2014-12-03BEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Regular School Committee Meeting
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Beverly City Hall
Beverly, Massachusetts
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 in Council
Chambers at City Hall, Beverly, MA.
Members Present: David Manzi, Annemarie Cesa, Kris Silverstein, Paul Manzo, Matthew Kavanagh
and Lorinda Visnick
Mayor Cahill not in attendance
Also in Attendance: Dr. Steven A. Hiersche, Superintendent of Schools, Suzanne Charochak,
Assistant Superintendent, Jean Sherburne, Director of Finance and Operations,
Oliver Muise, Student Representative to the School Committee, Sean Gallagher,
Beverly High School Principal and Athletic Director James Coffey
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.
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Recognition of Students, Employees and Community Members
Mr. Manzo, Dr. Hiersche and Mr. Gallagher recognized Jason King and Katie Ryder, Beverly High School
seniors, who were being awarded the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents' Award for
Academic Excellence.
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. Cesa to approve the minutes from the November 12, 2014 School Committee
meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Manzi and approved with one correction by a vote of 6:0.
Report from Student Representative to the School Committee
Oliver Muise reported on the following events at the Beverly High School:
December 4 thru 7, 2014 — BHS Fine Arts Department will present "The Odyssey"
December 11 th — Black & White Formal Dance, 7 to 10p.m. in the cafeteria.
December 11 th — Progress reports
December 15 — Parent's Afternoon Back at 2:45 p.m.
December 15 — Winter Concert, 7:00 p.m.
Communications from Committee Members
Mr. Manzi — had a communication with a constituent regarding crosswalk safety at Kernwood
Heights/Woodland Avenue. Mr. Manzi discussed this with Dr. Hiersche and Director of Transportation Bill
Burke for further monitoring.
Ms. Visnick stated several people have called her regarding parking and student pick -up at Centerville
School and she stated that is an ongoing conversation with city councilors and the principal. She stated
she received feedback both positive and negative on the news article that Dr. Hiersche was interviewed for
regarding spending of money around technology and she had a question on enrollment: where is a child
allowed to go to school based on where they are formally registered to live or where they are sleeping
more than half the time for whatever reason. Ms. Visnick referred them to Dr. Hiersche who sent it to
Emily Rockwell.
Ms. Silverstein had nothing to report.
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December 3, 2014
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Mr. Kavanagh reported a communication regarding the Hale Street to Eisenhower crossing and he referred it
to Dr. Hiersche and City of Beverly Public Safety. He also received a communication from a constituent on
PARCC and technology expenditures.
Ms. Cesa also received communication on technology money and sports parent.
Mr. Manzo had a communication regarding a pedestrian safety issue.
Report from Superintendent Dr. Hiersche
1. FY16 Budget
Dr. Hiersche reported that he is working with building principals and directors on the FY16 Budget
looking at the next three to five years. He said they've looked at what revenue streams actually are and
what the core budget is, discussed the difference between entitlement grants versus non - entitlement
grants. He said he has emphasized, with the building administration, that what the core /operating
budget pays for are things we are committed to.
Dr. Hiersche noted that the 21 Century partnership has changed and the focus is now on the 'A C
Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity and said that's what we will be looking at
when building programs. He said the next new thing is the "3 R's" Rigor, Relevance and Relationships
and being truly committed to a robust professional learning community for all. Lastly, Dr. Hiersche said
going back to the budget brainstorming priorities from the school committee the top focus areas are
technology, opportunities for efficiency, investigating full -day kindergarten and to take a look at fees.
Dr. Hiersche said in focusing on the next three to five years he's asked the principals to prepare a list of
important things they need for their buildings and to look at when the budget may support some of
these things. He said he also asked them to attend last night's joint council meeting to see the
presentation and understand the revenue source and to track things as we move forward.
2. Global Child
Dr. Hiersche talked about the Global Child after school Spanish program that took place this fall in four
of our five elementary schools. He noted a copy of the fall semester summary and schedule was
included in their packets.
3. Unit A Contract
Dr. Hiersche stated the Unit A Contract, which is included, has been ratified but needs the School
Committee formal vote of approval. Dr. Hiersche noted the changes to the contract including the 3rd
year melded salary schedule. A motion was made by Mr. Kavanagh to approve the Unit A Contract (9-
1 -14 thru 8- 31 -17). The motion was seconded by Mr. Manzi. A roll call vote was taken and resulted in
the following:
Mr. Kavanagh Yes Mayor Cahill
Absent
Ms. Cesa Yes Ms. Silverstein
Yes
Mr. Manzo Yes Mr. Manzi
Yes
Ms. Visnick
Yes
Motion passed 6:0.
Report from School Committee Chair, Paul Manzo
1. Middle School Building Project Update
Mr. Manzo gave a review of the Middle School Building Project stating we continue to work with our
Owner's Project Manager (OPR) Heery International and our design team Ai3 noting the submission of
the Preliminary Design Program (PDP) last Tuesday, November 25 th to MSBA. Mr. Manzo reported
that the District continues to gather information and develop educational programming specifications for
the proposed Grade 5 -8 middle school. He said that over the next few months we will identify the
preferred alternative project then begin the development of a schematic design for this building. Mr.
Manzo said the feasibility study phase of this project is expected to be completed in early 2015 moving
forward with a more detailed design in order to open the middle school in Spring 2018. Mr. Manzo said
there are two groups that meet; a small working group who meets weekly and a larger Middle School
Building Committee that meets monthly. He said the next scheduled meeting is on Tuesday January
13 2015 and this will be followed by a meeting 2 weeks later on the 27 th . Mr. Manzo said that the
School Committee is invited to attend and therefore this needs to be posted as a school committee
meeting as well. After the meeting on the 27 th we will be forwarding the preferred design to MSBA. He
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December 3, 2014
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said he would like all members to attend and the time and location is still to be determined.
2. Joint Council Meeting Review
Mr. Manzo stated that the annual Joint Council had met last night, Tuesday December 2 nd and they
reviewed the following:
Updates on the bldg. project from Mark Lydon from Heery International discussed the timeline for the
middle school building project.
Dr. Hiersche summarized ongoing discussions with faculty staff and design team regarding the
current and proposed education programming.
Bryant Ayles, City Finance Director provided an update of the current municipal fiscal health and
revenues and expenses over the next five years.
Lorinda Visnick and co- presenters summarized the substantial efforts to reduce waste in our district
schools.
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities - David Manzi, Chairperson
Mr. Manzi stated that the Finance and Facilities Committee last met on October 14, 2014 and this meeting
was reported on at the November 12 th meeting. Our next Finance and Facilities meeting will be on
Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Memorial Building.
Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life - Kris Silverstein, Chairperson
Ms. Visnick provided the report for the Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life Committee and stated that
they have not met since the last School Committee meeting. She said that she is bringing forward the
following policies for approval:
1. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life a
motion was made by Ms. Visnick to approve the attached policy on "Evaluation of Instructional
Programs" (Section I: Instruction). The motion was seconded by Ms. Cesa and passed by a vote of 6:0.
2. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life a
motion was made by Ms. Visnick to approve the attached policy on "Homebound Instruction" (Section I:
Instruction). The motion was seconded by Mr. Manzi and approved by a vote of 6:0.
3. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life a
motion was made by Ms. Visnick to approve the attached policy on "Home Schooling" (Section I:
Instruction). The motion was seconded by Ms. Cesa and approved by a vote of 6:0.
The next meeting of the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life is December 10 at
7:00 p.m. in the Memorial Building, Room 164.
Negotiations Subcommittee - Matthew Kavanagh, Chairperson
Mr. Kavanagh reported that negotiations are still underway with several units and will continue into the new
year. Because some of the issues that need to be addressed it will take longer than expected. Mr.
Kavanagh said he will keep everyone apprised as things occur.
Policy Review Subcommittee - Annemarie Cesa, Chairperson
Ms. Cesa had nothing to report at this time from the Policy Review Subcommittee.
Community Engagement
Ms. Cesa reported attending the Chapter 70 Funding Meeting commenting that it would be nice to have time
to network with the other attendees and she said she attended the Hannah PTO commenting on the large
number of people in attendance.
Mr. Kavanagh stated he went to his first Electronic Recycling sponsored by BMPPA at the high school and
attended the Cove PTO meeting noting that there were many questions around the safety of our students.
Ms. Silverstein said that she was happy to speak before the Commission regarding the Chapter 70 funding
and commented on the effects it has had on some communities. She also reported attending the open
house at the Beverly Children's Learning Center saying that they have a new space on Cabot Street that
they will be renovating and commented on the drawings they had showing the plans for the new site. She
said they were interested in having School Committee members in attendance and talked about the
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December 3, 2014
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possibility of partnering and also aligning their curriculum more with ours. Ms. Silverstein said she attended
a computer coding presentation put on by MassCan.
Ms. Visnick stated that she too attended the computer coding presentation stating that Massachusetts is the
bio hub. She reported that MassCan is working with the Department of Education in setting the
standards and what should the standards be around computer coding and the logic for it. She said they
talked about how it cuts across almost every industry. She also attended the Bridging the Gap,
Centerville's Holiday Craft fair, and is helping Briscoe with their composting efforts. She said she also
walked in the Santa parade and attended a two day conference on STEM.
Mr. Manzi attended the Middle School Building meeting, Thanksgiving Day football game, Holiday Parade
and Joint Council Meeting.
Mr. Manzo reported attending a couple of PTO meetings, the high school PTSO, the Ayers PTO meeting
which they combined with a craft show, Chapter 70 meeting, lunch at Centerville on the Thursday before
Thanksgiving, Bridging the Gap, Adams Scholarship Breakfast, Ward 2 Civic Association meeting and
the Pedestrian Safety meeting.
New Business
Opportunity for Questions from the Press — none
Consider Executive Session
Motion to Adjourn
Ms. Cesa made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. Manzi and approved by a vote of 6:0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Annemarie Cesa, Secretary
Beverly School Committee
Documents Reviewed at the meeting:
Draft of the November 12, 2014 School Committee Minutes
Unit A Contract
Global Child Summary
Polices:
Evaluation of Instructional Programs (Section I: Instruction)
Homebound Instruction (Section I: Instruction)
Home Schooling (Section I: Instruction)