Minutes
Quincy, MASSACHUSETTS – February 7, 2024
--------
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
Vice-Chair Presiding
A meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room at the Coddington Building. Superintendent Kevin Mulvey called the roll and present were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, School Committee Chair and School Committee Members Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Courtney Perdios, and School Committee Vice Chair Mrs. Tina Cahill.
Also present were: Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Mr. Nick Ahearn, Ms. Christine Barrett, Ms. Kim Connolly, Mr. Rick DeCristofaro, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms. Kathleen Mahoney, Mr. Michael Marani, Ms. Courtney Mitchell, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Mr. Keith Segalla, Ms. Aliza Schneller, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri, Ms. Bridget Vaughan; NQHS Student Representative Amy Tan; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
School Committee observed a moment of silence for the following Quincy Public Schools retiree who passed away recently: Harold Crowley, 32 years as an elementary and middle school teacher at the Quincy Elementary School, Snug Harbor Community School, and Broad Meadows Middle School.
Mrs. Cahill read the following statement into the record: Pursuant to the Open Meeting Law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unperceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible.
§
Approval of Minutes
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting for January 24, 2024. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
Open Forum
Ms. Owens read a letter from the Snug Harbor PTO with concerns about accessibility for SAFIS fingerprinting impeding the recruitment of volunteers.
§
Superintendent’s
Report
Superintendent Mulvey opened the Superintendent’s Report by recognizing the Quincy Public Schools Project 351 Ambassadors for 2024: Broad Meadows: Gianna Beck; Central: Naraya Dasilva; Point Webster: Dafny Rodrigues Campos; South~West: Rorie Routhier; Atlantic: Nathan Wang. The students each shared about their experiences on the Day of Service on Saturday, January 13.
Superintendent Mulvey also recognized a Student~Athlete, North Quincy senior Basketball captain Ava Bryan who scored her 1,000th career point last week. Ava is the 11th Basketball player in North Quincy High School history to reach this milestone.
On Friday, March 22, the Quincy High School Women’s Athletic Hall of Fame will host the Induction Ceremony for this year’s class at the Tirrell Room at 7:00 pm. Please contact Point Webster Middle School Principal Christine Barrett for more information about this event.
Congratulations to High School Concert Choir students William Caberoy, Matthew Hollatz, Devereux Fuller, and Michael Romeo, and Band students Anders Eshelman, Alvin Nikola, Owen Veith, Fanny Yang, and Justin Zhao for their participation in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Eastern District Senior Festival. After undergoing a competitive audition process in November, these students were selected to perform with other top-ranking high school musicians from over 30 school districts in Eastern Massachusetts. The Senior District Festival took place at Milton High School on January 5 and 6 and ended with a concert that featured performances from the Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Mixed Chorus. Matthew Hollatz and Owen Veith were selected to perform at the upcoming MMEA All-State Music Festival at Symphony Hall in March.
Superintendent Mulvey completed his report by noting that registration for the 2024-2025 School Year is underway for all grade levels. The online links for families to pre-register are posted on the Quincy Public Schools website. Pre-registered families will be contacted by school secretaries and Central Registration to schedule registration appointments before and after the February break.
§
Old Business
School Committee
Policy 2.5.7
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to amend the proposed revision to School Committee Policy 2.5.7 School Committee-Staff Communications by adding “official” between “All” and “communication” in the first sentence of the second paragraph. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gutro.
On the motion, Mrs. Hubley said that School Committee’s legal counsel approved the change.
On a roll call vote, the ayes have it 7-0.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the revised School Committee Policy 2.5.7 School Committee-Staff Communications as amended. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion.
On the motion, Mrs. Perdios said that she agrees with the amendment, but will vote against the Policy revision.
Mrs. Lebo reminded School Committee that this policy revision has been adopted by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and was recommended by legal counsel.
On a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 6-1. Mr. Bregoli, Mrs. Cahill, Mr. Gutro, Mrs. Hubley, Mrs. Lebo, and Mayor Koch voted YES. Mrs. Perdios voted NO
§
New Business
Chronic Absenteeism
Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Senior Director of Student Support Services, and Curriculum Director Michael Marani presented an update on the Quincy Public Schools initiatives to reduce Chronic Absenteeism for students who are missing at least 10% of the days enrolled, regardless of the reason for absence. Although students may be excused from absences for medical and other reasons within Quincy Public Schools, the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) does not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences.
DESE provides annual targets for reducing Chronic Absenteeism; in the Superintendent’s Goal, Quincy Public Schools is aiming at a higher rate: reducing absenteeism by 2% (from a base of 14.9%) in Grades K-8 and 3% (from a base of 26.2%) in Grades 9-12. Action steps include positive school-wide campaigns to promote attendance awareness; early interventions for students who are beginning to show signs of chronic absenteeism; specific individual interventions for students having the most trouble getting to school every day; and targeted interventions for identified subgroups of students struggling with attendance.
In comparing data from the 2021-2022 and 2022-23 school years, the rate of Chronic Absenteeism decreased by 2.1% with improvement for most subgroups for students in Grades 1-8. At the high school level, there was a 4.7% decrease in Chronic Absenteeism, but several subgroups have very high rates even with improvement in the last school year. Preliminary data for the current school year (through January 4) was shared. In analyzing this data, students who may benefit from interventions and recovery initiatives are being identified and may avoid being labeled Chronically Absent.
District and school-wide initiatives include the partnership with the Boston Celtics All-Star program (supported by Arbella Insurance) at all five middle schools that encourages perfect attendance and on-time school arrival. Some elementary schools also have a LEAP (Learner, Engagement, and Attendance Partnership) Team focused on providing positive/pleasant interactions with families to help them understand the impact of school absences; creating attendance incentives; recognizing students with perfect attendance; building relationships with students and families, positive reinforcement. Schools are tracking attendance and interventions/interactions with students and families.
The Supervisors of Attendance collaborate with the school sites once they have identified students at risk of being Chronically Absent. At the school sites, they attend Attendance Hearings with families to determine the barriers to school attendance and provide supportive assistance. Next steps include Family Assistance Conferences (collaborative to prevent truancy, involves DCF, Juvenile Probation, and therapeutic supports). Filing a Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) Petition is the next step when family assistance interventions are not successful and Home Visits are offered (sometimes resulting in a referral to crisis intervention). If a student leaves school (with or without parent permission), there are multiple attempts to re-engage, re-enroll, and assist with credit recovery and enrolling in alternate programs like Evening High School, PASS, or GOALS.
When students have missed a significant amount of school days, there are paths to re-engaging students in the learning process that count towards attendance recovery. For example, one on one or small group tutoring, Acceleration Academy programs, and online credit recovery courses are all options. Attendance recovery takes place outside of the school year and must be a minimum of four hours of instruction in a day. These individualized recovery modules will be standalone content, offered on Saturdays, early release days, and April vacation.
Mr. Bregoli asked about the Attendance Staff, there are three full-time staff members (one is on leave this year) and an additional part-time person doing initial residency verification.
Mr. Bregoli asked if the recovery program will be offered to middle school, Mr. Marani said it will be offered for elementary, middle, and high school.
Mr. Bregoli asked about funding, Ms. Perkins said that the funds are available from the summer programming budget line. Mr. Marani is applying for grant funding as well.
Mr. Bregoli asked about students who have missed so much school that they cannot move on to the next grade level. Ms. Perkins said that these students may need extra services in addition to curriculum supports.
Mr. Bregoli suggested that partnering with the New England Revolution might be an incentive for students interested in soccer.
Mrs. Lebo asked for and received confirmation that all middle schools are participating in the Celtics All-Star program and how the recovery will be credited.
Mrs. Lebo asked about the module development, the Curriculum Team is collaborating with teachers.
Mrs. Hubley asked about the absenteeism for subgroups. Ms. Papile said that at the high school level, students might prefer or need to work during the day, so the Quincy Evening High School program is an option. Ms. Perkins said the older high school newcomer EL population does not always feel connected to the school. We are looking at options around providing interpretation support for hands-on CVTE programs.
Mrs. Hubley asked if the attendance incentives are causing students to come to school when they are ill. Ms. Perkins said Health Services Coordinator Ms. Huwar said we should be encouraging students who are borderline to come to school and be evaluated by the nurse.
Mr. Gutro asked how many students were chronically absent in the last school year; approximately 1,800 students (26% of approximately 3000 high school students and 15% of approximately 6000 Grades 1-8 students).
Mr. Gutro suggested addressing the absenteeism issue from the district level to the start of the school year.
Mrs. Perdios asked if some schools have no Chronic Absenteeism, Ms. Perkins said every school has an issue, some have a higher level than others.
Mrs. Perdios asked about absenteeism and high school class grades, Ms. Perkins said there is often an overlap between absenteeism and students not doing their work. Students who fail classes are not doing so solely because of attendance.
Mrs. Perdios asked for information on how the recovery materials will be tailored to student needs. Mr. Marani said the modules will be focused on foundational skills that students need to be successful for subsequent years of education.
Mrs. Perdios is concerned about students not having the programs at their home schools, traveling to other locations might be an impediment to student participation.
Mrs. Perdios asked about high school specifics, Mr. Marani said the online Acellus program would be available for students to use at school while supervised.
Mrs. Cahill said this is a complicated and layered issue, the school system cannot solve all of the issues a family may face. The vast majority of students come to school every day and are successful.
Mrs. Lebo suggested a letter from the Health Services department emphasizing that they are partners to families with health issues might be helpful.
Mrs. Lebo asked for clarification, students are not held out of CVTE programs due to a language barrier, but that can be a barrier to student success. Mrs. Lebo said a potential detriment is for the students entering Quincy High School after Grade 9, they miss the overview program.
Mrs. Lebo would like to revisit the Attendance Policy around absenteeism and grading. (This is in the Policy Subcommittee for review.)
Mrs. Cahill asked if siblings have similar absenteeism issues. Ms. Papile said that can be true, but not all of the siblings are impacted by this in the same way. Some can miss school, but still get their work done and have good grades.
Ms. Tan said that some students feel stressed and if a student starts to fall behind, the prospect of the work that needs to be done to catch up becomes overwhelming.
Ms. Tan asked about the connection between absenteeism and leaving school, Ms. Papile said that students who don’t attend regularly are more likely to drop out.
§
New Business
Early Literacy Screening
Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Special Education Director Julie Graham, and Coordinator of ELA Bridget Vaughan presented an overview of the Early Literacy Screening regulations for Kindergarten through Grade 3 students. The new regulation took effect in January 2019 with the goal of identifying neurological learning disabilities, including dyslexia. The guidelines provide a set of screening guidelines for all students, a framework of intervention for students at risk, and a comprehensive resource of evidence-based practices to support students at risk. Beginning with this school year, all Kindergarten through Grade 3 students are required to be administered the Early Literacy Screener mCLASS to prevent reading difficulties through instructional pacing, intensity, differentiations, and targeted intervention. Outreach to parents was through a Parent Academy and the Citywide Parent Council meeting. Parents also receive the screening results and customized suggestions of how to help the student at home. DESE’s recommendation is to screen students twice per year, but Quincy Public Schools screens at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. Following the assessment, the data is reviewed at Integrated Learning Team meetings and interventions are customized for student needs.
Mrs. Perdios asked how it is determined that an EL student may have learning struggles, Ms. Perkins said Central Registration assists with a social screening and parent interview. There are also options to assess students in their native language.
Ms. Tan asked if there are options to rescreen if a student is having a bad day. Ms. Vaughan said there are opportunities for rescreening if it seems like a score does not make sense.
§
New Business
Referral of New IEP
Format to the Special
Education
Subcommittee
Mrs. Perdios made a motion to move New Individualized Education Program format to the Special Education Subcommittee. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
New Business
Referral of Student
Travel to Budget &
Finance Subcommittee
Mrs. Perdios made a motion to move Student Travel Costs to the Budget & Finance Subcommittee. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
New Business
Overnight/In State
Travel (VOTE)
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the Overnight Travel/In State of Quincy High School Business Students to the DECA Competion, Massachusetts from March 28-April 1, 2024. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Overnight Travel/In State of North Quincy High School Business Students to the DECA Competion, Massachusetts from March 28-April 1, 2024. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Lebo and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
Additional Business
Mr. Gutro asked for Chronic Absenteeism and SAFIS (fingerprinting) issue to be referred to the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee, so these will appear on the next Regular Meeting Agenda for referral.
§
Communications
Mrs. Cahill noted upcoming School Committee Regular Meetings on March 6 and March 20, and April 10, 2024 at 6:30 pm at the Coddington Building.
Upcoming Subcommittee Meetings on February 28, 2024 at 6:00 pm: Joint Special Education and Teaching & Learning.
§
Reports of
Subcommittees
Mrs. Cahill noted that Subcommittee minutes are posted on the Quincy Public Schools website in the School Committee section.
Mrs. Lebo reviewed the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee meeting held on January 31, 2024 where the ST Math program, an overview of Assessments, and the differences between the MCAS and MAP was reviewed
As there were no corrections to the minutes of the January 31, 2024 Teaching & Learning Subcommittees, the minutes were approved.
§
Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
§
Adjournment
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bregoli and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§