2014-3-12BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Regular School Committee Meeting
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Beverly City Hall
Beverly, Massachusetts
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, March 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, Sean Gallagher,
Principal and Dan Bauer, Assistant Principal of Beverly High School, CW03 Smith,
ROTC, Austin Healey, Student Representative
Call to Order: Mr. Manzo called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance: Ms. Cesa led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA
Recognition of Students, Employees and Community Members
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 February 12, 2014 School Committee
meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Silverstein and approved by a vote of 7:0 with one correction.
Report from Student Representative to the School Committee
Austin Healey reported the following events taking place at BHS: Hannah Tsukroff's documentary, "Story —
What You Don't See" was chosen as one of the top 10 documentaries created by Massachusetts high
school students in Salem Cinema's 2014 Five Minute High School Documentary Contest, the faculty
basketball game with the Harlem Superstars is being played tonight with profits going to the freshman class
also Aegis is hosting a fundraiser at Panera Bread tonight. Austin said you need to have your flyer so Aegis
will get credit. There are two lectures going to be presented: Fostering Resilience on 3/24/14 at 7:00 p.m.
and Parent Education Night with Joani Geltman on 3/26/14, 6:30 to 8:30 in the auditorium. The musical
performances of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" will begin on Thursday, March 14 th
through Saturday, March 15 th at 7:00 p.m. A Matinee performance is scheduled on Sunday, 3/16 at 2:00
p.m. Austin reported that the BHS hockey team is playing for the championship at the TD Garden on
Sunday, March 16 at 7:45 p.m.
Communications from Committee Members
Ms. Visnick reported receiving communications on the re- organization of Central Office and the electronic
speeding signs at the schools, which had not had their clocks reset to reflect daylight savings time. Ms.
Visnick said she received communications regarding the high school's Parent's Afternoon Back
commenting that it is too short and there is not enough time with the teachers. Ms. Visnick commented on
the fees that are being charged to students ($2.00 /per) to send their transcripts to colleges. She said that
this fee goes to Naviance. It was suggested that this be brought to the Finance and Facilities Committee.
Mr. Kavanagh received a communication on the 1 to 1 Laptop program. The parent's question /concern was
that if you had your own computer (not purchased through the 1 to 1 program) you cannot take it to the tech
center for repairs and updates. Mr. Kavanagh referred this matter to Judy Miller but felt we need to do a
better job explaining the program to parents. Ms. Visnick noted that the 8 h grade laptop program is
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March 12, 2014
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happening now and that we should get the information out.
Ms. Silverstein reported hearing from a constituent regarding bus safety and seat belts on buses. She also
heard concerns on safety issues crossing the street to Ayers. Ms. Silverstein said she would talk to the
Mayor and thinks it is something we need to think about again. Ms. Silverstein said she asked Ms.
Bergeron if she would post the School Building Committee meetings on our web site.
Ms. Cesa said she received questions about the Middle School Building Study.
Mr. Manzi said he too received questions about the Middle School Building Study.
Mayor Cahill — nothing at this time.
Mr. Manzi said he did attend the Ayers PTO meeting and also commented on the dangers crossing Bridge
Street. He reported that he sent a communication to Sgt. Russ Rollins, Traffic Division.
Mayor Cahill reported that he and the Police Chief are working on developing and implementing a safer
driving plan. They will be putting more radar and more cruisers on the street in the hopes that people will
move through Beverly differently.
Mr. Manzo reported receiving feed -back on middle school and questions on the kindergarten registration and
fees.
Report from Interim Superintendent Dr. Argenziano
1. CWO3 Smith requested approval of an overnight Field Trip to Camp Perry, OH projected to take
place on March 26 — 30 2014. Cadet Gunny Sargent Jean has qualified as the number one shooter
in Massachusetts and will be competing in the 2014 Certified Marksmanship Program Regional
Championship.
A motion was made by Mr. Kavanagh to approve the overnight field trip to Camp Perry, OH on March
26 — 30 2014. The motion was seconded by Ms. Visnick and approved by a vote of 7:0.
CWO3 Smith requested approval of an overnight Field Trip to Camp Edwards, MA projected to take
place on July 7 -11, 2014. He stated, when asked, that this is the annual summer trip, that there will
be eight schools within Massachusetts participating and there are 30 students attending with four
chaperones, 5 days at no cost to the students.
A motion was made by Mr. Kavanagh to approve the overnight field trip to Camp Edwards, MA on
July 7 -11, 2014. The motion was seconded by Ms. Visnick and approved by a vote of 7:0.
2. Beverly High School Monument Field
Dr. Argenziano reported that during the demolition phase of the high school a number of memorial
plaques were destroyed. Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Bauer dug through the rubble to try to locate them
with no success. Dr. Argenziano stated that they would like to replicate a memorial.
Mr. Gallagher, Beverly High School Principal provided a power point presentation and talked about
some of the plaques that were not recovered, and stated that many of the family members are very
upset. He said the administration is proposing a memorial; granite benches, which they feel would be
easy to clean and would be everlasting. Additionally there would be a Memorial walkway near the
existing baseball field which would have a stone dust walkway and a flag pole with the names of the
fallen heroes of Beverly.
Mr. Gallagher said they are hoping to do the dedication during the Memorial Day weekend. Ms. Cesa
stated that she feels it is amazing to be recognized and remembered.
A motion was made by Ms. Visnick to approve the Memorial Walkway at Beverly High School. The
motion was seconded by Ms. Cesa and approved by a vote of 7:0.
3. Update on Centerville Principalship Search
Dr. Argenziano reported that he met with the School Committee at 6:15 and provided them with the
information on the three finalists for the principal of Centerville School. He stated that there is a one
page biographical on the three candidates which will be posted to our web site in the morning and the
School Committee will conduct interviews on Tuesday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m.
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Dr. Argenziano stated that Dr. Hiersche will interview the candidate on March 20 th and a decision
should be made by Friday.
4. Blue Ribbon Committee on Mathematics
Dr. Argenziano stated that he provided an update of the findings of the Blue Ribbon Mathematics
Committee. He said it will be discussed at the Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life Committee
with Phyllis Dubina, Curriculum Consultant (PK -5) and Ms. Silverstein, Committee Chair.
5. Kindergarten Policy on Admissions /Scholarships.
Dr. Argenziano reported that he received a letter questioning kindergarten fees commenting that we
are following policy and are taking it under advisement.
6. Information on the following Calendar Items:
Dr. Argenziano commented on the following upcoming events:
Beverly High School Musical: "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ", March 13, 14
15 16 2014.
Dr. Richard Weissbourd — BHS, 7:00 P.M. "Fostering Resilience Raising Moral and Happy
Children" — March 24, 2014
Briscoe — All City Band Concert - BHS, 6:30 P.M. — March 25, 2014
Beverly High School Hockey Team playing at the TD Gardens against Medfield, Sunday, 7:45
p.m. March 16, 2014
Dr. Argenziano stated at the upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting on March 26 th he will provide
the committee with an Organizational Chart which will be discussed at that time. Lastly, Dr.
Argenziano stated that Dr. Hiersche will be sitting with the committee at the next school
committee meeting in April. Dr. Argenziano said he has had a great and productive eleven
months listing the many items that have come across his desk since his arrival that have been
resolved.
Ms. Cesa inquired about busses for the hockey game in to Boston but Mr. Gallagher reported there is
no parking for them. He commented they were working on public transportation.
Report from School Committee Chair, Mr. Paul Manzo
Mr. Manzo commented that City Counselor James Latter is serving on the Financial Forecasting Committee
and stated that he and Mr. Kavanagh will be joining him.
Mr. Manzo reported that Ms. Visnick will be working with the Mayor's Chief of Staff Mr. Harutunian on the
Grant Writing Committee. He asked Ms. Visnick to provide a review of the first meeting.
Ms. Visnick reported that at the meeting they divided into three groups. Each group's task was to assess
Beverly:
1 — What Beverly is doing as a whole?
2 — What other cities /towns are doing?
3 — Where do we find sources?
Ms. Visnick said that the next meeting is scheduled for March 27 th . She stated her concern is that they don't
have a person to write the grants but commented that is was a good first meeting.
Committee Reports
A. Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities - David Manzi, Chairperson
Mr. Manzi reported that the Finance and Facilities Subcommittee last met on February 26, 2014 where
they approved minutes and received a Buildings and Grounds Report summarizing work completed over
the past month. Director of the Public Schools Division, Timothy Howland reported repairs at North
Beverly i.e. hallway floor tiles and repairs to a frozen pipe in the boy's room. District wide replacement of
40 copper downspouts, an odor at the Centerville School was caused by a mole nest in the wall and it
was cleaned out, sterilized and the wall was sealed up. Mr. Howland's report also included suspected
break -in at Memorial, thermostat in Recovery High Schools boy's room was vandalized and replaced.
Mr. Manzo inquired about the snow removal budget and was told that it had been depleted.
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Mr. Manzi stated Dr. Argenziano, Interim Superintendent shared his Central Office re- organization plan
and the Director of Finance and Operations, Jean Sherburne reported on the FY14 Budget: revenues
and expenses.
Mr. Manzi said that the next Finance and Facilities Meeting will be on March 19, 2014 in the Memorial
Building beginning at 7:00 p.m.
B. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life - Kris Silverstein, Chairperson
Ms. Silverstein reported that the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life met on
March 5, 2014 where they welcomed the new citizen representatives. They received a presentation by
Cove School Sped Teacher, Jennifer Bent regarding her therapeutic dog "Serenity" which prompted a
discussion regarding a dog policy.
Ms. Silverstein stated they heard from Beverly High School Principal, Sean Gallagher who provided
them with presentations on the Program of Studies and the Stay Program. Ms. Silverstein reported that
they received a report from Phyllis Dubina, Curriculum Coordinator (PK -5) on the district report cards
and Emily Rockwell, Coordinator of Child Welfare and Attendance and Title VI & IX Coordinator updated
them on minor word changes to three policies.
Ms. Silverstein stated that they are bringing forward the following three policies for first readings:
1. The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life recommends the
attached policy, "Flag Displays and the Pledge of Allegiance" (Section I — Instruction) for a
first reading. The second reading will take place at our April 9, 2014 meeting and will
require a formal (2/3) vote of approval by the School Committee.
2. The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life recommends the
attached policy, "Discrimination and Harassment" (Section A — Foundations and Basic
Commitments) for a first reading. The second reading will take place at our April 9, 2014
meeting and will require a formal (2/3) vote of approval by the School Committee.
3. The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life recommends the
attached policy, "Homeless Children: Enrollment Rights & Services (Section J — Students)
for a first reading. The second reading will take place at our April 9, 2014 meeting and will
require a formal (2/3) vote of approval by the School Committee.
Ms. Silverstein stated that the next Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life meeting will be held on
Wednesday, April 2, 2014 in the Memorial Building at 7:OOp.m.
C. Negotiations Subcommittee - Matthew Kavanagh, Chairperson
Mr. Kavanagh reported that there is an upcoming Negotiations meeting scheduled for this month and
April stating he expected many more.
D. Policy Review Subcommittee - Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson
Ms. Cesa stated the Policy Review Subcommittee will be meeting next month.
Community Engagement
Ms. Visnick reported that the City wide PTO has scheduled Joani Geltman who will be presenting "Get Safe
On Line" for parents. She said that Bev Cam will be taping the presentation, which will be reviewed and if
appropriate will be aired. Ms. Visnick stated she was a judge at the North Beverly Science Fair
commenting it was great. She reported that Bev Cam has done spotlights on our schools which are airing
on You Tube. Ms. Visnick noted that the BHS DECA class has qualified to go to Nationals!
Ms. Silverstein conveyed her congratulations to all the students participating in the Science Fairs. Ms.
Silverstein reported that she was asked to attend an Opiate Addiction Prevention Leadership Committee
meeting. She stated the committee helps people in need of resources and to educate the families and
students. Ms. Silverstein also attended the Special Education Advisory meeting discussing a policy for
service dogs in our schools.
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Ms. Cesa said she attended the Sped advisory meeting as well and stated they will bring the service dog
policy to the Policy Sub - committee for discussion.
Mr. Manzi reported attending the Science Fair and Ayer's PTO meeting.
Mayor Cahill stated he attended both North Beverly and Ayers' Science fairs extending a big "thank -you" to
the PTO's and teachers. Mayor Cahill reported meeting with Patrick Goddard, Public Facilities Director in
Lexington, with regard to our building project. He stated that Mr. Goddard provided him with helpful
information and he attended a similar meeting in Newton. Mayor Cahill said he is scheduling a visit to
Wakefield as well.
Mr. Manzo said he was happy to be a part of the Science fair at Ayers and on Friday at Centerville. He also
reported attending PTO meetings at Ayers, Centerville and Cove. Mr. Manzo reported that there is a
"National History Day" and the high school and Briscoe are participating and doing their presentation at the
high school. Mr. Manzo shared that BHS student Renee Pelliter came in second and will compete in the
state competition.
New Business
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 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Annemarie Cesa, Secretary
Beverly School Committee