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
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March 11, 2009
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(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.
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March 11, 2009
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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.
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March 11, 2009
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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