Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – June 15, 2016
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
June 15, 2016 at the Coddington Building. The Superintendent called the roll and
present were Mr. James DeAmicis, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola,
Mayor Thomas Koch, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, and
Mr. Paul Bregoli, Vice Chair.
Vice-Chair Presiding
Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens,
Clerk; Mrs. Rita Bailey, Mrs. Catherine Carey, Mrs. Donna Cunningham, Mr.
Gary Cunniff, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms. Beth Hallett, Mr.
Richard Kelly, Mrs. Elaine Keohane, Mr. Walter MacDonald, Mrs. Joanne
Morrissey, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mr.
Kevin Murphy, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs. Susan Paquette, Mrs. Erin Perkins, Ms.
Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Ms. Judy Todd; Quincy Education
Association President Allison Cox.
§
There was a moment of silence for the victims in this past weekend’s
terrorist shooting in Orlando. Dr. DeCristofaro also remembered former
Quincy High School teachers Jane Southwick (Spanish & Latin) and Mary
Rose Sullivan Myrick (Fashion), and Agnes Pettiti, secretary at Sterling Junior
High School for 34 years.
§
Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
5.18.16
Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeAmicis, to approve the Regular
Meeting minutes for May 18, 2016. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Executive Session Minutes Approved
5.18.16
Mr. DeAmicis made a motion, seconded by Ms. Isola, to approve the Executive
Session minutes for May 18, 2016. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Public Hearing Minutes Approved
6.1.16
Ms. Isola made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hubley, to approve the Public
Hearing minutes for June 1, 2016. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
Open Forum
Ms. Debby Nabstedt and Mrs. Littif spoke in favor of reinstating the Special
Education assist classes for Grades 11-12 at Quincy High School.
§
Superintendent's
Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report with recognition of high
school Track & Field athletes Nick Kelly (NQHS, Javelin); Nathan Sleiman
(NQHS, Hurdles, Triple Jump, Pentathalon); Mike Munroe (QHS, Shot); and
Nicole Jorgensen (QHS, Javelin).
Dr. DeCristofaro then recognized retiring members of the Superintendent’s
Leadership Team: Food Services Director Joanne Morrissey, 23 years with
Quincy Public Schools, has done so much over the years, grant-writing, training,
implementing new nutritional regulations, participating on the Health &
Wellness teams. Focus on serving students, advocate for children’s health,
knowledgeable and dedicated, strong work ethic. Mrs. Lebo said Mrs.
Morrissey touches more students lives on a daily basis, every day and the
summer too. Ms. Isola thanked Mrs. Morrissey for her thorough knowledge of
the complex federal and state guidelines, especially chocolate milk. Mrs.
Mahoney said Mrs. Morrissey’s impact on students’ lives year round will be
missed.
Director of Special Education Judy Todd, a Quincy Public Schools staff member
for 29 years, 14 as Director of Special Education. Always an advocate for
Special Education children and creator of great programming that impacted
many students and families. Has left a legacy of dedication, love for each and
every student in Quincy Public Schools.
Ms. Isola thanked Ms. Todd, always supportive and responsive. Mrs. Lebo
thanked Ms. Todd for the phenomenal staff she has hired. Recently attended
the Special Olympics, the staff was joyously working with the children. Mrs.
Mahoney thanked Ms. Todd for her tireless efforts, very difficult job, high
profile, she has much to be proud of. Mr. Bregoli thanked Ms. Todd for their
years of working together professionally and all that she has done for Quincy
Public Schools students.
Dr. DeCristofaro reviewed the Welcome to Kindergarten Parent Academy which
was attended by over 150 parents. Curriculum and health information was
shared with parents, tips on preparing students for the transition. Information
will be posted on the Quincy Public Schools website.
Commissioner of Education Mitchell Chester will be visiting the Merrymount
Elementary School on Friday, June 17. Merrymount is being recognized for
2015 MCAS achievement on narrowing the achievement gap and strong growth.
The Mentor program recently celebrated the end of another successful year. 40
mentors and mentees met every other month over the course of the year. The
National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) supported the
mentoring program with a donation of $10,000.
NQHS Biology, Zoology, and Marine Science teacher Cara Pekarcik will be one of
14 teachers traveling to the Antarctic in September on a PolarTREC expedition.
Recent Quincy School~Community Partnership events included the Community
Service Learning Breakfast where over 150 students were recognized. High
School All-Stars were: Samantha Caldwell, Hailey Houlihan, Emily Le, Justin Le,
Marisa McGue, Patrick Tran (North Quincy High School) and Vanessa DeMore,
Robert Hill, Carmen Huang, Brendan Kaliban, Jake Louzan, Declan Mayo, Nyasha
Rankins, Jia Xen (Quincy High School).
Summer Reading information for Elementary, Middle, and High School students
has been posted on the Quincy Public Schools website and shared with the
Thomas Crane Public Library.
The recent Quincy Public Schools Robotics Challenge for Grades 5-8 saw 240
students participating, along with coaches, principals, and teachers from each
elementary and middle school. Thanks to Edward Smith, Keith Segalla, Mike
Marani, and the many high school student volunteers.
The Bethany Program for Quincy Teen Mothers will be on hiatus due to lack of
enrollment for 2016-2017; the program’s five current students graduated this
year. After 38 years of service, over 300 teen mothers and babies have been
mentored. Thanks to Coordinator Noreen O’Connell, the staff, and board for
their efforts on behalf of the program’s students.
At this week’s high school graduations, a total of 670 students graduated on
two perfect evenings. Thanks to the principals, assistant principals, Quincy
Police Department, Parks Department and Kevin Murphy
§
Old Business
FY2017 QPS Budget
(Vote)
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the FY2017 Quincy Public Schools Budget.
Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it 7-0.
§
New Business
FY2016 Budget
Transfers (Vote)
Mr. Mullaney introduced the year-end funding transfers for FY2016. Deficits in
the Natural Gas, Screening & Medical, Teacher Professional Discretionary; and
Transportation – Outside Vendors, $234,000 in total will be covered by transfers
from accounts with surplus funds.
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the year-end funding transfers for FY2016.
Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, they ayes have it 7-0,
Mrs. Lebo asked if the FY2016 budget has been completely expended. Mr.
Mullaney said there are still outstanding salary payments to be made before the
fiscal year ends on June 30, 2016.
§
New Business
Public Buildings
Summer Project Update
Director of Gary Cunniff presented an update on Public Buildings projects
scheduled to begin this summer. The Massachusetts School Building Authority
(MSBA) has invited Quincy to participate in the Accelerated Repair Program and
replace the boilers at Atherton Hough, Beechwood Knoll, Merrymount, and
Wollaston Elementary Schools. Total project costs are estimated at $1,000,000,
with expected reimbursement at 70%; the project will be completed in Summer
2017.
Under the Mayor’s proposed Capital Improvement Plan, major upgrades to the
North Quincy High School Science Labs are proposed with acquisition of all new
furniture & equipment planned. The next step would be to hire a designer. In
addition, plans are underway to replace the North Quincy High School gymnasium
bleachers and reconfigure the Hunt Street lobby.
Other proposed capital plan items include a major upgrade in the Lincoln Hancock
pool area for lighting and converting the pool heating source to geothermal. Also
at Lincoln Hancock, converting from electric heat to a gas-fired system will be
explored. The Broad Meadows heating system, partly upgraded in 2007, would
completed. At Quincy High School, retrocommissioning to tweak the performance
of the HVAC continues to reach maximum efficiency. Wollaston Elementary
School drainage will be addressed in the basement and first floor.
Mrs. Hubley asked for clarification of the NQHS Science Lab project. Mr. Cunniff
said there are 45,000 square feet of science classroom labs that were installed in
1977. In order to bring the labs up to current teaching standards, plumbing will
need to upgraded and all new equipment installed. The first step in the process
will be to engage a design firm to work on planning the lab with the NQHS Science
staff. Mrs. Lebo noted that the Massachusetts Life Sciences grant is available for
science lab construction, funds will need to be matched by the city.
Continuing with proposed Capital Improvement plan items, at the Parker
Elementary School, replacing the front stairs is proposed. At the Montclair
Elementary School, the nurses bathroom will be replaced.
Mrs. Mahoney asked if these are all Capital Improvement Plan projects. Mr.
Cunniff said there would primarily design planning this summer.
Mayor Koch said that the new five-year Capital Improvement Plan was recently
shared with City Council, representing hundreds of millions of dollars of
investment in city buildings. The first appropriation is $19.5 million, and will
address some mechanical and structural issues in the schools. At the recent
Finance Subcommittee meeting, the equipment and paving expenditures were
approved. These will go to before the full City Council on June 27, 2016. This is a
rolling bond, balancing needs against available funding.
The costs for the North Quincy Science laboratory and gymnasium improvements
will be borne by repurposing the contingency MSBA window & door funding for
the projects completed last summer. Most of the work planned for this summer is
design and planning.
Mrs. Mahoney said that she appreciates the clarification on the funding. Mrs.
Mahoney requested a reconciliation of the bonds and the projects. There are
other opportunities for funding as Mrs. Lebo pointed out, and the more
information available will allow School Committee to be informed about the
project schedules and funding sources.
Mayor Koch asked for clarification on Mrs. Mahoney’s request for reconciliation
on bonds. Mayor Koch said that once the preliminary engineering for these
projects is completed, additional details about scheduling will be shared. For the
MSBA projects, we are required to fund the total costs, including contingency
funding. When projects come in under budget, the additional funds appropriated
may be repurposed for other capital projects.
Mrs. Mahoney said that when Parks Department Director Christopher Cassani
presented to School Committee in May, she requested a funding reconciliation that
has not been shared for Teel Field. Mayor Koch said that the last time he brought
up the Teel Field project, Mrs. Mahoney objected. Mayor Koch said the city has an
action plan to address long-held needs for the city buildings owned by all
taxpayers in the city.
Mrs. Lebo asked about the sewerage issue at Beechwood Knoll. Mr. Cunniff said
one issue was permanently addressed last summer in the area of the principal’s
office. Mr. Cunniff said there is a developing issue in the older wing of the
Beechwood Knoll building. Mr. Cunniff said the second issue at Beechwood Knoll
can be temporarily maintained mechanically, but it does eventually need to be
replaced.
Mrs. Mahoney asked for a master list of projects and a long-term schedule for the
list of school-based items contained in the Capital Improvement Plan.
Walter MacDonald reviewed the status of the current MSBA projects. The
Merrymount roof project will be completed this summer, including a new PVC
roof and pre-cast stone caps to address water infiltration. The parapet wall will be
repointed and a skylight will be replaced. A rooftop HVAC unit will also be
replaced, along with all roof exhaust fans. Construction will begin Monday, June
27, and a pre-construction walk-through was held on Tuesday, June 14. All
contractors and subcontractors are CORI checked, all abutters are notified of
construction dates. Substantial project completion is scheduled prior to the
opening of school, with the installation of the HVAC unit in September.
The Beechwood Knoll roof, windows & door, and ADA upgrades project has been
deferred to Summer 2017, as there was not enough lead time for window
manufacturing. The project will be re-bid in September and Public Buildings is
looking forward to more competitive bids with the longer project schedule.
For Sterling Middle School, the complete Schematic Design was submitted to the
MSBA. The next step is the Project Scope & Budget meeting scheduled for June 22.
Test borings have been completed on the Sterling Building site, results were good,
no indication of ledge issues.
A Core Program Statement of Interest was submitted for Squantum Elementary
School, with the expectation that the project will not move into the pipeline until
Sterling is completed.
Mrs. Lebo complimented the process of the City and Quincy Public Schools
working together to submit to the MSBA. Quincy has certainly benefitted from
Tim Cahill’s establishment of the MSBA.
Mr. Bregoli thanked Mr. Cunniff and Mr. MacDonald for the extensive update, it
takes planning and patience to do things the right way.
§
New Business
South Shore Educational
Collaborative Board
(Vote)
Mayor Koch made a motion to for Superintendent DeCristofaro to continue to
represent the Quincy Public Schools on the Board of the South Shore Educational
Collaborative. Ms. Isola seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have
it, 7-0.
§
New Business
Overnight Travel
Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the overnight travel of North Quincy High
School AFJROTC to the Leadership Encampment at Camp Edwards, Bourne,
Massachusetts from September 28 to October 2, 2016. The motion was seconded
by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
Communications
Mrs. Mahoney announced a vigil at the United First Parish Church on June 16 for
victims of Orlando.
Mrs. Hubley announced the PorchFest Quincy to be held on Saturday, June 18.
This is a free community event being held in the Wollaston and Squantum
neighborhoods in the afternoon and evening.
§
Reports of
Subcommittees
Mr. Bregoli noted that all Subcommittee meeting minutes are posted online at
www.quincypublicschools.com.
Special Education
Subcommittee
Mrs. Mahoney reviewed the Special Education Subcommittee meeting minutes
from May 23, 2016. The High School Special Education pathways were presented,
as well as the Landmark Writing Program used in the Language Development
classes in Grades 1-8. As a follow up, Mrs. Mahoney would like to address the
differences between the Special Education programs at both high schools.
Subcommittee Meeting
Minutes Approved
The meeting minutes for the May 23, 2016 Special Education Subcommittee were
approved as amended.
§
Executive Session
Mayor Koch made a motion for School Committee to go to Executive Session for
the purpose of contract negotiations at 8:45 pm. Ms. Isola seconded the motion
and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0. Mr. Bregoli noted that School
Committee would be reconvening after Executive Session.
§
School Committee returned to regular session at 9:00 pm.
MOA with QPS
Secretarial Unit (Vote)
Mr. DeAmicis made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement
between the Quincy School Committee and the Quincy Public Schools Secretarial
Unit. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-
0.
MOA with QEA Unit C
(Vote)
Ms. Isola made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the
Quincy School Committee and the Quincy Education Association, Unit C. Mrs.
Lebo seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
MOA with Painters &
Allied Trades (Custodial)
Unit B
Mrs, Hubley made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between
the Quincy School Committee and the Painters & Allied Trades, Unit B (QPS
Custodians). Ms. Isola seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have
it 7-0.
§
Adjournment
Mr. DeAmicis made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 9:15 p.m. The motion
was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.