[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6331861,"mediaKeyId","2309302-5605c286e8aaeb80ab50a96e4cf5ec9e","parentId",2309302,"title","School committee authorizes compressed timeline, stakeholder survey for superintendent search","audioSeconds",854,"startMs",1938000,"endMs",2792000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2309302-5605c286e8aaeb80ab50a96e4cf5ec9e&start=1938&end=2792","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2309302-5605c286e8aaeb80ab50a96e4cf5ec9e/thumbnail_1938000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6331861/Massachusetts/School-committee-authorizes-compressed-timeline-stakeholder-survey-for-superintendent-search","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6331861-8b47a1f4066f58e94d7528b4bc29fdac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770607037&Signature=LgtVHYCLI5LHcT36OAEyB3MmSAsCGEk4UL-SqEcYFe1LEvyJ26~L31jNyVe-YI1AV44C6cHY2fIRK31gXHEAcrM9YWzSjHk7KL6CoRdDlqe2~TwVP7Wsps1oYprt18UqtJ9czXp0y6aT3YH6xyuE8YblUAJiNutraagPKUcheZcIBL9QOorgHP5zHDinPEXbwsdFRJ4rNJgTi-h-sBM56ZD9TmM~Zht3rJh2rZgmOVbAwIYt4W977we7U~KFSikDqrldX9dTdFM93UTkj~h5LKLtgoULj0VFbxJJCT~OJIJPAIs8YSRTiU6Fc6C1DX~vtBDeRGZhNNyUekB1okjQzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Beverly Public Schools, MA","date","2025-02-13T15:31:15Z","article","The Beverly School Committee authorized a compressed timeline and a stakeholder input process Wednesday as it launches an external search for a new superintendent.

The committee voted to hire the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) as a full-service search consultant and to proceed with the stakeholder survey and advertising material. Chair Rachel Abel said the committee wants to parallel some steps so the district can identify finalists earlier in the spring; the committee gave the chair permission to work with the consultant to “squeeze” the schedule if feasible.

Committee members discussed survey length and format. The committee agreed the survey should be easy to complete for students and families, with a mix of checkboxes, drag-and-drop priority lists and a small number of open‑ended response fields. The chair asked administration and communications staff to circulate the survey link widely to parents, staff and community partners. The committee also discussed the size and makeup of the screening committee; more than 60 people applied to serve and administration will vet volunteers and propose a manageable screening committee of roughly a dozen panelists.

The committee authorized advertisement and brochure materials and directed the chair to work with MASC to move elements of the process into parallel tracks where possible. The motion to proceed with the timeline and outreach passed by a 5-0 vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee: CISL and Reg. School Committee Meeting (hybrid remote) 02/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee voted to move forward with an external superintendent search using MASC as the consultant, authorized a stakeholder survey to open immediately and asked the chair to work with MASC to shorten the advertised timeline where feasible.","taxTitle","Beverly Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71053,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6331866,"District presents MCAS results: overall gains at high school, middle school recovery lagging",2061,1635000,3696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2309302-5605c286e8aaeb80ab50a96e4cf5ec9e&start=1635&end=3696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2309302-5605c286e8aaeb80ab50a96e4cf5ec9e/thumbnail_1635000.jpg","/articles/6331866/Massachusetts/District-presents-MCAS-results-overall-gains-at-high-school-middle-school-recovery-lagging","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6331866-fdb4ecc0812c6b1823651f8ce41010bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770607037&Signature=l32-7OazTrdXSWmyeYR74pfIZiV~2DQUL4BVWs0pJEELfkBCdgkwE2ch-tNsRok2dQbin8K5ZOzHv7BIGe69gElqA2WKZrTRLsyO9dqeGcxcjIXSiKlGkb-TI0S-AYaPNbtz6KeaSx5qchW-XG~Fl7jODztBCU3IZMCH1zx~DrWZ4Ib0RTyy5Ba51fv65hnJf7FvHKhGzBNgV9rtpl1bKytrCJ52mBCz8yaKhriOi9IKyTLDLVyhkSe5wqmgOxndv9Ldun9VWw0QFpF-iQfOX7m5xp76cnFN6WZTtJJDmRQGljAZuW9V8SFP1LUIdYskxbsHtXXKXts0WW7sJieasA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beverly Public Schools presented 2023–24 MCAS and accountability results Wednesday, reporting district-level performance that remains above state averages in several areas and highlighting substantial gains at the high school level.

District leaders told the committee that aggregate results for grades 3–8 combined remained above the state average even after a small dip, and that grade 10 showed a jump from 56% to 60% meeting or exceeding expectations. The administration credited high school gains in part to recent curriculum updates and expanded student engagement, including a flex block that allows teachers to pull students for extra help.

Administrators also warned that middle schools are still in recovery from COVID-era disruptions to foundational learning and social development, which continues to depress some scores. The presentation said elementary recovery has progressed well, while middle grades showed mixed results: sixth grade posted strong gains while fifth and eighth grades showed declines in some subjects.

District staff reviewed the state’s accountability framework: a 0–4 point metric that DESE uses to measure progress and that feeds into school classification. In 2023–24, the district reported that most schools made “moderate” or “substantial” progress toward targets; Beverly’s schools generally were not flagged for assistance. The presentation emphasized that MCAS is one of several measures used locally and that the district will continue to use formative assessments, DIBELS and other tools to guide instruction.

Administrators pointed to chronic absenteeism as a major factor in lower growth for some student groups. The presentation noted chronic-absence rates above 30% for some high-need subgroups: Hispanic/Latino students (about 40%), students with disabilities (about 37%) and low-income students (about 42%). The district said reducing chronic absenteeism is a key priority for improving outcomes.

Committee members congratulated staff on the high-school gains and asked for continued focus on middle-school recovery and subgroup supports. The slides and a one‑page summary of the presentation were to be distributed to committee members after the meeting.","Beverly Public Schools presented 2023–24 MCAS results showing district-level performance above the state average for grades 3–8 combined and notable gains at grade 10; district leaders called for continued focus on attendance and targeted supports for high‑need subgroups.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6331871,"School committee approves Beverly High School Program of Studies updates, including competency-determination language",7430,762000,8192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2309302-5605c286e8aaeb80ab50a96e4cf5ec9e&start=762&end=8192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2309302-5605c286e8aaeb80ab50a96e4cf5ec9e/thumbnail_762000.jpg","/articles/6331871/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-Beverly-High-School-Program-of-Studies-updates-including-competency-determination-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6331871-9338c50d69df932d3f78f67769603827/orig.mp4?Expires=1770591009&Signature=gQYHWxlGiVuXe8mrYyyZrD26GAZ0pqj-OoxJrUpD06mqYdM9BLO1jWDp-EGVse7k333XbXVdp8FtQHekRNHDWUUeb0~~Lf2vTnZ7qnZTR4TG4TpXA1WyYNasAX11XooDwsZ97GBSAwZXUuv-4I8R5fccnAkhJiGu741E-VLhr4XT5seM1MUwB8pH2wgtISWsJe-sKS0F7B6XpT9Gu6fr2Q2GvQPA~PH5WMpGQzZxPlBd7hCLlU7H1Y4TMDWrA2neRspXinwsN9FUQnY-Vy0mm2U2vHn0~gZFfUuHolakm61VIw8pe4QGKyk7oTf3hvGA~xz~vogSjc1XRAoJ-m0mVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beverly School Committee voted Wednesday to approve updates to the Beverly High School Program of Studies for the 2025–26 school year, including new and rotating course offerings and revised language about competency determination after changes to MCAS as a graduation requirement.

The changes approved by the committee include clerical and formatting updates across the document, a new grammar elective (2.5 credits), adjustments to fine arts credit structures, movement of economics into the business and computer technology department, and making environmental science a yearly offering because it is now part of a pathway. The committee also noted some course rotations (accounting 2, business management and globalization) and a temporary pause on offering CAD while the class is revamped.

A key policy change reflected in the document is new language on the “competency determination” that replaces MCAS as an automatic graduation requirement; the document preserves local procedures and notes that further updates will follow DESE guidance. During the presentation, district staff said local determinations will continue to rely on multiple measures and that the committee will need to vote on local competency-determination procedures when DESE issues further guidance.

Students and committee members discussed course selection timing: course signups open in the coming weeks and remain open about a month. The administration emphasized guidance support during course-selection and explained lottery/placement practices if courses exceed capacity.

The program-of-studies updates were moved by the committee chair and approved by vote at the meeting. The full committee approved the updates by a vote of 6-0 in the later regular meeting; a related curriculum committee (Curriculum, Instruction & Student Life) had previously recommended the changes.","The committee approved changes to Beverly High School's Program of Studies that add new course offerings, make environmental science a yearly offering in a pathway, add a grammar elective and include updated language about competency determination following removal of MCAS as a graduation requirement.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6331876,"Beverly School Committee adopts resolution affirming protections for LGBTQ+ students and staff",3219,5082000,8301000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2309302-5605c286e8aaeb80ab50a96e4cf5ec9e&start=5082&end=8301","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2309302-5605c286e8aaeb80ab50a96e4cf5ec9e/thumbnail_5082000.jpg","/articles/6331876/Massachusetts/Beverly-School-Committee-adopts-resolution-affirming-protections-for-LGBTQ-students-and-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6331876-81bf5cfdf39df6941aee6926a329861c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770607037&Signature=Kgm~AdxnigVAt1nJWkHwTyqbxbP6wI4VThuX-dDsYfbjQf3lu-TZnJt0xnS9sP9O9cS7cbj9EJ2JRAtCBLh3EY-TpzRdUGFj-d04G2M~76oxGEjLh-s06N4jt1naJOkI4MiasXM-gouUmcN1tuFk65WnYZIADmJvyE0ApeDW1U9QOcc1HyXIDLbvm9jAtyHvGPwSVuOOz7LrZB9nXHCguls6Fyw0L7TH19tkcnJymrX2U0u0hFGWuBFHmU5mjL8HyYfNyDPNyFTJ7RDSKIoiiFHVM6ElPwnVsdIRtg6It9aJLGba-MjtmZyeMJ6KoSdxc-c56g4BSEHg7r67b24dfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beverly School Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a resolution declaring the district a safe, nondiscriminatory place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and other LGBTQ+ students, staff and families.

The resolution, introduced by School Committee member Lorinda Visnick and amended on the floor to add “LGBTQ+” in the title and a small grammatical fix, reaffirms the district’s obligations under state law and DESE guidance to prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender identity and to provide a learning environment that supports student well-being.

The motion grew out of more than an hour of public comment. Students, parents, teachers and counselors urged the committee to move beyond a statement and to follow with specific supports. Abigail Contos, a sixth-grader who identified herself as transgender, told the committee, “I will not let them erase me,” and asked for a clear public statement from local leaders. Andrea Sherman, co-president of the Beverly Teachers Association, asked the district and school committee to name management representatives to a stakeholder task force to address health and safety needs raised during last year’s labor actions.

The resolution cites state law and guidance, including an act relative to gender identity and DESE direction that districts must support transgender and gender-nonconforming students. It also reaffirms Beverly Public Schools’ nondiscrimination statement added in 2012 and describes the district’s duty to prevent bullying and support diverse curricula and student services.

Committee members debated a short amendment to the title and small wording changes before the roll call. Mayor Mary Cahill and other members said the resolution was consistent with the district’s legal obligations and reaffirmed the school system’s role in promoting student safety and belonging. Superintendent/administration representatives said the district will continue to partner with DESE programs that provide technical assistance and training.

The committee approved the resolution as amended by a 5-0 vote. Members asked administration and community groups to continue work on specific follow-up steps—such as training, counseling supports and clearer procedures for employees and students—that would be considered at future meetings.","After public comment from students, families and educators, the Beverly School Committee unanimously approved a resolution reaffirming nondiscrimination and safety protections for LGBTQ+ students and employees, with amendments clarifying language and adding “LGBTQ+” in the title.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School committee authorizes compressed timeline, stakeholder survey for superintendent search

District presents MCAS results: overall gains at high school, middle school recovery lagging

School committee approves Beverly High School Program of Studies updates, including competency-determination language

Beverly School Committee adopts resolution affirming protections for LGBTQ+ students and staff