Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - April 11, 2007
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
April 11, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were
Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Dave McCarthy, Ms. Linda
Stice, Mr. Jim Timmins, and Ms. Elaine Dwyer, Vice Chairman.
Vice Chairman Presiding
The Superintendent called the roll and Mayor Phelan was absent. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, and Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk; Drs.
Mariano and Pattavina. Messrs. O’Brien, Ryan, Walsh, McPhee, Keith Segalla,
and Mullaney; Ms. Powell, Lebo, Hughes, and Roberts. Mr. Brawley represented
Citywide and Quincy High Associate Member, Paige Newman.
Reg. Session. Mins. Approved 3/21/2007
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mr. Timmins, the Committee
approved the regular session minutes for March 21, 2007. On a roll call vote,
the motion passed 6-0. Mayor Phelan was absent.
Supts. Report
School concerts and performances will be ongoing for April, May, and June.
Members are invited to attend as may performances as they can. The next
Partnership event is the POPS Concert on May 10 at the Marriott featuring
the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and our John Adams Orchestra.
Mr. Keith Segalla gave the final report on this year’s Literacy Matters
Program. The members watched a short film by Brian Smith of the students
participating in the Program. Ms. Robin Marrera, who ran the program, said
she received great feedback on the program.
Robotics Update
Ms. Emily Lebo, Director of Technical Education, showed a video by
Brian Smith of the Robotics competition. The students and instructors
were present with the robot and put on a demonstration. The students
had received several awards. The Committee presented a Certificate of
Appreciation to the Gillette engineers who were present with the students.
Gillette, a Partner, has been providing funds and engineers for ten years.
They have since hired several of the students. The members thanked the
Gillette engineers for their time and support to the students.
The Children’s Museum has invited the students and robot to do a
presentation on April 19 and 20. This is a very big honor as they
will be there representing the school system.
Mrs. Lebo also spoke to our Articulation Agreements with several
colleges. An Articulation Agreement states that course work completed
in high school is equal to college credit. This is a wonderful
opportunity for students.
With regard to the Renewable Energy grant, Mrs. Lebo has met with the
architects and the City Council. They are going to put together a
presentation for the neighbors. They want to make sure everyone is
comfortable with it before moving slowly forward.
Mayor arrives at 7:40 p.m.
Vertical Teams
Mrs. Colleen Roberts updated the Committee on the status of the Vertical
Teams. The Special Ed and Curriculum departments sponsor two vertical
teams per subject per year. They meet as elementary and middle school
team and middle and high school teams. The purpose is to work closely
on the transitioning of students who move from one school or level to the
next and to reflect on student IEPs. The academic teams set goals for the
following year. Goals are discussed and action steps are determined.
Each vertical team ends the school year with a product. Recommendations
for text purchases are also made. All agendas and notes are posted on the
QPS website. Teachers have indicated that these meetings are very valuable
and worthwhile.
Open Forum
Mr. Henry Brawley, Citywide, said that Citywide supports a full health
curriculum system-wide. Recognizing that budget and other considerations
make it difficult to offer it system-wide, they ask that the high school get
a full health curriculum first.
Bldg. Update
Mr. Joe Canavan reported that Maintenance is still doing heating calls.
The Squantum PA system will be done in the next couple of weeks.
Maintenance is lining up projects for the vacation week. Mrs. Mahoney
inquired about the ramp being done at Atlantic. Mr. Canavan spoke with
the commissioner who said that should be completed during school vacation.
Dave McCarthy inquired about the lights at the Marshall School. Mr.
Canavan answered that they have been ordered and are waiting for them
to come in. With regard to the vandalism, Mr. McPhee reported that it is
still happening. He will continue the vigil there.
New QHS
Mr. Mike Ryan reported that progress continues on the new Quincy High
School. On April 13 he expects submission from the three contractors.
Interviews are scheduled for April 26. The Building Committee is now
working on landscaping and exterior design.
Mrs. Dwyer reported that they have met with SMMA’s interior designer.
They visited four schools -- Bridgewater Raynham, Marblehead, Squamscott,
and Somerville to look at rugs, materials, wood, etc. They should
be finished choosing colors, woods, tiles, etc. after one more meeting.
Mr. Ryan passed out an updated schedule from Tishman. The next big
hurdle is the completion of the construction documents for the mechanical
room. Drawings will be in the first week in May. They are pre-purchasing
some of the long lead equipment to support the mechanical room.
Mr. Timmins asked for a Building Needs Subcommittee meeting. He would
like more information about particulars. He recently became aware of
developments on the track and on Coddington Hall closing. He would like
to have a subcommittee meeting prior to the main meetings so members can
get their questions answered. He would like to be informed so he can
answer questions from the public before they do a presentation. Although
the Building Committee has a handle on the progress, he has some
concerns and issues he would like answered.
Mrs. Dwyer answered that they are anticipating a public presentation the
second week in May. She suggested a subcommittee meeting the week
of the 7th.
Mr. Ryan said that Woodward Ave will be closed on June 15. The City
Solicitor will handle the notification. He has met numerous times with
Keyspan.
Mrs. Mahoney asked for the March Building Committee meeting notes.
Mr. Ryan passed out an informational binder regarding the Statement of
Interest forms for Sterling and Central. Last week he met with the MSBA
staff--Christine Nolan., Matt Donovan and Richard Gill. The major goal
was to make sure the documentation submitted was complete. It is
complete, they have all the documents they need to this point. Quincy has
fulfilled its obligations to date. Quincy is at Phase one, Step one. On
August 1, they will review and contact cities and towns.
Mr. Timmins asked that beginning in the fall, under Old Business, “Update
on Central and Sterling” be kept on as an agenda item.
The Mayor asked Mr. Ryan to contact Anne McLaughlin as she has a
number of questions relative to the IT Department moving into the
library.
The initial compliance certificate will come from the MSBA and then a
Building Committee will have to be formed for those schools.
Gift
On a motion by Mr. Timmins, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee
accepted a gift of $400 from the Quincy Point Congregational Church to
Project Access Educational Services to Homeless Children. The ayes have it.
Elem. Report Card
Mr. Carini, Mrs. Roberts, Dr. Pattavina, Ms. Greene, Mrs. Hughes and
Dr. Mariano presented the new elementary report card for approval.
The last elementary report card was revised in 1985. This card became
obsolete and was not communicating to parents. There is more information
to report and much has changed since then -- State frameworks, students,
new methods of teaching, literacy has evolved, all new math programs and
MCAS scores. MCAS scores were not being addressed in the old report cards.
A team of teachers, administrators, counselors, and specialists beginning
in 2004 have met and have come up with a new card. The new report card
is aligned with the new curriculum framework. Teachers have site-based
professional development so that teachers understand each category and
students. Mrs. Hughes explained the new grading key -- four is the highest
and one is the lowest. Ms. Todd, Special Ed, explained the section for
students that have an IEP.
This card was reviewed by the parent councils. All of the principals brought
the report card to their school improvement council, PTOs, or both.
With regard to the new scoring, a letter will go out to parents alerting them
that there is a new report card. There is no need to change middle and high
school report cards as they are aligned with the state frameworks.
Mrs. Mahoney suggested that a portfolio go along with the report cards
to back up the grades at the teacher-parent conference. Most teacher already
do that. Also Mr. Timmins questioned some of the terms (Comprehends
Inferentially). However, all of this will be addressed at the conference level.
If parents have any questions, they should go to their principals.
Budget Subcommittee
Mr. Dave McCarthy reported that a Budget Subcommittee was held to
review the Quarterly Report. Mr. Jim Mullaney went over in detail the
individual line items that were highlighted due to overages and shortages.
Mr. McCarthy touched on the expenses. The hiring of kindergarten
teachers and aides for the new all day kindergarten program seems to be
leveling off at this time. We had a difficult time getting bus drivers, however,
this line is coming around. We should be in a good position. The Tuition
line poses a difficult problem. It always seems to be a line item that we
have to struggle with every year due to tuition items that come up. The
utility lines are fine. The rising cost of fuel and electricity is always a
problem. However, that looks like it is on target. With regard to the
transportation line item used to transporting students in and out of the city,
Mr. McCarthy requested through the Superintendent, that over the course
of the summer, we take a hard look cost wise or a difference approach
to see if we can master that line. Mr. Mullaney has put in for extra ordinary
relief in the amount of $200,000. More or less, we are getting close to a
balanced budget by the end of the school year. He thanked Mr. Mullaney
and the Superintendent for tightening the budget. They met several times
with the Mayor to discuss the budget and he was kept informed. It looked
like a struggle, but it looks like its going to come out in fine shape.
Quarterly Approved
On a
motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Anne Mahoney, the Committee
accepted the quarterly budget. The ayes have it.
Trip Approved NQ ROTC to Cincinnati, Ohio
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Ms. Stice, the Committee
approved a trip for the North Quincy JROTC to Cincinnati, Ohio on
April 25 - April 29, 2007. The ayes have it.
Policy Subcommittee
Ms. Stice reported that the Policy Subcommittee met and heard the same
report on the elementary report cards. Regarding the sophisticated concepts
--Comprehends Inferentially--parents do get these report cards at a conference
and teacher do go to Professional Development. Ms. Stice suggested that
teachers have examples ready to explain to parents what comprehending
inferentially means. All in all the Committee’s questions were answered at
the Subcommittee meeting. The old report cards for grades 1-5 don’t fit any
more.
Elem. Report Card
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved the revised report card for grades 1-5. Since this is a policy change,
this item will remain on the table until a final vote at the next meeting. A
kindergarten report card is being developed.
Additional Business
Mrs. Mahoney will schedule a Safety Subcommittee meeting regarding
North Quincy High traffic issues at North Quincy High School.
She requested that Mr. McPhee give general updates on the School Security
checks--the ones that have been done and the status of the schools.
Health Curr. to Subcommittees
Mr. McCarthy asked to refer a health curriculum for the high schools into
the Health, Safety, and Security Subcommittee and also to the Budget
Subcommittee. The ayes have it.
Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Attendants: Janet Barry, Dwight Jayne
Lunch
Paraprofessional: Maryanne McLellan
Appointments
The Committee noted the following appointments:
Lunch Attendants: Diane Cameron, Debra Egan
Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Ms. Stice, the Committee voted to
adjourn at 9:10 p.m. for the evening. There was no executive session. On a roll
call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.