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2009-03-11 BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Regular Meeting Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Beverly, Massachusetts A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday March 11, 2009 in the Beverly City Hall Council Chambers in Beverly, MA. Members Present: Ms. Cesa, Mr. Manzo, Ms. Decker, Mr. Latter, Ms. Fogarty, and Mr. Manzi. Members Absent: Mayor Scanlon Also in Attendance: Dr. James Hayes, Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Marie Galinski, Assistant Superintendent of Schools; Joan Liporto, Director of Finance and Operations, Donna Bergeron, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and School Committee; Donna Jenko, Briscoe Middle School Associate Principal; Adam Costa, Briscoe Middle School Music Teacher Call to Order President Cesa called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Ms. Decker led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. Recognition of Students, Employees and Community Members Dr. Hayes, Ms. Cesa and Donna Jenko recognized the following middle school students for their selection as performers in the Northeastern District Junior Concert Festival: Sam Johnson - French Horn Diana Kelly - Clarinet Jessica Gomes - Mallet Percussion Nicole Kirsch - Oboe Gabriel Buchsbaum - Cello Juan Leverde - Voice Also recognized was Adam Costa, Band Director for the Middle School, for his overall dedication to district music programs and for preparing these students for the upcoming concert. Open Forum for Citizen Input into Non-Agenda-Related Items None Open Forum for Citizen Concerns or Citizen Input into Agenda-Related Items None Approval of Meeting Records A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Latter to approve the minutes from the February 11 , 2009 Regular School Committee meeting. So voted. Report from Student Representative to the School Committee No report was presented. Communications from Committee Members · One committee member attended a recent meeting of the Beverly Rotary club where Dr. Hayes and Principal Sue Charochak accepted a donation of $8000 to fund an after-school tutoring program at the Ayers School. · Most committee members reported receiving inquiries on development of the Fiscal Year 2010 Regular Meeting March 11, 2009 Page 2 of 4 (FY10) operating budget. · One committee member reported conversations with constituents regarding the high school renovation project. · A committee member received a call about an issue at Briscoe. · Parents at a recent Centerville PTO meeting reported that traffic issues have improved since the start of the school year. The PTO also discussed the possibility of having a family math and science night. · The Ayers Ryal Side elementary School is hosting a Science Fair to be held on 3/12/09. · One committee member reported several calls concerning a recent Connect Ed message that was received rather late in the evening while others reported receiving no call at all. Dr. Hayes is looking into the situation. · One committee member received a call concerning the protocol for applying for School Choice. · A committee member reported several questions on the location for spring athletics practices and competitions during the BHS renovation project. · One committee member relayed parent concerns with holding the upcoming musical at the outdated Briscoe auditorium. Joan Liporto reported that her staff will address those concerns. · A committee member called the city electrician to request that security lights at the Briscoe and Centerville schools be adjusted to reflect daylight savings time. · Ms. Decker reminded those assembled that the Greater Beverly Education Roundtable will host a North End walking tour to visit the setting of the book Dark Tide on Sunday at 1 :30 p.m. · A committee member reported attending the North Beverly PTO fundraiser for the Boundless Playground. · One member informed the committee that she will be attending the "Stand for Children" meeting at the Beverly Public Library on 3/12/09. All are encouraged to attend this public meeting. · Good wishes were sent from a committee member to the Cove School 5th grade, which is presenting the play Pirates. · A committee member attended the annual Cove School auction and remarked that it was a wonderful event. She also reminded the group about the upcoming Hannah School "Hannah Rama" fundraiser on March 27th. · One committee member expressed her sincere gratitude to all active PTO members for their continued hard work and dedication. · A committee member reported on a recent incident at the Briscoe School and indicated that she would discuss the issue with Dr. Hayes. · One constituent asked a committee member about the recently distributed private school questionnaire. · One committee member announced that the recently formed color committee is looking for input on selecting paint colors for the BHS renovation project. · A former BHS parent who is very happy to see the high school construction project underway contacted a committee member. · BHS presents Copacabanna at the Memorial auditorium on March 12,13, & 14th at 7:00 p.m. and March 15th at 2:00 p.m. Report from Superintendent Hayes Although the committee approved a 2009-2010 academic calendar at last month's meeting, Dr. Hayes reported that a recent change in the date for local elections requires us to approve an amended calendar. The professional development day scheduled for September 22 has been changed to September 15th to reflect new date of the primary election. A motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Manzi to approve the revised 2009-2010 Academic Calendar. So voted. Informational Items 1. Dr. Hayes introduced Mr. Alan Battistelli, President of the Good Friday Walk. Mr. Battistelli informed the committee that this is the 30th year of the Good Friday Walk. Mr. Battistelli reported that approximately 200 students from Beverly Public Schools participate in the walk each year and encouraged the committee to continue the practice of not holding classes on Good Friday. Mr. Battistelli reported that this fundraiser has given away over two million dollars to those in need over the past thirty years. Regular Meeting March 11, 2009 Page 3 of 4 2. Federal Stimulus Funding Dr. Galinski informed the committee about the federal stimulus funding that Beverly Public Schools will be receiving. Dr. Galinski reported that the district will receive $390,000 for Title I support and $1,485,000 for IDEA (Special Education) funding over a two year period. Dr. Galinski outlined the guidelines that accompany this grant. 3. Summer Academy Dr. Galinski also detailed the list of one week enrichment programs offered by the district Summer Academy that runs from July 6th through August 7th 2009. Dr. Galinski indicated that further information will be available on the district web site and that students who register before April 1 st will receive a 10oA> tuition discount. 4. Winter Sports Participation Dr. Hayes referred to the Athletic Participation Summary included in the packets. He stated that winter participation numbers show little change from those seen during the fall season. 5. BHS Construction Project Update Dr. Hayes informed the committee that the district website was recently updated to include images of the high school renovation work. Dr. Hayes reported that foundation work is being completed in ahead of the delivery of framing steel. Dr. Hayes took a minute to comment on his recent Connect-Ed call announcing the cancellation of school due to poor weather. He was surprised at the length of time it took for the call to reach all parents and staff. Dr. Hayes concluded that late calls may have resulted from the high volume of calls being made during the same time. Report from School Committee President Annemarie Cesa Ms. Cesa reported that the 17 member communities of the North Shore Coalition were asked to take a vote among their school committees (or boards) to reaffirm membership in the Coalition. She reported that they are in the process of developing a questionnaire to be distributed next week and that they are exploring the possibility of expanding the Coalition to include city council members as well. Committee Reports 1. Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities (Paul Manzo, Chairperson) Mr. Manzo reported that the Finance & Facilities Committee last met on February 25, 2009. The committee reviewed and discussed Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) revenues and expenses. The group also considered the possibility of creating a middle school spring track program. Mr. Manzo reported that the FY09 school budget was reduced in three specific lines to cover a portion of the anticipated city revenue shortfall. Joan Liporto reviewed the monthly Buildings and Grounds report. Mr. Manzo reported that seats from the BHS auditorium were used to replace seats at Memorial auditorium. The committee reviewed utility bills and discussed the current status of Medicaid reimbursement legislation. The next Finance and Facilities meeting is scheduled for March 18th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Building, Room 164. 2. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life (Maria Decker, Chairperson) Ms. Decker reported that she was bringing forward the following two policies for a second reading and a vote of approval from the school committee. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, & Student Life a motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Manzi to approve the attached policy regarding "Code of Conduct". So voted. Regular Meeting March 11, 2009 Page 4 of 4 Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, & Student Life a motion was made by Ms. Decker and seconded by Mr. Manzi to approve the attached policy regarding "Student Records". So voted. The next Curriculum and Instruction meeting is scheduled for April 1 , 2009, 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Building. New Business None Opportunity for Questions from the Press None A motion was made by Mr. Latter and seconded by Mr. Manzi to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Paul Manzo, Secretary Beverly Public School Committee