2014-09-10 (2)BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Regular School Committee Meeting
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Beverly City Hall
Beverly, Massachusetts
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, September 10, 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. Steven A. Hiersche, Superintendent of Schools, Suzanne Charochak,
Assistant Superintendent, Jean Sherburne, Director of Finance and
Operations, Donna Bergeron, Administrative Assistant to the School
Committee, Sean Gallagher, Beverly High School Principal and CWO Thomas
Smith, J ROTC
Call to Order: Mr. Manzo called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance: Ms. Bergeron led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Recognition of Students, Employees and Community Members
Mr. Manzo, Superintendent Dr. Hiersche and Principal Sean Gallagher recognized CWO Thomas Smith
and his MCJROTC program for being the recipient of the 2014 Marine Corps JROTC Honor School
award. CWO Smith was accompanied by Cadets Justin O'Connor and Brandi Duzz.
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 Ms. Silverstein to approve the minutes from the August 27, 2014 School
Committee meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kavanagh and approved as amended by a vote of
7:0.
Report from Student Representative to the School Committee
Communications from Committee Members
Ms. Visnick was asked for the definition of what is a sport and she referred to James Coffey, Athletic
Director. Ms. Visnick stated receiving communications regarding voting in the schools and why students
have the day off. She was asked by a parent about dual enrollment after being told by the high school
it had not been voted on by the School Committee and she received complaints about the multiple
forms parents need to complete and why they are not offered on line.
Mr. Kavanagh heard from a parent at Briscoe regarding scheduling concerns and conflicts which he
referred to Mr. Poska.
Ms. Silverstein received communication from parents on foreign language placement at Briscoe
commenting that there is confusion on who is eligible and who's not she said she referred them to Mr.
Poska. Mr. Kavanagh commented that while there may be a placement issue that there is not always
room.
Ms. Cesa received a question regarding mandated fundraising which she referred to Dr. Hiersche. Ms.
Cesa said she heard from parents about schools being closed on voting days after only having been in
school for four days and music fees.
Mr. Manzi received a question on PARCC testing and referred it to Dr. Hiersche.
Mayor Cahill also received communications on schools closing for voting and asked why 7 and 8 t " grade
students don't start with the 6 t " grade. He suggested we look at that for next year's calendar. Mayor
Regular Meeting
September 10, 2014
Page 2 of 3
Cahill also spoke to the ongoing street paving in the city. He explained that the contractor that was
scheduled to do this work in August did not show up. Mayor Cahill noted that some work was done
near the Hannah and North Beverly schools on Tuesday when the schools were not in session. He did
comment that some of this work is unavoidable and has to be done when the funds are released to the
city.
Ms. Visnick also reported that a parent of a senior who is going to be doing an internship was still waiting
on information.
Mr. Manzo also received communications on voting in the schools commenting on the many
conversations the school committee has had over this issue and the safety of our students. He
reported hearing that it has been a good start to the school year as well as the condition of the schools
and noted he had a conversation about PARCC.
Report from Superintendent Dr. Hiersche
1. Overnight Field Trip — BHS Model United Nations
Ms. Brotherton presented the proposed field trip to Model United Nations at Brown University,
Providence, RI projected for November 7 — 9 2014. Ms. Brotherton said she does not know who will
be attending for sure until they meet with the students next Tuesday.
Mayor Cahill asked about the accommodations and chaperones. Ms. Brotherton stated she and Ms.
Ronan will be chaperoning and they will be staying at the Marriott Court Yard. She stated that the
Brown University students patrol the halls at night.
A motion was made by Ms. Visnick to approve the overnight field trip to Brown University, Providence,
RI on November 7 — 9 2014. The motion was seconded by Ms. Silverstein and approved by a vote of
7:0.
2. Opening Day — Teachers and Students
Dr. Hiersche reported that opening day for staff went very well and that the first day back for students
went very smoothly. He said that both he and Ms. Charochak were out visiting the schools
commenting that it was nice to see everything going so well.
3. Coordinated Program Review
Dr. Hiersche reported that the Leadership Team met with Lynn Summerill from the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education on the Coordinated Program review. He remarked that he
would have much more information as the time drew closer.
Report from School Committee Chair, Paul Manzo
1. Middle School Project
Mr. Manzo reported that there was a building project kick -off meeting last Friday at Briscoe and Memorial with
MSBA and the design team. He reported that it was a very productive meeting and the Middle School Building
Committee met last night.
Mayor Cahill stated that at Friday's meeting the architects laid out the time line noting the importance of the next
twelve and a half months working on the Feasibility Study. Mayor Cahill said whether it is a tear down or new
building it is important to get to a final price to see what portion MSBA will pay.
Dr. Hiersche stated that there is a meeting with the architects on Friday, September 12 th to talk about
Programming and Vision.
Ms. Cesa commented that if Briscoe isn't chosen we need to be mindful of where to move the Transportation
Department. Dr. Hiersche said there would be a conversation with the architects and the OPM regarding that.
2. School Committee Retreat
Mr. Manzo reported that the School Committee will be participating in a retreat this Saturday,
September 13 at 8:00 a.m. in the BHS Library. The committee will be reviewing the Norms and
Protocols, discussing a chapter in "The Essential School Board Book" and use of social media.
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities - David Manzi, Chairperson
Regular Meeting
September 10, 2014
Page 3 of 3
Mr. Manzi reported that the Finance and Facilities Committee will meet on September 17 beginning
at 6:30 p.m. in the Memorial Building.
Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life - Kris Silverstein, Chairperson
Ms. Silverstein reported that the Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life Committee met on
September 3, 2014 and stated it was a great kick -off meeting. They discussed guidelines to work by,
they brainstormed about topics to learn more about and were provided with more information
regarding the STEM media position. She reported that Ms. Charochak, Assistant Superintendent
reported on the Summer Academy and the assessment schedule. The committee also discussed the
opening of schools.
Ms. Silverstein stated that the Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life Committee are bringing
forward the following two policies for a first reading.
1. The Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life recommends the attached
policy on "School District Mission and Vision" (Section A: Foundations and Basic Commitments)
for a first reading. The second reading will take place at our October 8, 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 on "Approval of Handbooks" (Section C: General School Admission) for a first reading. The
second reading will take place at our October 8, 2014 meeting and will require a formal (2/3) vote
of approval by the School Committee.
The next Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 1 St in
the Memorial Building at 7:00 p.m.
Negotiations Subcommittee - Matthew Kavanagh, Chairperson
Mr. Kavanagh reported negotiations are ongoing and that they have met with transportation and a
mediation meeting took place with the clerical unit. He reported that this will continue for another
month.
Policy Review Subcommittee - Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson
Ms. Cesa reported that the Policy Review Committee has not met yet. She reported that she would
be meeting with the Superintendent and Stacy Bucyk, Director of Special Education to work on the
therapy dog policy.
Community Engagement
Ms. Silverstein stated she attended the New Teacher Induction and Opening Day for the teachers. She
commented that it was great bringing them all together. Ms. Silverstein stated that we allow one day
for the 6 th grade students to start alone as we do for freshman at the high school.
Mr. Manzi stated he attended the Centerville PTO meeting and answered some questions and attended
the Middle School Building Committee meeting.
Mr. Kavanagh said he attended the BHS open house and had one suggestion. He said for the parents
who may not arrive right at the start of the evening it would be great if you were able access your
student's schedule. Ms. Silverstein extended a thank you to the students saying how helpful they were
to parents trying to find rooms commenting that they were spot on at helping the parents.
New Business
Opportunity for Questions from the Press — none
Ms. Visnick made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. Manzi and approved by a vote of
7:0. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Annemarie Cesa, Secretary
Beverly School Committee