2007-06-13
BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
June 13, 2007
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, June 13, 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
Donna Bergeron, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent and School Committee
Not in Attendance:
Chris Bougas, Student Representative to the School Committee
President Brusil called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Ms. Decker led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Discussion - Education Topic
None
Recognitions - Such Other Matters (Kudos, Congratulations)
Dr. Hayes and Ms. Brusil asked Ms. Susan Snyder, Principal of the Hannah Elementary School to
join them in recognizing three 4th grade students who recently received awards for poems they had
written. Ms. Snyder introduced Elias Crandell and Justin O'Connor; they were recognized for winning
2nd and 3rd place awards for their poems in the Massachusetts Science Poetry Contest. Justin was
also was one of the top ten runners-up in a country wide Scholastic Poetry Contest. The third student
Ms. Snyder recognized was Sara Van Ness; Sara was one of the three state winners in her grade
level for the "Savings Makes Cents" Contest.
Dr. Hayes asked Ms. Paula Borsetti, Art teacher and Mr. Dan Bauer, Assistant Principal, Beverly High
School to introduce the following students:
Ms. Borsetti introduced nine BHS students and recognized them for being recipients of the Boston
Globe Scholastic Art Award: Amanda Beard, Tyler Levy, Erica Decker, Lwiidy Medeiros, Lauren
Milburn, Peter Constantine, K. Daniel Ebersole, Molly McDonough and Katherine Carlotto.
Mr. Bauer said he was here to recognize the following band and chorus members who had traveled to
the Washington DC, Virginia Beach "Festival of Music Competition" in April. Mr. Bauer said that this
was a very prestigious competition and that the band and chorus members came home with
numerous trophies' which are on display in the office. Mr. Bauer recognized the following Band
Officers: Aarish Sheikh, Jess Taylor, Chris Bouchard and Pete Devekos and Chorus Officers: Izzy
Pulido, Steve Capodilupo, Jackie Robichaud and Jami DeVito.
Ms. Brusil took this time to read some highlights from a letter received from Educational Programs
Network, who sponsor the Festival of Music Competition. In the letter it praised Ms. Lyn Pilanen and
Mr. Ray Novack, Music Department at BHS for the wonderful job they, as well as the students,
performed during the "Festival of Music Competition". The letter went on to say how well behaved
the students were and that, "Beverly High School was clearly one of the champions of the day." Ms.
Brusil said that she and the whole committee as well as the administration were equally as proud of
them.
Open Forum for Citizen Input into Non-Agenda-Related Items
None
Opportunity for Citizen Input into Agenda-Related Items
Regular Meeting
June 13,2007
Page 2
None
Records of Meetings
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the minutes of November
8,2006 Executive Session. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Decker to approve the minutes of the
December 13, 2006, Executive Session. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the minutes of the April 24,
2007 Joint Council Meeting. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Decker to approve the minutes of the May 2,
2007 Policy Review Subcommittee meeting. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the minutes of the May 9,
2007 School Committee meeting. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Decker to approve the minutes of the May 23,
2007 Committee of the Whole meeting with one correction. So voted.
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the minutes of the June 4,
2007 Committee of the Whole meeting with one correction. So voted.
Report from Student Representative
Ms. Brusil reported that Chris Bougas was unable to attend this evening's meeting due to a prior
commitment. Ms. Brusil said that Chris had graduated last Sunday and she acknowledged his
dedication serving as Student Representative to the School Committee for the past year and what a
great job he had done.
Communications
. Issues about staying open primary day in March - concerns with student's safety.
. Concerns regarding 3rd grade at Hannah if enrollment numbers are high.
. Voting at schools - will there be adequate parking.
. BHS Gymnastic team issues.
. Questions from neighbors regarding the high school project.
. Graduation was wonderful and it was nice to see them acknowledge the class officers the
way they did.
. Numbers in 4th grade at Centerville.
. Calendar conflicts.
. Status of locker replacements at Briscoe.
. BHS National Honor Society and Underclass Awards Night - notices were sent out very
late and parents did not have enough time to plan.
. Received a call from Sgt. Negrotti regarding work that will be done to the sidewalks at
Livingstone and Carver Streets.
. Beverly Music Awards night - congratulations to Ray Novak - 30 years of service!
. Congratulations to Ray Novak, Lyn Pilanen, and Betty Taylor for all of their hard work.
. McKeown School participated in the Walk for Health & Humanity; they have participated
in this for many years and did a great job again this year. It is nice to see the many
community services projects that our schools participate in throughout the year.
. Ms. Brusil said that is was a privilege to give out diplomas at the BHS graduation last
Sunday and congratulates all the students as well as the teaching staff for all of their hard
work.
Regular Meeting
June 13,2007
Page 3
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Overnight Field Trip Proposal -Spain
Dr. Hayes introduced Diana Buccella, Spanish teacher at Beverly High School, to summarize for the
Committee information on her proposed field trip to Spain in April 2008. Ms. Buccella said the trip, a
10 day tour beginning in Barcelona, will cost $3,299. Included in that amount is the cost of the
airfare, hotel and two meals each day. Ms. Buccella said she has had 21 students signed for the trip.
The itinerary will include visiting museums and cathedrals and they will be traveling by tour bus with a
guide. There were questions from committee members mostly with regards to the cost of the trip,
fundraising, scholarships and concerns for students who may not be able to afford it.
A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the overnight field trip to
Spain. So voted
Solar Field Day
Dr. Hayes introduced Mr. Fred Hopps to talk about the "Renewable Energy Fair" sponsored by Solar
Now. Mr. Hopps said that the Renewable Energy Fairwill take place this Saturday, June 16th, at the
Greenenergy Park by Beverly High School, from 11 :00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a dedication at 12:00
p.m. Mr. Hopps said that there will be renewable energy products, music, activities for the children,
food, drinks and more. He hopes everyone will get a chance to stop by enjoy.
Public Meeting on BHS Project
Dr. Hayes said that a meeting has been planned for the evening of Monday, June 25, 2007 at 7:00
p.m. in the Beverly High School library for the neighbors of the High School. Dr. Hayes said that this
is an informative meeting for the neighbors to answer any questions. The Mt. Vernon Group
Architects will be present also to discuss the project design, construction timeline and address any
concerns the neighbors may have.
BHS Construction Project Update
Dr. Hayes reported that progress continues to go very well on the design development. The first
sketch was seen the other evening in draft form of the exterior and the reaction so far has been
positive. Dr. Hayes said that there have been a series of meetings that have taken place and will
continue through next week with staff as they relate to the design of each department. Dr. Hayes
said that there will be a Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday, June 2ih, and the agenda
for that meeting will be to look at the design layout (interior) of the High School.
Continued Accreditation at Hannah Elementary School
Dr. Hayes made reference to the letter included in the packets from the NEASC stating that Hannah
School's Special Progress Report was accepted and they have continued the school's accreditation.
Report from School Committee President Nancy Brusil
Superintendent's Evaluation
Ms. Brusil said that the executive board of the school committee had met with Dr. Hayes and
presented his evaluation. Ms. Brusil said that it was a very positive evaluation. Ms. Brusil said that
Ms. Decker has tallied the evaluation and would present it to the Committee.
Ms. Decker said that the evaluation was completed by the 6 ward representative of the school
committee and that they had met with members of the administrative team for input. Ms. Decker went
on to explain that there are 79 items on the evaluation which cover the following:
. Educational Leadership
. Curriculum and Instruction
. Fiscal Business and Facilities
. Planning and Organization
. Personnel Relations
. Community Relations
Regular Meeting
June 13,2007
Page 4
. School Committee Relations
. Personal Leadership
They are numeric ratings that range from 1 = Superior down to 5 = Warning and 6 = Don't Know or
don't have any feed back in that area.
Ms. Decker said that the overall rating (weighted ranking) was a 2.1 - commendable. Ms Decker
continued to summarize the evaluation including areas of strengths and areas in which they felt there
is room for growth. Ms. Brusil thanked Ms. Decker and gave Committee members the opportunity to
publicly comment on Dr. Hayes' evaluation.
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities: Paul Manzo, Chairperson
Mr. Manzo reported at their last Finance & Facilities meeting on May 16th they had updated reports
from: Chris Rand - Buildings and Grounds; Judy Miller- Technology Director; and Martha Jo Fritz-
Food Services Director. They also had updates on the current state of revenues and expenses.
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 attached policy regarding "Sites for School
Buildings". So voted.
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 attached policy regarding "Closing Schools"
with one correction. So voted
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 attached policy regarding "Enrollment
Projections". So voted.
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 attached policy regarding "Funding Proposals,
Grants and Revenues". So voted.
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities the following policy
regarding "Safe Schools" is recommended for a first reading. The second reading, will take place at
our August 29, 2007 meeting, and will require a formal (2/3) vote of approval by the School
Committee.
Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life: Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson
Ms Cesa reported that at the last Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life meeting held on May 30,
2007 the following was discussed:
Judy Miller, Technology Director submitted the three year plan as required by the State, which
included 6 goals. Centerville, Hannah, North Beverly, and Beverly High School presented their
School Improvement Plans, a copy of which are included in the packets; Dr. Scuzzarella talked about
the sequence of Social Studies classes; and also discussed were elementary free and reduced lunch
numbers.
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 "Acceptable Use of Technology". So voted.
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life a
motion was made to approve the attached policy regarding "School Choice". 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 attached policy
regarding "Open Enrollment". So voted
New Business
None
Regular Meeting
June 13,2007
Page 5
Opportunity for Questions from the Press
None
Consider Executive Session
A motion was made by Mr. Latter and seconded by Ms. Decker to go into executive session to
discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with non-union personnel and not to return
open session.
Roll Call:
Yes: Mr. Manzi, Mayor Scanlon, Mr. Latter, Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Ms. Decker and Mr. Manzo.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Maria Decker
Secretary