Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - October 13, 2010
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
October 13, 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. Ms. Allison Cox, QEA President and Ms. Tracey Christello,
Citywide.
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The Committee observed a moment of silence for Ms. Dorothy Foye who worked
as a Cafeteria Helper at Quincy High School for over 37 years. She was loved
by the staff and students.
Supts. Report
The Committee received a flyer from Mrs. Janice Erler announcing Fall Institute
which will begin in early November.
We will be celebrating American Education Week at our November 17 School
Committee meeting. Mrs. Roberts is working with principals and teachers to
coordinate this celebration
Mr. Keith Segalla reported that the General Advisory Board Committee meeting
will be held on Thursday evening, October 21 at the Quincy High School Presidents
Café.
CTE Programs approved Approved by DESE
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Career/
Vocational Technical Education unit has approved three new secondary-level
programs for Quincy Public Schools Career & Technical Education program.
They are: Early Education and Care at North Quincy high School, Office Technology at Quincy High School and Criminal Justice-Legal and Protective Services
at Quincy High School. Mrs. Lebo said she was very pleased with this and
thanked Mr. Segalla.
The Superintendent will be working with Mrs. Bragg on a timeline for School
Committee review of the School Improvement Plans.
The members received information on the North Quincy French Exchange
Program and their calendar of special events. Thanks go to North Quincy High
French teachers, our sponsor families, Aliza Schneller, Foreign Language
Department Head, and Principal Metzler for their support.
The Superintendent will present an overview of the 2010-2011 school year
to the Citywide Parents on Monday, October 18.
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Bldg. Update
Mr. Kevin Murphy reported that Maintenance continues doing work orders.
The carpenters have installed new cabinets at Wollaston, a new roof to the
shed at Central, new window balances at Central, several new white boards
at various schools, a boiler at Sterling, circulating pump at Marshall, electro
fitting boilers as they work with State Chemical. Electricians repaired the
intercom at Merrymount and installed two new vents at the Community
Gardens at Snug Harbor. They are in the final phase of installing the computer
labs at North Quincy High School.
Ms. Isola asked if they had done any painting in bathrooms in the various
schools. This summer, she had asked that they go through them systematically
and have them painted. Mr. Murphy reported that his funds have been frozen.
He’s done three schools so far. This summer they had many projects going
on when the students were out of the buildings. As soon as he can do more
bathroom painting, he will and give them an update.
Mrs. Mahoney asked about the lights in the back of Lincoln Hancock Community
School. There are no lights in the back parking area, just in the pool area. Mr.
Murphy will send an electrician to check on that.
The Superintendent asked the members to consider having Mr. Murphy
report every other meeting.
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School Facilities Subcommittee Mrs. Dwyer reports
Mrs. Dwyer reported that the School Facilities Subcommittee met and got a
report from Mr. Cunniff regarding the old Quincy High School. To renovate
the building would cost $53 million, a partial renovation would cost $36 million,
and to tear down the building would cost $7 million. It was the consensus
at the meeting that the building could be mothballed. If they came to a decision
sooner than later, the mothballing would be eliminated to some degree. Security
will check on the building. Mr. Cunniff expressed concern with the roof.
They asked the Superintendent about the space. The Superintendent answered
that right now, the current school system would not be needing that building
for school purposes. Enrollment is stable. According to the School Building
Authority, other high school programs cannot be used in that building.
Mrs. Bragg said if the School Committee can’t renovate it she will support
demolishing it. However, she is looking for assurance that the building is
going to be torn down. She would like to see a plan for green space or
athletic fields.
Mayor Koch said the School Committee would not be educating in that
building and the City has no intention of renovating it. The Mayor has said
the City doesn’t have that kind of money.
Mrs. Lebo asked who the land belong to.
Land to go back to campus of QHS
The Mayor said he can assure the Committee that the City will turn the land
back to the school department. If he takes the building down, a plan will be
put in place immediately. Once it comes down, it goes back to the campus of
the new high school. Mrs. Mahoney said she wanted to make sure. She would
like more time.
Mr. McCarthy had asked if Mr. Timmins is sure we can’t be forced to keep the
building with regard to the Historic Commission. Mayor Koch answered that
they have no alternative but to support the demolition.
Mr. McCarthy would like to talk to Mr. Cunniff before making his decision
on October 27.
Mrs. Mahoney asked the Mayor if he had any intentions of putting condos
there. The Mayor said no, the land will revert back to the Quincy High School
campus.
Vote @ next Meeting
Mrs. Dwyer said they will wait to vote until the October 27 School Committee
meeting to find out about the land and to insure that the land stays with the school
system.
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QHS Roof Leaks
Mr. McCarthy inquired about the Quincy High School gym roof leaks. The
Superintendent will ask Gilbane and find out how and why it happened.
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Official Enrollment
Mrs. Colleen Roberts reported on the October 1, 2010 official enrollment.
There are 9,304 students in the Quincy Public Schools as of October 1, 2010
Mrs. Bragg inquired about the larger number of ninth grade students at Quincy
High School than at North. The Superintendent said the reason is because
they closed off open enrollment.
There are concerns with some 3rd grade classes at Montclair, Snug Harbor,
and Squantum. There is a .5 Skills support teacher for reading and math in
each of those classes.
There are concerns at grades 6-8 three social studies, two Spanish, one science
at Atlantic and one Social Studies at Central. Principals are working to adjust
the figures.
At North Quincy High there are 12 classes above 30 and at Quincy High
there are 12 classes above 30.
Ms. Isola inquired about middle school honors classes. She asked how those
honors opportunities are publicized in each of the schools?
Mrs. Roberts answered that this information is brought up at open houses,
teachers speak to students about opportunities, contract are drawn up. She
recommends that people speak to the principals. There is an opportunity in all
of our middle schools. Ms. Isola thought there should be a more formalized
mailing so those students could avail themselves of higher opportunities. Mrs.
Roberts will ask the principals to put something on their website.
Mrs. Mahoney suggested using the stimulus money in the area of science for
a short term fix to ease some of these higher student classes.
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MCAS Supts. Remarks
The Quincy Public School District Improvement Plan and its organizational
elements significantly focus on student achievement in our school system.
Of our six foundational standards, three focus primarily on student achievement.
Leadership, Governance, and Communications. Curriculum Instruction and
assessment and assessment and program evaluations. These three standards
offer our most intensive system site work on student achievement. Work
accomplished by using the standards and appropriate indicators – benchmarks
and defining sources of evidence or work productions all planned, implemented
and assessed by establishing goals, action steps, and monitoring criteria within
the umbrella of these standards. There are over 30 system and site professional
staff teams whose goals are directly related to the MCAS and other student
achievement and assessment measures. These teams, along with school improvement planning and program improvement planning initiatives are organizationally
accomplished through wide spectrum of QPS academic classroom teachers,
academic programs student support services, extended day programs. Of course
valued principals, system curriculum and program leaders play an integral role
in our DIP organization.
Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Fredrickson gave a presentation on the MCAS report
which is sent to parents. This is a new report and is more comprehensive than
before. This report is also done in nine different languages and English.
It is realized that we have some schools that are in AYP status categories of improvement, corrective action, restructuring and some schools that are in better
AYP position with no status. However, it is imperative that we all understand
that this school system is working harder, working smarter and we are all dedicated
to the successful achievement of every one of our students. The No Child Left
Behind law requires school districts to document student progress towards proficiency by 2014. Proficiency is determined by students achieving a minimum
ELA and Math MCAS score of 240. In addition, high school students need to
achieve a minimum score of 220 on the Science/Technology Test. The Adequate
Yearly Progress (AYP) is a designation given to the school district and individual
schools summarizing student test participation, performance and/or improvement
on the MCAS test and school wide attendance or high school graduation rate.
Mrs. Fredrickson reviewed the Parent/Guardian Report which parents receive
for their child. Growth is distinct from achievement. Each student is compared
only to their statewide academic peers, not to all students statewide. She reviewed
Quincy’s 2010 MCAS results, the median student growth percentiles.
Mrs. Dwyer asked if there was any effect is on Quincy students that started
Kindergarten at a younger age than the rest of the state with MCAS. Is there
a difference for those who only had half-day Kindergarten. Are our lower
grades doing better. Mrs. Dwyer is concerned with some schools having
different math techniques. She felt we should be looking at this more universally.
She’d like to see if these “extras” are working in Quincy.
Mrs. Mahoney asked if Mr. Segalla could do a survey and get information
from students that have graduated. sending out an email survey. She suggested
sending an opt out email asking those student where they went after graduating,
if they went to college and if they dropped out.
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Central Middle School
Mayor Koch thanked the Committee for attending the meeting with Katherine
Craven for the new Central. She told them that the site is not reimbursable.
Some demolition is reimbursable.
Motions
At this time, Mrs. Bragg made the following three motions, seconded by Mr.
McCarthy,
Motion to take Winfield House & surrounding businesses Rescinded
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Whereas a vote was taken and approved on October 7, 2009 of which I
was the maker of the motion seconded by Mr. McCarthy “To accept the
Winfield House and surrounding businesses as a site for the Central
Middle School.” I respectfully rescind that vote. On a roll call vote, the
motion passed unanimously 7-0.
Both Ms. Isola and the Mayor checked to see if there were any incidents that
occurred over the past 12 years with the motel next to St. Ann’s school. They
were told that there have been no incidents. The new building will be positioned
so that the gym side would face the motel. The Mayor said it is the intention
of the owner to associate with another chain. Mrs. Dwyer said she felt they made
a mistake when renovating North Quincy High School by not taking the land by
D’Angelos. She asked the Mayor to take the motel on the property.
Mrs. Mahoney shared concerns in regard to written communications about
reports that are requested.
New Site Approved for new Central Middle School
- To approve new construction for a 620 pupil Central Middle School
as approved by the Massachusetts School Building Authority, in accordance
with the provisions of Section 34 of the municipal charter of the City of
Quincy, the School Committee hereby approves the acquisition of the
following parcels by the City, for purposes of the site and construction
of a new Central Middle School:
Parcel No. 5082-28-2A (known as the ENC property)
Parcel No. 5082-14-1 (known as 869 Hancock St residential house)
Parcel No. 5082-13-2 (known as 873 Hancock St Rigby Chiropractor)
Parcel No. 5082-17-1 (known as 882 Hancock St (St. Ann’s rectory)
Parcel No. 5082-18-2 (known as 15 Saint Anns Road St. Ann’s School)
Parcel No. 5082-7-53 (known on Saint Anns Road Parish Center)
All as depicted on the plan presented to the committee at its September 29,
2010 meeting, captioned “City of Quincy Parcel Map” a copy which
shall be attached to the record of this vote.
Motion passes
On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.
Mrs. Bragg also thought it would be a better school site if the City took the
President’s City Inn. The Mayor said he would take this in the spirit it was made.
He is aware of the North Quincy renovation. However, this is a financial situation
and the City does have other priorities.
Motion to take President’s City Inn
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Request the Honorable Thomas P. Koch to consider adding Parcel
No. 5082-27-1A, known as the President’s City Inn, to the acquisition
of land for the construction of a new Central Middle School.
On a roll call vote the motion passed 6-0. MAYOR KOCH ABSTAINED.
Mrs. Dwyer asked that we keep track of the progress of the motel and that it
changes. Mrs. Mahoney asked the Mayor to take into consideration the safety
issues of the site on two busy streets. The comments to date are we will have
two front entrances.
Mrs. Dwyer asked the Superintendent to meet with the Police Chief about
skateboarding at Quincy High School. She also asked the Mayor to give the
Committee a copy of the Honeywell report if there is any information that
pertains to schools, preferably before they review the School Improvement Plans.
She had heard there are 13 violations. She asked for that before the next School
Committee Meeting. The Mayor answered that they went to arbitration on the
punch list. Honeywell has many other issues. It is in the Attorney General’s
office now.
Mrs. Bragg moved into the Policy Subcommittee the City Councils request
for notification of lockdowns regarding preschool programs and early childhood
programs. The Mayor will have the City Clerk’s office forward a copy of the
request.
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Supts. Evaluation Mayor Koch reports
Mayor Koch gave the members an evaluation form for the Superintendent. The
Superintendent’s contract is coming up for renewal. He asked them to review
the form and have it in his office by October 22 marked “CONFIDENTIAL.’
On October 27, we will go into Executive Session to go over the Superintendent’s contract. Mr. McCarthy, Ms. Isola will meet with the Mayor to go over
the forms.
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Health,Safety, Security & Transp. Subcommittee
The Health, Safety, Security and Transportation Subcommittee met on Monday,
October 4, to get an overview of our Transportation Department to see if we have
any issues in all aspects. Mike Draicchio and Sue Gropp put together a folder of
information for the members. Mr. Draicchio gave an overview of how the Transportation office was running. He commended Mike and Sue on the packet which
contained 100% of what we need. Mr. Dracchio will get a breakdown of what
transportation fee money we thought we were going to get and what we did get.
Quincy Public Schools is transporting 1,023 students. We have 33 routes, 6
regular and 27 Special Education. We have 42 vehicles. Our vendors transport
155 students and we bus 387 students. There are 542 homeless/Special Ed.
students and 481 regular students for a total of 1,023.
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee
approved the minutes. The ayes have it.
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Special Ed. Subcommittee Mrs. Mahoney reports
The Special Education Subcommittee met on October 5 in Quincy High School.
This is a new location and the members would like to meet there permanently.
Mr. McCarthy provided an update on the Transportation Department that seems
to be working very well. They reviewed the surveys that were completed by parents
and their recommendations. They discussed the Anti-Bullying Policy reported by
Ms. Todd. It was a very productive meeting. On a motion by Mrs. Mahoney,
seconded by Mrs. Lebo, the Committee approved the minutes. The ayes have it.
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Policy Subcommittee Mrs. Bragg reports
The Policy Subcommittee met on October 7 in the Superintendent’s Conference
Room. The first order of business was Waivers and Verification of Income. Mrs.
Morrissey went over the process. Mr. Rendell said they do the same for Athletics
if somebody wants to get a waiver. Forms are passed on to Mrs. Morrissey to see
if the student qualifies for free and reduced. The Transportation office uses Mrs.
Morrissey to verify students who don’t pay for transportation. Mrs. Morrissey will
do a flow chart and give copies of regulations on the 3% verification to the members.
The members reviewed a Draft Anti Bullying policy form. The members discussed
making it mandatory that principals fill out the form. The Committee decided to
have Mr. Mulvey rework the policy. He will also check on the internet policy and
the harassment policy. After much discussion, the members decided to copy the
law but have different procedures. They will adopt Mass General Laws as policy
and put requirements in the procedures.
The next order of business was naming of Quincy Public Schools and places.
Mrs. Bragg is looking for a more formal process. This should include naming
of rooms within the school building.
There is a policy (File 6.4) and it states “The School Committee will be responsible
for naming all school buildings.” Mrs. Bragg said she wanted to expand the policy
and add:
“and all property under the jurisdiction of the School Committee including
but not limited to rooms within school buildings.”
The members decided to consider this but left this issue in subcommittee.
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee approved
the Policy Subcommittee minutes. The ayes have it.
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mrs. Mahoney, seconded Mr. McCarthy, the Committee voted
to adjourn for the evening at 10:20 p.m. On a roll call vote, the motion passed
unanimously 7-0.