Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – June 12, 2019
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
June 12, 2019 at the Coddington Building at 6:30 p.m. Superintendent
DeCristofaro called the roll and present were School Committee Chair Mayor
Thomas Koch, Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Douglas Gutro,
Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Vice Chair.
Vice-Chair Presiding
Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk; Mr. Michael Draicchio, Dr. Beth Hallett, Ms. Rebecca McInnis, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla; Quincy Education Association President Allison Cox; and Citywide Parent Council Co-Presidents Scott Alessandro and Courtney Perdios.
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There was a moment of silence for members of the armed services at home
and overseas.
Mrs. Lebo read the following statement into the record: Pursuant to the Open Meeting Law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unperceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible.
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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved 5.15.2019
Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Andronico to approve the
Regular Meeting minutes for May 15, 2019 as presented. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Professional Development Meeting Minutes Approved 5.22.2019
Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Andronico to approve the
Professional Development Meeting minutes for May 22, 2019 as presented.
On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
FY2020 Budget Public Hearing Minutes Approved 5.29.2019
Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Andronico to approve the
FY2020 Budget Public Hearing minutes for May 29, 2019 as presented.
On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Open Forum
Citywide Parent Council Co-President Courtney Perdios thanked Mayor Koch, School Committee, and the Superintendent and Leadership Team for consideration of issues brought forward during the year, including beginning the process of updating the Homework Policy and Security.
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Superintendent's Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report with the Inspire Quincy video featuring the Special Education Track & Field event, the Elementary & Middle School Lego Robotics competition, the Girl Rising Celebration, the Community Service Learning Breakfast, the Student Athletic Summit, and South~West Middle School Opening Day,
The High School Graduations were held on June 10 and June 11, over 730 students graduated over two beautiful evenings, thanks to HighSchool Principals Mr. Shaw and Mr. Taglieri, Assistant Principal Ellen Murray, Student Support Services Department Chairs Ms. Paula McGeady and Ms. Helena Skinner, the High School Deans, Department Heads, the Choir and Band, and Safety & Security Director Michael Draicchio and his staff and Chief Keenan and the Quincy Police Department
Dr. DeCristofaro recognized NQHS Junior Joanna Setow, who placed 1st in the Harvard Political Review Essay Competition, which recognizes and reward youth engagement in politics and NQHS Business Teacher Matt Gibbons who was named Hockey Coach of the Year by MIAA.
Recent Quincy Public Schools events included spring concerts for chorus and band at all school sites and the All-City Middle & High School Choral Festival. At the recent In the Park music event, the Combined High School Band and Choir, placed 1st in the Band division and Chorus placed 1st overall. The first English Learner Parent Advisory Council meeting was held in late May, 46 parents attended, a first step toward the establishment of this group. The Special Education Track & Field event was held on May 31 for 170 students at Pageant Field for a morning of events and a cookout, supported by the NQHS ROTC and QHS Early Education students. 126 parents attended the recent Kindergarten Parent Academy, many Kindergarten teachers and nurses attended. The Mentor Program under the direction of Madeline Roy and Jim Hennessy held their final meeting and celebrated a successful year of 39 new professional staff members mentored by veteran staff members.The Girl Rising Celebration was held on May 29, all five middle schools were represented by 150 students and their English teachers. At the Community Service Learning Breakfast, 110 students from Grades 4-12 were recognized for their efforts. At the Student Athletic Summit, 50 rising senior athletics leaders participated in workshops about leadership, nutrition, and team building. The QPS Retirement Luncheon was held at the Presidents Café, sponsored by QEA.
Quincy Public Schools’ selection for the DESE Promising Practices Review was recognized by City Council on Monday, June 3, an initiative of Councillor Brian Palmucci. Deputy Commissioner Jeff Wulfson called Superintendent to compliment the programs, parents, and students they met with on the visit
Opening Day at South~West Middle School was held on June 3, another wonderful day, thanks to Ai3, Bond, PCA 360, supported by South~West staff, Mayor, the Quincy City Council, and the School Committee.
The Homework Survey is completed, analysis of the data is just beginning, thanks to Ed Smith for working with the schools to gather the data.
The new Quincy Public Schools Website initiative is underway, thanks to the leadership of Mr. Andronico. A design team will be created to include QPS professional, parent, and community stakeholders.
To provide support for the Grade 8-9 transition for parents and students, a special newsletter was created by Student Support & School Nurses and will be emailed to families.
A summary of the 2018-19 QPS Initiatives will be shared with School Committee via email, a year-end review of 38 initiatives and most were reviewed in full School Committee or Subcommittee during the course of this school year.
Summer Scene programs are being planned, beginning with a STEM focused program for Grades 3-8, the week of June 24, thanks to Mayor Koch.
The Wollaston Elementary School Air Quality state report will be shared with School Committee, Suzanne Condon is reviewing and will have an analysis to share. Mr. Gutro asked if there are recommendations that pertain to Wollaston or any other school, perhaps this can be discussed at an upcoming Facilities Subcommittee.
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Old Business
Revision of School
Committee Policy
10.18 QPS Anti-Bullying
Policy (Discussion)
Revision of School
Committee Policy Section
10.5.7 Homeless Students
Creation of School
Committee Policy Section
10.5.8 Foster Care
Students
Mr. Bregoli introduced the proposed revision to School Committee Policy 10.18 Quincy Public Schools Anti-Bullying Policy for discussion. As there was none, he moved on to the next item, discussion of the proposed revision to School Committee Policy 10.5.7 Homeless Students Enrollment Rights and Services. As there was no discussion, Mr. Bregoli introduced the proposed new School Committee Policy 10.5.8 Foster Care Students Enrollment Rights and Services. Mr. Bregoli noted that the establishment of this Policy section conforms to recommendations from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. There was no discussion of this new Policy.
All three Policy sections are eligible for vote at the September 11, 2019 School Committee Meeting.
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New Business
FY2020 QPS Budget
Approval (Vote)
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the FY2020 Quincy Public School Budget as presented. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion.
On the motion, Mrs. Lebo thanked the Mayor, City Council, and the taxpayers of Quincy for the Quincy Public Schools Budget funding.
On a roll call vote, the ayes have it 6-0. Mr. DeAmicis was absent.
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New Business
FY2019 QPS Budget
Transfers (Vote)
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the FY2019 Quincy Public Schools Budget transfers as presented. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it 6-0. Mr. DeAmicis was absent.
Mr. Gutro thanked Mr. Mullaney for his preparations for the budget meetings, appreciates the attention to detail.
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New Business
CVTE Advisory
Board Annual Summary Presentation
Executive Director of Career Vocational & Technical Education Keith Segalla reminded School Committee that CVTE Programs operate under MGL Chapter 74, which mandates an annual summary presentation to School Committee. Advisory Committees are prescribed under the law and consist of representatives from the local business community who assist in establishing program goals, shop safety evaluations, curriculum review, meeting agendas and minutes, budget allocations and expenditures for safety, curriculum, technology, equipment from the $123,307 in Perkins Grant funding.
Mr. DeAmicis arrived at 7:05 pm.
Quincy Evening High School has long been a grant-funded program, established by Mrs. Lebo when she was CVTE Director and currently managed by Mr. Steve Johnson. The grant allocation has been significantly cut and the cost of the Evening High School will be absorbed by the QPS Budget. State grant funding continues for the Summer Youth Works jobs program for low income students, providing paid real world work experiences.
The Connecting Activities Partnership is a DESE initiative that supports career development activities at our high schools, connecting students with part-time employment opportunities, resume development and interview preparation. Quincy High School CVTE teachers also have opportunities for summer professional development. South Shore Health Systems assisted with curriculum review and are offering EKG training and Phlebotomy training (Dual Enrollment with Quincy College). Mr. Segalla concluded by thanking School Committee for financial support and interest in growing the CVTE programs.
Mrs. Lebo said that the grant writing is instrumental to the program success, and thanked the Advisory Board members on behalf of School Committee
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New Business
Dual Enrollment Update
Mr. Segalla then presented an update on Dual Enrollment, This past year, which is the third year of the initiative, 23 courses were offered to 108 Grade 11 & 12 students. Beginning next year, courses will also be offered to Grade 10 students. High school and college courses have aligned objectives, curriculum, and expected outcomes. Dual Enrollment instructors have Masters in their content area and are considered adjunct Quincy College instructors. Facilitators and staff are at the high school Back to School nights to distribute information and answer questions.
Mrs. Hubley asked if all the students who enrolled successfully completed the course and received credit and this was confirmed.
Mr. Andronico said that student loan debt is a huge issue for many adults, Quincy Public Schools is providing the opportunity for students and families to take advantage.
Mr. Gutro asked about the level of the classes. Advanced classes are Advanced Placement track, another way that students may receive college credits after successfully completing the Advanced Placement exam. Dr. Hallett said there are some issues with alignment, the Advanced level classes have more depth. Mr. Gutro said that this is an issue worth future discussion, a student may take an Advanced Biology class in Grade 10 but not take the AP test later. Is there a way to get Dual Enrollment credit for those classes?
Mrs. Lebo said that in the long run, these courses only are a financial advantage if you are a part-time student. Dr. Hallett said that Advanced courses have a higher weight, students with ambitions for higher level colleges will prefer that. Mr. Gutro suggested further education opportunities for parents and students, Dr. Hallett said that the Parent Academy at each high school might be the opportunity for this. Student Support Services staff at each high school present College Information nights. The opportunity to enroll in Dual Enrollment is presented twice a year, in November and March.
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New Business
School Committee
Policy 5.6 Food Service
Management
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to refer School Committee Policy 5.6 Food Service Management to Policy Subcommittee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bregoli and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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New Business
Joint Resolve with
City Council
Mrs. Lebo introduced a Joint Resolve with City Council Seeking the FCC to Protect Local Access Television:
Whereas, the City of Quincy Cable Television has provided a service starting in the early 1980s, provided by cable companies to provide local access television studios, equipment and professional staff to train volunteers who wanted to produce their own programming; and
Whereas, cable companies also promised to pay franchise fees that cover operating costs; and
Whereas, there is a great deal of uncertainty about the future of local programming in part because of the effect of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) rule change, if approved, cable companies would be able to charge for channels that carry local programs against the franchise fee; and
Whereas, Municipal Leaders and others predict that allowing the FCC to reduce franchise fees by the value of in-kind donations would cut spending for local programs by 30 to 70 percent, a loss of $100,000 to as much as $500,000 a year, depending on the community; and
Whereas, at a time when local newspapers are shrinking, local cable stands out as a vital outlet for meeting the informational needs of communities, the negative could result in the following losses to Quincy:
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Loss of information shared with the City’s residents
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Loss of broadcasted meetings including City Council, School Committee and local access
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Loss of programming such as educational, interns, volunteers and collaborating public high schools and colleges to teach television production
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Loss of individual to have the ability to have a voice to their community
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that the City of Quincy, the Quincy City Council, and the Quincy School Committee work together with a unified response to the FCC changes in the form of a letter.
Therefore, Be It Further Resolved, that the City of Quincy provide information to the public on how they can communicate to their federal officials regarding this issue as well as learn more about these proposed changes.
Mr. Gutro made a motion to waive the reading of the resolution. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. Gutro made a motion to support resolution. The motion was seconded by Mr. DeAmicis and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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New Business
Out of State Travel
(One Day)
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel (One Day) of South~West Middle School, Grade 6 to Canobie Lake Park, Salem, New Hampshire on June 14, 2019. Mr. DeAmicis seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Additional Business
There was no Additional Business.
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Communications
On Monday, June 17, the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee will meet at 6:00 pm in the Coddington Building.
Dr. DeCristofaro shared a letter of resignation from Dr. Hallett, as she is leaving to become Deputy Superintendent of the Nantucket Public Schools. Mr. Bregoli thanked Dr. Hallett for her work enhancing the Quincy Public Schools band & chorus programs. Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Dr. Hallett for building the English Learner Education program, collaborative with the professional staff and vision for the Art, Music, Band, and High Needs team with English Learners and Special Education.
Dr. DeCristofaro shared a letter from retiring NQHS Dean Mr. Daniel Coughlin.
Mrs. Lebo noted that School Committee will plan to meet once or twice over the summer to work on Goal development for the 2019-20 school year.
Mayor Koch left the meeting at 7:45 pm.
Mrs. Lebo thanked Dr. DeCristofaro, the Superintendent’s Leadership team, the Principals, and Ms. Owens for assistance during the 2018-2019 school year.
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Reports of
Subcommittees
All School Committee and Subcommittee meeting minutes are posted online at www.quincypublicschools.com/schoolcomm/2018-2019.
Policy Subcommittee
5.13.2019
Mr. Bregoli reported on the May 13, 2019 Policy Subcommittee meeting, where revisions to School Committee Policy Section 10.18 Quincy Public Schools Anti-Bullying Policy were reviewed, along with a discussion of aligning the middle school grading system with the high school grading system.
Budget & Finance
Subcommittee
5.22.2019
Mrs. Hubley reviewed the May 22, 2019 Budget & Finance Subcommittee meeting where School Committee reviewed the FY2020 Quincy Public Schools budget for the final time prior to the scheduled Public Hearing on May 29, 2019.
Special Education
Subcommittee 5,22.2019
Mr. Andronico reported on the May 22, 2019 Special Education Subcommittee meeting, Agenda items included a presentation on the MAICEI program at Massasoit, the Special Education Pathways and proposed program changes for the 2019-2020 school year, and an update on QPAC activities.
Joint Athletics & Wellness
and Policy Subcommittees
5.29.2019
Mr. Bregoli and Mr. Gutro reviewed the Joint Athletics & Wellness and Policy Subcommittees meeting held on May 29, 2019. The Athletic Directors presented an update on Spring athletics for high school and middle school and looked ahead to preparations for Fall athletics. Revision to School Committee Policy 10.5.7 Homeless Student Enrollment Rights and Services was discussed, along with the establishment of School Committee Policy 10.5.8 Foster Student Enrollment Rights and Services. The last item on the agenda was a discussion about amending School Committee Policy 1.7 Wellness to include “share tables” in cafeterias. Mrs. Lebo noted that School Committee requested Quincy’s Department of Health Commissioner Ruth Jones be involved in this discussion.
Facilities, Security &
Transportation
Subcommittee 5.29.2019
Mr. DeAmicis reported on the May 29, 2019 Facilities, Security & Transportation Subcommittee where the planned events for the opening of South~West Middle School on June 3 were reviewed, along with plans to upgrade the security of the main entrances at both high schools.
As there were no amendments suggested, the minutes for the May 13, 2019 Policy Subcommittee, the May 22, 2019 Budget & Finance Subcommittee, the May 22, 2019 Special Education Subcommittee, the May 29, 2019 Joint Athletics & Wellness and Policy Subcommittee, and the May 29, 2019 Facilities, Security & Transportation Subcommittee were all approved as presented.
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Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
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Adjournment
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 8:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.