Committee adopts policies amid budget fight

School Committee · Meeting of June 10, 2026

Beverly School Committee heard pointed public comment on antisemitism in schools and a $2 million budget cut, then approved a stack of routine items. Residents including Dr. Eric Davidian, Elliot Margolis, Rabbi Mendel and retired teacher Julie Zeff described swastikas and "Heil Hitler" incidents in Beverly schools and pressed for a formal Jewish American Heritage Month policy. Beverly Teachers Association representative Andrea Sherman said Mayor Cahill's June 1 budget proposal came in "almost $2 million lower" than the committee's own recommendation and urged the City Council to use a two-thirds vote under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44, Section 32, to restore it at its June 17 budget hearing.

Superintendent Peter Cushing said he is working with a local rabbi, the Boston Holocaust Museum and the Lappin Center on a response plan. The committee also unanimously approved nine policies, a $20,311 grant acceptance, FY27 handbooks and a new meeting-conduct policy on phone use, after an amendment failed 2-7.

In the full story:

• Student Life and School Improvement Updates (CISL Subcommittee)
• Public Comment: Antisemitism in the Schools
• Public Comment: School Budget
• Superintendent's Entry Findings Report
• Operating Norms and Electronic Devices
• Fee Advisory Committee and FY27 Calendar
• Superintendent Evaluation Process
• Policy Approvals, Finance Items and Handbooks
• Recognitions and Beverly Education Foundation Grants
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,641 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of June 10, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.