Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts -September 24, 2008
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
September 24, 2008 at City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were Mr. Ron
Mariano, Mr. Nick Puleo, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, Mrs. Anne
Mahoney, Mr. Dave McCarthy and Mayor Tom Koch, Chairman. `
Chairman Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and all members were present. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk. Messrs.
O’Brien, Mullaney, Draicchio, Keith Segalla, Dr. Pattavina, Ms. Powell, and Roberts.
Ms. Tracey Christello represented Citywide.
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Reg.&Exec. Approved 9/10/08
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
approved the amended regular and executive session minutes for September 10,
2008. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.
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Supts. Report Student Exchange Program
Ms. Sabrina Berent, Italian teacher at North Quincy High School, spoke to the
Exchange Program. Last October Quincy hosted 11 Italian students. They attended
classes, went to sports events, met faculty members, attended an Ice Cream social.
Their most memorable event was a meeting with Mayor Koch. In turn, eight
Quincy students traveled at the end of June to Tuscany, Italy. The Committee saw
photos of the different activities the Quincy students enjoyed while in Italy. Student,
Jessica Kitner, shared with the Committee her experiences when she participated in
the exchange to Italy. The group looks forward to continuing this program.
Mr. Keith Segalla updated the Committee on the new events planned for this
school year -- Tis the Season…Symphony & Song, Stayin’ Alive/ABBAmania,
Evening at the Pops, Golf Tournament and the Historical Walk for Education.
Also, the After School String Instrument Program and the After School
Instrumental Program will begin in October.
The Superintendent will present the official enrollment and class size at the
next meeting. The enrollment appears to be up 180 students. Mrs. Bragg
inquired about enrollment at North Quincy High School. At the next meeting,
the Superintendent will highlight where there are increases.
Quincy is doing much better on the AYP and has been mentioned in the Globe
and Ledger as having improvement status to no status. MCAS scores will go out
to the schools next week. Our scores indicate we are making progress. However,
we have a lot of work to do at every site.
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Open Forum
At the Open Forum, Ms Tracey Christello, Citywide, asked when the work
will be finished at the North Quincy High School gym. Parents are concerned
with the timeframe. She also asked that desk hinges be replaced at elementary
schools, especially Beechwood. Bus times are getting better, but buses are
still late. She asked that the Committee keep the ADA Report in Subcommittee
and chip away at all of our schools and make changes.
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Technology Plan
At this time, Mr. Richard O’Brien spoke to the Technology Plan which expires
in 2008. Quincy has to submit a new three year plan to the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education.
He gave an overview of what to expect in the next three years. There are major
concerns with our technology equipment--our email is outdated, firewalls are
outdated. Every October we need to give an updated inventory for the Department
of Education. They require a 5-1 student to computer ratio. We now have one
technician assigned in each high school. There are a lot of applications that
continue to grow and put a strain on our network. We have a working relationship
with our hardware provider. We conducted a survey with staff and asked if
we had money, what would you ask for. The money from the circuit breaker
will go a long way.
Update by Mr. Phelan
Mr. Chuck Phelan, Director of ITTS, explained his plan to update the system.
Some of the schools were wired in 1996 and 1998. The City needs a close
working relationship with the school department. We’re spending a lot of
money on things that are 10 and 11 years old. He is looking at three areas --
a new internet pipe which should be in by October 1, (10 megs). It will be
fiber based. Closets go back to 1995. Central and Sterling’s go back to 1996
The new Quincy High School is in good shape and has a new phone system.
He deleted 150 phone lines that weren’t being used. We need to restructure our
phone system. We are going to go for a new email server. If we make these
changes, there will be a dramatic improvement.
Mr. Phelan showed on an overhead slide how the emails go from the school side
to a collecting place where they are distributed. However, too many emails go in
at the same time into the hubs and the system can’t handle it. These emails stay
there for a day or so in a holding pattern and then are distributed. We are gong
to separate the schools and the City.
Mrs. Mahoney asked Mr. O’Brien if he had heard of NComputing. It allows
you to use one computer as a server, that one computer can be utilized by seven
students. Maybe we can look into having this piloted. The cost is between $70
or $149 which can serve up to 30 students. It can stream video, support most
programs. Mrs. Mahoney will share that information with Mr. O’Brien.
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Bldg. Update
Mr. Kevin Murphy told the members that the North Quincy High gym floor
should be ready in two to three weeks. Lines will be painted next week.
The Maintenance men have been involved in moves.
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QHS Bldg. Committee
The Quincy High School Building Committee will meet next Friday.
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Central Bldg. Committee
Mrs. Bragg reported that requests for a Project Manager for Central Middle
School has gone to the State. We should hear back in November 28.
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Out of State Travel QHS to NY
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee
approved a request by Quincy High School to go to New York City on
October 25. The ayes have it.
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Gift-CTE Graphic Design
On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Mariano, the Committee
accepted a give of an Apple Computer-iMAC valued at $1,200.00 from
Creative Packaging Plus, Inc. to the Career and Technical Education Graphic
Design and Visual Communications Program. The ayes have it.
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Additional Business
Under Additional Business, Mr. Puleo stated his disappointment in the Patriot
Ledger for dropping the sponsorship of the Spelling Bee. He hoped another
sponsor would pick it up.
Mrs. Bragg put the Quill Program into the Policy Subcommittee.
Mrs. Bragg inquire about the listing that Mr. Puleo asked be attached on
the agendas listing items that were asked for by the Committee. The
Superintendent asked for more specificity. Requests is one thing, a report is
another thing. Mr. Puleo answered the intent was that when a member makes
a motion for a report, it should appear on the list.
Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, that the Superintendent
and the Mayor make sure the retirement plans meet the new IRS regulations
457B and 403B and that we’re in compliance by January 2009 and report back to
the Committee. The ayes have it.
Mr. Mullaney said he has been working with the Treasurer on this issue. We
will be in full compliance by the end of the week.
Mr. Puleo made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, that the Superintendent work
with the school principals and PTOs to identify school vicinity traffic needs
or traffic concerns and report back to the Committee and forward it to Mr. Gillan.
Mr. Puleo added he was looking for areas where moderate maintenance outside
the schools or if an issue comes up. He is hoping this report is done quarterly
or annually. The ayes have it.
On Thursday, October 2, there is a PTO meeting to discuss traffic issues at the
North Quincy and the Montclair area too.
Mayor Koch thanked the people in the City Purchasing Department for all their hard
work. They have been very busy with a lot of paper work.
Mrs. Bragg noted that Ruth Mahoney is retiring from the Transportation
Department after many years.
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Policy Subcommittee Rpt. by Mrs. Bragg
Mrs. Bragg reported that the Policy Subcommittee met on September 19, and
reviewed Section 10. The Career & Technical Education Admissions Policy
was revised. They took out all procedures and will move that information to the
student handbook. They also reviewed Student Conduct on School Buses. The
Subcommittee approved the Snug Harbor Garden Project and the Mayor will act as
signatory. The Committee added “if they leave, they have to return the property
the way they found it” and “there is no expectation for funds or city employees to
work in the garden.” The City Solicitor will draft an agreement. The Committee
completed Section 12. They changed Policy 12.2.1 to read that “instructions in
elementary and middle must be 900 hrs. and instruction for the high schools must
be 990 hrs.” They deleted all of Policy 12.4 Student Teaching and Internships and
inserted that “the QPS schools recognize student teaching and internships. There
are procedures relating to this in the Superintendent’s office.”
Another Policy Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for October 8 at 4:00 p.m.
to review the tabled Section 10 policies. On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded
by Mr. Mariano, the Committee approved the Policy Subcommittee minutes.
The ayes have it.
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School Facilities Subcommittee Rpt. by Mrs. Dwyer
The School Facilities Subcommittee met to review the ongoing list of school
projects. Mr. Mullaney has ordered some desks and chairs for Lincoln
Hancock and Bernazzani. Old desks/chairs from Quincy High will be transferred
to North Quincy High School. Mr. Mullaney has an order in for furniture to
keep on hand for use as needed. Maintenance is doing an inventory of desks
that need hinges and some spares. Our vehicle won’t pass inspection this year. Mr.
Murphy will check with Quirk Auto about a new vehicle. The print shop is
moving to Point Webster on October 28. The Lincoln Hancock Pool funds
procedures for funds has been straightened out. There is still a balance of $72,000
left. Honeywell training has been set up. There are eight training sessions. All
custodial and maintenance personnel will be trained on computers. Each school
will get their own training manual. Honeywell will provide two laptops--one for
the City and one for the school system. We reviewed all the open POs. We are
looking for a new HVAC contractor. Redman is fixing the elevator at Merrymount
School and the atrium at Sterling. The Superintendent spoke with Mr. Segalla about
the flags. Mrs. Dwyer spoke to the ADA Survey that was done in October 2004
detailing what ADA modifications need to be done. She will set up a meeting to
go through the report. Our buildings are old and some of those schools are not
ADA compatible. Some repairs are major costs and maybe doing a Capital
Improvement plan. Mike Draicchio is checking on cross walks with Mr. Gillan and
all the lighting around the buildings is adequate. Mr. Metzler has asked for
lights at North Quincy. Perhaps we may be able to use some of the old lights at
the CTE.
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Puleo, the Committee approved
the School Facilities Subcommittee meeting minutes. The ayes have it.
The Superintendent explained the process used to secure funds from the
Lincoln Hancock Pool Fund. The funds come from the Recreational Department
renting the pool. The money goes to the Auditor and stays in an account. If we
need money to repair the pool we need to go to the City Council for approval.
The money then goes to Kevin Murphy for maintenance of the pool and Kevin
Segalla for pool lockers, etc. There was approximately $150,000 and $80,000
on the repairs. Mr. Mullaney gave Mrs. Bragg the figures.
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Budget Subcommittee Rpt. by Mr. Mariano
The Budget Subcommittee met at 6:00 p.m. this evening. They discussed
the dispersal of the Circuit Breaker money. $500,000 will go to technology
and teacher retro. Mr. Mullaney is taking care of the hinges for desks. The
weekly warrants proposal was moved to the full committee. The subcommittee
explored the benefits of having only one signature.
Warrants to Policy Subcommittee
On a motion by Mr.
Mariano, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the weekly warrants went into the
Policy Subcommittee. The ayes have it.
The Subcommittee discussed the Inspire Initiative. The Quincy Public
Schools is outsourcing a significant portion of its special education needs to
third party providers. This group would like to evaluate the current strategy
in light of its alternatives -- i.e. should special education services be outsourced,
could these services be provided more effectively in-house. The cost of this
program would be $100 per month, not to exceed $1,200.
To SPED Subcommittee
Mr. Mariano made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, to fund this to a
maximum of $1,200 from the Alternative Education funds. The ayes have it.
Mr. Mariano made another motion seconded by Mr. McCarthy, to move
the whole issue to the SPED Sub committee. The ayes have it.
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Mr. Puleo reminded everyone that if Question 1 passes, we would lose all those
funds we receive now.
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Retirements
The Committee noted the following retirements:
Supervisor of Bus Depot: Ruth Mahoney
Custodian: Richard Sugrue
Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Teachers: Katherine Goldfarb, Courtney Judge, Beth Shepardson
Occup. Therapist: Maureen Butler
Speech Lang/Pathologist: Melissa Hartofelis
Leaves of Absence
The Committee noted the following leave of absence:
Teacher: Maria Weber
Appointments
The Committee noted the following appointments:
Lunch Attendant Alicia Bouchard
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Mariano, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
voted to adjourn for the evening at 9:40 p.m. There was no executive
session. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.