2010-11-10BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Beverly, Massachusetts
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 in the Council
Chambers of Beverly City Hall, Beverly, MA.
Members Present: Mayor Scanlon, Mr. Manzi, Mr. Manzo, Ms. Decker, Ms. Cesa, Ms. Silverstein and Ms.
Fogarty
Also in Attendance: Dr. Marie Galinski, Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Maryellen Duffy, Assistant
Superintendent of Schools; Donna Bergeron, Administrative Assistant to the
School Committee; BHS Foreign Language teacher Diana Buccella; Beverly High
School Principal Sean Gallagher and Briscoe Middle School Principal Matt Poska
Not in Attendance: Director of Finance and Operations Joan Liporto, Student Representative Page
LeBlanc
Call to Order: Ms. Cesa called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm
Pledge of Allegiance: Ms. Decker led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ACFNDA
Recognition of Students, Employees and Community Members
The following Beverly High School seniors were recognized by Dr. Galinski, Ms. Cesa and Principal
Sean Gallagher: Alyson Shea and James Powers received of Massachusetts Association of School
Superintendents Certificates of Academic Excellence; Alison Buchsbaum, Bradley Burns, Scott O'Neil,
James Powers, and Rachel Willwerth were named Commended Students in the 2011 National Merit
Scholarship Program; John Tutty, Jr. was recognized for attending the Babson College Economics for
Leaders program where he achieved a level of "Excellence" on the 30- question, end -of -term
examination; and Gabriel Lozada received a 2010 -2011 National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
Award, which recognizes students who have achieved a minimum PSAT score for their region as well as
a minimum GPA of a 3.5.
Dr. Galinski, Ms. Cesa and Briscoe Principal Matt Poska recognized Briscoe Middle School German
Teacher Michael Brune, who was named one of three 2010 German Embassy Teachers of Excellence.
Each state recommends one candidate who competes with candidates from all the other states in the U.S.
for this honor. Michael is a very talented teacher who generates a lot of enthusiasm for language learning
at Briscoe Middle School.
Dr. Galinski, Ms. Cesa and Mr. Poska recognized the following Briscoe Middle School students who
scored perfect scores on the 2010 MCAS Test:
Student Grade /Test
Ryan Noss 8 — ELA
Paul Serino 8 — Math
Alexandra Dodge 8 — ELA
Kayla Ostrowski 7 — Math
Student
Grade /Test
Drew Powers
6 — Math
Ewan Sellars
6 — Math
Matthew Zieff
6 — Math
Olivia Huth
6 — ELA
Open Forum for Citizen Input into Non - Agenda- Related Items
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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 to approve the minutes from the October 13, 2010 Regular School
Committee meeting with corrections. The motion was seconded by Ms. Silverstein and approved 7 -0.
Report from Student Representative to the School Committee
None
Communications from Committee Members
• Ms. Fogarty received communications regarding the BHS open house.
• Ms. Silverstein attended the North Beverly PTO meeting and reported on numerous community efforts
at the school. She reminded the committee of a Stand for Children initiative planned for December.
She also relayed parent concerns regarding district protocol used to report student absences.
• Mr. Manzo attended four PTO meetings; Hannah PTO discussed "Steps to Respect" and the possibility
of hosting a Science Fair while Cove PTO members received a Bullying prevention presentation from
Adjustment Counselor Eileen Conway. Centerville PTO discussed setting up a walk -a -thon in the
spring with the proceeds going into the "Cameron Kirk Fund." Members of the Ayers PTO reported on
multiple enrichment programs and on a successful fundraising bake sale. Mr. Manzo responded to a
constituent question regarding student fees and tuitions.
• Mr. Manzi attended the Ayers' Halloween Dance, reporting that it was very successful; he also thanked
the individuals who assisted him in judging the costume contest. Mr. Manzi commended the BHS
faculty and staff who helped at a recent reception for the NEASC accreditation team.
• Mayor Scanlon commended the efforts put forth constructing the new Centerville School playground.
He also attended Veteran's Day programs at the North Beverly and Briscoe schools.
• Ms. Decker reported that members of the Centerville PTO were grateful for the recent addition of a
crossing guard at their school. She added her thanks to city workers, Michelle Curreri and the many
volunteers for their efforts in installing Centerville school playground equipment. Ms. Decker received
requests that the BHS community open house information being placed on the district web site.
• Ms. Cesa reported that the well - attended Grade 8 open house went very well.
Report from the Superintendent
1. Action Item: Overnight Field Trip to Peru
BHS Spanish teacher Diana Buccella provided a summary of a proposed overnight field trip to Peru
scheduled for April of 2012. Following discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Manzi to approve the
overnight field trip to Peru. The motion was seconded by Ms. Decker and approved by a vote of 7 -0.
2. Informational Items
a. Marie reported that the BHS construction project is on target and that a ribbon cutting will take place
on November 19, 2010. A community Open House is scheduled for Saturday, November 20 with
students providing tours of the building. A Connect -Ed message will go out to apprise the public of
the date and times. On November 3 0 the traffic pattern around the school is expected to change;
Principal Gallagher will hold a parent meeting to explain the new pattern and post relevant
information on the high school web site.
b. The November 2 nd Professional Development Day focused on bullying curriculum review at both the
elementary and middle school.
c. Dr. Galinski provided the committee with student athlete participation data through the Fall 2010
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season.
d. The Strategic Planning took place on November 1 St and 2 Dr. Galinski reported that the very
diverse, hard working group of individuals was successful in establishing goals that the Committee
will be working towards. The resulting plan will provide for engaging and equitable opportunities to
enhance learning, preparing students for higher education and increasing sustainable and productive
community partnerships.
e. Dr. Galinski provided a power point presentation that showed results of the K -12 Insight Survey. The
goal of the survey was to engage the broader community and gain information to assist in developing
goals. Approximately 1000 community members, 360 staff members and 1650 students participated
in the survey. Dr. Galinski indicated that the K -12 Insight group will conduct a survey of families
that have chosen to school choice out of the district.
Report from School Committee President Annemarie Cesa
Ms. Cesa asked Ms. Decker to summarize the recent MASC /MASS conference. Ms. Decker reported attending
many informative workshops where discussions covered topics such as networking with her peers, 1 -to -1 laptop
initiatives, and Strategic Planning.
Ms. Cesa reported that the Joint Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3 0 th at 7:00 pm at the
Hannah School. Agenda topics may include consolidation /outsourcing and information /updates on the Strategic
Planning Committees.
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities (Paul Manzo, Chair)
Mr. Manzo reported that the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities last met on November 17, 2010.
The committee received an update of the transportation department and a report from Municipal
Commissioner of Public Services Mike Collins describing completed and ongoing work in our schools.
Commissioner Collins also reported on the BHS project, the installation of an energy management system
at the Ayers school, and the selection of a final candidate for the next Director of Buildings and Grounds.
The committee discussed the budget, a potential Special Education short fall, approval of budget
transfers, and a new online bus payment system, installation of bike racks at Centerville and outside
rentals of BHS.
The next meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities is scheduled for Wednesday,
November 17 6:30 pm Memorial Building.
Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life (Maria Decker, Chairperson)
The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life last met on Wednesday, November
3, 2010. The Committee received a report from Briscoe Middle School Principal Matt Poska on the
effects of budget cuts, foreign language program, and changes to the Expressive Arts Schedule, working
with the high school with the Small Communities Learning Grant, results of the school climate survey
and computer technology skills report. Assistant Superintendent Maryellen Duffy provided reports on the
Elementary Instrumental Music Program, Smoking Violations, Professional Day agenda and an overview
of the MCAS 2010 schedule and ACT /SAT /AP results.
The following policies were reviewed:
The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, & Student Life recommends the attached policy
regarding "Academic Freedom" (Section I: Instruction) for a first reading. The second reading will take
place at our December 8 th meeting and will require a formal (2/3) vote of approval by the School
Committee.
Regular Meeting
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The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, & Student Life recommends the attached policy
regarding "Fundraising Activities" (Section J: Students) for a first reading. The second reading will take
place at our December 8 th meeting and will require a formal (2/3) vote of approval by the School
Committee.
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, & Student Life a
motion was made by Ms. Decker to approve the attached policy regarding "Summer School" with the
addition of a reference to the Briscoe Middle School. The motion was seconded by Ms. Silverstein and
approved by a vote of 7 -0.
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life a
motion was made by Ms. Decker to approve the attached policy regarding "Discrimination/Harassment"
The motion was seconded by Mr. Manzi and approved by a vote of 7 -0.
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life a
motion was made by Ms. Decker to approve the attached policy regarding "Bullying Prevention ". The
motion was seconded by Ms. Fogarty and approved by a vote of 7 -0.
The next meeting of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, & Student Life is scheduled for
December 1 7:00 pm at the Memorial Building.
Policy Review Subcommittee (David Manzi, Chairperson)
Mr. Manzi reported that the Policy Review Subcommittee last met on October 20 where they reviewed
the following policies:
The Policy Review Subcommittee recommends the attached policy regarding "School Committee
Officers — Powers and Duties" (Section B: School Committee Governance and Operations) for a first
reading. The second reading will take place at our December 8 th meeting and will require a formal (2/3)
vote of approval by the School Committee.
The Policy Review Subcommittee recommends the attached policy regarding "Community Use of School
Facilities" (Section K: Community Relations) for a first reading. The second reading will take place at our
December 8 th meeting and will require a formal (2/3) vote of approval by the School Committee.
The Policy Review Subcommittee will meet on December 1, 2010 at 6:15 pm in the Memorial Building.
New Business
Opportunity for Questions from the Press
None
Maria Decker made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Paul Manzo and approved by a
vote of 7 -0. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Paul Manzo, Secretary
Beverly Public School Committee