Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - March 21, 2007
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
March 21, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Squantum Elementary School. Present were
Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Dave McCarthy, Ms. Linda
Stice, Mr. Jim Timmins, and Mayor Phelan, Chairman.
Chairman Presiding
The Superintendent called the roll and Mrs. Dwyer was absent. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, and Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk; Drs.
Mariano and Pattavina. Messrs. O’Brien, Ryan, Walsh, McPhee, Keith Segalla,
and Mullaney; Ms. Powell, and Roberts. Paul Phillips, QEA President, Mr. Brawley
represented Citywide and North Quincy High Associate Member, Tara McFarland
were present.
The Committee observed a moment of silence for former Quincy Fire Chief, Edward
F. Barry, who recently passed away.
Reg. & Exec. Mins. Approved 3/7/2007
On a motion by Ms. Stice seconded by Mr. Timmins, the Committee approved
the regular and executive session minutes for March 7, 2007. On a roll call vote,
the motion passed 6-0. Mrs. Dwyer was absent.
Welcome by Squantum Principal
Principal, Don Houghton, welcomed the members to the Squantum Elementary
School. Also present was Ms. Ann Marie Ford, Assistant Principal.
had a full week of activities. This week, students took the MCAS and last night
there was a PTO meeting. This Friday night the movie, Aladdin, will be shown
for students. Mr. Houghton praised his students who perform community
service. He thanked the committee for the full day kindergarten, the small
class size, and the Trophy’s reading program.
Student Recognition
Wrestling Coach, Patrick Lane, introduced three outstanding student wrestlers--
Jon Tan and Phillips Kelly from North Quincy High School and Camilo Arredondo
from Quincy High School. The students received Outstanding Achievement
Awards from the Committee. Also present was Christina Manipon,
Quincy High School student who was recognized for her excellence in
Culinary Arts. Ms. Manipon participated in the Governor’s inauguration.
and on March 2, at the Anthony Spinizolla Careers in Culinary Arts Contest,
she won a $42,000 scholarship. She received an Outstanding Student Award
from the Committee.
The Robotics Team came in third at the Robotics competition in Florida.
The team was awarded the Delhi-Driving Tomorrows Technology award.
The team is now looking forward to the next competition on March 22-24
at Boston University. The Committee is invited to dinner on Friday
evening.
The Superintendent thanked everyone who attended Beatlemania. Due to
the inclement weather, there was not the usual crowd, however, close to
500 people attended. The proceeds from this event provides many mini
grants for teachers and students. A special thanks went to Keith Segalla,
Frank Santoro and Linda Santoro for all their hard work. The next event
is the Partnership Breakfast on March 29. The last two events for the school
year will be Evening at the Pops and the Historic Walk for Education on
Saturday, June 2.
Ms. Janet Powell spoke to the trauma sensitive schools. Quincy has
applied and received grants since 2005. These grants allow Quincy to
train staff on the impact of trauma on the learning process.
Mr. Jim McGuire, Point Webster Principal, reported on the Partnership
event with Roche Brothers. Students are transported by school bus to
the supermarket where they survey customers. Mr. Timmins stopped in
that day and said he found it to be an invaluable lesson. There was
tremendous interaction between students, workers and customers.
The Superintendent commended Mr. Tim Carew and the North Quincy
High School’s Renaissance students who put on a very impressive
performance.
Open Forum
At the Open Forum, Mr. Henry Brawley, Citywide is asking the Committee
to take another look at foreign language in the middle schools. They
would like a full foreign language curriculum in the middle schools.
Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA, spoke to the three univent water leaks at Quincy
High School at the East Wing. The QEA wants to make sure that
the building is safe. Water was coming out of the light and electrical
sockets.
Also, is has been over 200 days without a contract, and it has been one
year since the first meeting. He asked that the Committee do something
to get this resolved because we are heading for unfortunate waters.
Bldg. & Grounds
Mr. Joe Canavangh reported that Maintenance continues to work on
heating issues--boilers, heat pumps, work orders and emergency calls.
Squantum’s will get a new intercom system and it will be done in-house.
With regard to the leaks at the East Wing of Quincy High School; the
univents are over 40 years old and electrolysis has taken place. Maintenance
is working to rectify the situation. Principal Santoro said he has
notified the entire population, staff, and students.
New QHS
The next Quincy High School Building Committee meeting will be on
Monday, March 26 at 2:00 p.m. The committee has reviewed the
four firms who answered the RFQ. After interviews a selection will
be made. A book was given to staff for them to choose how their
classroom will look. The principal, staff, and administrators will
give feed back. Some members met with SMMA to discuss the
interior of the building.
School Surveys
Parker School Principal, Maryanne Palmer, Jim McGuire, Point Webster
principal, Lawrence Taglieri, Broad Meadows Principal and Diane
O’Keeffe, principal of Beechwood Knoll were present and explained
how principals assess their schools with the help of their school surveys.
They explained how they prepare their surveys, who they survey, the
collection process, who responds, and who analyzes. They explained
their goals, how they collect their data, and the end results. Parker
School had its survey reformatted by Mary Fredrickson to allow for
computer scanning. Surveys are also translated into other languages.
Results of surveys will be shared with staff, students, and parents.
Wind Turbine
Ms. Emily Lebo informed the Committee of a renewable energy grant
Quincy High received from the Department of Education. Mr. Swanson
put together a team. They sent in a proposal and Quincy High School
received the grant. A lab will be built on the bridge of Quincy High
School. A collection system will be installed to gather the energy.
Mrs. Lebo is seeking permission from the Committee to move forward.
There are three different systems. A wind turbine which will be installed
on the roof of the East wing. It is 33’ high with a 12’ wing span. Engineers
will check to see if this can be installed. The photo voltaic will be installed
on the patio of the CTE. This will be a learning laboratory. Through the
Mayor’s office, we will be eligible for green start money. A weather
station will be put on the bridge. Mr. Swanson, who was also present,
added that this will make students want to understand technology. They
will monitor the system, do measurements. They will put a large planter
and grow herbs. Students in the ninth grade will be introduce to weather.
We have to spend the money by June. This equipment can be installed on
the new high school. The teachers are very excited. On March 29 there is
a meeting with SMMA who will look at the plans for this building.
Mr. Ryan explained that on he will be attending an energy committee on
March 29 to make sure whatever they are doing is structurally sound and
installed properly, if it can be moved to the new school. This would give
us another point for the Mass CHPS program. Mr. Ryan will have the
specific reviews and make a recommendation to the Committee. This wind
turbine would be 15 to 30’ above the roof line. It hasn’t been decided as
yet where it will go on the new high school.
The Committee asked for more specifics and a rough drawing before
they vote on it. Also, the Committee asked if there was an outreach to
the community. Mrs. Lebo will contact Councilor Gutro.
BM to Canobie Lake Approved
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee
Committee approved a trip for Broad Meadows students to travel to
Canobie Lake, NH on June 6, 2007. The ayes have it.
Vandalism @ Marshall
At Mr. McCarthy’s request, Ken McPhee updated the Committee on the
vandalism at the Marshall School. Windows and lights around the parking
lot were broken. This is happening late at night. The police are investigating
and will do frequent checks around the building.
Energy Audit
The Mayor reported that the City has an Energy Management Audit.
This is a new state law. Quincy will be investing in more energy, boilers,
water fixtures, etc. Honeywell will do a presentation to the Committee.
School buildings will have a lot of work done. Over the next 18 months,
$15 to $40 million dollars will be invested.
GIC
The Mayor attended a hearing at the state house regarding the GIC. Mr.
Phillips came and some retirees. They spoke in favor of it. He asked
the Committee to contact the state legislation. Quincy would save
considerable amount of money if it was in the Group I state health
insurance. This bill would allow the cities and towns just the option to
opt into that plan.
The Quincy School District Technology Plan has been approved through
June 30, 2008 by the Department of Education.
Policy Subcommittee
Ms. Stice reported that the Policy Subcommittee has met a couple of
times in February and March regarding students’ fees for school activities.
A notice was sent to all principals asking them to list those activities for
which students pay a fee.
In discussing the DIP, they came up with 23 different topics. Only three
of them will need a task force set up. They are:
- Study group configuration
- Study in house programs for outplaced students. What could
we do within our school system.
- How we address and assess Giftedness. APC program in all
middle schools.
The Superintendent will inform the Committee how he intends to address
the evaluation of his staff.
Beginning the 2007 school year, the Committee will receive each quarter
an attendance report for each school in their packet.
To SPED Subcommittee
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Timmins, a policy for
the implementation of IEPs was referred to the Special Ed. Subcommittee.
The ayes have it.
To Policy Subcommittee
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, records of students
moving in and out of the school system, services provided, assessments,
and grant monies available was referred to the Policy Subcommittee. The
ayes have it. The Committee is interested in how large a gap there is to
get and to give out students’ records.
SPED Subcommittee
Mr. Timmins reported that the SPED Subcommittee met. There was a good
turn out. The SPED staff did a great presentation. They have an overview of
the ports of data and transition. Ellie Papile gave great insight.
Elem. Report Cards to Policy Subcommittee
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, Elementary
Report Cards was put into the Policy Subcommittee. The ayes have it.
Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Guidance: Laurie Guthrie
Retirements
The Committee noted the following retirements:
Paraprofessional: Carol Gardner
Adjournment
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
adjourned for the evening at 9:05 p.m. There was no executive
session. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 6-0. Mrs. Dwyer was
absent.