Class-size data, warrants and personnel policies advance as committee readies transition
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Summary
The Beverly School Committee reviewed class-size and enrollment data, approved warrants and several personnel policies, and scheduled further discussion of transportation fees and financial forecasting ahead of the incoming committee.
At its Dec. 10 meeting the Beverly School Committee reviewed detailed class-size and enrollment figures, approved standard warrants and a series of personnel policies, and set future agenda items on transportation fees and the district financial forecast.
Superintendent Dr. Peter Cushing reported district enrollment of about 4,600 students—roughly 100 more than the same time last year—and presented average class sizes across Beverly High School and Beverly Middle School. At the high school, reported averages included English/ELA about 22.1 students, math 22.4 and science 22.45; administrators provided historical comparisons to 2017–2019 to show trends.
The committee approved multiple warrant groups (consensus warrants A–E) and a budget transfer recommended by the finance and facilities committee; recorded votes were unanimous as noted in the meeting.
Members also completed second readings and approved four personnel-related policies including equal employment opportunity (GBA), staff ethics/conflict of interest (GBEA), staff conduct (GBEB) and personnel records (GBJ) with edited language to add caregivers/guardians and neutral pronouns. The committee discussed implementation issues for raffle and solicitation language that will affect booster groups and student fundraisers; additional clarifications will be communicated to volunteer groups.
Finance and facilities members asked that the next meeting include a proposed change to the transportation fee structure for field trips and a readout of the financial forecast; administrators agreed to add those items to the Dec. 17 agenda. The committee also authorized moving into executive session to discuss collective bargaining matters and to approve prior executive-session minutes.
Committee members recognized longtime district employee Donna Bergeron for 31 years of service and heard a brief report on professional development day which included two keynote presentations on artificial intelligence and 24 small-group teacher workshops.
Votes to adopt the policies and approve the budget items were recorded by roll call and noted as 7–0 where recorded; the meeting concluded with a certified roll call to enter executive session.