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2019 01 09 School Committee MinutesBEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Regular School Committee Meeting Wednesday, January 9, 2019 Beverly City Hall — Council Chambers Beverly, Massachusetts A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 in Beverly City Hall, Council Chambers. Members Present: Mayor Michael Cahill, Rachael Abell, Lorinda Visnick, Paul Goodwin, Kris Silverstein, John Mullady, Kelley Ferretti Also in Attendance: Dr. Steven A. Hiersche, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Suzanne Charochak, Assistant Superintendent, Bethany Splansky, Special Education and Student Services Director, Donna Bergeron, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and School Committee, Eliza Michaels BHS Student Representative, Dan Keefe, Athletic Director, JROTC Gunnery Sgt. Christina Wright Call to Order: Ms. Silverstein called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance: Mr. Mullady led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA Recognitions of Students, Employees and Community Member • Dr. Hiersche, Ms. Silverstein and Athletic Director, Dan Keefe recognized the following students who were recipients of the NEC All -star award: Football Volleyball Boys Soccer Robert Adams Sophie McGarigal Bryce Visnick Duncan Moreland Katherine Mulligan Conor Hanlon Clayton McAlpine Alice Malgara Beverly Team Sportsmanship Award Marje Mulumba Girls Soccer Jordan Butters Anna Edson Katelyn Singer Julia Pitman Samantha Carnevale Cassie Jones Girls Cross Country Field Hockey Mikayla Mason Sabrina Beaudry Natalie Matthews Meghan Cotraro Mckenna Gelsomini Tori Shea Melanie Mason Bovs Cross Country Ashley Foley India Ingemi Heidi Eberhardt Kylie McCarthy Sophia MacNeil Macy Pierce Golf Brayden Clark Amy McCaffrey Matthew Ploszay Patrick Gilligan Jack Rivers Michael Brock Kyle Hewson Jackson Woods • Cove School Fourth (4) grade teachers and students provided information to the School Committee about their project in which they learned about immigration and empathy. The students told the Committee how the entire class worked together to create a resource handbook for immigrants moving to our city. The students provided a PowerPoint presentation of the handbook and allowed School Committee members to peruse a sample copy. Open Forum for Citizen Input into Non - Agenda - Related Items None Open Forum for Citizen Concerns or Citizen Input into Agenda - Related Item None Approval of Meeting Records A motion was made by Ms. Abell to approve the minutes from the December 12, 2018 School Committee meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Visnick. Ms. Ferretti requested some correction /changes to her Safety Committee summary and the discussion regarding approval of the field hockey positions. Ms. Visnick asked that some information she had provided regarding the number of students playing basketball for the middle school team be added in that section. Ms. Abell made a correction to the number of positions that were brought forward for approval. Ms. Visnick stated that we need to come to an agreement on how we are going to report out on the subcommittee meetings based on the policy. She stated at the meeting we do both votes and then it is recorded in minutes as a recommendation, stating that is not true. She asked that, going forward, our meeting minutes match our policy. Ms. Silverstein asked, if it was amenable to Ms. Visnick, could we take this up at the Committee of the Whole meeting at the end of the month. Ms. Visnick was in agreement. Motion passed: 5:0 (Mayor Cahill and Mr. Goodwin abstained as they were not in attendance at that meeting.) Items by Consensus Dr. Hiersche recommended approval of the following warrants: A. The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19021 in the amount of $28,998.25. B. The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19022 in the amount of $310,268.26.. C. The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19023 in the amount of $439,338.28. D. The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19024 in the amount of $80,135.16. A motion was made by Mr. Goodwin to approve the warrants listed. The motion was seconded by Ms. Ferretti. Motion passed 7:0 Report from Student Representative to the School Committee Eliza Michaels reported that the second quarter ends on January 18t report cards will be going out January 25t and parent /teacher conferences are scheduled for January 27 Congratulations to the boy's basketball team for their win and good luck to the girls and boys hockey teams. Eliza reported that the Robotics Club is kicking off their new season and DECA students are preparing for their district competition at Endicott College. The Guidance Department is hosting a Junior Parent College Planning night on February 7 from 5:00 -6:00 p.m. The PTSO is meeting on January 10 at 6:30 p.m. and the Beverly Education Foundation, Annual Parent /Teacher Grant Program application deadline is March 15 and students may still register for the 2020 trip to Spain. Communication from School Committee Members Ms. Visnick reported questions on the budget and the Centerville PTO asked if there would be a summary or a findings report on the transportation /walk to school survey. Ms. Abell stated with the Beverly Recreation Department summer camp offerings opening up she has had some inquiries from elementary parents as to when the 2019 -2020 School District calendar will be available. Mr. Mullady reported some excitement from neighbors about the Robotics' Club and their appreciation of the information sent out regarding Kindergarten registration. Report from Superintendent Hiersche 1. Overnight Field Trip — BHS, JROTC — Admiral Halsey High School, Elizabeth, NJ Dr. Hiersche introduced Gunnery Sgt. Christina Wright to address the committee for approval of her March 21S 23r overnight field trip to Admiral Halsey High School in Elizabeth, NJ. Dr. Hiersche commented that he had just received a letter from the United States Marine Corps stating that they would be removing the Beverly High School, Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps ( JROTC) from probation as they have met the enrollment requirement and have hired a second certified instructor. Gunnery Sgt. Wright reported to the committee that the overnight field trip is a physical fitness competition. Gunnery Sgt. Wright stated that she and another teacher (chaperon) will be taking the students to New Jersey. The students will be transported in a rented van to where they will be staying on the base. She reviewed the activities the student would be participating in during their stay. Ms. Visnick asked about the ratio boys /girls and men /women chaperons. Gunnery Sgt. Wright responded that she and the teacher accompanying her will chaperon the girls, some of which will be from other schools and the male chaperons will chaperon the boys. Ms. Silverstein asked about medical provisions for the students, if needed. Gunnery Sgt. Wright stated there is a medical facility on the base and, if needed, when off the base, they could dial 911. A motion was made by Ms. Visnick to approve the overnight field trip to Admiral Halsey High School, Elizabeth City, NJ projected to take place, March 21s' - 23rd 2019. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mullady. Motion passed 7:0. 2. 2019 -2020 School District Calendar Dr. Hiersche stated he has included the 2019 -2020 School District calendar for approval. He noted, as a result of negotiations, the addition of the professional development days for teachers on August 28 and August 29 the students will return the day after Labor Day, September 3r He also pointed out the December vacation will begin on the 23r with students returning on January 2, 2020. He stated the last day of school with no snow days will be June 19, 2020 and with snow days, June 26, 2020. A motion was made by Ms. Ferretti to approve the 2019 -2020 School District Calendar. The motion was seconded by Mr. Goodwin. Ms. Silverstein asked for any questions and /or comments. Ms. Abell stated with the storms and bad weather in January and February, and the unusually warm weather we have had in June and August would Beverly ever consider switching to a March vacation, in lieu of February and April. Ms. Silverstein noted in past budget times the cost of heating the buildings was a topic and that it would be a lengthy process. Ms. Visnick stated in past conversations it would be more likely to happen if it were to become a regional or statewide decision. She commented with some of our teaching staff living in other towns their children would be on a different schedule. Dr. Hiersche stated it would be a lengthy process stating that other districts that have done this in the past, it took up to a full year before implementation. Mayor Cahill referred to an email from the City Clerk about the March Presidential Primary Day, that he does not see it accounted for on the calendar. He stated we ran into this same issue before and information collected then, showed school being in session was not the best way to do this. Dr. Hiersche stated the challenge is that voting days turn into professional development days and the placement of such has nothing to do with the professional development. He stated if the Committee wants us to rework the 2019 -2020 School District Calendar we will. Ms. Silverstein confirmed the date of the Presidential Primary is Tuesday, March 3, 2020, we have an early release on March 6th, could we possibly move that day. Mayor Cahill stated either schools should be open or closed on an election day. Ms. Silverstein suggested closing school on March V, eliminating the early release on March 6 Dr. Charochak stated you cannot replace an early release day with a no school day this would then require that we move the last day of school to the following Monday. Ms. Silverstein asked if changes made to the calendar would require Beverly Teacher Association (BTA) approval. Dr. Hiersche stated it would, and this could be done and brought forward at the January 30 Committee of the Whole meeting. Mayor Cahill asked why the variation from the way we started school before Labor Day. Dr. Hiersche stated contractually we cannot start before Labor Day when it falls on September 1St or 2 " if it falls from September 3 rd on we can begin before Labor Day. There was further conversation with regards to the weather and how hot it has been in the schools at the end of the school year and start of the new. Ms. Abell made mention of air conditioning at the elementary schools. Ms. Visnick agreed that they have had some of those conversations. Dr. Hiersche stated with the climate changes he does think there will be more conversations about how to ensure the school environments are able to be open when they need to be open and noted summer use of our buildings is growing. Ms. Visnick recalled a conversation about what we could do without air conditioning every room in every building. Ms. Abell stated she recalled that they (the F &F standing committee) left this as an action item with the Superintendent to find out what some of the costs were and what some of the options might be, given that the elementary schools not being as climate controlled as the high and middle schools. Dr. Hiersche stated he had a conversation with Mike Collins and was looking into it. Ms. Silverstein stated that we have a motion on the table and a second. Mayor Cahill reiterated due to the March Presidential Primary Day we need to make a change in the calendar. Mayor Cahill stated that Tuesday, September 24 is actually a "Preliminary Day," which is a technical term and we don't know if there will be one or not. Dr. Hiersche commented that we will rework the calendar to include the Presidential Primary date on March 3 r , making the last day of school June 22 " with five (5) snow days it will be June 29, 2020. Ms. Abell stated if the September 24 professional development day is not set in stone the school committee could then discuss which day is more important to have school off as far as voter turnout. Dr. Charochak responded that planning for the professional development day begins on February 12th and that's when we finalize those dates. She did say however, if the decision on the date is not made till end of August the professional development dates would have been set. Ms. Abell commented that many parents have a difficult time when there are too many days off at the start of school year. Mayor Cahill stated a Presidential Primary, in any election year, is going to bring out a significant turnout, but it is hard to know about a municipal turnout. It was decided to table the motion and bring the 2019 -2020 School District Calendar to the Committee of the Whole meeting on January 30, 2019. Ms. Visnick requested at the January 30th Committee of the Whole meeting could we please, in earnest, have information available on which schools, in which wards, cannot vote elsewhere, and, in those particular wards could we relocate the children for that one day. Ms. Silverstein noted that there are two (2) items for the January 30, 2019 agenda, to vote on the 2019 -2020 School District Calendar and to review the voting locations and options. Mr. Goodwin commented that he is not sure how he would vote, whether to have school or not on election day, but commented he was at McKeown to sign warrants during the last election and there was an individual with a very inappropriate sign that he would not have wanted the students to see. 3. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Breakfast Dr. Hiersche reported that he, along with members of the Human Rights Committee and the Multifaith Coalition are planning a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day breakfast. It will be held at the Beverly Middle School on January 21s' at 8:15 a.m. He stated they have significant student involvement and Beverly resident, Sarah Rial, will be the guest speaker. He stated they will provide a place for the kids to go, where they will be supervised, while the adults are having breakfast. Mayor Cahill asked about the schedule for breakfast and the speakers. Dr. Hiersche responded that the breakfast will start at 8:15 a.m. and the speakers at 8:45 a.m. 4. Budget Update Dr. Hiersche reported attending a public forum with Dr. Charochak that was hosted by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) on the Impact of Underfunding the Foundation Budget. Dr. Hiersche reported that the M.A.S.S. had filed the Education Promise Act, filed today (SD101) noting some of the highlights include healthcare insurance, Special Education, English Language Learners (ELL) and low income students. He stated there needs to be about 1.8 billion to be fully funded. Ms. Visnick asked that at the next working meeting, could she get an idea of the increases to health insurance this year and also the Special Education projections in terms of enrollment and students outplaced. Dr. Hiersche commented that when we do the Special Education numbers early it is less accurate, but that he could provide current information. Ms. Visnick remarked on some of the past health insurance increases /holidays and asked about contractual obligations. Mayor Cahill stated that we could have Bryant Ayles join us at the next meeting. Ms. Abell stated she was dissatisfied with the statement Dr. Hiersche relayed that it won't help Beverly the same way it helps other communities. Ms. Abell proposed that the Committee could possibly look at the formula and the ways in which the values of our properties are calculated into it. She also stated that there are early education expenses that are not calculated into the formula and what influence we could have on that front. Ms. Silverstein commented that we should be reaching out to the legislators that it never hurts to stay in touch with them. Dr. Hiersche stated that the one fund that needs to be funded the way it was this past year is Circuit Breaker, stating there is no wealth factor with how that is funded. Report from School Committee President, Kris Silverstein 1. Superintendent Search Update Ms. Silverstein reported at the last Committee of the Whole meeting the Committee accepted the appointed members of the Superintendent Search Screening Committee and the profile report prepared by John Brackett from the Collins Center. She reported that the deadline for applications is January 11t The Superintendent Search Screening Committee will have their first meeting on January 15th and it will be held at the McKeown School at 6:30 p.m. with the Committee entering into Executive Session right at the start of the meeting. Ms. Silverstein reported the next meeting will be on January 22 and this will begin the process of screening the applications. 2. Joint Council Meeting Date Change Ms. Silverstein reported the date for the Joint Council meeting has been changed to February 6th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Beverly Middle School. Mayor Cahill asked when will the School Committee approve and set the salary package for the new superintendent. Ms. Silverstein stated she would check with Mr. Brackett. Ms. Visnick asked what topics would be on the agenda. Ms. Silverstein stated she had spoken with President Guanci and they will be asking Superintendent Hiersche to speak and reflect on his tenure here, also Bryant Ayles will speak about the budget and Police Chief LeLacheur will provide and update on the marijuana law. Ms. Visnick asked if there had been any discussion of a scheduling a second Joint Council meeting to discuss budget, as they did last year? Ms. Silverstein said there has not been any discussion. Ms. Silverstein said one other item on the Joint Council agenda will be an update on the Superintendent Search. Mayor Cahill stated he would like take this opportunity to say publicly, that the marijuana law was a state ballot question that was voted in by the citizens of Beverly and we, as a City have no control over it; the City's responsible to manage it. He noted this because of the numerous calls they received at City Hall. Ms. Silverstein reported that the "Be Healthy Beverly" group has received the Drug -Free Communities Grant, which will provide them with $125,000 yearly for the next five (5) years for drug /opioid education and prevention. Committee Reports A. Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities Rachael Abell, Chairperson Ms. Abell reported that the Finance and Facilities Committee last met on December 19, 2018. She stated she was bringing forward the following items to the School Committee: Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made by Ms. Visnick to approve the Gifts to Schools — November 2018, totaling $20,497.20. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mullady. Motion passed 7:0. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made by Ms. Ferretti to approve the FY19 Grants - Beverly Public Schools Grants totaling $2,359,219. The motion was seconded by Mayor Cahill. Motion passed 7:0. 111 Supplement Support Enhancing Data — Competitive $ 20,000.00 140 Title 11A —Allocation $ 135,522.00 180 Title III — Allocation $ 26,990.00 240 Special Education — Entitlement $1,448,081.00 262 Early Childhood Special Education — Entitlement $ 32,908.00 305 Title I — Allocation $ 618,158.00 309 Title IV Student Support and Academic Enrichment — Allocation $ 43,558.00 400 Perkins Grant — Allocation $ 34,002.00 3. The Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities recommends the attached policy regarding "Community Use of School Facilities" (Section KF Community Relations and KF -R, which is procedures and the rental form) for a first reading. The second reading will take place at our February 13, 2019 meeting and will require a formal ( 2 /) vote of approval by the School Committee. B. Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life Paul Goodwin, Chairperson Mr. Goodwin stated that the Standing Committee on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life has not met yet this year. He stated the February 6, 2019 meeting had been cancelled in order to hold the Joint Council Meeting. He reported the next meeting date is scheduled for March 6, 2019. C. Negotiations Subcommittee John Mullady, Chairperson Mr. Mullady stated that the Negotiations Subcommittee has not met. D. Policy Review Subcommittee Rachael Abell, Chairperson Ms. Abell reported that while the Policy Review Subcommittee has not met she is working on a schedule for review of the policies and the appropriate committee that will be reviewing them. E. Safety Committee Summary Kelley Ferretti Ms. Ferretti stated she had nothing new to report at this time. Community Engagement Mayor Cahill reported attending all of the December fine arts /holiday concerts commenting that they were top notch. Ms. Visnick reported attending a Beverly Education Foundation meeting, track meet, and basketball games. She requested, with the upcoming PTO meetings, could the Committee go back to a schedule to make sure there is one of them at each of the meetings. She reported that the North Shore Essex Technical School will be hosting an event on January 23r "If They Had Known" and it is open to the public. Ms. Abell reported that the Centerville Elementary School will hold a Blood Drive on January 31S she stated she attended the Ayers PTO meeting and offered if no one else could attend the BHS PTSO meeting, she would go. Ms. Abell commented on the number of great things the PTOs do for our students. She reported on an event the PTO had before the holidays, the Ayers Penguin Patch, where students could go to get gifts for loved ones whether they had money or not. Ms. Silverstein noted the website for the blood drive is www.redcrossblood.org. Mr. Goodwin stated he will attend the North Beverly PTO meeting as it usually overlaps with the BHS PTSO. He stated that although it is not required of School Committee members to attend these meetings, he feels it is very beneficial. He said would also try to attend the Hannah's PTO meeting and if not he would let them know. Consider Executive Session The Chairperson requests an Executive Session to discuss deployment of security personnel or devices or strategies as authorized by purpose #4 in Open Meeting Law and not to return to open session. A motion was made by Ms. Visnick and seconded by Mayor Cahill. A roll call vote resulted in the following: Yes: John Mullady, Paul Goodwin, Kelley Ferretti, Lorinda Visnick, Mayor Cahill, Rachael Abell, Kris Silverstein No: - Motion passed 7:0 to enter into Executive Session and not to return to open session at 8:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Rachael Abell, Secretary Beverly School Committee Documents Reviewed at the meeting Regular School Committee Minutes 12 -12 -18 BHS Overnight Field Trip - Admiral Halsey High School Elizabeth City, NJ 2019 -2020 School District Calendar Policy "Community Use of School Facilities" Section KF and KF -R Community Relations