Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - June 10, 2009
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Public Hearing
Consistent with the provisions of Chapter 71, section 38N of the General Laws,
the Quincy School Committee held a public hearing on its FY10 proposed
budget on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers,
City Hall. All interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard.
At the Public Hearing, Aliza Schneller, Edie Kabakoff, Ricardo Cordero,
Elizabeth Favorito, Margaret O’Connor, Randy Boback, Aliza Marlor, Jack
Kloskey, Aenab Tavakoli, Chris Chetwynd, Danielle Woods, Tracey Christello,
Laurie Earl, and Kathy Swanson asked the Committee to keep the Foreign
Language program at the middle schools. They spoke of their trips to France,
how the program helped get them into college, and that the world is changing
and students are going into an international market and need another language.
If anything, they feel that the foreign language program should begin in elementary
school. If French is taken out of the middle school foreign language program,
some feel that this could deter people from moving to Quincy.
Mr. Bob Haley expressed his concern with the proposed school budget cuts.
In 2008, the school budget was over 41% of the total City budget. In 2009,
35.5% went toward the schools. This year’s cut is a significant step backwards.
Mr. Haley stated that since Quincy is getting stimulus money and a large savings
from joining the GIC, he can’t understand why there isn’t more money available
for the schools.
Matt Lockwood Mullaney thanked those people who worked on the budget.
He said if he were elected to the School Committee he would give back
half of his salary ($4,500) to restore the dues for the MASS which were
cut. Mr. Roos said he sat through budget subcommittee meetings and
saw that decisions were not made lightly. Services will be cut, fees will
be increased, busing will be decreased, and new fees have been created. The
burden will be borne by the working families of the schools. Some people
will be laid off and some people will be getting $300 and a 3% pay increase.
Tom Walters, Auto Body Instructor, spoke to the closing of the Auto Body
Program at Quincy High School. He feels that this is a mistake. A number
of his students are at-risk students. His program works with Karan Doran and
the EVA program. His classes have repaired three vehicles for raffle, refurbished
a Honda Civic, repaired four school buses. He graduated nine students but
was credited with only two. He asked that they reconsider eliminating this
program.
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Regular Meeting
After the public hearing on the FY10 budget, the regular meeting of the Quincy
School Committee began at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall.
Present were Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Ron Mariano, Mrs.
Elaine Dwyer, Mr. Dave McCarthy, Mr. Nick Puleo and Mayor 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.
Mullaney, Murphy, O’Brien, Draicchio, Keith Segalla, Ms. Roberts, Hughes, and
Dr. Sylvia Pattavina; Donna Miosi, QHS Student Representative, Ms. Tracey
Christello, Citywide and Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA. The members observed a moment
of silence for the armed forces around the world.
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Reg. & Exec. Session. Approved 5/6/2009
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee approved
the regular and executive session minutes for May 20, 2009. The ayes have it.
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Supts. Report
Well over 100 participants attended the Teacher Mentor Year End Celebration
on June 2. The Superintendent credited Jen Fay-Beers, Colleen Roberts and
Janet Powell for planning the event. A retirement luncheon for retirees was
held on June 3. The average service of these retirees was 30 years. The high
school graduations were outstanding. The Superintendent thanked Kevin
Murphy and his staff and Ms. Kristin Powers and her staff, principals, security,
and everyone who was involved in the graduations. The Golf Tournament will
be held on June 25. This is a Partnership event and benefits the Technology
Department. The Special Olympics was held with over 100 students and staff
participating. This is held twice a year. The Technology team at Quincy High
School held the Trends in Transportation event. The Committee will receive
a copy of the Goals Set, Goals Met booklet.
Staff Recognition
The Superintendent introduced Jim Hennessy, new principal of the Wollaston
Elementary School, and Maura Tanaglia, the new Director of Student Support
Services. He also recognized Susan Troy, retiring principal of the Wollaston
Elementary school and Janet Powell, retiring Sr. Director of Student Support
Services.
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Open Forum
Mark Woods, Kevin Lynch, Stephen Linsky, and Lynn Bailey spoke to
the cut in busing. Several bus routes will be eliminated and students will be
crossing several very busy streets. They will have to hire crossing guards
to get students across the main streets. They asked what safety precautions
the Committee will be taking. At Merymount, adding more cars to drop
off students, will result in mayhem.
Connie Driscoll, Park Department, expressed the Park Department’s
displeasure at the comment made at the last School Committee regarding
grass cutting at North Quincy High School. They felt that it could have
been handled with a phone call.
Paul Phillips, QEA President, said he was disappointed that the School
Committee and the QEA couldn’t come to an agreement and accommodation.
The QEA, he said, did make a proposal. However, they do have a contract
and both have to live with it.
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On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the Committee took
out of order the report on the FY10 budget. The ayes have it.
FY2010 Budget Mr. Mariano reports
Mr. Mariano said there are some major concerns about the budget the Committee
is proposing. The Committee began by trying to find the $1.38 million to get
back to a level budget. They made the following recommendations they think
does the best possible job that can be done in the City of Quincy. They would
have loved to have had an agreement with the QEA, but they didn’t. The state
budget is fraught with uncertainly. They are using $5 million of Federal money
to make this budget work.
They made some difficult decisions. It generated $635,000 to go back into the
educational component of the school system. They heard about the Foreign Language
Program tonight. They tried to strike a balance with these activities because they
also contribute to make a well rounded students.
The student cost of breakfast and lunches was raised from 60 cents to $1.00 and
lunches from $2.00 to $2.25, the QPS Student Transportation mileage policy was
raised from 3/4 mile to a 1 mile limit, the Transportation Rental Fee was raised,
the Athletic User fees for students were raised, Rental Expenses were raised,
there is now a $15 Athletic User Fee for Middle School Athletics, and a $20
High School Activity Fee for clubs, and the After School Program Elementary
Rental Fee at $30.00. This will bring back a total of $635,000 to the budget.
Mr. Puleo and Mrs. Bragg came up with some recommendation that were
discussed. The Committee removed $15,000 from the Professional Discretionary
Fund line. The Committee reduced the AP Exam line by $30,000 and reduced
two office security aides in the Non-Academic Aides line.
With the money added back, the Superintendent gave his add backs:
10 Teachers
6 Middle school foreign language teachers
3.5 Literacy Teachers
1.0 Health Teachers
.5 Media Teacher
1.0 Phys Ed Teacher
0.5 Art Teacher
0.5 Music Teacher
3.0 Custodians
12 Unemployment
Mr. Mariano thanked those employees of the Quincy Public Schools that did
forgo their wage increases. They made a difficult job a little easier.
On a motion by Mr. Mariano, seconded by Mr. McCarthy the Committee
approved the Budget Subcommittee’s recommendation of the FY2010 budget.
Mrs. Bragg added that the previous administration made a choice to pass on
any unemployment expenses to the school department if there were any layoffs.
This remained and contributed to another $1million. She asked Mayor Koch if
the finances of the City improve to provide some additional money to the school
system so programs can be restored.
FY 2010 Budget Approved
On a roll call vote, the motion to approve the FY2010 Budget passed unanimously
7-0.
Subcommittee Minutes Approved
On a motion by Mr. Mariano, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the Committee approved
the Budget Subcommittee minutes for May 19, 27 and June 3, 9, 2009. The ayes
have it.
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Bldg. Update
Mr. Kevin Murphy reported that the carpenters have completed computer labs
in Montclair and Snug Harbor. They are now completing work orders. They
have hired a professional plumber. The electricians are wiring computer
labs. They are repairing light fixtures at the Lincoln Hancock pool and are
repairing roof vents at Broad Meadows. He thanked those people who worked
on the graduations.
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New QHS Mrs. Dwyer to Report
Mrs. Dwyer reported that the next scheduled meeting for the new Quincy High
School in June 26. They will be meeting all summer. They are working on
Saturdays to get on schedule.
Mr. McCarthy asked that Mrs. Dwyer check into the concrete dust on
Russell Park. She will check to make sure the streets are washed down.
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New Central Mrs. Bragg & Mrs. Mahoney report
There will be a meeting of the Central Building Committee within the next
two weeks. There is no report to date.
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Open Enrollment Ad Hoc Task Team
Mr. Dave McCarthy reported that he had met with Mayor Koch and they
have put together the make up of a team. They discussed open enrollment
and where numbers have risen and the concerns this presents. They decided
on the following people for the Ad-Hoc Task Team:
Members Selected
Mayor/Chairman of School Committee
Vice Chairman of School Committee
Committee members
Supt./SLT Representatives
High School Council Representation
Middle School Council Representation
School Faculty
City Council/Education Chair and Student Representation.
He asked the members to email him or the Mayor with any comments. The
Superintendent will gather information for the team regarding enrollment,
district lines, grade configuration, class size, building capabilities, budget
impact, and other pertinent facts for the Fall Presentation 2009.
Mrs. Bragg gave the names of Tracey Christello and Gina Scanlan who are
interested in serving on the Task Team.
Mr. Mariano inquired about the proposed timeline. The Superintendent
thought this could run over the next two school years. The Ad Hoc
Committee will meet with the Superintendent and then make recommenda-
tions to the Committee.
The Mayor said the Task Force will meet during summer and come back in
September to begin the process. There will be a number of opportunities for
the community to participate. They will hold public hearings.
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Out of State Travel BM to Canobie Pk
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved
a trip to Canobie Lake Park, NH for Broad Meadows on June 18, 2009.
The ayes have it.
NQ ROTC to NH
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the Committee approved
a trip for the North Quincy ROTC to New Hampshire from June 30 to July 2,
2009. The ayes have it.
BERN to Canobie Pk.
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee approved
a trip to Canobie Lake Park, NH for the Bernazzani School on June 18, 2009.
The ayes have it.
MONT to Canobie Pk.
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committees approved
a trip to Canobie lake Park, NH for the Montclair School on June 18, 2009.
The ayes have it.
PR to Canobie Pk
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved
a trip to Canobie Lake Park, NH for Parker School on June 11, 2009. The
ayes have it.
Gift Homeless Students
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee accepted
a donation of $67.26 from the Faith Lutheran Church Sunday School Children
for homeless students. The ayes have it.
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Budget
Mr. Mullaney presented the following transfers:
Transfer $85,000 from Natural Gas to Gasoline $32,000
Transportation/Rentals/SPED $53,000
Transfer $96,400 from SPED Instructional Equipment to:
Gasoline $20,000
Transportation Rentals/SPED $30,000
Insurance $25,000
Legal Fees $10,200
Various Expenses ($5,000 each) $11,200
Transfers Approved
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee approved
the transfers with the stipulation that any lines over $7,000 to be forwarded to
the Committee for an individual vote. On a roll call vote, the motion passed
unanimously 7-0.
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Classroom Observations to Policy Subcommittee
Mrs. Bragg referred a policy for “Classroom Observations” to the Policy
Subcommittee. Ms. Todd will refer a draft to the Committee.
Mrs. Bragg recognized Betty Swanton who was written up in the Patriot
Ledger. Mrs. Swanton has been a long time supporter of the Quincy Public
Schools. She received the Joseph M. Smith Consumer Award from the Mass
League of Community Health Centers.
Communications
Mrs. Mahoney attended the Team Robotics Dinner at Quincy High School.
She thanked Proctor and Gamble for their support. There were seven students
that with distinction, one with high honors, three with honors. Twenty four
students received scholarships.
Quincy Elks Scholarship night was held and 24 students received scholarships
from the Elks.
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Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Teachers: Stephanie Acheson, U. Maria Cash
Leaves of Absence
The Committee noted the following leaves of absence:
Teachers: Kelly Brumleve, Kathryn Burns
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Puelo, the Committee adjourned
for the evening at 9:00 p.m. There was no executive session. On a roll call vote,
the motion passed unanimously 7-0.