Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - February 27, 2008
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
February 27, 2008 at the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were
Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mr. Nick Puleo,
Mayor Tom Koch and Mr. Dave McCarthy, Vice Chairman.
Vice Chairman Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and Mrs. Bragg was absent. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk. Messrs.
O’Brien, Walsh, McPhee, Mullaney, Ms. Powell, Todd, Hughes, and Roberts.
Ms. Tracey Christello represented Citywide, and Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA President,
was present. The Committee observed a moment of silence for John Gilfeather,
a QPS bus driver, who recently passed away.
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Regular Mtg. Mins. Approved 2/6/2008
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee approved
the Regular Session minutes for February 6, 2008. The ayes have it.
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Supt’s Report
The Committee was entertained by the Middle School Jazz Choir under the
direction of David Buckley. The middle school students represented Broad
Meadows, Atlantic, and Central. The band played three songs and received
a standing ovation from the audience. Music Chair, Tracy O’Sullivan, thanked
the Committee for their support and reviewed all the after school programs
now available for students interested in music. The Music Department now
has a newsletter, and a music website is coming in April. The core curriculum
music programs are thriving.
Welcome Mr. Puleo
After a brief recess, the Superintendent welcomed Mr. Nick Puleo, the
new Committee member. The Committee received a “draft” copy of the
2008-2009 School Calendar.
Ms. Janice Erler reported on the Spring Extended Day options. Literacy
Matters is being held at five locations. Prep for Success, has eight weeks of
English followed by eight weeks of math. Prep for Success is offered at
each elementary school, middle, and high school. There are three new
extended programs -- Saturday Strategies for Success, Science Technology
and Math Program; Performing Arts Workshops; and Serve and Learn
Quincy stressing transitioning from eighth grade into high school.
Athletic Highlights
The Quincy High Boys’ Varsity Basketball is playing tonight at Plymouth
North, this is their second round in the playoffs. North Quincy Girls Varsity
Basketball playing tonight @ North Quincy against Bridgewater, first round,
North Quincy Boys Varsity Hockey tonight at Franklin, Quincy High School
Varsity Hockey tomorrow at Foxboro and North Quincy Boys Varsity Basketball
at North against Bridgewater Raynham.
Beef Recall
There is a recall of USDA Processed Beef Products. Quincy Public Schools
has received cooked beef products from three of the companies that sold
contaminated beef. We have a total of 37 cases. Per DOE instruction, 37
cases will be destroyed by this Friday.
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Open Forum
As there was no one wishing to be heard at the Open Forum, the Committee
went on with the business at hand.
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Bldg. Update
Superintendent DeCristofaro reported that roof repairs at Sterling, have
been completed and we will monitor it during rain. Destination Math
computer programs that need special counter tops and connections are
being installed at Sterling. At Point Webster, roof repairs were made over
the gym. At Wollaston, ceiling tiles in the boys’ bathroom were replaced.
Central classrooms 1 and 2 were painted over vacation as well as hallways.
Replacing floor tiles has been ongoing. As we look toward the new high
school, the Superintendent is looking for a new home for the print shop. We
are looking for a spots for Food Services freezers. Maintenance is still
working on intercom issues at some of our schools as parts are not that easy
to come by. Lincoln Hancock is still waiting for parts.
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New QHS
Mrs. Elaine Dwyer reported on a letter dated February 19 to Mayor Koch
on behalf of the MSBA. The Quincy High School Building Committee has
been working for the last three or four years to get some relief on the phase 4
project whereby we had to keep 60’ between the old and new building. Thanks
go to Jim Anderson and Alex Pitkin for trying to get that through for the last
year. Mrs. Dwyer publicly thanked Mayor Koch for getting that relief. This is
great news for the taxpayers and students.
There will be a QHS Building Committee meeting Friday at 9:00 a.m. to tie
up some bids that have come in, pick paint colors, etc. Letters went in the
mail to the Huntley neighbors from Wheatstone on what is going to take place
in March.
Mayor Koch thanked Mrs. Dwyer and acknowledged Ron Mariano and
thanked Katherine Craven and Tim Cahill for that decision. He is looking
forward to a good relationship with them.
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Central Middle School
There will be a meeting with the MSBA regarding Central Middle School
on March 12, 2008. The Mayor is sending the Superintendent and a couple
of people with him.
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NQ ROTC to Pease Air Force Base in NH
On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee
approved the trip request for North Quincy ROTC students to Pease Air
Force Base, New Hampshire on March 13, 2008. The ayes have it.
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Pre-K Program
Ms. Edie Hughes, Early Childhood Coordinator, and Early Childhood teachers,
Alysia Brandoleni and Meghan Cartis, highlighted the Pre-K program.
The Pre -K program is an integral part of the QPS District Improvement Plan.
All the classes are accredited. The teachers went on to share with the members
a day in the life of their Pre-K students. The Pre-K classes are staffed by
creative nurturing teachers. All 12 of the teachers, have or are completing
masters programs. There are two different programs. Integrated learning
environment classes at Snug Harbor have 218 students, 117 are on IEPs.
At the Early Childhood Center, there are 76 students, 41 are on an IEP.
At Wollaston, Multi-lingual Pre-K provides an opportunity for limited
English speaking students. Wollaston has 12 students, and 5 are English
language speakers. Funding comes from a QCAP grant, Title 1 and QPS
funds. We are participating in the Mosaic study a 2.5 study funded by the
US Department of Education. Mrs. Hughes went on to talk about assessment.
In order to get into the Pre-K class there are certain regulations. There has
to be two working parents, not above a certain income. Those regulations
were relaxed at Snug Harbor and the Early Childhood Center this year. At
Wollaston, there has to be two working parents and they can’t make above
a certain income level. Screening are done in March. Half of the spots are
open for SPED that may come in. SPED students that are referred from
early intervention at three years old. The others are at a first come first serve
basis. Notices go home with students, press releases are in newspapers, on
the website, and on the radio. All SPED students are tuition free. All
others pay on a sliding scale fee.
Mrs. Mahoney thought it was important to open it up to more students
since these programs are beneficial to the system because they identify
problems. She suggested we reach out to Governor Patrick to let him
know what we’re doing in Quincy.
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Competency Determination
The Department of Education has new guidelines concerning the testing of students. There are two major components, testing and perimeters.
This will have a major impact on students. The competency determination
is a prerequisite for graduation. For the class of 2010, three tests will count
this year. The DOE has raised the passing standard to 240 beginning with
2010, this year’s sophomores. Or they can still pass with 220 however, this
Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP) kicks into affect. Beginning with 2010,
the DOE has added a Science and Technology component. Beginning in
2012 students will have to pass the US History test. If they score under 240,
they will need to complete courses in grades 11 and 12 in the subject that
they did not achieve proficiency.
The students will be requried to either meet or exceed the scale 240 in both
ELA and math. Or if they don’t reach that mark, they will be required to
fulfill the requirements of Education Proficiency Plan. The purpose is to
increase the likelihood that Massachusetts students will succeed in college
or in the workforce.
Mr. O’Brien showed the DOE timeline. They are behind, but the mandate is
there. Quincy has been working and is fully in gear to identify strengths
and weakness. Extra programs are in place. However, 240 is a challenge.
If this were in place last year, 125 students would fall into this range.
Mr. McCarthy asked for a copy of this presentation.
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Mr. Puleo announced a Health, Safety and Security Subcommittee meeting
at 7:00 p.m. in North Quincy High School.
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Additional Business/Request for traffic Study Date
Mrs. Mahoney reported that PAC had a meeting and Jack Gillon was
present. There were some questions and a request to find an approximate
time frame when he can do a comprehensive study for traffic at NQHS.
She asked Mayor Koch to get back to the Health Safety & Security
Subcommittee with that information.
Quincy High School will hold a Science Department Fair Thursday
March 6, at Quincy High School.
Student Recognition
Mrs. Mahoney reported that there were Quincy recipients in the Scholastic
Art Awards. 3,487 pieces submitted and there were 376 participants.
Three students from Quincy won-- From North, Pauline Nichols, received
an honorable mention; Helen Young, submitted three pieces and she got a
gold key, a silver key, and an honorable mention. Quincy High student, Briana
Bursten, was a gold key winner. She asked the Superintendent to have these
students back in May.
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Exec. Session Cancelled
Mr. McCarthy announced that Mr. Walsh, Mr. McGrath and he were
going to meet tomorrow regarding negotiations. Therefore, there would
be no executive session this evening. There may be an executive session
on March 12 to discuss the articles in the newspaper regarding former
personnel with the lawyers to make sure they as a school committee
have a good understanding of what went on and what is going on in
the future.
Mrs. Dwyer said would like to reschedule the Executive Session for
contract negotiations to March 12, and if Mr. McCarthy has anything
to add on negotiations, to contact her. The Superintendent will contact
the school attorneys
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Retirements
The Committee noted the following retirements:
Teachers: Peter Conroy, Antoinetta Daly, Thomas DiTullio, Cynthia Gurwitch, John Henderson, Ellen Power, Patricia Quintiliani, David To
Dept. Chair: Kathleen Swanson
Asst. Principal: Janet Kane, Robert Limoncelli
Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Café Helper: Virginia Donovan
Paraprofessional: Gina Dwyer
Appointments
The Committee noted the following appointments:
Teacher: Robert LaRaia
Lunch Attendant: Jean Grande
Paraprofessional: Susan Maloney
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee adjourned for
the evening at 8:58 p.m. There was no executive session. On a roll call vote, the
motion to adjourn passed 6-0. Mrs. Bragg was absent.