May 16, 2012 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
North Quincy High School
7:00 p.m

I. Approval of Minutes: Regular Session Minutes for May 2, 2012.

II. Open Forum: An opportunity for community input regarding the Quincy Public Schools. After giving his or her name and address, each speaker may make a presentation of no more than four minutes to the School Committee. An individual may not exchange their time or yield to others.

III. Superintendent’s Report:

A. Student Recognitions: National Honor Society

B. Quincy Public Schools Retirement Luncheon, May 29

C. NCTA Staff Reception

D. High School Graduations

E. English Language Learners High School Program

IV. Old Business:

A. Community Service Initiative

V. New Business:

A. No Child Left Behind Act Waiver - Assistant Superintendent Roberts, Mrs. Fredrickson

B. Out of State Travel:
1. F.W. Parker Elementary School to Canobie Lake Park, Windham, NH, June 11, 2012.
2. Sterling Middle School to Canobie Lake Park, Windham, NH, May 25, 2012

C. Gift: 1992 Toyota Camry to the Quincy High School Career and Technical Education Automotive Technology Program (Estimated Value: $1,885.00)

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

VIII. Reports of Subcommittees:

A. Central Building Committee: Mrs. Mahoney to report on the May 7, 2012 meeting.

B. Budget and Finance Subcommittee: Ms. Isola to report on the May 9, 2012 and May 14, 2012 meetings.

C. Teaching and Learning Subcommittee: Mrs. Lebo to report on the May 14, 2012 meeting.

D. Facilities and Security Subcommittee: Mr. McCarthy to report on the May 15, 2012 meeting.

IX. Executive Session: None.

X. Adjournment:  

Subcommittees of the School Committee

Subcommittee Items


Budget & Finance
Isola/Bregoli/Hubley/Koch/Lebo/Mahoney/McCarthy

School Facilities & Security
McCarthy/Bregoli/Hubley

  1. Sterling Building Plans Referred to Subcommittee by the School Building Task Force in 1998.

  2. Coddington Hall $1.5 million Appropriation Referred to Subcommittee at the May 18, 2011 School Committee Meeting. The City of Quincy has appropriated $1.5 million to refurbish Coddington Hall to serve as the Quincy Public Schools administrative offices. Wessling Architects has been chosen to complete the design phase of the project and construction cost estimating is underway as of February 2012.

  3. Houses on Saville Avenue Referred to Subcommittee at the May 18, 2011 School Committee Meeting. Currently home to the School Maintenance and Public Building departments, the School Committee and Superintendent see no future educational uses for these properties.

  4. Outside Lighting Audit Referred to Subcommittee at the February 8, 2012 School Committee Meeting. To address safety concerns, an audit was requested to look for lights that need repair or replacement and locations that would benefit from additional lighting.

  5. Coddington Hall Parking Lot Rental to Quincy College Referred to Subcommittee at the February 8, 2012 School Committee Meeting. Assess feasibility of managing the building parking lot as rental property during the renovation process.

  6. Acceptance of Provisions of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 71, Section 37M Referred to Subcommittee at the March 21, 2012 School Committee Meeting. Discuss proposed consolidation of the School Maintenance Department budget with the City of Quincy Department of Public Works.

Health, Transportation & Safety
Hubley/Lebo/McCarthy

  1. School Meal Charges Referred to Subcommittee at the March 21, 2012 School Committee Meeting. New state and federal regulations require formalization of the school meal charges policy.

  2. School Wellness Policy Referred to Subcommittee at the March 21, 2012 School Committee Meeting. New state and federal guidelines will require revision of the existing Wellness Policy.

  3. Science Lab Safety: Referred from the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee at the April 2, 2012 meeting. High School Science labs have been reviewed and needed updates for compliance completed; Middle School Science labs still to be evaluated.

School Policy
Bregoli/Isola/Mahoney

  1. Graduation Requirements Referred to Subcommittee at the September 7, 2011 School Committee Meeting and discussed at the October 11, 2011 School Policy Subcommittee. The discussion centered around adding a fourth year of Math as a graduation requirement and all agreed to table the issue until more is known about the impact of the new Common Core Standards on the Massachusetts frameworks.

  2. New Educator Evaluations Referred at the September 7, 2011 School Committee Meeting and shared with the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee. Two meetings have already been held to begin exploring the requirements of the new regulations (9/21/11 Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting and February 13, 2012 Teaching and Learning Subcommittee meeting) and further discussion will be held in Executive Session as it pertains to collective bargaining.

  3. High School Community Service Pilot Referred to Subcommittee at the December 14, 2011 School Committee Meeting. A resolution was introduced proposing a phased-in Community Service requirement and further discussion is needed to create a pilot program for both high schools.

  4. Conflict of Interest: Volunteering, Tutoring, Hiring Referred to Subcommittee at the January 11, 2012 School Committee Meeting. Review and discussion of existing policy requested.

  5. Adding CPR as a Graduation Requirement Referred to Subcommittee at the March 21, 2012 School Committee Meeting. Review and discussion of existing policy requested.

  6. Exempting Student Athletes from Physical Education Requirement Referred at the May 2, 2012 School Committee Meeting. Student athletes who compete in three seasons of athletics with parent permission and maintenance of academic eligibility, would not be required to take Physical Education classes. Review and discussion of existing policy requested.

  7. Adopt a Project Referred at the May 2, 2012 School Committee Meeting. Maintenance department requested a review of the policy and process for project approval.

Special Education
Mahoney/Bregoli/McCarthy

  1. Substitute Teachers for SPED Originally referred to Subcommittee at the January 17, 2007 School Committee Meeting. At the Special School Committee Meeting on January 28, 2012 and the Special Education Subcommittee meeting on February 1, 2012, it was agreed that some progress has been made in the way that substitute teachers are informed and educated about accommodations for special needs issues. A form has been developed for classroom teachers to share information and the goal for implementation is the 2012-2013 school year.

  2. Special Education Program Assessment Referred to Subcommittee at the January 28, 2012 Special School Committee Meeting. This will be an ongoing discussion of the curriculum initiatives for Special Education.

Rules, Post Audit & Oversight
Lebo/Bregoli/Hubley

Teaching and Learning 
Lebo/Hubley/Isola

New Educator Evaluations Referred at the September 7, 2011 School Committee Meeting and shared with the School Policy Subcommittee. Two meetings have already been held to begin exploring the requirements of the new regulations (9/21/11 Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting and February 13, 2012 Teaching and Learning Subcommittee meeting) and further discussion will be held in Executive Session as it pertains to collective bargaining.

Ad Hoc Committees:

Channel 22
Mahoney/McCarthy

Created at the October 27, 2007 School Committee meeting to encourage the greater use of Channel 22 across Quincy Public Schools.

Central Building Committee
Mahoney

Minutes

Quincy, Massachusetts - May 2, 2012
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular Meeting

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at North Quincy High School. Present were Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley,Mayor Thomas Koch, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Dave McCarthy, and Ms. Barbara Isola, Vice Chair.

Vice-Chair Presiding

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There was a moment of silence in memory of Mrs. Rosemary Dennehy, paraprofessional at Snug Harbor.

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The Superintendent called the roll and all members were present. Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk; Messrs. Draicchio, Mullaney, Mulvey, Murphy, Santoro, Keith Segalla, Shaw; Dr. Metzler; Ms. Lundquist, Ms. Murray, Mrs. Papile, Mrs. Roberts, Ms. Todd; Ms. Allison Cox, President, Quincy Education Association; and Mrs. Tracey Christello, Citywide Parents’ Council Representative.

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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved 5/2/2012

Mayor Koch made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, to approve the regular session minutes for May 2, 2012. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Open Forum

Ms. Desiree Brown, a student at Quincy Evening High School, spoke of a personal issue and was referred to Dr. DeCristofaro for follow up.

Dick Leonard, a substitute teacher at Quincy High School, suggested eco-friendly opportunities for Community Service that would help young people become stakeholders in their community: food pantries, promoting bicycle use and pedestrian safety, community gardens.

Mrs. Tracey Christello, Citywide Parents’ Council Representative asked the School Committee to consider restoring the Media Specialist positions in Elementary and Middle Schools during the upcoming budget process. She is thankful for all the parent volunteers who have kept the Media Centers open at schools the last two years.

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Superintendent’s Report

The Superintendent opened his remarks with recognition of the students who are graduating seniors and members of the National Honors Society from Quincy and North Quincy High Schools. Around ninety students were introduced by their respective Assistant Principals, Mr. Shaw from North Quincy High School, and Ms. Murray from Quincy High School. Quincy High School students Michaela Walker and Donna Niosi and North Quincy High School students Phillip Zheng and Grace Wong spoke about the four pillars of the National Honors Society: Leadership, Scholarship, Character, and Service.

Mayor Koch and Mr. McCarthy congratulated all the students; Mrs. Lebo commented on the impressive number of students present and participating in National Honors Society. Ms. Isola cited the students’ hard work at school and work within the community. Dr. DeCristofaro thanked the students for making us look good every day; the student will be missed, especially for their mentoring of the Junior class. He congratulated all of their families for supporting the students from Pre-K through Grade 12.

The Superintendent continued his report by noting that the High School Graduation Exercised are scheduled for Monday, June 4 (Quincy High School) and Tuesday, June 5 (North Quincy High School. Recent events included the Quincy Public Schools Retirement Scholarships, which were presented May 15 at Beechwood Knoll and the recent combined High School Choral concert. All of the Elementary and Middle Schools will be having spring concerts in early June; the Citywide Band Concert will be May 23 at 7:00 pm at Quincy High School. 125 Elementary and Middle School students will perform under the direction of Michael DeMarco and Caitlyn Schmidt. Other upcoming events include the Middle School Robotics Championships at Broad Meadows on Saturday, May 19, the Middle School Track Championships on Friday, May 25, the Quincy Public Schools Budget Presentation to City Council on Monday, June 11, Special Olympics on Friday, June 1 at Pageant Field, and the Norfolk County Teachers Association Staff Reception on Tuesday, June 5. Janice Walsh (Honor Award for dedication and commitment) and Jane Kisielius (Community Service) are being honored that evening.

In conclusion, Dr. DeCristofaro spoke of the English Language Learners High School Program expansion. In 2011, the ELL program for Grade 9 moved to North Quincy High School, while Grades 10-12 remained at Quincy High School. Moving forward, we are transitioning to having an ELL program at each high school. For 2012-13, current Grade 10 and 11 ELL students at Quincy High School are being offered the opportunity to return to their home school (North Quincy High School). 5 or 6 students have taken the option to date, new students will be offered the option as well. In 2013-2014, there will be two full ELL programs at each high school for Grades 9 through 12. Mrs. Lebo asked if North Quincy High School students know they have the option to attend Quincy High School for Career and Technical Education programs. Mrs. Roberts said that the information is shared with 8th graders during course selection process. There are also Open Houses and information nights for parents in March, on different nights, so families could see both schools. Mr. Bregoli asked about Open Enrollment and when do students get notified. Dr. DeCristofaro spoke to process for evaluating current enrollments and class sizes, factoring in siblings, and making decisions about Open Enrollment, hopefully right after school ends in mid-June.

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Old Business

Community Service Initiative

Mr. Bregoli reported on the recent meetings with Dr. DeCristofaro and Ms. Cox, President of the Quincy Education Association about framing a suggested policy for the School Committee’s consideration. Upcoming meetings will include the high school principals, assistant principals, and staff members. Since there is still work to be done, one possibility would be to present the final version at a September School Committee meeting, and implement the policy in October. Mr. Bregoli noted that in order to be respectful of the input from all parties and their concerns, it is important to take the time to make sure that the policy is thoroughly vetted. Mrs. Lebo thanked Mr. Bregoli and Dr. DeCristofaro for their work in addressing her concerns and asked about whether the information will be tabulated on student transcripts.

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New Business

Ms. Isola noted that the first item under New Business, the NCLB Waiver, would be referred to the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee meeting on June 11, 2012.

Out of State Travel

Mr. Bregoli made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel of the F.W. Parker, Elementary School to Canobie Lake Park, Windham, NH on June 11, 2012 and Sterling Middle School to Canobie Lake Park, Windham, NH on May 25, 2012. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Gift

Mr. McCarthy made a motion to approve the Gift of a 1992 Toyota Camry to the Quincy Public Schools Career and Technical Education Program by Mr. Sean Conley. Mrs. Mahoney seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Additional Business

Mrs. Lebo requested a report of how many books have been borrowed in the Elementary and Middle school libraries this year; this can be reviewed at the next Budget and Finance Subcommittee Meeting.

Mr. McCarthy noted that Quincy Youth Football registration is Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 10 to 12 at Pageant Field.

Mr. Bregoli announced that the North Quincy Basketball Hall of Fame event is Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 7:00 pm.

Mrs. Mahoney announced that Montclair Elementary School is having their May Festival on Saturday, May 19m 2012 and the North Quincy High School Hockey Team Booster Club is having a test drive fundraiser also on Saturday, May 19, 2912.

Mrs. Mahoney also noted that the Special Education Subcommittee meeting has been changed to Wednesday, May 30 at 7:00 pm at Quincy High School.

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Reports of Special Committees

Central Building Committee

Mrs. Mahoney spoke briefly of the Central Building Committee’s last meeting on Monday, May 7, 2012. General contractor bids have been received, but not opened yet. The next meeting of the Central Building Committee is Monday, August 27, 2012. As work begins on the site, communications will be issued by the Superintendent’s Office.

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Ms. Isola summarized the May 9, 2012 Budget and Finance Subcommittee meeting. Mayor Koch presented the FY2013 overview; a total of $88,887,461 is budgeted for QPS, 36% of the City’s budget is directly related to education. Factoring in new construction, capital improvements, and healthcare costs for employees, 50% of the city’s budget is education-related. In addition, Mayor Koch is allocating $828,000 of Comcast Funding for technology initiatives focused on the middle and high schools.

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the minutes of May 9, 2012 Budget and Finance Subcommittee meeting. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Ms. Isola then introduced Dr. DeCristofaro and Mr. Mullaney to review the Budget and Finance Subcommittee meeting of Monday, May 14, 2012. The budget is student-centered with Academic Classroom Teachers and Academic Programs as the top priority. Maintaining or increasing existing classroom teaching staff, evaluating staff changes (retirements, resignation, seniority, leave of absence) and enrollment changes are all considered. Based on projected enrollments, all grades are expected to be within School Committee guidelines, with special consideration for high school technology and science labs. For Academic Classroom teachers, there is an increase of 5 teachers over this year’s actual total, plus negotiated raises. For Academic Program Teachers, an increase of 10 positions over this year’s actual, plus negotiated raises. Seven positions: 3 SPED teachers, 1.5 Literacy teachers, 1.5 Nurses, 1 Guidance were previously funded by a grant and will be absorbed in both this year’s (transfer of funding) and next year’s budget.

For Academic Support, an additional staff member is recommended in Attendance to address residency and family support issues. This position could be used to give more support to the Middle Schools, but the specifics are still in discussion. Guidance would have a slight increase in positions, at 0.7. Under Coordinators/Department heads, the proposal is to eliminate the System-Wide ELL Coordinator and replace that position with a Curriculum Coordinator for grades 6-12. At Pre-K-Grade 5, a Curriculum Coordinator would be funded by Title I grant. These two Curriculum Coordinator positions would function as instructional leaders and report to the Assistant Superintendent. Also for Academic Support, the suggestion is to increase Special Education Aides by 10 positions (mostly for Grades Pre-K through 2), add funding for ELL Tutors and Translators (additional hours, not positions), extended day activities for both high schools. In Non-Academic Support, the suggestion is to add office aides to schools that have more than 375 students; additional funding for athletic coaches; increased funding for bus driver overtime (contractual), and negotiated increases.

Subsidized services (Food Services, Transportation, Building Rental, Athletics) will be analyzed in detail in a subsequent Budget meeting. For Academic Expenses, no changes are recommended. For Non-Academic expenses, recommendations include reductions for natural gas, increases in electricity (5%), reducing Manet Health (decrease in services), adding increased funding for Athletic trainer, reducing gasoline budget, increased funding for travel reimbursement (MA reimbursement rate). Mr. Mullaney summarized by stating that the budget impact of changes breaks out to 43% for Academic Classroom Teachers, 25% for Academic Programs, 17% for Academic Support, and 15 % for Non-Academic Support.

Mayor Koch left the meeting at 8:30 pm.

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the minutes of May 14, 2012 Budget and Finance Subcommittee meeting. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Mr. McCarthy thanked Dr. DeCristofaro and Mr. Mullaney for their presentation and noted that the budget is heading in the right direction.

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Teaching and Learning Subcommittee

Mrs. Lebo summarized the May 14, 2012 Teaching and Learning Subcommittee. Ms. Skinner, Guidance Department Head at North Quincy High School and Ms. McGeady, Guidance Department Head at Quincy High School reviewed how students use this system for college and career planning. Students begin using Naviance in Grade 9 by creating a career interest profile. Students can use the system to choose courses for subsequent school years and the information gets uploaded into Starbase. Naviance helps organize the college application process and submission deadlines for students and school staff. Ms. McGeady noted that Naviance allows guidance counselors to submit transcripts, evaluations, forms, and recommendations to colleges electronically. Ms. Lebo asked whether this could work for graduate follow-up. Ms. Skinner said theoretically, yes, but it is very difficult to get aftergraduation participation. There was only 30% response when it was tried previously. There is another option through the National Clearinghouse, but there is a cost associated with this. Mrs. Lebo suggested researching the costs and whether there is a good match between post-secondary institutions that are members and the schools QPS graduates attend.

The Review of Alternative Programs was given by Mrs. Papile and Ms. Todd. For the alternative programs QPS offers, each student is required to meet state benchmarks and receive instruction in curriculum aligned with state frameworks in the five academic subject areas. These programs sometimes provide therapeutic interventions, group and individual counseling, childcare services, drug and alcohol counseling, parenting programs, and connect students and families to outside services. Program coordinators and teachers are committed to these populations and engaging students so they can experience success. Students in these programs often need to experience a sense of belonging and have higher social-emotional barriers to success.

Mrs. Roberts gave a brief Common Core Update, noting that the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were just released last Friday, May 11. There was an informational meeting today, which some QPS staff attended. The Standards are currently in the Open Comment period.

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the minutes of May 14, 2012 Teaching and Learning Subcommittee meeting. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Facilities and Security Subcommittee

Mr. McCarthy then reviewed the May 15, 2012 Facilities and Security Subcommittee meeting, This was one in a series of meetings on the proposed merger of the School Maintenance department with the Public Buildings department. Mr. Murphy reported on the current Work Order system and how it could be expanded to include City buildings. Given the concerns of the School Committee members, Mr. McCarthy is working on a motion to present at the June 13, 2012 School Committee meeting. The motion has three sections: the first reviews the Chapter 71 law, the second addresses the Maintenance Department reporting to the Superintendent, and the third section addresses the means for revoking the merger should this not work for both parties. Mr. McCarthy noted Mr. Bregoli’s language suggestions as very helpful in crafting the draft motion. The draft motion will be shared with all School Committee members.

Mr. McCarthy made a motion to approve the minutes of May 15, 2012 Facilities and Security Subcommittee meeting. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Mrs. Lebo asked that the School Improvement Plan requests be specifically be mentioned in the motion. Mr. McCarthy is suggesting that the SIPs be a second motion, that Maintenance and Parks be active participants in this process. Mrs. Mahoney wanted to correct the misimpression that moving the Maintenance staff ($1.2 million) allows QPS to retain that money; she also requested a detailed accounting of staff and funding that would be moved from the QPS Budget to Public Building budget.

Mrs. Mahoney also requested that Parks Department representative be invited to present at the last School Committee meeting of the year on June 13, 2012. Agrees with Mrs. Lebo about SIP process and will be requesting weekly meetings with Superintendent as well as quarterly Subcommittee reports.

As a point of information, Mr. Bregoli, as School Committee meeting representative to the Parks and Recreation Board, has asked for a summary of information to share at the next School Committee meeting.

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Resignation

The School Committee noted the following resignation:

Teacher Michelle Maguire

Leaves of Absence

The School Committee noted the following leaves of absence:

Teachers: Douglas Bumpus, Sheena Dwyer

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Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Bregoli, the School Committee adjourned at 9:35 p.m. for the evening. There was no Executive Session. The ayes have it.