this is a day to advocate for improved funding for education. Dr. Hayes said that this event takes place on Tuesday, May 1 st, at the State House. Stand For Children Rally Dr. Hayes reported on another event coming up which is the 2nd Annual Stand for Children Rally. Dr. Hayes said that this is an event that the citizens of Beverly can take part in and it will take place on Boston Commons on Wednesday, April 25th. This rally is to bring awareness for the need for more State funding for Education. COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities: Paul Manzo, Chairperson Mr. Manzo reported that at the last Finance and Facilities meeting the following was discussed: Buildings and Grounds reports - at Briscoe - plans to replace public address system, additional window replacement, some interior painting, repairs to the auditorium ceiling, replace some student lockers, exhaust fans and some shades. BHS - upgrades in computer lab; Memorial - cosmetic work being done, closing up empty locker spaces; maintenance program ongoing at our playing fields. With regards to the budget we are still anticipating possible surpluses due to the relatively mild winter, i.e. snow removal, heating/utilities. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities a motion was made by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the recommendation of a new Special Education Home/School Trainer (.4) at an estimated cost of $7, 171. So voted. The next Finance and Facilities meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life: Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson Ms. Cesa reported at the last Curriculum and Instruction meeting they discussed the Summer Reading Program and the significant changes at the middle and high school level. Ms. Cesa thanked school librarians, Ms. Woznick and Ms. Fecteau, for all of the work they have put into this program. Ms. Cesa talked about the new reading lists that the students have to choose from this year. Ms. Cesa reported that they also discussed the handbooks and the major change to them was about the electronic and device policies. 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 Elementary, Middle and High School Handbooks. At this time Mr. Manzo said that he had issues with a number of items in the Elementary Handbook. These issues were stated and discussed and at the conclusion a vote was taken. Vote 6 - Yes 1 - No. So voted. Ms. Cesa told the Committee that Ms. Betty Taylor had presented her Summer School proposal - course offerings, dates, and fees. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life, a motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded Ms. Decker to approve the Beverly High School Summer School proposal. So voted. 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 policy regarding "Elementary Redistricting". So voted. Regular Meeting April 11, 2007 Page 5 Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life, a motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded Mr. Latter to approve the policy on "Student Eligibility for participation in Athletics and Co-Curricular Activities". So voted. Upon the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life, the following three policies: "Acceptable Use of Technology", "Pediculosis", and "Administering Medication to Students" are recommended for a first reading. The second reading, will take place at our May 9th meeting, and, will require a formal (2/3) vote of approval by the School Committee. New Business None Opportunity for Questions from the Press None Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Maria Decker Secretary