Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - September 29, 2010
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
September 29, 2010 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were: Mr.
Dave McCarthy, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, Mrs.
Elaine Dwyer, Mrs. Anne Mahoney and Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Vice 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, Draicchio, Mulvey, Murphy and Keith Segalla; Ms. Roberts, Tenaglia,
Todd, and Hughes. Mr. Mike Ellis, QEA Vice President and Ms. Tracey Christello,
Citywide.
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The Committee observed a moment of silence for Mr. Barbara Cunniff and
Mr. Tom Nestor who recently passed away.
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Reg. Meeting Approved 9/15/2010
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
approved the regular session minutes for September 15, 2010. The ayes Mins.
have it.
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Supts. Report
The Center for Physical & Occupational Therapy dedication for Carol Shiffer
at the Amelio Della Chiesa Early Childhood Ctr. will be held on Sunday,
October 3, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
Gift/Squantum School
The Committee received a letter on behalf of the Squantum Elementary School
to recognize and thank the Major Theatre Equipment Corp. for their outstanding
work and generous donation of time and materials to renovating the stage area
at Squantum Elementary School.
The Committee received a booklet Career Preparation Guide from Keith Segalla
for Marketing and Promotions of QPS Career and Technical Education programs.
The Committee received a schedule of lockdowns for all the school from Mr.
Michael Draicchio. This is done twice a year.
Nat. School Leadership Program
Mrs. Colleen Roberts spoke to the National School Leadership Program. The
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has been working with
MISSLE to provide leadership training to school district leaders. The effort is
moving into its fifth year. It is a heavily researched and tested program designed
to assist districts with leadership development efforts. The intent is to build
leadership capacity, increase recruitment and retention to improve student
achievement. Title I school principals and assistant principals, team administrators and central office administrators were invited and encouraged to attend.
Four schools are represented with two of our administrators and Ms. Roberts
attending. Topics for this program include the educational challenge, the
principal as a strategic thinker, foundation of effective learning, leadership
in Excellence, and other topics as well. It is provided over an 18 month period.
These courses are paid for by the Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education through federal Title I funds.
City Lab @ BU
For the past 10 years. Quincy eighth grade students have participated in a
fully equipped bio-technology laboratory program based out of BU School
of Medicine called City Lab. Eighth graders and their teachers spend a
full day on campus in the technology labs exploring topics in health
disease through an inquiry-based methodology. City Lab offers six activities
to the students to participate in. Each investigation pre lab activities
worked on in school laboratory activities and post lab activities are performed
at BU. The City Lab program is an annual highlight for eighth graders. This
is at “no cost” for our students.
At the next meeting, the Superintendent will be discussing MCAS AYP,
class size, schedules, official October 1 enrollment and transportation.
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Open Forum
As no one wished to be heard at the Open Forum, the Committee went on
with the business at hand.
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Bldg. Update
Maintenance is busy with conversion from cooling to heating modes.
Boiler repairs were made at Broad Meadows, Central, and Atherton Hough.
Electricians are installing more security cameras in schools working with
Mike Draicchio. They completed phase I for a computer lab at Atlantic,
scheduled a rental of 50’ lift for four days, to work on walls around Wollaston
Squantum, Point Webster parapet/wall repairs, tech labs are all finished at
North Quincy. Ceiling tiles at North Quincy High are finished and at the
Early Childhood Center they installed a new area rug and painted walls for
the new room which was being dedicated for Carol Shiffer.
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QHS Bldg. Committee
The Quincy High School Building Committee met last Friday and received
a construction update. They will be working on a combined punch list for
the school committee to review in the next few weeks. Training for the
audio visual equipment in the Auditorium was held for staff. We are looking
at more cameras for outside the building. While driving by the new high
school this past Sunday, Mrs. Dwyer counted 25 skate boarders on the courtyard
and stairs. She asked the Superintendent to meet with the Police Chief and see
if there are any penalties. The Superintendent will come back with a plan to
keep skate boarders off the property.
Mr. McCarthy inquired about the landscaping around the parking lot. The
Russell Park parking lot is all weeds instead of grass. Mr. Eugene Caruso
explained that they have put down some hydro seed but it hasn’t taken. They
will be working on that area. However, it will not look like the front of the
building.
Mrs. Mahoney inquired about the rocks washing away on the Coddington side
parking area. Mr. Caruso said that is stone dust and should solidify with the
rain.
Mrs. Dwyer wants a clear line where the grass ends and the parking lot begins
on Coddington St. She wants it delineated that there is a sidewalk. Mr.Caruso
will look into curbing.
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CMS Property
Mr. Jim Timmins, City Solicitor, passed out a map of the land relative to
new construction for the new Central Middle School. Discussions continue
in a good way for St. Ann. ENC has a coffee shop on this land. They
will continue to proceed with ENC, acquire St. Ann, the chiropractor’s
office and two small homes. He reviewed an aerial plan of the property. He
asked the for the committee to vote to approve the acquisition of the parcels,
approve the site and construction of a new Central Middle School at this site.
He will come back to the Committee with site plans. This vote is simply for
acquisition.
Mr. McCarthy asked if we were no longer after the motel or the car wash.
Mr. Timmins answered that the Mayor has reached an accord with St. Ann.
If the City took the businesses they would have to pay for them and pay to
relocate the businesses to another site. This would be more expensive than
taking St. Ann.
The Church had decided that the Sacred Heart property was in better shape
for their school. As soon that decision was made, the Mayor contacted St.
Ann to look at the property. He didn’t ask before because it was an emotional
issue. The Catholic Counsel met and offered to sell the whole property. We
are almost in agreement with the price. The church doesn’t pay taxes. The
other businesses pay taxes and this is a better spot. The building would be
demolished. Mr. Timmins said he didn’t have any values done yet. He has
asked the appraisers to come in. If they can’t come in with an agreement
on value they could take it by eminent domain.
Mrs. Mahoney stated that these sites have been discussed forever and the
Committee would like to know the cost of the property. Mr. Timmins
answered that two properties are commercial. He has been working
on the assessments. Vision Appraisal has these on their website. The
members asked for an approximate cost. They didn’t feel comfortable voting
on the property without an estimated cost of the properties. Mr. Timmins
answered that the cost was not within their jurisdiction and that their focus
is on the academic site. The role of the School Committee is to approve the
site. In terms of the cost, this is an issue for the City Council and the Mayor.
He did not want to discuss it publically. Mrs. Mahoney asked to go into
Executive Session to be appraised of the costs. Mr. Timmins said he would
not. It was Mr. Timmins opinion that because the School Committee does
not have a role in valuation issues, they cannot go into executive session.
They would be considering something they don’t have any jurisdiction over.
Mr. Timmins stated they did not have an estimated value. Mrs. Mahoney
said she was going to table this vote until we can have that executive session.
Mr. Timmins stated that the car wash could be around $3 million plus relocation
fee. We would have to move his business out to Waltham. The motel would
cost considerably more than that. The ENC site is going to stay. The St. Ann
property is valued at $8.3 million but $5.5 million is the building which does
not warrant that sort of value. Neither of the two homes in today’s market
is worth more than half million dollars. We think the acquisition is going to
be less because there won’t be any relocation fee. Tishman will do a demolition
survey to see about asbestos.
Mrs. Bragg asked about relocating the “Egg and I.” Also she has a concern
about the school being so close to the motel. She asked about a buffer between
the school and the motel.
Mrs. Lebo also expressed concern with the motel next to the school. It is not
the most attractive place and she has a concern with some of the stuff going
on in the motel. Mayor Koch said there will be plantings and fences.
Ms. Isola asked the Superintendent to check with St. Ann and the Police
Dept. to find out if there have been any claims from St. Ann.
Mrs. Dwyer said if the Committee had concerns with the motel, perhaps the
most prudent thing to do would be to take the motel also. She prefers to wait
until the next School Committee meeting to vote. She didn’t feel confident
enough to vote now.
Mayor Koch said he had walked the site with Catherine Cravens and she
expressed no concerns with the motel.
Mrs. Bragg said there had been a previous vote that needs to be rescinded and
approve the site on the next agenda.
Mrs. Mahoney would like an inquiry to the Police station regarding any incidents
at St. Ann with street crossings.
Mr. Timmins suggested scheduling meetings with pairs of members to go over
the site.
Mr. Jim Anderson gave the Committee the steps that will be taken to build
the new school -- site acquisition, execute agreement with the architect, a
feasibility study, schematic design, board vote from the MSBA to approve
the design, procure a funding agreement, funding agreement goes to the city,
design development, and construction.
Mayor Koch stated the quicker we move, the safer it will be for students in
the City. He stressed that he will not take the motel or the car wash.
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Old QHS Building
Mr. Gary Cunniff presented an overview, assessment and alternatives for
the existing Quincy High School building. This is an old building with many
safety issues and not in compliance with safety codes. It would have no parking
spaces. Renovating the building would cost around $53 million, partial demolition
$36 million plus $6 million for the gym rear section. It would cost $6 million to
demolish the building.
Old QHS to
Subcommittee
Mrs. Bragg referred this to the Facilities Management Subcommittee.
Mrs. Bragg asked for a copy of memo from Jim Anderson regarding the MOA.
She asked if the partial renovation would limit us with the Historical Commission?
Mr. Cunniff answered that if there is no money available, the City can’t be made
to renovate. She asked for any information about the historic part of this.
Mr. Cunniff stressed that the Committee has to make a decision. We have to
have a plan of action and file that. If it is decided to tear down the building, they
wouldn’t want to pay for mothballing.
With regarding to Coddington Hall, the Mayor, the Superintendent and Mr.
Cunniff walked through Coddington Hall during the summer. It is the Mayor’s
intention to move the school administration to that building.
Coddington Hall to
Subcommittee
Mr. McCarthy put Coddington Hall into Subcommittee.
Mayor Koch said he has no money to renovate the old Quincy High School.
In the end, he will probably demolish it when school is out of session.
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QHS Construction
Mr. Jim Anderson reviewed a listing of the items remaining on construction.
Mr. McCarthy said Kitridge has a lot of items to complete. There were some
back items that might take a lot longer. Mr. McCarthy said he would like to
walk through the building with the list. He asked if he can finish this out by
the end of the Year. Mr. Anderson answered yes.
The Superintendent thanked Mr. Caruso for all his work and that it has been a
pleasure working with him.
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Travel AMS to Camp Burgess
On a motion by Ms. Isola, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved
a trip for Atlantic Middle School to go to Camp Burgess, from June 7, 2011
to June 10, 2011. The ayes have it.
NQHS to NH
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
approved a trip for North Quincy High School to go to the University of
New Hampshire on November 3, 2010. The ayes have it.
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Mayor’s Golf Tournament
Mrs. Mahoney recognized that the Mayor is having a charitable golf tournament
coming up. The first year the money went to fuel assistance, and last year the
Wollaston Theatre on behalf of Street Works. Mrs. Mahoney requested the
money from the golf tournament come back to the Quincy Public Schools.
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Educational Commission
Mrs. Bragg is resigning from the Quincy Educational Fund Board and Ms.
Isola will take her place. Since 2003, they have given back $31,000 to the
Quincy Public Schools. Right now, there is $6,688 in the fund.
On Friday, October 15 at the Sons of Italy hall there will be a fund raisers
for the Special Education Department.
On Thursday, October 7 at 4:00 p.m. there will be a Policy Subcommittee
meeting to review the Anti-Bullying Policy.
On Monday, October 4 at 4:00 p.m. there will be a Health, Safety, Security
and Transportation Subcommittee meeting to review all our transportation.
On Wednesday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. there will be a Special Education
Subcommittee meeting.
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Budget Subcommittee Mrs. Mahoney reports
Mrs. Mahoney reviewed the minutes of the last Budget Subcommittee meeting
which was held on September 15. Mr. Mullaney went through the budget to
date. There are two sources of stimulus money coming in—$1.3 million for
the educational jobs program that money can be spent anytime going back to
August 2010 up until the first quarter of 2012. The $101,000 SFSF Funds money
can be spent any time this fiscal year or the first quarter of FY2012. The
Superintendent will come back with recommendations in the areas of the budget
with short term and a longer financial picture so that we can evaluate the best
way to proceed with these additional funds.
On a motion by Ms. Isola, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee approved
the Budget Subcommittee minutes. The ayes have it.
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Leaves of Absence
The Committee noted the following leaves of absence:
Heather Crofts Holet
Appointments
The Committee noted the following appointment:
Speech Pathologist: Tracy Razzano
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Mrs. Mahoney removed Bus Rental Fees and Building Rental fees from the
Budget & Finance Subcommittee.
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
voted to adjourn for the evening at 9:55 p.m. There was no Executive
Session. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.