School Committee: Reg. School Committee Meeting 10/14/2026 (hybrid with captions)

At the Beverly School Committee’s October 14, 2026 meeting, the committee approved the appointment of Joan Laporta as interim director of finance, a finance-transition responsibility matrix, the interim finance director’s contract, and the annual list of student activity accounts; each recorded vote passed 8–0. Members also discussed financial forecasting and a planned fee-review committee. The superintendent reported that seven of eight new electric buses are operational and that two vans ordered in February are delayed, with delivery now anticipated in about four weeks. Transportation problems were attributed in part to area construction, traffic, and railroad crossings; the district is also reviewing whether to resume mailing bus passes despite the added postage cost. A Brown University Model UN trip was presented, with fundraising and trip costs discussed, but the transcript does not include its final vote. The committee discussed school-building repair funding and a proposed change to the MSBA project cap, but the transcript ends before a vote is recorded.

Other business included an update on school safety procedures after an accidental middle-school lockdown and recognition of student-athletes. The committee also directed its MASC delegate on several resolutions, including positions concerning school transportation pricing and METCO funding. No new transportation contract award or vehicle purchase approval was recorded.