Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - September 5, 2007
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, Regular
September 5, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present Meeting
were Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Linda Stice, Mr. Jim
Timmins, Mr. Dave McCarthy, Mayor Phelan and Ms. Elaine Dwyer, Vice
Chairman.
Vice Chairman Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and all members were present. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, and Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk; Dr.
Pattavina. Messrs. O’Brien, Ryan, Walsh, McPhee, Canavan and Keith Segalla,
Ms. Powell, Lebo, Hughes, and Roberts. Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA President,
was also present.
The Committee observed a moment of silence for Mr. Vin Moscardelli, a former
Quincy Public School teacher and principal who passed away this summer.
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Reg Mins. for 6/20, 6/22 and 8/13/2007 Approved
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee approved
the regular session minutes for June 20, 2007, meeting minutes for June 22,
2007, and meeting minutes for August 13, 2007. The ayes have it.
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Supt’s Report
The Superintendent welcomed everyone back. He congratulated this year’s
high school graduates and retirees. He spoke to the District Improvement
Plan (DIP). Over the past five years, we have focused on class size,
increasing over 30 staff, we have full day kindergarten; we have enhanced
and increased our literacy staff. There is one full time literacy teacher in
every elementary site. We have the re-teach model at middle schools which
focuses on at-risk students who drop out. We increased our paraprofessionals
for SPED. There is additional security staff, classroom supplies have increased,
especially textbooks. He thanked the Mayor and members for their continued
support. In October, he will present a plan for staff professional development.
The Committee will get copies of the School Improvement Plans. Meeting
dates are scheduled for the last week in September. The new teachers had
an orientation and the new administrators had their orientation to welcome
them and inform them of policy and plans.
New Principals
New appointments over the summer are: Ms. Renee Lalumiere, Montclair
Principal; Ms. Ruth Witmer, Lincoln Hancock and Della Chiesa Principal;
Ms. Christine Barrett, Sterling Acting Principal; Mr. Dan Gilbert, Assistant
Principal Lincoln Hancock; Robin Moreira, Assistant Principal Montclair;
and Mr. Nicholas Ahearn, Acting Assistant Principal Sterling.
Occupational Ed.
Mr. Keith Segalla will fill in for Ms. Emily Lebo who has resigned
as Director of Occupational Education, and Ms. Janice Erler will
fill in for Keith Segalla on a temporary basis.
Asst. Supt. position
Mrs. Powell, Mrs. Roberts and Mr. O’Brien will share tasks and responsebilities for Dr. Carmen Mariano, Assistant Superintendent who resigned.
Dr. DeCristofaro will submit a draft for an Assistant Superintendent
job description at the next meeting.
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Summer Programs
Summer Scene serviced 2,800 K-12 students, 285 staff and 75 support
staff. A successful summer initiative for middle school students was
held at eight elementary schools. Fall Institute and Saturday morning
has been scheduled for K-5 students.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked the custodians, maintenance staff, and Honeywell
for so many hours of hard work getting schools ready for opening day.
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Open Forum
At the Open Forum, Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA Presidents, welcomed
everyone back and said that the first day of school was a successful
day.
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Buildings & Grounds
Mr. Joe Canavan reported that during the summer the Maintenance
Department relocated the administrative offices to the NAGE building,
painted Parker Media Center, replaced floor tiles at the ECC, a new
counter at Merrymount, relocated 22 classrooms from Quincy High
School to Coddington Hall. They also did some renovations at
Coddington Hall. He thanked the men and especially Dennis McGillvray
for his direction with the move.
The floor at the North Quincy High gym has been replaced due to
a water leak. The Committee expressed concern with some of the
exit doors closed off at Quincy High School during the renovations.
However, Mr. Ryan said the Quincy Fire Department has walked
through and checked it out.
Mr. Canavan will give the Committee a list this October of upcoming projects planned for over the Christmas break.
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New QHS
Mr. Mike Ryan updated the Committee on the construction progress
of the new Quincy High School. He showed an overview of the
layout of the new high school and especially highlighted the court
yard. The members chose the wide courtyard. To date, they have
closed off Woodward Ave. and relocated utilities that ran down that
street. On August 15 demolition to the administrative section began.
We are three weeks ahead of schedule on the demolition. During the
demolition there will be no access for certain areas which he pointed out
around the old building.
The next step is removal of rubble from the foundation, old oil tanks,
and to complete the mechanical room. All equipment installed is
energy efficient.
The Committee inquired about the traffic which seems to be
confusing. The traffic engineer will be out there every day.
Mr. McCarthy asked about the pathway to Coddington St. and the
Committee was concerned with the marsh side. They asked that
Mr. Ryan take a look at the lighting. Mr. Ryan said that they began
to clean up that area. Gilbane walks the site three times a day.
As for egresses, the will be a fire drill on Friday. All exists are
proper. There is a new handicap ramp.
Mr. McCarthy asked for a weekly update for the neighbors.
Mr. Ryan said they are going to do a literature drop. Mr. Ryan
will also put information/updates on channel 22.
Mrs. Mahoney inquired about the mechanical room. Mr. Ryan
answered that there is one for the old building and the new science
and tech rooms, and one across the street from the new high school.
Mrs. Mahoney asked about the noise and how it would affect the
classrooms. Mr. Ryan has presented the testing schedules to Gilbane
so they can plan around it.
As for the proposed windmill, the Superintendent said there were no plans to put it on the roof. They are working with Monica
Conyngham to see if they could do something in the marsh.
Mayor Phelan suggested there be a phone number for neighbors to
call day or night. As for the traffic on Woodward, Rizzo Associate is
working at that. Mr. Ryan will keep the Mayor informed.
The old gymnasium at Quincy High School will have the paneling
taken off and some natural lighting put in there. The Mayor asked
Mr. Ryan to make sure they power wash behind the gymnasium
and cut back the brush, triple the lighting.
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Central & Sterling
The MSBA came out to do a study of Central and Sterling. They
did a quick tour of both schools. They agree that our priorities are
accurate. They will present a written report and make a decision
in at least two months.
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Honeywell
Regarding Honeywell, Mr. Ryan presented a list of the work done
to date at all the school buildings by Honeywell. There will be
ongoing training for our staff on every piece of equipment.
Mr. Ryan was very excited and very enthusiastic about the whole
program. Mr. McCarthy asked that Honeywell look at the atrium
roof at North Quincy as there are some leaks. Honeywell is
installing the computerized program whereby we can access
alarm systems. The new high school will be on the program.
Honeywell wants to be a partner. We are looking towards an instant
alert system. Mr. O’Brien is working with Honeywell and will present
this to the Committee. They also discussed a security system to improve
the security at all our schools. They have educational programs for middle
school students. They will be bringing educational events to us.
The Committee was very excited about the Honeywell program and
thanked the Mayor for his insight.
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Gifts
On a motion by Mr. Timmins, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
accepted the following gifts:
A gift of $1,675.60 donated by the Alliance for Respiratory Care to assist
children in Quincy Public Schools with their health needs.
A gift of $700.00 raised through the Beechwood Knoll School’s “Read-AThon” to benefit Quincy Public Schools “Project Access: Educational
Services to Homeless Children.
A gift of $8,030.76 donated by the Quincy and South Shore Plumbing
Community from a golf tournament held to benefit of our Plumbing Program.
A gift of a new Plasma Arc Cutter (valued at $2,500) from the James F.
Stearns Company and Airgas East to the Quincy High School Metal
Fabrication Program.
A gift of steel (valued at $2,800) donated by the Northeast Industrial
Technologies to the Quincy High School Metal Fabrication Program.
The ayes have it.
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Appointments
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved the following school nurse appointments:
Nurses: Christine Flynn, Lorraine Kelly, Sheila McGrath
The ayes have it.
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Mr. McCarthy thanked Kevin Segalla, Ken McPhee and the Quincy Police
for their assistance on the first day of school.
Mr. Timmins asked what was the status of the retro checks for the
teachers and why there is a delay. Mr. Mullaney answered that the
teachers received their last pay check last Friday. In order to calculate
the amount, we had to get the last month’s figures. Their checks will
go out this Friday.
Supt’s Evaluation
Mr. Timmins inquired as to evaluation of the Superintendent and asked
that this be on the next meeting’s agenda.
Staff Licensing
Mr. Timmins asked for a report on licensing of staff or teachers. What’s
going on with those who are not--school by school.
Staff Evaluations
The Mayor asked for a report on where we have come since the audit
with regard to evaluations and minority hiring, to include what the
policies are, why teachers and administrators are not being properly
evaluated on a regular basis, what was going on that resulted in the
unsatisfactory report.
Asst. Supt. Position
Ms. Stice asked what is the role of the School Committee with
regard to appointments. The Superintendent answered that the Assistant
Superintendent is appointed by the School Committee and his/her salary
decided by the Superintendent. He will present a draft of a job description
for an Assistant Superintendent. The Committee will review that
job description. He will publicize the position.
The Superintendent has taken a look at the Assistant Superintendent
role as Carmen did it and wants to restructure the role whereby he
will suggest a different direction. He would continue with one Assistant
Superintendent but a different organization to give more strength to our
directors.
Mr. Timmins read the law, however, Mayor Phelan asked for a legal
ruling on that --who appoints, who selects. He thinks the Committee
should develop a process, take a lead on how that selection is going to
be made. The Mayor feels they should determine the process in order to
locate, interview, and select the person.
The Committee decided that the City Solicitor should look at the law.
Mr. McCarthy asked for a copy of the current job description.
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Additional Business
Mrs. Mahoney asked for a presentation of the programs we do regarding
substance abuse.
Ms. Stice congratulated Keith Segella for Summer Scene. There is
wonderful leadership and incredible teachers who work in summer
and after schools.
The NEASC sent North Quincy their five year Progress report. North
Quincy had a glowing report.
Ms. Stice also complimented the QPS Website. It is extremely user friendly.
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Policy Subcommittee
Ms. Stice took off the Policy Subcommittee
1/9/2002 Early Childhood Education
1/9/2002 Common Goals
9/6/2006 Dress Code
2/13/2006` DIP
3/12/2007 Elementary Report Cards
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Retirements
The Committee noted the following retirements:
Teachers: Barbara Arnold, Linda Beck, Karen Dwyer, Susan Farrell, Helen Flaherty, James Flahive, Constance Graham, Mary Gralton, Dr. Richard Harrington, Steve Joyce, Patricia Landi, Linda Monaco, Gail Nogueira, Pamela Paulsen, Dorothy Ryan, Nancy Sheehan-Melzack, Linda Sheridan, Barbara Tyminski, Stephen Verenis, Cynthia Wilson
Instructor: Glen Thompson
Guidance: Sherry Curns, Diane Merrill
Dept. Chairs: Maria D’Arcangelo, Sydney Lally, Sean Mulready, Catherine Princiotto
Principals: Dennis Carini, Kevin Marks, Louis Ioanilli
Media Specialist: Mary Lou Petrelli
Speech Pathologist: Kathleen Tringale
Sr. Custodian: George DePaulo
Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Director: Emily Lebo
Asst. Supt.: Dr. Carmen Mariano
Teachers: Stephanie Aubin, Susan Bill, Susan Buccini, Kathleen Crowley, Kimberly Dunfey, Athenia Elie, Rebecca Moje, Colleen Monahan, Deanna Murphy, John Pye, Sharon Smith, Christina Stuart, Erin Trumble
Speech Pathologist: Lisa Berry
Literacy Specialist: Jenny Sperounis
Paraprofessional: Kelee Flynn, Erin Leary, Precious Lopez-Waldron, Colleen Nichol, Karen Pratt
Lunch Attendant: Nicole Perry-Gore, Lorraine Wright
Leaves of Absence
The Committee noted the following leaves of absence:
Teachers: Andrea Bomar, Sara Cady, Julie Cantelli, Katherine Ell, Stephanie Fortuna, Patrick Lane, Lee Anne Maki, Patricia Pattison, Daniel Reynolds, Carolyn Ronchinsky
Appointments
The Committee noted the following appointments:
Paraprofessional: Melissa Blackburn, Mary Burke, Judi Ann Gaine, Denise Lynch, Colleen McCarthy, Jean McGinnis, Kathleen Narbonne, Maria Pagnani, Elena Papile, Rosaria Tortomasi
Lunch Attendant: Sandra Bouffard
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Ms. Stice, the Committee
voted to go into Executive Session at 9:25 p.m. for the purpose of
negotiations. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.
They did not return to open session.