Loading...
2014-02-12BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Regular School Committee Meeting Wednesday, February 12, 2014 Beverly City Hall Beverly, Massachusetts A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, February 12, 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 and Operations Jean Sherburne, Phyllis Dubina, Curriculum Consultant (PK -5), Administrative Assistant to the School Committee Donna Bergeron, Matthew Poska, Briscoe Middle School Principal and Adam Costa, BHS Music Department Call to Order: Mr. Manzo called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance: Ms. Silverstein led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA Recognition of Students, Employees and Community Members • Mr. Manzo, Interim Superintendent Dr. Argenziano and Briscoe Middle School Principal Matthew Poska recognized 8 t " grade student, Rebecca Jones. Rebecca was chosen as an Ambassador for Beverly in Governor Patrick's Project 351 Rebecca spent the day at the Pine Street Inn making scarves, cards and care packages. • Mr. Manzo congratulated retiring Briscoe Middle School Educator, Mary "Cathy" Butler, for her years of service in Beverly Public Schools which began in 1980. Ms. Butler was unable to attend the meeting. • Mr. Manzo, Interim Superintendent Dr. Argenziano and Adam Costa, BHS Music Department recognized the following Beverly High School students who have been chosen to participate in the Mass Music Educators' Association Conference (MMEA) at the Seaport Hotel in Boston Gina DeMatteo — Singing - Choral Peter Fickenwirth — Tuba Benjamin Handler — Singing — Choral Ryan Noss — Trombone Jazz Band 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. Kavanagh to approve the minutes from the January 15, 2014 School Committee meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Silverstein and approved by a vote of 7:0 with two corrections. Report from Student Representative to the School Committee Oliver Muise, Beverly High School student reported the following events happening at the high school: Chocolates for Valentine's Day delivery can still be ordered and the proceeds are going to benefit "Best Buddies ". There is a "Jeans for Teens" fundraiser going on with the winning school district receiving $10,000 and a party for their school. The sophomore class is selling food at the school store and students and parents are helping the Composting Club with composting during lunches. The Student Council has purchased two water filters which have been installed. The water filters enable students to refill their water bottles. Friday is sophomore and junior Career Day. Mr. Manzo asked how the compositing was going and Oliver stated that they are recycling water bottles and composting food. Ms. Visnick said that other than plastic bags and plastic ware they are able to compost all food, paper and food trays, which are made of cardboard. Communications from Committee Members Ms. Visnick had no communications to report. Regular Meeting February 12, 2014 Page 2 of 4 Mr. Kavanagh, as did most of the other school committee members, reported receiving questions regarding the middle school grade configuration. Mr. Kavanagh reported a communication from an individual concerned that the money put in the budget for teachers going to Nature's Classroom was still there. Ms. Silverstein remarked on the middle school grade configuration meetings stating they have received many ideas. Ms. Silverstein reported a call from a constituent inquiring about the cost for transportation should someone moved into the district mid -year. She referred the caller to Ms. Sherburne, Director of Finance and Operations. Ms. Cesa received a question on the number of middle school administrators, pros /cons of snow days and an issue with a teacher at Beverly High School which she referred to Principal Sean Gallagher. Ms. Cesa asked if presenters that bring programs in to our schools are CORI checked. Dr. Argenziano responded yes and now they will be fingerprinted as well. He stated that there is a one -time $55 fee for the fingerprinting which is a new state mandate. Mr. Manzi said he had questions regarding kindergarten registration, cost of full -day and about Natures Classroom. Mayor Cahill said he had nothing to report. Mr. Manzo commented on the voting that took place in the field house at Beverly High School this past weekend saying he was interested to see how a single polling location would work commenting it was good to see it running so well. Report from Interim Superintendent Dr. Argenziano 1. Dr. Argenziano outlined the Centerville Elementary Principal Search Time Table. He said applications close on February 19 and to date he has 30 applicants. The Selection Committee will interview the applicants on March 6 at the Senior Center narrowing the field down to three. The date for the School Committee to interview the three finalists has been changed from March 17 to March 18 Dr. Argenziano said he and Superintendent Hiersche will interview the three finalists on Marchl 9th . They hope to have a new principal hired by the end of March which would give them April, May and June to work with Ms. Pressman. 2. Dr. Argenziano shared the following upcoming events: February 25, 2014 — Beverly High School 8 Grade Curriculum Night February 28, 2014 — Centerville Elementary School Candy Bar Bingo - 5:30 -8:30 p.m. March 4, 2014 — North Beverly Elementary School Science Fair - 6:00 p.m. 3. Dr. Argenziano reported that the Beverly High School Music Department has been invited to attend and perform at the State Conference hosted by Massachusetts Music Educators Association on March 20, 21, 22 2014 and requested a vote of approval by the Committee. A motion was made by Ms. Cesa to authorize Adam Costa and Lyn Pilanen - Kudlik to chaperone four students on March 20, 21 22 2014 at the State Conference in Boston, MA. The motion was seconded by Ms. Visnick and approved by a vote of 7:0. 3. Dr. Argenziano said that the final Middle School Grade Configuration Meeting will be held weather permitting, on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at the Cove Elementary School starting at 6:30 p.m. Report from School Committee Chair, Mr. Paul Manzo Mr. Manzo reported that Mayor Cahill's Chief of Staff, Keven Harutunian is looking for a school committee member to sit on a newly formed grant writing committee. Committee Reports A. Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities - David Manzi, Chairperson Mr. Manzi reported the Finance and Facilities Subcommittee last met on January 29, 2014 where they approved the November 20, 2013 minutes. The Committee received a Buildings and Grounds update from Mike Collins, Director of Public Services and Tim Howland, Director of Public Services School Division which included; theft of copper downspouts at the North Beverly, Centerville and Ayers Elementary Schools, Servpro had been at the Centerville School checking the air quality, work done to the locks at the front entrance of Briscoe and vandalism to a storage shed at Hannah Elementary School. Mr. Manzi stated that Judy Miller and Paul Cohen discussed the Technology Plan, received a FY14 budget review from the Director of Finance and Facilities, Jean Sherburne. Regular Meeting February 12, 2014 Page 3 of 4 Mr. Manzi said that the next Finance and Facilities Meeting will be on February 26, 2014 in the Memorial Building beginning at 6:30 p.m. B. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life - Kris Silverstein, Chairperson Ms. Silverstein stated that they were bringing forward the following policy for approval. 1. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life a motion was made by Ms. Silverstein to approve the attached policy "Student Due Process Rights" renamed "Student Discipline" (Section J — Students). The motion was seconded by Ms. Cesa. There was a discussion regarding the changes to the policy which Mr. Kavanagh addressed stating that our policy had dated information / practices and that he had checked with the MASC (Massachusetts Association of School Committees). Mr. Manzi questions whether we should table the policy due to recent information he had heard from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding suspensions. It was decided to proceed with the approval of the policy and to make changes as they may arise. The vote taken resulted in 7:0 in favor of approving the "Student Discipline" policy. Ms. Silverstein stated that the next Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Memorial Building. She noted that the therapy dog, Serenity will be at the meeting for anyone who may have allergies. C. Negotiations Subcommittee - Matthew Kavanagh, Chairperson Mr. Kavanagh reported that there are no meetings presently scheduled but will be in the near future. D. Policy Review Subcommittee - Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson Ms. Cesa stated the Policy Review Subcommittee has nothing to report at this time. Community Engagement Ms. Silverstein said that she attended the SPED Ad Hoc meeting with Ms. Cesa where they had a visit from the Cove School therapy dog, "Serenity" and Cove School Sped Teacher Mrs. Bent provided information on the program. Ms. Silverstein said that at the March 5th Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life meeting there will be a set of questions about "Serenity" which will be answered at the meeting. Ms. Cesa said that we are trying to see if this program is something we may want to consider in our other buildings. Mr. Kavanagh reported attending the Beverly High School open house remarking on how great the students did helping and interacting with parents. Ms. Silverstein stated she attended the EEC Open House as she does every year. She commented on all of the things she sees and hears of that she hadn't before questioning whether we could be doing some of this in our other schools. Ms. Silverstein said she also attended the BMPPA 80's dance and the Polar Plunge. Ms. Visnick remarked she attended a Legislative breakfast at the YMCA hearing about their summer program offerings. These programs are specifically aimed at closing the achievement gap commenting that the Y is doing some really great things. Mayor Cahill echoed those sentiments and said that the reality is that there are plenty of Beverly kids at risk. He said he would like us to look at this Summer Learning Opportunity model for students who are at risk of falling behind during the summer. Mr. Manzo reported attending with the Mayor the Community Council forum at the Senior Center. Mr. Manzo said he and Mr. Manzi attended the Wellness Advisory meeting where they discussed ways to improve health and wellness in our schools. Mr. Manzo said he would like to develop a schedule of who may be attending the upcoming meeting so they Regular Meeting February 12, 2014 Page 4 of 4 do not break the "Open Meeting Law ". New Business The last middle school forum will be held at the Cove Elementary School on February 13 at 6:30 p.m. A vote will be taken on the grade configuration at the School Committee of the Whole Meeting on February 26, 2014 at the Memorial Building. Opportunity for Questions from the Press — none 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 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Annemarie Cesa, Secretary Beverly School Committee