Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - October 7, 2009
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
October 7, 2009 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were
Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mr. Nicholas Puleo, Mrs. Jo-Ann
Bragg, and Mr. Dave McCarthy, Vice Chairman.
Vice Chairman
Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and Mayor Koch and Ron Mariano were
absent. Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Mrs. Tefta
Burrelli, Clerk; Messrs. Mullaney, Murphy, O’Brien, Draicchio, Segalla, Ms.
Roberts, Todd, Tenaglia, and Hughes. Ms. Tracey Christello, Citywide and
Ms. Allison Cox, QEA. Emily Hajjar and Daruis Varmahmoodi, Quincy High
Student Representatives.
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Reg. Session. Min. Approved 9/23/2009
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the School Committee
approved the regular session minutes for September 23, 2009 with a change
in the order of steps to be taken for Central. The ayes have it.
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Supts. Report
The Superintendent thanked staff and parents who came to the various
school open houses. Ms. Colleen Roberts and the Superintendent met with
the Italian Exchange Students at North Quincy High School. The Superintendent
has sent out letters inviting people to be on the Open Enrollment Ad Hoc
Committee. He will report back to the Committee with the names. He
congratulated Jen Fay-Beers and Colleen Roberts for doing a fine job
overseeing the Teacher Mentoring Program.
Mr. Keith Segalla invited the Committee to the annual Mini Grant
Reception to be held on Tuesday, October 20 and 3:00 p.m. in the Quincy
High School rotunda. Out of 175 proposals submitted, 85 were selected.
Twenty-one thousand dollars will be awarded.
The Center for Technical Education Advisory meeting is scheduled for
Thursday, October 19 in the new Quincy High School. Dinner will be served
by the Culinary Arts students. They will be discussing the Perkins grant.
SIPs
School Improvement Plans will be reviewed by the Leadership Team
on October 16. Mrs. Bragg has called Policy Subcommittee meetings
for October 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on November 5 from 11:3:00 pm,
and November 12 from 11-3:00 p.m.
QHS Winter Sports
Mr. Jim Rendle was present to review the Quincy High School winter sports
schedule. Planning was difficult because of the construction at Quincy High
School. All the games will be played in the Atlantic and North Quincy High
School gyms. Mr. Rendle thanked everyone for helping out, especially North
Quincy High and Atlantic for the use of their gyms. The members received
a copy of the sports schedule.
Quincy will do a partnership with Boston University that will bring 20-30
student teachers to our middle and high schools. This will begin mid-January.
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H1N1
Ms. Jane Kisieluis passed out information packets regarding the H1N1.
The consent forms for the seasonal flu have been sent out. It is also posted
on our website and Channel 22. Over 650 consent forms have been returned.
Parents will be notified as soon as we are ready via Channel 22, Instant
Messaging. We are ready and are waiting for the serum.
Mr. Puleo wanted to make sure that we are sending home information
telling parents that “if you don’t return the slip, you won’t get the shots.”
Shots will only be given to students who bring back a consent form.
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Official Enrollment
The official enrollment total for October 1, 2009 is 9,169 students. Mrs.
Roberts spoke to the enrollment of all elementary schools--where we are
at each grade level and the total enrollment of each. Our Kindergarten
enrollment is still up 700 plus students.
We are up 27 students at the Merrymount School and have added a new
Kindergarten at that school. We also added a Kindergarten class at Squantum.
The middle and high schools are fairly consistent from 2008-2009 except for
Sterling. Sterling had a new grade configuration (5-8) this year. They are up 70
students. As for the high schools, the 9th grades are even. We do anticipate
that the new high school will attract more students. The middle and high
school total are only up 5 from last year. The district total is up 15 students.
Class size – Grade 4-5. There are 19 students in each classroom. We had
a couple of fifth grades that increased just before school started. We hired
two half time skill support teachers for that. They work each morning teaching
Math language arts and reading. The two classes split into three classes for
those classes.
Mrs. Bragg asked if there was any discussion at this time to make the half
time teachers full time.
The Superintendent said he would have to go back to the budget. At this
time it would be difficult to produce additional .5 positions. He thought it
was doable right now the way it is. Wollaston does not have a lot of space.
Mrs. Bragg asked him to look at it.
Mrs. Bragg asked for a listing of the different types of population for each
school.
Mrs. Dwyer put the part time teachers into the Budget Subcommittee.
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Food Services
Mrs. Joanne Morrissey gave an update on the Food Services Program. There
are 80 staff members. We serve breakfast and lunch at all schools every day.
Last year, we served over 130,000 breakfasts, 70,000 lunches, and over 40%
of the students are qualified for free and reduced meals. We purchased over
$1.2 million in food and supplies and receive $1.6 in state and federal commodities.
Summer Serve ran at 15 sites and served 25,000 lunches and 13,000 snacks.
Mrs. Morrissey gave an update of the goals and initiatives for the next school
year. She encouraged every parent that may qualify to fill out the forms to take
advantage of the free and reduced lunch meals. Forms are online. They can
be submitted to their school or the Food Service Office.
Four middle schools are using computers. Menus are on our webpage. A
new page will be added with all our foods and nutritional information.
Two schools are considered Universal schools - Parker and Snug Harbor.
They are at 60% or more free and reduced lunch.
Mrs. Morrissey will work with the system-wide Wellness Team on October 22.
They plan to add a webpage on Wellness. They are working on an Employee
Handbook and the Policy Subcommittee to revise Section 5.6.1.
Mrs. Bragg put Policy 5.6.1. Food Services into the Policy Subcommittee.
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Open Forum
Ms. Linda Perry spoke to Bullying Prevention Awareness week this week
October 4-10. Parents are very pleased that Quincy has an Anti-Bullying
policy.
Mr. Tatlebaum spoke to the fifth grade classes at Montclair School. There
were always three classes all on the same floor. Now there are only two
classes on the third floor and the other is down on the first floor. Now there
are only two teachers and a half time teacher. The results are too negative.
Students are bouncing up and down floors. He asked that the Committee
restore the teacher to full time and put all the classes back on the third floor.
Ms. Linda Monaco spoke against the Hanlin Charter School in Quincy.
She also told the members that watching the meetings has been painful and
embarrassing. She asked the members to talk about only the job they are
charged with; they need to stay on task and leave personal issues aside.
Ms. Barbara Isola said she supports the new site of Central Middle School.
It is close to the center of the city. She also asked the Committee to
consider moving the Public Forum to the beginning of the meeting.
Scheduling is difficult for some parents and residents to come and speak.
Mr. Chris Chetywnd spoke to the new Anti bullying campaign in our schools.
There is bullying through the phone calls and instant messages and they can
spread rumors further now. Adults, he said, need to set an example. He
expressed his dismay with a member of the committee whom he accused
of blogging about him in his website. At this time, Mr. Puleo questioned
the relevance of this to the Quincy Public School. Mr. McCarthy told him
to speak to Mr. Puleo after the meeting.
Ms. Tracy Christello, Citywide, announced a candidates evening at Broad
Meadows on Thursday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
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Bldg. Update
Mr. Murphy reported that the carpenters built book shelves at Beechwood
Knoll, replaced ceiling tiles at Atlantic. Maintenance will begin work
at the Stadium. The major work is to re-shingle the roof at the concession
stand. They have installed four new heating boilers at Bernazzani, repaired
security PA system at Lincoln Hancock, men are working on all emergency
exit signs and painting in the common areas. We are in compliance with the
ADA state regulations and guidelines. These vary with the age and structure
of the buildings.
Mrs. Dwyer has called a School Facilities meeting on October 19 at 4:00 p.m.
She asked members to bring any concerns about the ADA to that meeting. They
will not deal with Honeywell at this meeting.
Mr. McCarthy asked that the gas company take a look at the Atrium at Quincy
High School. He detected an odor of gas there.
Mrs. Mahoney asked about the energy star efficient schools. The Superintendent
will get that information.
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QHS Bldg. Committee Mrs. Dwyer reports
Mrs. Dwyer reported that the Quincy High School Building Committee met
Friday, October 16 at 9:00 a.m. A topping off ceremony at the new Quincy
High School has been scheduled.
We will be monitoring what Gilbane has put in place for site security. In
Mid-October we will have night security as well.
They authorized $2,500 to change the circuit breakers in the Science lab.
This is not a permanent fix, but we are isolating the problem.
We have multiple punch lists – Mrs. Dwyer has asked Tishman to put together
one list so that we can track them better.
We will get a ruling in two week whether or not we are awarded the electric
solar grant.
Mr. Gillon will take a look at the safety issue on Saville Ave. He will come
back at the next meeting to see what ideas will work. They would like to
block off that parking lot. The area between the two houses on Saville
Ave is the problem.
Mrs. Mahoney asked if the extension cords being used in the Science labs
are a safety issue. Mrs. Dwyer said no. She has already asked about it.
They are checking to see if the receptacles used were the correct ones.
Mr. McCarthy asked who from Quincy is the point person for this project.
Mrs. Dwyer stated that Mr. Cunniff is the person in charge.
Emily Hajjar asked about the solar panels for the science class. Mr. Swanson
had a meeting with Gilbane and they are skeptical how they were going to
work it in the system. Mrs. Dwyer said we should hear soon. We need another
grant to install the panels. The panels are already on the roof.
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Central Bldg. Committee Mrs. Bragg Reports
City Solicitor Jim Timmins presented a map outlining the property that the
City wishes to build the new Central Middle School. Before the City can
process the site; it has to be approved by the School Committee. Mr. Timmins
requested approval from the Committee of this site for a new Central Middle
School.
Mrs. Bragg reviewed past processes. The original site is too small, if we tore
the building down, reconstruction of the old building is too costly. That leaves
construction of a new Central Middle School at a new site. The Building Committee
looked at all five acres proposals in the city – Merrymount Park which includes the
NIKE and Pageant Field site, Furnace Brook Golf Course, the Nike site and the
Winfield House with four acres. We can include the green space around there.
There are some traffic issues that need to be resolved.
Jen Fay-Beers spoke in favor of the whole project. After touring the new Quincy
High School she was very excited to have a new Central Middle School.
Mayor arrives at 8:50 p.m.
The site is north of Furnace Brook Parkway. By locating Central here, it will
provide assistance to Atlantic Middle School and Broad Meadows. The Building
Committee is recommending it to the School Committee for approval.
Mrs. Dwyer said she loved the site. She asked if he had any documentation
associated with the cost of tearing down the old building and putting up a new
building, or to renovate or to reconstruct then to rebuild. Also what is the cost
of acquiring the land and what will we do with the old Central building.
Mr. Timmins answered that the Mayor is talking to the three property owners.
They have to go through an eminent domain process. We will have to retain
our own appraisers to be sure of the price. The building valuations total is less
than $7 million. The old Central building will be returned to the City to be sold.
As far as the current site, it is impractical.
Mrs. Bragg said it is her intent to file for a 600 student school.
Motion to accept Winfield House &
Surrounding Businesses For a new Central
Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCarthy to accept the Winfield
House and surrounding businesses as a site for the Central Middle School.
The Mayor asked that the motion state that the old building will be returned
to the City to be sold and put that back on the tax roles. However, Mrs.
Bragg was reluctant to do that until securing the site is more secure. On
a roll call vote the motion to accept the Winfield House and surrounding
businesses as a site for the Central Middle School passed 6-0. Mr. Mariano
was absent.
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Student Travel Atlantic to Camp Burgess
On a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the Committee
approved the request by Atlantic Middle School to go to Camp Burgess,
Sandwich, MA from 10/31-11/1/09. The ayes have it.
Mrs. Dwyer asked that teachers consider taking trips during school vacation
or weekend to reduce the cost of substitutes. She has a problem when they
take nine or ten days off during the calendar year.
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Charter School
Mrs. Mahoney asked that the School Committee send a letter to the MDOE
in opposition of any charter schools. On a motion by Mrs. Mahoney,
seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the Committee approved the following resolve:
Be it resolved that the Quincy School Committee is opposed
to the proposed Hanlin International Academy Charter School
currently being considered by the Massachusetts Department
of Elementary and Secondary Education, and
Be it further resolved that the Quincy School Committee rejects
the notion that any ethnic, social, linguistic, or cultural group is
being underserved in their attempts to improve language and
academic proficiency; and
Be it further resolved that the Quincy School Committee
stands by its strong record of service to the English Language Learner
population and strongly supports the many dedicated teachers and
staff who dedicate their time and effort to educating this population.
On a roll call vote, the motion passed 6-0. Mr. Mariano was absent.
Mrs. Mahoney also asked that they invite Mr. McFarland and the City
Council to submit this letter together as a City.
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Staff Recognition
Mrs. Bragg congratulated Tracey O’Sullivan in creating and continuing
the After School Instrumental String Program.
To Facilities Mgt. Subcommittee
Mrs. Bragg put into the Facilities Management Subcommittee the garden
at Snug Harbor. She has concerns over some of the things, particularly with
the lighting. The two huge drawings dealing with the garden look more
grander and more involved than what she was expecting. She did not want
six huge lights facing the houses across from that school.
To Policy Subcommittee
Mrs. Bragg moved into the Policy Subcommittee the policy that deals with
the new requirements for the class of 2010. All of our high school students
will have to pass the Science and Technology MCAS. Principals would
like more flexibility in students’ schedules. Right now the high school
requirements don’t allow for a lot of flexibility for those students that might
need some extra learning opportunities to pass the science and technology MCAS.
Mrs. Bragg I would like to allow principals to have the option to forgo a four
year social studies if the child really needs help in Science. Everyone will get a
copy of the proposed policy. She called a subcommittee meeting for 6:30 p.m.
just prior to the next regular meeting.
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Communications
Mrs. Dwyer congratulated Rich O’Brien who will be retiring this coming
January 2010.
The Mayor spoke to the Italian Exchange students that came into his office.
He thanked the host families and congratulated Sabrina and those
families.
Mr. Mariano is out of the country today.
Staff Recognition
The Committee congratulated Ms. Stephanie Buckley, a Sterling teacher, who
was recognized by the Patriot Ledger.
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Policy Subcommittee Report by Mrs. Bragg
A Policy Subcommittee was held tonight prior to the regularly scheduled
School Committee Meeting. The Committee discussed:
Physical Restraint of Students - File 10.9.3: Quincy has a policy in place
which goes much further in protecting the rights of students. The only two
changes in the policy were changing the name of the Massachusetts
Department of Education to Mass Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education. Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, to approve
the policy. The ayes have it.
Observation of Special Education Programs. A new requirement has come
down from the state regarding observation of Special Education classes. Parents
want to observe their child’s classroom. Ms. Todd presented a policy in this
regard. This will deal with Special education classes only.
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, this policy was approved
as amended. The ayes have it. An updated copy will be presented at the next
meeting.
Next Year’s School Calendar: The members received a copy of next year’s
DRAFT Calendar. Mrs. Bragg asked that Citywide, Special Ed parents, QEA,
and all city unions go through Rich O’Brien’s office to take a look at the calendar.
There is presently a policy stating that school shall begin the Wednesday following
the first Monday of September.
The Committee is soliciting opinions from those groups to see if we want to
change the start of the school year. We may choose to make a change or no
change at all. We will report back at the October 21 meeting.
Progress Reports: This has been discussed several times over the years. We
are having the same problem that we had over the years, although we have
improved the Progress Report. The problem is how can parents be notified
on the Progress Report when the student is an A student and is dropping to a C.
The present system is a pass/fail and really does not tell the parents the
scope. It is a big jump between a 90 and a 70, although 70 can still be passing.
We have added check lines so that the parent can have a conference with the
teacher and a signature line. We also have instructions to new teachers and all
teachers on the options that are available. These types of codes, if they are
utilized will let parents understand if that child was slipping from an A to a C.
This should be a red flag to the teacher and parents should be made aware of it.
The Superintendent said he has had a lot of discussion with teachers and Mr.
Phillips. It is more a matter that teachers felt strongly that this would add
another grading time. Instead of grading three times a year, they would be
grading six times.
Mrs. Mahoney said that this is not helpful to the parents at home. She suggested
adding a line “if you want to communicate by email.”
Mr. O’Brien said it is tough to call in mid term because students have a chance
to turn around. He is trying to get a portal on the webpage so that everyone can
see their own grades.
The Superintendent asked if they want to speak with Mr. Phillips or a few
teachers. This item will remain in subcommittee.
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the meeting adjourned
at 9:31 p.m. for the evening. There was no executive session. On a roll call
vote, the motion passed 6-0. Mr. Mariano was absent.