Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Policy Subcommittee Meeting
January 6, 2016
A meeting of the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at
5:00 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, and Mr.
Paul Bregoli, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent DeCristofaro, Mrs. Rita Bailey, Deputy
Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla; Quincy Police
Lieutenant Patrick Glynn, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey; Mr. David Blaton and
Ms. Kristin Perry from the Citywide Parents Council, and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Mr.Bregoli called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the agenda, consideration of
allowing Narcan to be available for administration in Quincy Public Schools. Norfolk County District
Attorney Michael Morrissey gave an overview of the increasing opioid abuse problem and the
accompanying issue of overdosing. Training school nurses and athletic personnel is the next logical
step, representatives from every school district in Norfolk County were present at a recent training.
Schools are used for many events and there is the potential for all types of medical emergencies. DA
Morrissey congratulated the Quincy Police Department for being on the recognized nationally for
being in the forefront of this issue.
Mrs. Papile noted that this week is Substance Abuse Awareness Week and that Quincy Public Schools
has long partnered with the Quincy Police Department, Norfolk County District Attorney’s office, Bay
State Community Services, and Brewster Ambulance. Throughout the school year, we are engaging
with students and parents on drug awareness prevention and education.
QPD Lt. Glynn said that in 2010, Quincy first recognized the epidemic of opioid abuse. Quincy’s
holistic approach is law enforcement plus education about abuse and prevention. While we know
there is not a drug problem in schools with students, students live in families with drug abuse issues.
In 2015, 190 overdoses were reported and 107 reversed with Narcan. The Quincy model is the Police
Department and District Attorney’s office working together with the Department of Public Health,
and the outcome is safe community and family supports to treat the disease of addiction, many need
counseling, not criminal interdiction. Opiods are powerful pain medications, many that are legally
prescribed. Individuals can overdose inadvertently, for example, by mixing opioids with alcohol.
Quincy Public Schools buildings are open to the public and a tragedy can be averted in the same way
AED device or EpiPen can be used to save someone’s life. Narcan is a necessary tool and a proactive
approach to the issues that exist in society today.
Mrs. Bailey defined opioid overdose in medical terms: these medication bonds to receptor sites in
the brain, sometimes suppressing respiration and Narcan breaks the bond, reverses the effect and
allows for regular breathing. It is a prescription medication, and the Quincy Public Schools physician has issued a standing order for this to be onsite for all Quincy Public Schools health professionals.
Narcan is currently the only approved medication capable of reversing the effect of an opioid
overdose. Narcan does not have a “high” effect and there are no needles. School nurses are first
responders to all emergencies in schools, not just for students. School Resource Officers and DARE
Officers are currently carrying Narcan in Quincy Public Schools.
Lt. Glynn said that 37 states and 900 police departments nationwide have adopted Narcan policies
and in a recent survey, the City of Quincy was ranked first in the nation in implementing the Narcan
policy. Regardless of our neighboring community decisions, we want to be a safe community.
Mrs. Papile said this will be adding a medical intervention to the policy in place whereby nurses
administer medications. Mr. Bregoli asked about training athletic trainers to be responders as well.
Dr. DeCristofaro agreed that the athletic trainers should be trained as well.
Mrs. Hubley fully supports the training of school nurses and athletic trainers.
Ms. Isola thanked everyone for the fabulous presentation, they are speaking to the choir. Anything
that School Committee can do to support this effort is there.
Mr. Bregoli asked about the life of the Narcan, 18-24 months. Mr. Bregoli asked how many nurses
have been trained; Mrs. Bailey and two school nurses have already attended training. Mrs. Bailey is a
certified trainer and Lt. Glynn will also assist with training the nurses. Mrs. Bailey said it is a 45-
minute training, can be done at upcoming Professional Development meeting. Dr. DeCristofaro said
the athletic trainers can be trained separately.
Mr. Bregoli asked in the substance abuse education of students, how much time is spent on specifics
of opioid abuse. Ms. Isola suggested that this become an agenda item for the Health, Transportation,
and Safety Subcommittee meeting.
A draft of the 2016-2017 School Year Calendar was shared with School Committee.
Mr. Bregoli asked about changing to a March vacation week. Given the holidays in February and
April, there would only be a savings of three days.
Ms. Isola suggested that the graduation rain dates be eliminated. If it rains on the scheduled date,
the graduation could be inside. Mrs. Hubley and Mr. Bregoli agreed with the suggestion.
Ms. Isola made a motion to bring the 2016-2017 School Year Calendar to School Committee. The
motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 pm. Ms. Isola seconded the motion and
on a voice vote, the ayes have it.