2019 05 08 School Committee MinutesBEVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Regular School Committee Meeting
Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at 7:00 P.M.
Beverly City Hall — Council Chambers
Beverly, Massachusetts
A regular meeting of the Beverly School Committee was held on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 in Beverly
City Hall, Council Chambers.
Members Present: Rachael Abell, Paul Goodwin, Kris Silverstein, Mayor Michael Cahill, John
Mullady, Kelley Ferretti, Lorinda Visnick
Members Absent:
Also in Attendance: Dr. Steven A. Hiersche, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Suzanne Charochak,
Assistant Superintendent, Jean Sherburne, Director of Finance and Operations,
Bethany Splansky, Special Education and Student Services Director, John
Harmon, Director of Personnel and Human Resources, Rory Devlin, Beverly High
School Student Representative, Dan Keefe, Athletic Director, Betty Taylor,
Principal Beverly High School
Call to Order: Ms. Silverstein called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance: Rachael Abell led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance
AGENDA
Recognitions of Students, Employees and Community Member
• Ms. Silverstein, Dr. Hiersche, Beverly High School Principal Betty Taylor recognized the following
students for the work they entered in the Globe Scholastic Art Competition and Congressional Art
Competition:
Zet Rajab, Honorable Mention, Globe Scholastic Art Awards — Photography
Paula Rodriguez, Best of School, Congressional Art Competition
Laurel Fielder, Honorable Mention, Congressional Art Competition
• Ms. Silverstein, Dr. Hiersche and Principal Betty Taylor, recognize Nathan Levine, Valedictorian for
the Graduating Class of 2019.
• Ms. Silverstein, Dr. Hiersche and Principal Betty Taylor recognized Catherine Johnson, Salutatorian
for the Graduating Class of 2019.
• Ms. Silverstein, Dr. Hiersche, and Athletic Director, Dan Keefe recognize the following Beverly High
School Winter NEC All Stars:
Boys Ice Hockey Girls Ice Hockey Boys Basketball Girls Basketball
Steve Hallinan Emma Knott Toskany Abreu Tia Bernard
Andrew Mezza Micah Davies Sabrina Beaudry
Jack Crowley Hailey Anderson
Duncan Moreland
Swim /Dive
Kevin Pichardo - Cedilla
Sierra Sadoski
Sofia Blomqvist
Hannah Perkins
Grace Athanas
Hannah McCarthy
Wrestling
Luis Rodriguez
Jack Rivers
Alexi Echevarria
Jonas Pavia
Edan Piedad
Boys Indoor Track
Girls Indoor Track
Andrew Morin
Mackenzie Gilligan
Jackson Wood
Olivia Young
Jaichuan Stanton -Jones
Emily Young
Patrick Gilligan
India Ingemi
Ashley Foley
Grace Carella
Heidi Eberhardt
Rachelle Mullins
Elsa Hawkes
Open Forum for Citizen Input into Non - Agenda - Related Items
Bob Butterworth, 4 Parramatta Road, spoke about concerns regarding the completion of the softball fields
at Beverly High School. He spoke in depth regarding concerns about the drainage system design.
Open Forum for Citizen Concerns or Citizen Input into Agenda - Related Item
None
Approval of Meeting Records
A motion was made by John Mullady to approve the minutes from the March 13, 2019 School
Committee meeting. The motion was seconded by Lorinda Visnick. Ms. Ferretti requested some
corrections /changes be made in reference to a statement made by Ms. Visnick regarding the Building
Rental Policy. Motion passed 6:0 (Paul Goodwin abstained as he was not in attendance.)
Items by Consensus
Dr. Hiersche recommended approval of the following warrants:
a. The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19036 in the
amount of $381,726.81.
b. The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19037 in the
amount of $188,073.12.
The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19038 in the
amount of $26,343.57.
The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19039 in the
amount of $452,978.42.
The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19040 in the
amount of $331,803.59.
The Superintendent recommends the School Committee vote to approve Warrant #19041 in the
amount of $181,776.45.
A motion was made by Ms. Abell to approve the warrants listed. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Goodwin. Motion passed: 7:0.
Report from the Student Representative to the School Committee
Rory Devlin reported on BHS events and fundraisers as well as School Council elections. The complete
report can be found with supporting documents. Mr. Devlin went on to introduce Olivia Arenburg, class of
2022, as the new Student Representative to the School Committee. Ms. Arenburg introduced herself to
the committee. She is a freshman at BHS and is looking forward to the opportunity to act as Student
Representative to the School Committee.
Communications from Committee Members
Ms. Abell reported concerns related to classroom behaviors and recess supports, which were referred
to the building principal and Dr. Hiersche as well as concerns regarding crosswalks, especially near
Ayers crossing Elliott Street, which she referred to the transportation department. She also received
parent questions regarding food service accounts. In addition, she heard concerns regarding the
softball field as well as questions from parents regarding the Kindergarten fee reduction.
Ms. Visnick also reported concerns regarding the softball field. She also heard questions regarding the
Budget Hearing and how communications regarding the Hearing were shared out. She also heard
from parents regarding the Kindergarten fee reduction, Vote 16, athletic fundraising /sponsorships,
which she referred to district's policies, and concerns regarding crosswalk markings not being well
painted. In addition, she received a question regarding participation in the Laptop Program if a
student does not attend BHS.
Mr. Mullady reported questions regarding the completion of the softball field. He also received
questions regarding elementary school district lines /assignment and referred this to Central Office.
He received interest from some people interested in running for School Committee.
Mr. Goodwin reported questions regarding the German Program and referred these to Dr. Hiersche. He
also received requests regarding how to receive email notifications for School Committee meetings
as well as questions regarding running for School Committee and the budget process.
Mayor Cahill responded to questions regarding crosswalk markings. He said the City paints crosswalks
that approach schools twice a year, but it is weather dependent. He reported that he had attended
the Ayers PTO meeting and revisited conversations regarding safe walking routes encouraging
students and families to walk to school. Mayor Cahill went on to encourage everyone to get involved
with the new Master Plan Public Workshop for the City which will kick off on May 14 7:30 p.m. at
the Senior Center.
Report from Superintendent Hiersche
A. School Choice
Dr. Hiersche presented on current School Choice enrollments, FY20 projected seats, seats available
per grade and current requests for the FY20 school year. He stated once the School Committee acts
on School Choice, the district will notify families. Grades where interest is greater than the number of
seats will require a lottery. Currently, the district offers 10 slots per grade for grades Kindergarten
through Grade 8 and 15 slots per grade for grades 9 -12. Ms. Visnick stated she would like to see
enrollments by grade at the elementary schools before taking vote. The committee agreed to table
the vote at this time.
B. Global Child Summary
Dr. Hiersche spoke about the Global Child Program. He stated he would like to continue to grow the
program in the future to include additional languages.
C. Last Day of School
Dr. Hiersche stated that the last day of school for the 2018 -2019 School Year will be Monday, June
17, 2019. It will be an early release.
Report from School Committee President, Kris Silverstein
1. Learning Walks
Ms. Silverstein reported that members of the School Committee had attending Learning Walks
throughout the district on March 31 and April 1 She stated they got to engage with students and
teachers. She went on to share highlights from each school.
Committee Reports
Standing Committee on Finance & Facilities — Rachael Abell, Chairperson
Ms. Abell reported that the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities is bringing forward the
following items for approval.
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities, a motion was made
by Mayor Cahill to approve the Gifts to Schools — February 2019, as detailed below:
Beverly High School Network for Good School Wide $ 75.00
Beverly High School Your Cause School Wide $ 375.00
Ayers Elementary School Beverly Bank School Wide 250.00
Total $ 700.00
The motion was seconded by Ms. Visnick and approved by a vote of 7 -0.
2. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made
by Ms. Visnick approve the attached budget transfers (JE #414). The motion was seconded by Mayor
Cahill and approved by a vote of 7 -0.
3. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made
by Ms. Visnick to approve the hourly rate increase for related therapy assistants for the extended
Special Education Summer Program from the current rate of $18.00 per hour to $22.00 per hour. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Goodwin and approved by a vote of 7 -0.
4. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made
by Ms. Visnick to approve the attached FY19 Additional Chapter 70 Funding Transfer. The motion was
seconded by Ms. Ferretti and approved by a vote of 7 -0.
5. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made
by Ms. Visnick to approve the attached budget transfers (JE #40). The motion was seconded by Mayor
Cahill and approved by a vote of 7 -0.
6. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made
by Ms. Visnick to approve the attached budget transfers (JE #491). The motion was seconded by
Mayor Cahill and approved by a vote of 7 -0.
7. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made
by Ms. Visnick to approve the attached budget transfers (JE #783). The motion was seconded by
Mayor Cahill and approved by a vote of 7 -0.
8. Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Finance and Facilities a motion was made
by Ms. Visnick to approve the attached FY19 Beverly Public Schools Grants. The motion was
seconded by Mayor Cahill and approved by a vote of 7 -0.
Ms. Abell stated the next meeting of the Finance and Facilities Committee will be May 15, 2019, at 6:30
p.m. at the Beverly Middle School.
Curriculum, Instruction and Student Life Sub - Committee — Paul Goodwin, Chairperson
Ms. Ferretti reported that principals across the district presented on their School Improvement Plans. It
was great to see their excitement and enthusiasm for their schools, students, and the district.
Mr. Goodwin reported that the next Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Life meeting is scheduled for
June 5, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at Beverly Middle School.
Negotiations Subcommittee — John Mullady, Chairperson
Mr. Mullady stated he had nothing to report at this time.
Policy Review Subcommittee — Rachael Abell, Chairperson
Ms. Abell stated they met on April 30 to discuss how to keep policies up to date and recent. They also
spoke about how to keep policies updated when they are broken out for individual use across the
district.
Safety Committee - Kelley Ferretti
Ms. Ferretti stated Mayor Cahill has been meeting with PTOs to discuss safe walking routes.
Community Engagement
Ms. Ferretti stated she enjoyed the Learning Walks and seeing students and teachers engaged in
learning. She attended the Day on the Hill last week. She reported it was inspiring to see student
representatives engaged in the process. She also visited schools during Teacher Appreciation Week
and was particularly stuck by students who spoke about teacher influences on their own decisions to go
into the teaching profession.
Mr. Mullady reported he had attended the Hannah Elementary Open House. He also gave a shout out
to Chief Officer Smith and the ROTC students whom he saw out in the community doing yard work for
someone in neighborhood. He also attended the Fund our Future event in Swampscott with Ms.
Visnick.
Mr. Goodwin reported he attended the Hannah School PTO meeting and spoke about their current
fundraiser Dinner for Two Anywhere in the World. He also attended the North Beverly PTO meeting and
spoke about their upcoming Fitness Festival. He attended Learning Walks at North Beverly as well.
Ms. Abell reported that she appreciated the Learning Walks and noted the strong community feeling in
the schools. She stated she attended the North Beverly PTO Cross Country event. She spoke about
Ayers PTO ad hoc fundraising opportunities and gave a shout out to them for the Fairy Walk event. Ms.
Abell stated she is looking forward to the Spring Concerts across the district. She also reported that the
Citywide PTO will showcase what is happening in the schools at their event on June 10
Ms. Visnick reported she attended the Fund our Future event in Swampscott. She stated it was
incredible to see people come together to share ideas. She went on to talk about viewing Angst and
mentioned free online courses for information regarding Trauma and invited anyone interested to
contact her for more information. She gave a shout out to students who showed up for the Vote 16
movement. She participated in the Walk to School day at Centerville and attended the BTA celebration
for retirements and new teachers and paraprofessionals. She reported attending Centerville's PTO
meeting, and being a barista at BMS for Teacher Appreciation. She invited people to participate in the
Honor a Teacher event through BevEd stating that all the funds raised will go back to the school in the
form of grant awards.
Mayor Cahill reported he attended the BTA event to recognize retirees as well as new teachers, as well
as attended the Teacher Signing event at BHS. He also attended a recent Vietnam Veterans dinner in
which the ROTC Color Guard was in attendance and it was a great reminder in all that they do for the
community.
Ms. Silverstein reported she attended the Autism Awareness event and was moved by the very
powerful talk given by a parent of an autistic student. She shared that she would be working with others
to see if Angst could be shown again, or if people could attend in other nearby communities. She also
shared that Be Healthy Beverly had secured a community grant to help continue their work on
substance use and abuse with a focus on alcohol, cigarettes, and vaping. Their next meeting will be on
May 29 7:30 a.m., in the Beverly High School Library. She also shared that June 5 th is Recovery High
School's graduation.
Ms. Ferretti added that the Sunday Globe did a fantastic article on the Vote 16 movement and one of
Beverly's students, Emily Zieff, who presented at the event.
A motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Ferretti. The motion was seconded by Mr. Goodwin and
approved by a vote of 7 -0.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachael Abell, Secretary
Beverly School Committee
Documents Reviewed at the meeting:
Minutes for Approval: Regular School Committee Meeting Minutes 3 -13 -19
School Choice Parameters
Global Child
Budget Transfers JE #414
Rate Increase for Related Therapy Special Education Summer Program
Budget Transfer — Additional FY19 Chapter 70 Funding
Budget Transfers JE #40
Budget Transfers JE #491
Budget Transfers JE #783
Grants Acceptance