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2007-08-29 BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS August 29, 2007 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, August 29,2007, 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 Jacqueline Belliveau, Student Representative to the School Committee Donna Bergeron, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent and School Committee President Brusil called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Mr. Manzo led the Pledge of Allegiance. Discussion - Education Topic Ms. Brusil asked the committee members for any comments they may have on the following three readings: from the August 20-27 issue of Newsweek; an article by Alan November, Banning Student "Containers"; and an interview with Sharnell Jackson, Chicago Public Schools' chief e-Iearning officer. A brief discussion followed. Recognitions - Such Other Matters (Kudos, Congratulations) Dr. Hayes and Ms. Brusil introduced the newest members of the Leadership Team, Sean Gallagher, who has been named Acting Principal, and Betty Taylor, named Acting Assistant Principal, both at Beverly High School. Dr. Hayes and Ms. Brusil welcomed them and wished them luck in their new roles. Dr. Hayes and Ms. Brusil welcomed Jacqueline Belliveau, a junior at Beverly High School, as the new 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 Mr. Latter and seconded by Mr. Manzo to approve the minutes of June 13, 2007 School Committee Meeting. So voted. A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Ms. Manzo to approve the minutes of the June 13, 2007 Executive Committee. So voted. A motion was made by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Ms. Decker to approve the minutes of the June 13, 2007 Executive Session. So voted. A motion was made by Mr. Manzi and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the minutes of the June 20, 2007 Committee of the Whole Meeting. So voted. Report from Student Representative Ms. Brusil welcomed Jacqueline Belliveau and asked that she tell the Committee a little bit about herself. Jacqui said that she is a junior at Beverly High this year and is involved in student politics as Regular Meeting August 29,2007 Page 2 well as Model UN. Ms. Brusil thanked Jacqui and said we look forward to hearing from her at future meetings. Communications . . Talked with parents at the end of the year and they had many positive comments. . One of the Briscoe parents commented that she wished she had been more involved during the school year. . Most 5th grade parents from Cove School are sending their children to Briscoe and those that are not are looking for something specific for their child. . Impressed at the condition of Briscoe facility. . Parking lot at Ayers is completed and it looks great. They have an additional 24 parking spaces. . Comments regarding Sgt. Major Ellis (ROTC) -- high energy level, great guy. . McKeown parents helping out working around the building planting flowers and spreading mulch. . Concerns with the numbers in the 3rd Grade at Hannah. . Calls regarding the Athletic Director and Principal at the high school. . Concerns from BHS neighbors regarding the fields at the school. . Parents voicing disappointment in the end of the year trip at Briscoe, discussing doing something different next year. . Questions regarding the dental clinic fluoride treatment and how schools are picked to receive that service. Needs to be reviewed. . Questions regarding the Grade 4 instrumental music program. . BHS students schedule snafus. . Questions from North Beverly parents about their children attending half-day kindergarten at Hannah. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Overnight Field Trip Proposal - Germany Dr. Hayes introduced Mr. Doug Guy, Beverly High School Foreign Language Department, to summarize his field trip request to Germany. Mr. Guy referred to it as an "Immersion Program". He said that the students agree that they will speak only German and not a word of English for the four weeks they are in Germany. He said that the last trip, in June 2006, was very successful and the students were amazing. Mr. Guy said he would like to do the same this year. The trip is scheduled for June 6 through July 3, 2008. Mr. Guy reported that the students will be living with host families, attending school in Germany and that the German students will be coming here, living with our students, this spring. Mr. Guy answered a few questions from Committee members regarding how the class work they miss will be made up and the grade level of the students who will be going on the trip. A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the overnight field trip proposal to Germany. So voted. Approval of Positions Dr. Hayes reported that throughout the summer he had been monitoring the enrollment numbers in some of the schools/grades. Dr. Hayes said the decision was made to add one third grade classroom at Hannah and a 5th grade classroom at Centerville. The addition at Hannah required hiring a new teacher. Centerville's addition of a fifth grade was done with an internal transfer of a teacher from North Beverly. Dr. Hayes said that a formal vote is needed to approve these two positions. A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the addition of one classroom teacher at Hannah (Grade 3; cost $46,049). So voted. Regular Meeting August 29,2007 Page 3 A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the addition of one classroom teacher at Centerville Grade 5; internal transfer of teacher from North Beverly Elementary School. So voted. Opening of School Reports Dr. Hayes introduced Chris Rand, the Director of Buildings and Grounds, to update the Committee on work that was completed over the summer months to prepare our buildings for opening. Mr. Rand reviewed each building: Ayers - 24 new parking spaces completed; in conjunction with the PTO a new kindergarten play area has been installed. Centerville - front door security entry system completed and functioning; front vestibule lighting repaired; kitchen exhaust hood fan repaired. Cove - new sign has been installed; in conjunction with the PTO 16 new trees have been planted. Hannah - one of the domestic hot water heaters let go and has been replaced; rest room partitions replaced. North Beverly - damaged tile in the front lobby has been repaired; cafeteria lighting is currently being upgraded. McKeown - concrete walks are deteriorating beyond repair and Mr. Rand recommends they go on the capitol plan list. Memorial - refinished the gym floor; glass replacement has begun; there will be a new sign installed by next Wednesday; steam traps purchased and to be installed to help with heating expenses. Beverly High School - Patten Wing play structure removed; bleachers removed; four unit ventilator coils replaced. Briscoe - public addressed system replaced; 100 window balances rebuilt; final phase of the 2006 water damage claim will be closed (auditorium ceiling completed); accommodations have been completed for the student coming from North Beverly to Briscoe; Phase I of the new window treatments are being installed this Sunday & Monday and new paint job looks great. Unfortunately locker project did not materialize. They are in Wakefield being assembled and a date needs to be scheduled for installation. District wide all boilers have been open and cleaned for heating season; recycling boxes are being put together by Endicott College students and will be delivered to schools on Tuesday. Mr. Rand said that the Maintenance Plan is off and running, slowly, but efficiently. Dr. Hayes asked Mr. Poska, Principal of the Briscoe Middle School to talk about the readiness of Briscoe for opening day. Mr. Poska said that he is very excited to begin his second year as principal and that this year they will start the first day of school with 6th graders only; the 7th and 8th graders will start the following day; Afternoon Back has been extended from an hour long session to an early release day (1 :00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) allowing teachers and parents more flexibility; the development of a new schedule which increases the class to 57 minutes; the return of four person teams; development of reading program; and the implementation of Everyday Math in Grade 6. Mr. Poska feels that these are all positive changes for Briscoe and is excited to be working with the many new staff members as well as the current ones. Mr. Poska feels that the enrollment numbers appear to have increased somewhat over last year but is still watching them closely. Scheduling is done and they are fully staffed. Dr. Hayes introduced Mr. Sean Gallagher, newly appointed Acting Principal at Beverly High School. Mr. Gallagher thanked Dr. Hayes and the Committee for the opportunity to serve as Acting Principal and for the confidence and support they have in him. He reported that Beverly High School is in great shape and that the Administrative team he is working with is a great, hardworking group of people. Mr. Gallagher echoed the same sentiments about the rest of his staff as well. Mr. Gallagher reported that the scheduling, with the change in the Guidance Department working on Wednesdays throughout the summer, has made big improvements over last year. He reported that overall they have fewer classes of 30 or more students. Mr. Gallagher said that he is excited with the announcement that Ms. Betty Taylor will be the new Acting Assistant Principal and feels she is ready for the challenge. Mr. Gallagher said that they have started the interview process and are hopeful to have a new Athletic Director in place by the end of next week. Mr. Gallagher said that he feels confident, given the support and guidance he has had, that they are ready to open up Beverly High School next week. Regular Meeting August 29,2007 Page 4 BHS Construction Project Update Dr. Hayes reported that the BHS Construction Project remains on schedule with ground breaking in June of 2008. He reported that the School Building Committee met in August and discussed the budget. Dr. Hayes reported that there have been meetings throughout the summer with the Project Manager and the Architect to further refine the drawings; discuss technology; and met with the electrical consultants to discuss alarm/security for the building. Dr. Hayes invited Mayor Scanlon to give his update of the BHS Construction Project. Mayor Scanlon reported that a problem has come up; - the steel tresses in the ceiling have been sprayed with an asbestos insulation. This will be a problem during demolition of the building. Mayor Scanlon said this will be costly but still believes the project will go forward on budget but that the contingency money will be reduced. Mayor Scanlon reported they have met almost weekly discussing in depth the mechanical systems with regards to the boilers. He reported that it will be approximately another sixty days before he has the first hard numbers regarding costs. This is because they need the boring test results which will reveal the underground conditions. Once they have the results then they will look at the cost item by item. Mayor Scanlon feels that they are still on schedule with the project. Dr. Hayes reported the technology update from Judy Miller, Director of Technology, has been rescheduled for our September meeting. BHS Accreditation Dr. Hayes reported that The New England Association of Schools and Colleges reviewed the requested Special Progress Report that was submitted by Dr. Scuzzarella last spring. The Commission reported that they will continue our accreditation and they have request another Special Progress Report by April 1 , 2008. Dr. Hayes reported that the NEASC will visit Beverly High School again in 2010. New Staff Orientation Day Dr. Hayes reported that on Thursday, August 30th, the new Staff Orientation Day will take place at the Beverly Public Library. There, new staff and administration will be welcomed and refreshments will be served. Dr. Hayes extended the invitation to all Committee members. Faculty Orientation Day Dr. Hayes reported that the Faculty Orientation Day is scheduled for Tuesday, September 4th, starting at 7:30 a.m. at Beverly High School. Dr. Hayes said that a copy of the agenda for this meeting is included. MASC/MASS Annual Joint Conference Dr. Hayes reported on the up coming Annual Joint Conference, to be held November 14-17. He is not able to attend, but expressed the importance of having at least one member of the School Committee attend. Dr. Hayes asked Ms. Brusil to tell the Committee about her experience at last year's Conference. Ms. Brusil said that she has attended a couple of these conferences and she stressed the importance of having at least one representative from the school committee attend. She said that it is good for the schools to be represented and a good learning experience. Committee Reports Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities: Paul Manzo, Chairperson Mr. Manzo reported that their last Finance & Facilities meeting on June 20th was very brief. They did review the current FY'07 budget and will have more information for the Committee at the next School Committee meeting. Regular Meeting August 29,2007 Page 5 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 "Safe Schools". So voted. Mr. Manzo said that the next Finance and Facilities Meeting is scheduled for September 26, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in room 164 at the Memorial Building. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life: Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson Ms Cesa reported that Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life Committee will meet next Wednesday, September 5, 2007 in room 164 at the Memorial Building at 6:30 p.m. A meeting of the Committee of the Whole will follow that meeting at 7:30 p.m.. New Business None Opportunity for Questions from the Press None Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Maria Decker Secretary