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2011-04-13BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Regular Meeting Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Beverly, Massachusetts A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 in the Council Chambers of Beverly City Hall, Beverly, MA. Members Present: Ms. Cesa, Ms. Decker, Ms. Fogarty, Mr. Manzi, Mr. Manzo, Mayor Scanlon, and Ms. Silverstein Also in Attendance: Dr. Marie Galinski, Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Maryellen Duffy, Assistant Superintendent of Schools; Jean Sherburne, Director of Finance and Operations, Donna Bergeron, Administrative Assistant to the School Committee, Page LeBlanc, Student Representative to the School Committee, Susan Snyder, Hannah School Principal and Karla Pressman, Centerville School Principal Call to Order: Ms. Cesa called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance: Ms. Fogarty led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA Recognition of Students, Employees and Community Members Annemarie Cesa, Dr. Galinski and Rotary Representative Bill Beckham recognized Beverly High School students Mirabella Pulido (Poland) and Rachel Stigers (Ecuador), who have been selected as Rotary International Scholars for next year. 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 Mr. Manzi to approve the minutes from the March 9, 2011 Regular School Committee meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Silverstein and approved 7 -0. Report from Student Representative to the School Committee Page LeBlanc reported that Advanced Placement French students will leave tomorrow for the French exchange program. This Friday will be the 3rd annual Day of Silence, hosted by the Gay Straight Alliance. The Student Council hosted its 3rd annual Open Mic Night. Concert choir and vocal ensemble earned gold in the 35th annual MICCA festival, the first time an all female group had won this award. Communications from Committee Members All members reported communications concerning larger class sizes in Grade 6 for 2011 -2012. Kris Silverstein commended members of the All City Band, which includes many 5 grade students, on their recent performance. The student achievement Strategic Planning Action Team met recently. Ms. Silverstein congratulated the Ayers Bears as winners of the Polar Plunge and invited all those interested to attend a "Briscoe Clean -Up" day on April 30 and a North Beverly Military Fund Night on May 7th Karen Fogarty addressed a potential Special Education misunderstanding, stating that the commonly used phrase "increase capacity" refers to creating in -house (rather than out -of- district) programs to Regular Meeting 4/13/2011 Page 2 of 5 serve district students. Ms. Fogarty attended the first Annual Hannah Science Fair and PTO meetings at Briscoe and Hannah. Ms. Fogarty referred a Briscoe concern to Dr. Galinski. • David Manzi enjoyed the recent high school musical "My Fair Lady" and reminded all about the Poetry Contest on Monday April 25 at the Beverly Public Library. • Mr. Manzo reported speaking with people about 6 th grade concerns, FY12 budget and elementary class size issues. He also heard about bullying /harassment issues at BHS, the middle school curriculum, and spoke with a parent with three BHS students regarding the laptop program. Mr. Manzo reported on a conversation concerning buildings and grounds issues, attended PTO meetings at Ayers, Cove, Hannah and Briscoe and was a judge at the Hannah Science Fair. • Maria Decker attended the Centerville PTO meeting, heard from parents requesting better signage inside BHS, cafeteria lighting at Centerville and received information on defective traffic warning lights near the Centerville and Briscoe schools. Ms. Decker attended Centerville's pizza contest and reported that Maria's Pizza (no relation) was picked best pizza in Beverly. • Mayor Scanlon suggested that reform of health care regulations by the state could alleviate budget concerns and help address the 6 th grade class size issue. He reported that all interior work at BHS has been completed and exterior blasting will begin during April school vacation week. • Annemarie Cesa reported many of the same communications and reminded people that if they have questions or concerns to please call or e -mail their school committee representative. Ms. Cesa has received inquiries about the blasting schedule for the high school. Report from the Superintendent 1. Overnight Field Trip — MCJROTC — Cape Cod, Massachusetts Dr. Galinski reported that a request for an MCJROTC Overnight Field Trip Camp Edwards at Cape Cod, Massachusetts would be presented at a later time. 2. School Choice for 2011 -2012 Dr. Galinski recommended continued participation in the School Choice program at the following levels for the 2011 -2012 school year: Continuing Recommended Grade Students Maximums K 1 10 1 2 10 2 0 10 3 4 10 4 3 10 5 4 10 6 2 10 7 1 10 8 2 10 9 4 10 10 5 10 11 5 10 12 11 11 Ms. Decker suggested increasing the recommended maximums in grades 9 through 12 to 15 students. A motion was made by Ms. Decker to accept the recommended maximums in grades K -8 of 10 students and 15 students in grades 9 -12. The motion was seconded by Mr. Manzo and approved 7 -0. 3. School Committee Meeting Schedule for Fall 2011 Dr. Galinski requested approval of a draft School Committee Fall 2011 meeting schedule. She stated that the preferred schedule ( "draft II ") eliminates a meeting during the week prior to the Christmas Regular Meeting 4/13/2011 Page 3 of 5 holiday. Following discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Manzi to approved draft II School Committee Meeting Schedule for Fall 2011. The motion was seconded by Ms. Fogarty and approved 7 -0. 4. Introduction of the Director of Public School Division Dr. Galinski introduced Tim Howland, the new Director of the Public Schools Division of the City Department of Public Services. Mr. Howland began work on January 1, 2011. 5. Hannah School — NEASC Five Year Progress Report Hannah Elementary School Principal Susan Snyder provided the committee with copies of the NEASC Five -Year Progress Report. Ms. Snyder pointed out that 79% of the NEASC recommendations have been completed to date. Ms. Cesa and Ms. Fogarty extended congratulations to the Hannah faculty and staff. 6. Naming of the Centerville Library Centerville Elementary School Principal Karla Pressman appeared before the committee to request that the Centerville School library be named "The Francis J. Pascucci Library." Mrs. Pascucci and her family, including five children who attended the Centerville school, are long long -time supporters of the Centerville school and the Beverly Public School system. Ms. Cesa said that school committee policy requires that request will be reviewed and a public vote will be taken at our June 15 School Committee meeting. Report from School Committee President Annemarie Cesa Outsourcing Transportation Ms. Cesa stated that the committee reviewed a recent audit of the district transportation department, which indicated that the current in house transportation department is more cost effective than outsourcing transportation. She requested that the committee vote to approve retention of transportation services in house. Mr. Manzi recused himself from the discussion and any subsequent vote on the matter. A motion was made by Mr. Manzo that -based on relative cost —the Beverly Public School system will continue to transport district students in house. The motion was seconded by Ms. Decker and approved 5 -0 (David Manzi excused himself from voting and Mayor Scanlon was absent at the time of the vote). Primary Election Date Ms. Cesa recommended that the 2011 -2012 School District Calendar be revised, canceling elementary classes on the September 20, 2011 primary election day. After a brief discussion, the committee directed Dr. Galinski to examine possible schedule options and recommend a revised calendar at a later meeting. Ad -Hoc Committee Reports Mr. Manzo reported the Technology study group had met on several occasions to discuss current and future district technology needs. The committee suggested that priority be given to maintenance of current infrastructure and examination of different replacement options going forward in the elementary environment. The district should consider implementing a one -to -one model at the middle school. Mr. Manzo concluded that teacher training and curriculum development would be essential in order for the successful integration technology with education. Committee Reports Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities (Paul Manzo, Chairperson) Mr. Manzo reported that the Finance and Facilities committee last met on March 16, 2011 and at that time they approved minutes and received a Buildings and Grounds Report from Tim Howland. Tim reported on repairs to the Briscoe roof and boilers, as well as work performed throughout the district. The group Regular Meeting 4/13/2011 Page 4 of 5 discussed options for routine floor maintenance at the high school, as well the need for more signs and improved auditorium seating access at BHS. The committee reviewed the FYI budget, including revenue changes, revolving fund balances, and concerns about specific expenditures. Mr. Manzo reported that the following positions are being recommended for approval. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made by Mr. Manzo to approve a certified occupational therapist (COTA) position at the high school as required by a student individualized education plan (IEP). The estimated cost of this position is $12,000 for the remainder of the school year. Funds for the position will be derived from the Contracted Services 766 account (SP860 62960). The motion was seconded by Ms. Decker and approved 7 -0. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made by Mr. Manzo to approve a paraprofessional at the North Beverly Elementary School as required by a student IEP. The estimated cost of this position is $6,972 for the remainder of the school year. Funds for the position will be derived from the Special Services Psychologists account (SP415 61035). The motion was seconded by Ms. Fogarty and approved 7 -0. The next Finance and Facilities meeting will be on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Memorial Building. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life (Maria Decker, Chairperson) Ms. Decker reported that the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life met twice since the last regular School Committee meeting. At the March 16 meeting, Principal Sean Gallagher provided a review of the BHS Program of Studies as well as the graduation requirements for the 2011- 2012 school year. At the April 6, 2011 meeting, secondary Library Media Specialists Alexandra Woznick and Barb Fecteau outlined the Summer Reading program. Dr. Duffy reviewed several laptop program documents, which have been mailed home, and the Elementary Handbook. The following are being recommended for approval. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life a motion was made by Ms. Decker to approve the Beverly High School Program of Studies for 2011 -2012. The motion was seconded by Ms. Silverstein and approved 7 -0. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life a motion was made by Ms. Decker to approve new Beverly High School graduation requirements. The motion was seconded by Mr. Manzi and approved 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 Elementary Student Handbook for 2011 -2012. The motion was seconded by Mr. Manzi and approved 7 -0. Policy Review Subcommittee (David Manzi, Chairperson) Mr. Manzi reported that the Policy Review Subcommittee last met on April 6 th and is bringing forth the following policies. The Policy Review Subcommittee recommends the attached policy regarding "Admission of Transfer Students" (Section J: Students) for a first reading. The second reading, which will take place at our May 18, 2011 meeting, will require a formal (2/3) vote of approval by the School Committee. The Policy Review Subcommittee recommends the attached policy regarding "Service Animals in Regular Meeting 4/13/2011 Page 5 of 5 School" (Section E: Support Services) for a first reading. The second reading, which will take place at our May 18, 2011 meeting, will require a formal (2/3) vote of approval by the School Committee. Upon the recommendation of the Policy Review Subcommittee a motion was made by Mr. Manzi to approve the attached policy regarding "School Councils" (Section B: School Committee Governance and Operations) with one change. The motion was seconded by Mr. Manzo and approved 7 -0. Upon the recommendation of the Policy Review Subcommittee a motion was made by Mr. Manzi to approve the attached policy regarding "School Committee Meeting Procedures" (Section B: School Committee Governance and Operations) with multiple changes. The motion was seconded by Ms. Decker and approved 7 -0. Negotiations Subcommittee (Karen Fogarty, Chairperson) Ms. Fogarty reported the Negotiations Subcommittee held their first meeting this afternoon and had nothing further to report. New Business Ms. Decker reported that the BHS graduation will be held on June 5, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. The rain /shine determination will be made the Friday prior to graduation. Ms. Cesa announced that the "Evening of Accomplishments" will take place on Thursday, April 28, 2011 in the BHS auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m. Opportunity for Questions from the Press None Ms. Decker made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. Manzi and approved by a vote of 7 -0. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Paul Manzo, Secretary Beverly Public School Committee