Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – January 11, 2017
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
January 11, 2017 at the Coddington Building. The Superintendent called the
roll and present were Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. James DeAmicis,
Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, 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; Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Beth Hallett, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy
Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs. Erin Perkins, Ms.
Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Robert Shaw; Quincy Education
Association President Allison Cox; Citywide Parent Council Co-President
Courtney Perdios; and Quincy High School Student Representative Owen
Doherty.
§
There was a moment of silence for Ida Jay, who worked for over 20 years in
the Quincy Public Schools Business Office.
§
Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
12.7.16
Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, to approve the Regular
Meeting minutes for December 7, 2016. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
Open Forum
Mrs. Courtney Perdios thanked Superintendent DeCristofaro, Senior Director
Madeline Roy, and Executive Director Keith Segalla for their recent presentation at
the Citywide Parent Council meeting on MCAS 2.0. The presentation slides and a
Parent Resources guide are posted on the Quincy Public Schools website.
Concerns remain about student preparedness for online test taking. The Citywide
Parent Council would like to expand opportunities for technology-based learning,
coding, animation, and partner with Quincy Public Schools on this issue.
§
Superintendent's
Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report with recognition of North
Quincy High School Biology, Zoology, and Marine Science teacher Cara Pekarcik
who participated in a six-week oceanographic research expedition in the
Southern Ocean off the coast of Antarctica this past fall through PolarTREC. The
research goal was to collect water samples and diatoms and ocean data. Ms.
Pekarcik thanked the National Science Foundation for the grant funding that
supported the trip. Ms. Isola thanked Ms. Pekarcik for her bravery in
undertaking this adventure, which will really enhance student learning. Dr.
DeCristofaro thanked Ms. Pekarcik, Principal Shaw and the whole staff at North
Quincy High School are so proud as we all are for representing the Quincy
Public Schools so far from home.
Dr. DeCristofaro noted that the North Quincy High School Quiz Show team will
be taping the first round of the High School Quiz Show at WGBH on January 21.
Coordinator of Health Services Rita Bailey presented on the upcoming Matter of
the Heart health initiative and CPR training being held in the first week of
February. For the third year of the program, Quincy Public Schools is fortunate
to have Brewster Ambulance Services as an educational partner. During the
week of January 30-February 3, all Grade 8 students will learn about the
cardiovascular system and CPR. On Saturday, February 4, all Grade 8 students
and family members have the opportunity to take a free full CPR certification
course at Central Middle School.
On February 9, the Student Council Leadership event for Grade 5 Student
Council members will be held at the Tirrell Room. Student council members
from both high schools and the YMCA will work with the Grade 5 students on
leadership activities.
Senior Director of Student Support Services Maura Papile presented on last
week’s Substance Use Prevention & Education Week, funded by the Mayor’s
Office and the Peter Thompson Family, and organized by the Health
Interventionists and Nurses at both high schools. Travis Roy spoke to all Grade
11 students about living a purposeful life. Health Fairs were held at each high
school with many community representatives from Manet Health, Quincy
Police, Health, and Fire Departments, parent representatives, and the Norfolk
County District Attorney’s Office. A Healthy Choices Family Night will be held in
the spring, more information to come.
Executive Director Keith Segalla updated School Committee on the technology
upgrades underway through the Mayor’s Capital Improvement Plan. Individual
desktop computers for staff and administrators have been installed and
computer lab upgrades are underway. Installation of Eno boards and short
throw projectors will begin the week of January 30 and finish by the end of
February. Thanks to City IT Director Chuck Phelan and his staff and the School
IT technicians for their efforts.
Mr. Segalla also announced that a Massachusetts Life Science Center grant for
technology and equipment was awarded to Quincy Public Schools, $122,000 for
five mobile carts of 10 Surface tablets, five 3-D printers, and robotics equipment
kits. Funding will also be available for summer 2017 technology programming.
Senior Curriculum Director Madeline Roy reviewed the MCAS 2.0 initiative
underway throughout Quincy Public Schools. As DESE releases guidance
documents, the Curriculum & Assessment Team is reviewing the guidelines and
recommendations and is working with site-based teams at each elementary and
middle school to create training opportunities, prioritizing Grade 4 and 8
student access to the computer labs. Practice tests will be released later in
January. Middle school Tech Engineering and Library Media Specialists have
created a tutorial so all staff can learn about embedded technology tools for the
online testing and alignment of their curriculum and areas for coverage. Mrs.
Lebo asked Ms. Roy about technical skills at the elementary levels; some work
is being done in the classrooms, also with Library Support Teachers, and some
before and after school extracurricular opportunities. Dr. DeCristofaro noted
that a future meeting will be scheduled with the Citywide Parent Council on this
topic.
Mrs. Mahoney asked about Grade 3 students having the opportunity to learn
about these online tools. Ms. Roy said that while Grades 4 and 8 are the
priorities, any opportunity to expand to other grades will be taken. Ms. Roy
said a curriculum will be developed this summer for Fall 2017 implementation
and expand to all grades. Mrs. Mahoney expressed a concern about
before/after school programs, will there be space for all students interested.
Ms. Roy said that anyone interested will be accommodated, schools are
approaching this creatively in order to serve all students. Dr. DeCristofaro said
that in this week’s Principal Team meeting, there was discussion of balancing
enrichment and assessment preparation opportunities. Mrs. Mahoney noted
that all school districts are facing this dilemma, the resources and tools are not
yet available and some will be new to both teachers and students.
Dr. DeCristofaro reviewed that the Massachusetts School Building Authority
partnership continues with ongoing work at the Sterling Middle School, as
construction documents are being finalized. Dr. DeCristofaro is also working
with Principal Franceschini on next year’s schedule for Physical Education as
the gymnasium will be removed from the building over the summer.
Statements of Interest for new projects are due in February for Accelerated
Repair Program projects and the Squantum SOI will be refreshed in April.
Upcoming events include the Lincoln Hancock Family Literacy Night, January
19 at 5:30 pm. The first Parent Academy of the new year will be a two-part
event held on January 12 and 26, the Homework Treaty for parents of students
in Grades 3-8.
Dr. DeCristofaro concluded his report by noting Program Newsletters for Band,
Health Services, Student Support, and Extended Education had been shared
with School Committee. He also thanked Mayor Koch and the Quincy City
Council for appropriating $275,000 to remediate the sinks and bubblers that
had tested above action levels for lead and copper and to refurbish the
Montclair Elementary School nurse’s bathroom.
§
Old Business
School Committee
Policy Book, Revisions
to Section 1 (Vote)
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to accept the revisions to School Committee Policy Book
Section 1 as presented. Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a roll call vote,
the ayes have it, 7-0.
§
New Business
Central Registration
Director of English Language Education Beth Hallett presented on the Office of
Central Registration. Central Registration’s mission is to provide enrollment
services for all new immigrant families whose first language is not English and
assist in registering their students for school, including language assessment for
English Learners in the Quincy Public Schools. Increases have been seen each
year, with 300 new students having registered through Central Registration to
date this school year. Data of registrations by school and grade was shared, with
the largest concentration of students at Kindergarten and Grade 1, although there
are a large number of students enrolling for high school. More than half of new
students are classified as Level 1 English Learners.
Due to the growing numbers and changing populations, in the last two years,
Central Registration has increased staff and hours to be open every day. Central
Registration has two full time staff members and six part-time staff members. In
addition, the Quincy Asian Resource Outreach Director visits twice per week to
provide information and consultation on specific community resources and
language assistance.
Registration Administrator Nikoletta Pratt reviewed the process which begins
with scheduling an appointment with a new family and reviewing the list of
required documents. Forms are completed with the family during the intake
process, along with a family interview, a process that can take two or more hours,
including copies of supporting documentation and preparation of a Cumulative
Record Folder. Central Registration Nurse Patricia Cardarelli reviews student
immunization and physical records, and any follow up needs will be documented
in writing for the family.
New students are assessed for English Language proficiency, which takes 30-45
minutes and may be done simultaneously as the intake process is being done with
parents. The WIDA ACCESS Placement Test is the tool used and places students in
one of six levels. Students who place between Levels 1 and 5 will receive English
Language instruction. There are additional assessments for incoming High School
students, a wordless mathematics tests and an additional writing sample.
Parents with outstanding documents or tasks may return at any time to complete
registration. Families who cannot provide two valid proofs of residency will be
visited by one of the Attendance Officers prior to registration being completed,
including possible night visits. Once registration is complete, information is
entered into Aspen as a pre-registration and then the student folder is released to
the school for scheduling and the student’s start of school.
Ms. Hallett reiterated that an important part of the Central Registration mission is
to Welcome English Learners and their families. The staff can provide language
assistance and outside resources are available for other languages as needed.
Each family receives a grade-level appropriate Welcome Folder, including
translated instructions on accessing Aspen. Thanks to the Quincy School
Community Partnership, each new student receives a backpack and school
supplies. Continued support to new families is provided by the Family Liaison
who contacts families after two weeks to discuss how the transition has gone.
Mrs. Lebo complimented the team, noting how much the process has evolved.
Mrs. Lebo asked about students with limited or interrupted formal education
(SLIFE). These students sometimes arrive with no records, so grade placement
can be tricky. At the high school level, classes are mixed with students from
Grades 9-12, but students must accumulate the number of credits needed to
graduate. At the elementary and middle school level, students are placed
according to their age as much as possible, with extra supports. Mrs. Lebo asked
about students with missing documentation and the allowable time that can
elapse without a student being in school. Ms. Pratt said they work to get students
into school as quickly as possible.
Mr. Bregoli is concerned about the residency issue. Ms. Pratt said that since many
families are newly arrived, they do not have bank accounts or utility bills, so
multiple residency visits will be performed including night visits. Most new
families require home visits. Mr. Bregoli would like to see the RV1, RV2, and RV3
forms highlight the law about residency more prominently. Mrs. Lebo asked if we
ever follow up requesting documentation when is it is available. Ms. Pratt said she
believes that this is done at the school level.
Mrs. Mahoney noted that residency checks are done for many new Quincy
families, not just those registering through Central Registration. Mrs. Mahoney
asked about summer availability. Ms. Hallett said Central Registration is closed
from the end of the school year through mid-August.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked the Central Registration for the streamlined process, the
transition and support provided is so important for families. We have improved
incredibly in the last few years.
§
New Business
Budget Transfer
Dr. DeCristofaro reviewed that the Quincy Teen Mothers Program has been
dissolved and remaining funds are available to transfer to the Quincy Public
Schools budget to cover the anticipated staffing deficit for 3.0 positions, including
the transfer of the nursing position to Central Middle School and to work with
unaccompanied youth. Mayor Koch has approved this transfer of $172,000.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to accept the Quincy Teen Mothers Program funds
transfer and apply $172,000 to the salary line of the FY2017 budget. Mrs. Hubley
seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it 7-0.
§
The next item on the agenda, the Advanced Placement Pathway update will be
deferred to an upcoming Teaching & Learning meeting.
§
New Business
Milton Public Schools to
Join the SSEC (Vote)
Mayor Koch made a motion to support Milton Public Schools joining the South
Shore Educational Collaborative. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll
call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
§
New Business
Out of the Country
Travel
Mr. DeAmicis made a motion to approve the April 12-20, 2017 Out of the Country
Travel of North Quincy High School to Florence, Venice, and Rome, Italy. Mayor
Koch seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
New Business
Out of State Travel
(Overnight)
Mr. DeAmicis made a motion to approve the May 31-June 2, 2017 Out of State
travel of Sterling Middle School Grade 8 to New York City, New York. The motion
was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
New Business
Overnight Travel
(In-State)
Mrs, Hubley made a motion to approve the Overnight Travel (In-State) of Quincy
High School Student Council to the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils
Conference in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Mr. DeAmicis seconded the motion and on
a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. DeAmicis made a motion to approve the June 14-16, 2017 Overnight travel of
Central Middle School Grade 7 to Camp Wing, Duxbury, Massachusetts. The
motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
Additional Business
As there was no Additional Business, School Committee moved to the next item on
the agenda.
§
Communications
Upcoming meetings were announced: School Committee on January 25, 2017 and
February 8, 2017, at the Coddington Building at 6:30 pm.
Upcoming Subcommittee meetings were announced: Quarterly Budget & Finance
Subcommittee on January 18, 2017 at 5:00 pm, followed by Policy at 5:15 pm and
Facilities & Security at 5:30 pm. Teaching & Learning will meet on January 30,
2017 at 5:00 pm. Policy will meet on February 6, 2017 at 5:00 pm, followed by
Health, Transportation & Safety at 6:00 pm.
§
Reports of
Subcommittees
Mr. Bregoli noted that all School Committee and Subcommittee meeting minutes
are posted online at www.quincypublicschools.com.
Special Education
Mrs. Mahoney reported on the January 4, 2017 Special Education Subcommittee
meeting. Special Education Director Erin Perkins, Sarah Anderson, and Madeline
Roy presented Special Education pathways for Elementary, Middle, and High
School students.
As there were no corrections, the minutes for the January 4, 2017 Special
Education Subcommittee meeting were approved as presented.
§
Executive Session
Mayor Koch made a motion for School Committee to go to Executive Session to
discuss the Superintendent’s Contract at 8:10 pm. Mrs. Hubley seconded the
motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
Mayor Koch noted that School Committee would return to the Regular Meeting at
the conclusion of Executive Session.
School Committee returned to Regular Session at 9:15 pm.
§
Adjournment
Mayor Koch made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 9:15 p.m. The motion
was seconded by Mrs. Lebo and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.