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2104-01-15BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Regular Meeting Wednesday, January 15, 2014 Beverly City Hall Beverly, Massachusetts A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 in Council Chambers at City Hall, Beverly, MA. Members Present: Mayor Cahill, David Manzi, Annemarie Cesa, Kris Silverstein, Paul Manzo, Matthew Kavanagh, and Lorinda Visnick Also in Attendance: Dr. Albert F. Argenziano, Interim Superintendent of Schools, Director of Finance & Operations Jean Sherburne, Phyllis Dubina, Curriculum Consultant (PK -5), Administrative Assistant to the School Committee Donna Bergeron and Beverly High School ROTC, CW03 Tom Smith Call to Order: Mr. Manzo called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance: Ms. Visnick led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA Recognition of Students, Employees and Community Members Mr. Manzo introduced Kathryn Larsen of BayState Textile Recycling. Ms. Larsen stated that Beverly has done a great job collecting textile waste with eleven collection boxes throughout the city and, that we are one of the top collectors. She stated that since last May, Beverly has collected a total of 84,160 pounds. Ms. Larsen presented PTO members a check, with the top three schools, Ayers, North Beverly and Centerville, in attendance to receive their individual checks. Open Forum for Citizen Input into Non - Agenda - Related Items None Open Forum for Citizen Concerns or Citizen Input into Agenda - Related Items None School Committee Introductions Mr. Manzo introduced the new incoming members of the School Committee, Mayor Cahill and Lorinda Visnick (Ward 6) as well as the newly elected officers; President — Paul Manzo, Vice President — Kris Silverstein, and Secretary, Annemarie Cesa. The returning members he reported are David Manzi (Ward 1) and Matthew Kavanagh (Ward 4). Mr. Manzo reported that Citizen Representatives have been selected for the Curriculum and Finance subcommittees but have not been notified yet, so he did not want to announce the names at this time. Approval of Meeting Records A motion was made by Ms. Cesa to approve the minutes from the December 18, 2013 Committee of the Whole meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Silverstein and approved by a vote of 7:0 with one correction. A motion was made by Mr. Kavanagh to approve the minutes from the January 6, 2014 School Committee Organizational Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Manzi an approved by a vote of 7:0. Report from Student Representative to the School Committee Austin Healey, Student Representative to the School Committee reported the following: mid -terms are taking place this week with the end of the 1 St semester on Friday. The junior /senior Winter Ball is this Friday in the cafeteria, tickets are $10.00. Students will begin composting during lunches beginning on Tuesday, January 21 St and members of the Composting Team will be there to assist. The BHS team will be participating in the Polar Plunge, Sunday, February 2 nd at Lynch Park. Regular Meeting January 15, 2014 Page 2 of 4 Communications from Committee Members Ms. Visnick reported a communication relative to Non - Custodial Parent. Mr. Kavanagh — No communications. Ms. Silverstein received questions on the middle school and she reported attending an excellent program "Parenting the Inflexible Child" remarking that there was a lot of good information that all parents could have benefited from. Ms. Cesa heard from a constituent concerning the Strings Concert at Briscoe and stated there were issues with the outside lighting and also asked if there is going to be a musical at Briscoe. Dr. Argenziano responded yes. Mr. Manzi — No communications. Mayor Cahill — No communications Mr. Manzo reported he received many well wishes for himself and the committee going forward and questions on snow days and the middle school grade configuration. Report from Interim Superintendent Dr. Argenziano 1. Dr. Argenziano requested approval of the MJROTC Overnight Field Trip to Camp Perry, OH, February 19 -23 2014. CWO Smith reported that only eight students from our region were selected to participate in the 2014 MCJROTC Regional Marksmanship Championship Matches. Accompanying CWO Smith was Cadet Gunny Sargent Cole Jean, who was one of the eight, selected to participate. He reported that Cadet Gunny Sgt. Jean would be attending with a chaperone. Cadet Gunny Sgt. Jean said he would share his experience with the other ROTC members when he returned. Mayor Cahill asked CWO Smith about the accommodations stating his concern that the student and chaperone would not be alone. CWO Smith stated that the trip is coordinated with Gloucester remarking that their students and chaperone will be traveling and participating together. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa to approve the overnight field trip to Camp Perry, Ohio. The motion was seconded by Ms. Silverstein and approved by a vote of 7:0. Dr. Argenziano requested approval of the MJROTC Overnight Field Trip to Reading, PA. CWO Thomas Smith and Cadet Gunny Sargent Jean provided information on the proposed trip reporting that 30 students and 4 chaperones will be attending at no cost to either. A motion was made by Mr. Kavanagh to approve the overnight field trip to Reading, PA. The motion was seconded by Ms. Cesa and approved by a vote of 7:0. 3. Dr. Argenziano reported that the newly elected Superintendent, Dr. Steven Hiersche is scheduled for a visit to the district on Tuesday, January 28, 2014. Dr. Argenziano stated that Dr. Hiersche's final day in Natick is March 31, 2014 and his start date here will be somewhere between March 31 St and April 15 th . Dr. Hiersche's visit on the 28 th will start out at the Mayor's office, stopping at Beverly High School and then meeting with the Leadership Team. 4. Dr. Argenziano reported that Centerville Principal, Karla Pressman has submitted her "Intent to Retire" paperwork, stating that Ms. Pressman is a "class act" and will be greatly missed. He reported a "Selection Committee" is being setup to conduct the search and it will be advertised in the Boston Globe this weekend. He said that when they have three finalists the full committee will have the opportunity to interview them. Dr. Argenziano said he will take Dr. Hiersche's recommendation to the committee hoping to have a decision by March 15, 2014. 5. Dr. Argenziano reported he included a copy of the revised Curriculum Sub - Committee Schedule. 6. Dr. Argenziano said he provided a copy of the recently released NESDEC's 2013 -2014 Enrollment Projection Report. Some of this information will be given to the School Building Committee Task Force. Mayor Cahill reported meeting with officials from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and stated that in order to have a Fall 2017 opening we need to stay on track submitting information requested. He spoke about possible dates for voting on the grade configuration following those Regular Meeting January 15, 2014 Page 3 of 4 informational meetings at the elementary schools. Ms. Visnick said she felt the point of these meetings was to hear the public concerns as well as the pros /cons of the 5 -8 grade model stating it sounded like it was already decided. A lengthy discussion followed with members voicing their concerns regarding space issues, educational value of the 5 -8 model, feedback from other districts who have the 5 -8 model as well as issues of safety. Report from School Committee Chair, Mr. Paul Manzo Mr. Manzo reported the following Sub - Committee assignments for the 2014 -2016 Term: Finance & Facilities — David Manzi, Chair with Paul Manzo and Matthew Kavanagh Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life — Kris Silverstein, Chair with Annemarie Cesa and Lorinda Visnick Policy Review — Annemarie Cesa, Chair with Lorinda Visnick and Kris Silverstein Negotiations — Matthew Kavanagh, Chair with David Manzi and Paul Manzo Mr. Manzo stated that it is the committee's policy that one member of the School Committee is designated to sign the payroll payments (warrants). Mr. Manzo asked for a motion to appoint David Manzi. A motion was made by Mr. Kavanagh to authorize David Manzi as the School Committee designee to sign the Payroll Warrants. The motion was seconded by Mayor Cahill and approve by a vote of 7:0. Committee Reports A. Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities - David Manzi, Chairperson Mr. Manzi reported the Finance and Facilities Subcommittee last met jointly with the Committee of the Whole on December 18, 2013 where they approved the Director of Food Services Nancy Antolini's attendance at a nutrition related conference in Florida. Mr. Manzi stated that the spotlight of the meeting was on budget. He said that Dr. Argenziano presented his budget, long range tech plan, reorganization of the central office and the addition of four new positions. All department heads and principals provided their overview as well. The next meeting of the Finance and Facilities Committee will be on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 in the Memorial Building, Room 164 at 7:00 p.m. B. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life - Kris Silverstein, Chairperson Ms. Cesa reported on her last meeting as Chair of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life which took place on December 11, 2013 that they received an overview presentation on Bay State Reading Institute (BSRI) from Principal Sue Charochak and the five reading coaches. Ms. Cesa stated that the committee also received reports from the elementary principals on their School Improvement Plans. The Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life Committee are bringing forward one policy for a first reading: 1. The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life recommends the attached policy "Student Due Process Rights" renamed "Student Discipline" (Section J — Students) for a first reading. The second reading which will take place at our February 12, 2014 meeting will require a formal (2/3) vote of approval by the School Committee. C. Negotiations Subcommittee - Matthew Kavanagh, Chairperson Mr. Kavanagh reported that negotiations with Unit A are ongoing and he is bringing forward one policy for approval. 1. Upon the recommendation of the Negotiations Subcommittee a motion was made by Mr. Kavanagh to approve the attached policy, "Negotiation Goals" (Section H — Negotiations). The motion was seconded by Ms. Silverstein. Ms. Cesa questioned the need for this policy. The Committee voted 6:1 to approve the policy with Ms. Cesa casting a No vote. D. Policy Review Subcommittee - Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson Regular Meeting January 15, 2014 Page 4 of 4 Ms. Cesa stated the Policy Review Subcommittee has not met yet but that she plans to make some changes. Community Engagement Mr. Kavanagh reported attending the gymnastics meet in Marblehead remarking on their great team spirit and that it was the 30 consecutive victory in a row for the girl's gymnastics team. Ms. Silverstein expressed her appreciation to Mr. Costa and his Brass Quintet for their performance at the rescheduled tree lighting event and she said she attended the BHS concert commenting on the wonderful new strings teacher. Ms. Silverstein said that she and Ms. Cesa sit on the Sped Ad Hoc Committee commenting that there is a lot of work to be done. Ms. Visnick said she is working on the composting project at BHS and that this will be a savings to the city while continuing to "green up" the high school. She reported that they will be start training next week on the composting and would welcome adults to help the students out. Ms. Cesa reported attending the Inauguration remarking that there was an amazing turn out. She commended Nancy Antolini, Director of Food Services and her staff for their services and the ability to accommodate the large number of people in attendance. Mr. Manzo reported that he attended the Jazz Band /Vocal Ensemble remarking that it was amazing. Opportunity for Questions from the Press — none Consider Executive Session A motion was made by Mr. Manzi to enter into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with non -union personnel and not to return to open session. The motion was seconded by Ms. Cesa and a roll call vote was taken resulting in 7:0 vote. Lorinda Visnick Yes Matthew Kavanagh Yes Mayor Cahill Yes Annemarie Cesa Yes Kris Silverstein Yes Paul Manzo Yes David Manzi Yes Ms. Cesa made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Ms. Silverstein and approved by a vote of 7:0. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Annemarie Cesa, Secretary Beverly School Committee