2007-11-14
BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
November 14,2007
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, November 14,2007, 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 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Hayes led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Discussion - Education Topic
None
Recognitions - Such Other Matters (Kudos, Congratulations)
Dr. Hayes and Ms. Brusil along with School Committee member, Mr. Latter, paid special tribute to
Colonel Datillo for his dedication to the students in the ROTC Program at Beverly High School.
Colonel Datillo was recognized for his terrific leadership, loyalty and a job well done.
Dr. Hayes and Ms. Brusil invited Mr. Gallagher, Acting Principal of Beverly High School to assist them
in recognizing the Boy's Varsity and Junior Varsity Hockey teams for being the recipient of the MIAA
2007 Community Service Award. The team was presented this award during the 11th Annual
Wellness Summit on September 28th. Mr. Gallagher thanked Coach Gilligan along with his two
assistant coaches and players for all the work they did on the grounds of BHS and Briscoe during the
summer as well as the yard clean up work they did for the elderly. Representing the team were:
Conor Walsh Michael Boches Chris Bushey
Kyle Irving Tom Berube, Jack Leathersich
Chris Freni Bob Gilligan, Coach Asst. Coach O'Neill
Asst. Coach Shairs
Open Forum for Citizen Concerns
None
Opportunity for Citizen Input into Agenda-Related Items
None
Approval of Meeting Records
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Ms. Decker to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2007
School Committee meeting. So voted.
Report from Student Representative to the School Committee
Jacqui Belliveau reported the following: the National Honor Society hosted a blood drive recently and there was
a great turn-out; the students who attended the Model UN Competition at Brown University won an award; a
drug abuse informational meeting was held at BHS last evening and it was very well attended; a college financial
aid night for parents of Juniors and Seniors is scheduled for 11/27; the Thanksgiving Day Football Game will be
played on November 22 at Bertram Field in Salem; the pep rally will be held on 11/18 and the powder puff game
will take place on 11/16 also at Bertram Field in Salem.
Regular Meeting
November 14, 2007
Page 2
Communication from School Committee Members
. Calls regarding bomb threat at the high school
. Question about Connect-Ed - can a parent opt out if they want to? Dr. Hayes said that they could but
did not recommend that they do so.
. Question about security at the new BHS (outside of the building)
. At the No. Beverly PTO meeting, which was very well attended, there were questions about the free and
reduced lunch numbers and what the process is if they want to install a playground?
. With regards to the bomb threat they have received many positive comments on the way it was handled.
. Confusion about test scores?
. Received calls supporting the decision for the new Co-Athletic Directors and a few questions about the
selection process.
. Traffic lights in school zones still on EST
. At the Centerville PTO meeting, which was also well attended, people had concerns and comments
about the selection process for the hiring of a new principal; the PTO members held a fundraiser to
benefit the Book Mobile and they are going to be volunteering at the Star House doing some painting.
. With regards to the Parent's Afternoon Back at Briscoe - comments pro and con.
. Questions about possible redistricting - how it will affect the other elementary schools?
. Parent concern about the unevenness of teams at Briscoe - recommended they bring this concern to the
faculty and principal.
. After the PTO meeting at Ayers Mr. Manzo had a chance to view the "I AM" display done by one of the
teachers along the hallway. This display consists of pictures of all of the students with a description of
themselves. It is very impressive.
. Beverly Elementary Schools have been awarded the Teaching American History Grant for Elementary
Schools. It will be presented in a ceremony at the No. Beverly Elementary School next week.
. Welcome to Karen Fogarty who will be joining the School Committee members as the new Ward 4
representative.
. Mr. Manzi said he was invited to judge the Inaugural Fall Festival Costume Ball at Ayers.
. Drug awareness forum at BHS -- fantastic night, speakers did a great job.
. Mayor Scanlon reported to the Committee the results of the October 2007 School Employee Report. He
said this report has been done twice a year since 2004. Mayor Scanlon spoke about the increase in FTE
numbers, which he attributed partially to special education demands and also noted that some of these
positions are funded through grants. Mayor Scanlon also talked about the cost of the upcoming high
school project; the annual increase of 3.5% city side contribution to the school department budget; the
surplus in the school account last year; potential loss of Medicaid reimbursements; circuit breaker; and
the need to address next year's school operating budget.
. Ms. Brusil said that at the Committee of the Whole meeting in October they spoke about the school
budget for next year. She said that budget issues are not just a concern for Beverly but also in
surrounding cites and towns. Ms. Brusil said parents need to keep an open mind and we need to
change the way we are doing business.
. Dr. Hayes said that it will be extremely difficult to reach a balanced budget. He pointed out that we
unanimously approved this budget last spring and we are working hard to stay within it but that the
unforeseen rises in sped and utilities costs cannot be predicted.
. Question about naming of a library in one of our schools - referred to Dr. Hayes.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Overnight Field Trip Proposal- Nature's Classroom
Dr. Hayes introduced Mr. Goncalves and Ms. Jenko, Assistant and Associate Principals at Briscoe
Middle School, to speak about the two upcoming field trips. Mr. Goncalves discussed the trip to
Natures Classroom scheduled again this year. He reported that the only changes are the times and
dates. This year they will split the teams: 6 Blue will be going April 7 through the 11 th; Mr. Goncalves
will be accompanying them; and, 6 White and Gold will be going April 14 through the 18th and Ms.
Jenko will be going on that trip. This change was to avoid having two out of the three Administrators
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November 14, 2007
Page 3
out of the building at the same time. Mr. Goncalves said the cost of the trip is $440/per student and
they have a committee working on fundraising.
A motion was made by Ms. Cesa and seconded by Mr. Manzo to approve the overnight field trip to
Nature's Classroom. Ms. Decker abstained as her daughter will be going on the trip. So voted.
Overnight Field Trip Proposal - New York City
Ms. Jenko talked about the 8th Grade overnight trip to New York City scheduled for June 12 - 13, 2008. They
felt this trip would be a great way to regain teachers wanting to go and also there are many interesting things
planned for the students to do. The cost of the trip is $375/ per student, they have fundraising events planned
and scholarships available.
A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Ms. Cesa to approve the overnight field trip to New York
City. So voted.
Beverly Education Foundation - District Grant
Dr. Hayes introduced Anna Green and Karen Fogarty from the Beverly Education Foundation.
Together they presented Dr. Galinski with a check for $10,000 for the proposal she along with Sherry
Wagner, Math Consultant, wrote entitled "Extending Research-Based Math into Middle School".
Drug Awareness Night
Dr. Hayes asked Mr. Gallagher, Beverly High School Acting Principal to summarize the Drug
Awareness Night held at BHS last evening. Mr. Gallagher said it was a team effort and that he has
heard nothing but positive comments. Mr. Gallagher said "it serves me no purpose to have all this
information about drugs, internet safety, alcohol and drunk driving without spreading the word to the
community". He said he would like to have a community awareness night in February or March to
discuss internet safety and bullying then in the spring take a look at a night to talk about alcohol and
drunk driving.
Mr. Gallagher said the high school will be hosting a breakfast for the 89 of their students who are
recipients of the John and Abigail Adam's Scholarship.
Endicott Student Independent Study in Communications
Dr. Hayes reported to the Committee that again this year he is working with a student from Endicott
College on an Independent Study; she is a senior marketing student. They are working on putting
together more effective materials to help with the transitions from elementary to middle school - 5th
grade to 6th, and middle to high school - 8th grade to 9th. Dr. Hayes said that he along with Matt
Poska, Briscoe Principal and Sean Gallagher, BHS Principal are gathering information for a
powerpoint presentation along with some audio from parents. This student will also be attending the
orientation meetings at both schools to gather information.
MCAS Results Overview
Dr. Marie Galinski gave a brief summary through a powerpoint presentation of the district's most
recent MCAS results. Dr. Galinski said that she will have a more detailed report next month. She felt
the results were good overall but there were still areas that need work. Dr. Galinski said that every
grade through Grade 8 is receiving two tests; ELA and Math and in some cases - pilot tests in
Science and History & Social Science. At the high school level they are doing retests and end of the
course assessments and with those you receive raw scores. Dr. Galinski went on to summarize the
scores showing the areas that we have improved in; she also discussed what is being done to help
improve the student's performance in the areas of Mathematics, Science and ELA.
A YP Proficiency Comparisons of Several States
Dr. Hayes referred to a graph he had included entitled "Why So Many Massachusetts Schools Can
Be Underperforming While Others States' Schools Are Not. He said this graph shows a comparison of
A YP proficiency levels between Massachusetts, Connecticut, Texas and Louisiana and points out
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November 14, 2007
Page 4
that Massachusetts standards are higher than any other state in the a nation. Dr. Hayes said this
graph points out the challenge Massachusetts schools have in reaching the proficiency level as
opposed to schools in the other states listed above.
Update on Filling the Athletic Director Vacancy
Dr. Hayes said that the Athletic Director vacancy has been filled with two terrific gentlemen: Red Hutt
and Bill Hamor both of whom have much knowledge and expertise of the athletic programs and how
they are run, will be sharing the position for the remainder of this school year.
BHS Construction Project Update
Dr. Hayes said the development of a phasing plan is still being discussed i.e. a timeline for areas of
the building that will be renovated; demolished, and creation of parking lots and fields. Dr. Hayes
said they are also talking about how this will impact current programs such as when renovations
begin on the auditorium and music rooms, and where classes will be relocated while the renovations
are being done.
Dr. Hayes said that they had a terrific two day technology planning program held off site on October
22 and 23rd. Ms. Brusil and Mr. Manzo, who attended, also had positive comments about program.
Dr. Hayes reported that a representative from the architectural firm spent a couple of days going
through every room at the high school doing an assessment on what furniture and equipment stays
and what will not. Dr. Hayes reported that unfortunately less than 10% will remain.
Mayor Scanlon said they there will be an important meeting of the School Building Committee
Thursday night at 7:00.
Professional Development Day, November 6,2007
Dr. Hayes said that he has included a copy of the district's most recent Professional Development
Day. He said that it was a terrific day for the district and Dr. Galinski had again done a terrific job
setting up the schedule of events.
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities:
Paul Manzo, Chairperson
Mr. Manzo said that the Finance and Facilities Committee met on October 17th and discussed the
following: approval of minutes; revenue and expenses; the bomb scare at BHS; information
regarding scholarships students receive for district programs such as kindergarten, preschool, EEC,
and elementary instrument programs; and a presentation from Deb O'Connor, Special Education
Director explaining the unanticipated special education expenses thus far this year.
Mr. Manzo said that the following policies were presented for a first reading:
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities the following two
policies: "Accounting System" and "Creation of New Positions" are recommended for a first reading.
The second reading will take place at our December meeting, and, will require a formal (2/3) vote of
approval by the School Committee.
Mr. Manzo said that the next Finance and Facilities meeting will be held on November 28th at 6:30
p.m.
Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life:
Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson
Ms. Cesa said that the Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life Committee met on November 7,
2007and discussed the following: the Culinary Art's teachers from BHS came and talked about the
four classes offered through the Wellness Program and about the grant they received which has
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November 14, 2007
Page 5
helped them to purchase some materials and equipment; Dr. Galinski presented the Internal
Assessment Data which can also be found on our web site along with information on SAT and AP
scores and she talked about the changes in the AYP data at the high school level.
Ms. Cesa said that the following four policies are presented for a first reading:
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life the
following four policies: "School Closings and Cancellations", "Authorized Use of School-Controlled
Equipment", "School Bus Safety", and "School Year and School Calendar", are recommended for a
first reading. The second reading will take place at our December meeting, and, will require a formal
(2/3) vote of approval by the School Committee.
Policy Review Committee:
Maria Decker, Chairperson
Ms. Decker said that the Policy Review Committee met on Thursday, November 8, 2007 and the
following nine policies were being presented for a first reading:
Upon the recommendations of the Policy Review Committee the following nine policies: "School
Committee Operational Goals" "School Committee Legal Status", "School Committee Membership-
Election", "School Committee - Term of Office", "School Committee Member Code of Ethics",
"Committee Member Conflict of Interest", "School Committee Internal Organization", "School
Committee Subcommittees and Standing Committees", "Temporary and Advisory Committees". The
second reading will take place at our December 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 8:40 p.m.
Maria Decker
Secretary