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2007-10-10 BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS October 10, 2007 A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, October 10,2007, 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 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 Not in Attendance: Dr. Marie Galinski, Assistant Superintendent President Brusil called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Mr. Manzi led the Pledge of Allegiance. Discussion - Education Topic Ms. Brusil selected two articles this month: the first one was "Parents, kids don't see the need for math, science skills" and the second was "Report: Schools aren't preparing kids for college". If you could choose only one goal for our school system, what would it be? A brief discussion followed. Recognitions - Such Other Matters (Kudos, Congratulations) Dr. Hayes and Ms. Brusil introduced Ms. Sue Charochak, Principal of the Ayers Ryal Side School to assist them in recognizing Todd Rotondo, President of the Ayers Ryal Side PTO. Ms. Charochak said that Todd is a very familiar face around the Ayers School and thanked him for the endless hours he has spent at the school. Ms. Charochak said she especially want to thank Todd for all the hard work he did in getting the preschool/kindergarten playground up and running. Ms. Cesa added that Todd has also lent his support to other elementary school's PTOs as well. 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 Ms. Cesa to approve the minutes of June 20, 2007 Executive Session. So voted. A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the minutes of the September 5, 2007, School Committee of the Whole. So voted. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Decker to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2007 School Committee Meeting with one correction. So voted. Report from Student Representative Jacqui Belliveau reported the following "happenings" at BHS: the Rotary International Youth Program is looking for applicants interested in spending a year in another country and they will be at BHS on October 10th and the Beverly Public Library on October 18th with more information; The senior class is hosting a hypnotist show this evening; PSAT's will be administered on October 20th to any of the sophomores or juniors who wish to take them; Beverly Hospital is looking for high school students to Regular Meeting October la, 2007 Page 2 volunteer; The Salem New recently recognized the Girl's Cross Country team and five of its members for setting new records. Communications . Still receiving positive comments about the new parking area at the Ayers School and the addition of the crosswalk at Livingstone Avenue. . Expressions of sympathy go out to the family of AI Churchill. AI was a crossing guard for the BPS and this is a tremendous loss for the community. . Still hearing good comments about Briscoe, pleased with installation of new lockers as well as the condition of the building. . Questions about the time line for the new high school. . Attended Cove and McKeown PTO, encouraging people who might be interested to please consider becoming a citizen advisor to the standing committees. . Call from a high school parent regarding a transportation problem, referred to Bill Burke. . Concerns with class sizes at Briscoe. . Calls regarding two of the coaches at the high school. . Continue to hear praises and positive comments about Sean Gallagher and the great job he is doing. . Regarding PTO's, there is concern that fundraising is down. . Attended "Mom ball" games, lots of fun and great weather. . Question as to whether the current citizen advisor can serve consecutive terms on the same committee. Dr. Hayes is going to review. . Concern with funding for the new high school, questioning state money? Mayor Scanlon said he feels very confident but a date and percentage have not been determined. . Mayor Scanlon said the woman who runs the MSBA came out recently with the group specifically to tour the high school. Dr. Hayes said the MSBA are visiting the schools that are clearly a high priority and they see us as a high priority project. . Expressions of sympathy also go out to the family of Rod Maxner. Rod was the retired Director of Buildings and Grounds for the Beverly Public Schools. . Ms. Brusil said that if people are interested in serving as a citizen advisor to one of our subcommittees to submit a letter to the Superintendent. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Overnight Field Trip Proposal - Brown University Dr. Hayes introduced Ms. Nancy Ronan to present her information for the Brown University Model United Nations Conference. Ms. Ronan said that they have been attending these conferences for about 5 years; the trip is scheduled November 9th through the 11th and there are eight students attending. The Countries to be discussed at the conference this year will be Greece and Uzbekistan. Ms. Ronan said the estimated cost of the trip not including meals and spending money is $275.00. After a brief discussion a motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the overnight field trip to Brown University in Providence, RI. So voted. Overnight Field Trip Proposal- Moscow & St. Petersburg, Russia Dr. Hayes asked Ms. Chernyak and Ms. Preston to share with the Committee the details of their trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. Ms. Chernyak said they are arranging for the students to go to an English speaking school in Moscow. Right now, Ms. Chernyak said they have ten students interested in going on the trip the week before and during the April 2008 vacation. Ms. Chernyak said we will also be hosting Russian students during the month of May. Ms. Preston said that this is a new school they are exchanging with this year and they have been in touch with them by phone on a couple of occasions. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Decker to approve the overnight field trip to Moscow & St. Petersburg, Russia. So voted. Regular Meeting October la, 2007 Page 3 School Committee Meeting Schedule Dr. Hayes said that he has included the schedule of School Committee meetings for spring 2008. He said if Committee members did not have any issues they could take a vote on the schedule this evening. After a brief discussion a motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Decker to approve the School Committee Spring 2008 schedule. So voted. SAT's and AP's at Beverly High School Dr. Hayes said that we will not have this presentation tonight because Dr. Galinski was unable to be here but that the power point is available on line. Dr. Hayes said that Dr. Galinski will give her presentation at our next meeting. Ms. Decker inquired why AP Art was not included in the scores; Dr. Hayes noted that he would look into it. October 1 Enrollments Dr. Hayes summarized the October 1 enrollment numbers. He said the elementary numbers, at all grade levels, are at a very good place. Dr. Hayes said that the three grades that were of concern over the summer months were: 1 st grade at Ayers - the numbers remained in the 21-22 range and we did not have to add a position; Centerville 5th grade numbers remained high therefore we added a third class; and, Hannah Grade 3 numbers also remained high and we added a third class there also. Dr. Hayes reported at Briscoe the enrollment is higher than last year and at Beverly High School the enrollments are lower than projected. Updates on Class Size at Secondary Schools Dr. Hayes reported that the overall class sizes at Briscoe are large but do fall within the guidelines maximum class size of 30 students. He said that the numbers, however, in Grade 7 Pre-algebra remain significantly over the parameters set and therefore he authorized the addition of an extra class and the position has been posted. Dr. Hayes said that an extra class was added for Reading as well, and that position has been posted. Dr. Hayes said that the high school grade 11 Honors English class numbers were still very large so an extra class was added there too. Free & Reduced Report Dr. Hayes summarized the Free & Reduced Lunch chart that had been included with data from 2002- 2007 October 1 Reports. He pointed out that most of the schools have not had significant changes but that the numbers at the North Beverly Elementary have risen substantially over the past two years. A lengthy discussion followed: why North Beverly's numbers have grown; how the students are reported; who is eligible; and how we get the information out to parents. It was decided that Dr. Hayes would do a further analysis and bring his findings back to the Committee. Update on Filling the Athletic Director Vacancy Dr. Hayes reported that Red Hutt will remain as interim Athletic Director and work is still in progress for the remainder of the year. Dr. Hayes said as soon as he has all the pieces in place he will bring the Committee up to date. BHS Construction Project Update Dr. Hayes reported they continue to refine the design of the school and the meetings are more detailed orientated. He said that they have begun work on the phasing options, which is the timeline for when the renovations will be complete. This information is still being worked on and when completed it will be made public. Mayor Scanlon said at the last School Building Committee meeting they discussed the different types of materials that might be used and what they'd look like. He said at the November 15th meeting they should have some detailed cost data. Regular Meeting October la, 2007 Page 4 Global Child Dr. Hayes reported that the Global Child program will be offered, again this year, at three of our six elementary schools: Ayers, Cove and Hannah. Dr. Hayes explained that this program introduces the students to beginning French and Spanish and we are pleased to be able to offer this program to our students. Committee Reports Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities: Paul Manzo, Chairperson Mr. Manzo reported they last met on September 26th and received the following information: A description of the '07 budget close-out provided by Joan Liporto, Director of Finance and Operations and Ms. Liporto explained how the numbers were carried forward to the '08 budget. Mr. Manzo said Ms. Liporto reported one area of concern that was not anticipated this early in the school year, was special education tuition cost. An update was given on the Briscoe locker situation; a description of the employee head count process, and a description of a plan to garner more Medicaid reimbursement money. Mr. Manzo reported that Ray Novak had come before the Finance and Facilities committee to ask for an increase in the private lesson fee. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities a motion was made by Mr. Manzo and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve an increase to the private lesson fee from $16 to $18 per half-hour for private music lessons provided in our schools. So voted. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life: Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson Ms Cesa reported that the last Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life meeting scheduled for October 3rd had to be cancelled due to illness and the next meeting is scheduled for November ih, at 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Building. New Business Ms. Decker said that the next Policy Committee will be meeting is on Thursday, November 8th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Building. Ms. Cesa said that the design plans for the high school are available on the Beverly Public Schools web site Opportunity for Questions from the Press None Consider Executive Session A motion was made by Mr. Latter and seconded by Mr. Manzo 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, Mr. Manzo, Mayor Scanlon, Ms. Brusil, Ms. Cesa, Ms. Decker and Mr. Latter Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Maria Decker Secretary