Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - December 12, 2007
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
December 12, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present
were Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Linda Stice, Mr. Jim
Timmins, Mr. Dave McCarthy, Mayor Phelan, and Ms. Elaine Dwyer, Vice
Chairman.
Vice Chairman Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and all members were present. Also
present were: Drs. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, Mrs. Tefta Burrelli
Clerk. Dr. Pattavina, Messrs. O’Brien, Walsh, McPhee, Canavan,
Kevin and Keith Segalla, Ms. Powell, Hughes, and Roberts. Mrs. Jo-Ann
Bragg and Paul Phillips, QEA President, were present.
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Reg.Mins Approved 11/28/2007
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved the regular session minutes for November 28, 2008. The ayes
have it.
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Mr. DePaulo Recognized/ Sterling Auditorium named after Mr. DePaulo
At this time, Mrs. Mahoney introduced her uncle, Mr. George DePaulo,
who recently retired from the Quincy Public Schools after working as a
custodian for over 30 years at Sterling. Mrs. Mahoney made a motion,
seconded by Mr. McCarthy, to name the auditorium at the Reay E. Sterling
Middle School the “George H. DePaulo Auditorium” after Mr. DePaulo.
On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0. Mr. DePaulo,
his wife, children, grandchildren, relatives, and staff from Sterling were
present.
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Supt’s. Report
After a brief recess, where everybody congratulated Mr. DePaulo and
his family, the meeting went on with the business at hand. The
Superintendent recognized former Superintendent Eugene W. Creedon
who was present. He congratulated Mr. Jim Timmins who was named
City Solicitor for Quincy. The Committee received the Winter Sports
Schedule and the Winter Institute booklet.
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Open Forum
Ms. Linda Perry, President of QPAC, thanked Mayor Phelan, Linda Stice
and Jim Timmins for listening to parents and wished them all the best.
Former School Committee Member, Christine Cedrone was present to
thank Ms. Stice for all the work she has done on the School Committee
and for helping Ms. Cedrone when she was on the Committee. She also
thanked Mayor Phelan and Mr. Timmins.
Roseanne Russell, representing Citywide, thanked the three members
for their years of service. They thanked Mr. Timmins for being an
independent voice, the Mayor for his emphasis on literacy and Ms. Stice
for her work on small class size.
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Bldg. Update
Mr. Joe Canavan reported that Maintenance installed cabinets, shelving, and
painted at Coddington Hall. The Athletic and Food Services Departments
were moved to Coddington Hall. Counters have been installed for a new
computer lab in the Parker school. Projects have been lined up for vacation
week.
Mayor Phelan requested that the red rug at North Quincy High School be
replaced with tiles in the near future. Mr. Canavan said he will do what he can.
Mr. McCarthy asked Mr. Canavan to check out the North Quincy High School
gym floor. He had heard there was bubbling on the floor.
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New QHS
There was nothing to report on the New Quincy High School.
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Central Middle School
The Committee received a letter from the MSBA on Central. A meeting with
the MSBA will be scheduled in the next few weeks to discuss the feasibility study.
The Mayor asked Mr. Timmins if the Central Middle School group had met
as a group. Mr. Timmins answered that it was quasi-formed. There are some
interested parents, but no meetings. Mrs. Dwyer asked that between now and
January 7 we form a new Central building committee. However, Mrs. Mahoney
said the Statement of Interest and knowing that the rules weren’t labeled as far
as what the SBA wants us to do. She contacted the SBA and we have to meet
with the SBA. They will reach out to the Superintendent. They have rules
who should be on that committee. They are not ironed out yet --community,
School Committee, City Council. Mr. Timmins said so far he has Mrs. Mahoney
the Central principal and himself on the committee.
The Superintendent spoke with MSBA. We should get a call within two
weeks relative to a meeting in Boston. They will tell us who should be
at that meeting. Mrs. Mahoney will being charge of that committee.
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Supts. Evaluation
Mr. Timmins said the Superintendent’s evaluation was completed for the
past year. They have developed a format and a process to move forward.
For the past academic year the Superintendent met or exceeded the expectations
of the Committee in all categories. There are some system-wide issues that
followed from the EQA report and our own observations that need some work.
They congratulated the Superintendent for a great job.
Evaluation Approved
Mr. Timmins made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, that the evaluation that they have tendered for the past academic year (2006-2007) be approved.
The ayes have it.
Supt’s Contract Approved
Mr. McCarthy made a motion, seconded by Mr. Timmins, to approve the
Superintendent’s contract from November 1, 2007 to October 31, 2010. On a
roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.
Mr. Timmins explained the different criteria that the Superintendent was
evaluated on. The EQA report helped them identify system-wide areas and
it identified five major categories that they focused on. They came up with a
format for the evaluation. The categories are: – communications with the
School Committee, professional leadership, management of personnel,
communication and public relations, and fiscal planning and management.
We came up with ideas on how to link these categories with the District
Improvement Plan and other School Committee goals. We closed the book
on last year, but the book is open on this year.
The Mayor said the Superintendent has communicated well with the School
Committee, in dealing with parents, and his dealings with the mayor were
always very responsive. He said the Committee and students are fortunate
to have him as the Superintendent.
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Sterling to Montreal
On a motion by Mrs. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved the trip for Sterling Middle School to go to Montréal on from May 30
to June 1, 2008. The ayes have it.
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NQ to London/Paris
On a motion by Mr. Mulvey, seconded by Ms. Stice, the Committee approved
the trip for North Quincy students to go to London and Paris from April 18 to
April 27, 2008. The ayes have it.
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Under additional business, Mr. Mulvey thanked Mr. Keith Segalla for a very
successful Lego Robotics competition of which Mr. Mulvey was a judge on the
academic portion of the competition. There were 42 teams. He thanked Gillette,
the staff, and security who donated their time.
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Budget Transfer
Mr. McCarthy made a motion, seconded by Mayor Phelan, to transfer
$2,425,097 from the Tuition line with $492,988 going to the line reserved
for negotiated increases - the 1% retroactive pay for the teachers.
The remaining $l,932,209 to be transferred into the Acquisition of
Instructional Equipment, technology (from the closets out to the desk tops).
The Mayor explained that the Department of Education allows cities
and town to run a deficit without affecting the free cash. This gives us
an opportunity now to have a one time infusion for technology needs in
the school department. On the City side, the Mayor intends to increase
that amount of money with revenue that will be utilized to enhance the
Comcast grant that the City receives. The Mayor asked, however, that
along with the needs of technology, that we allocate some portion of that
revenue towards increasing the number of books in all 11 media centers.
Mr. Timmins said they discussed this in subcommittee but his concern
is that he wants to make sure if we spend the money that the Circuit
Breaker money does come in.
The Mayor answered this is money already pledged and allocated by
the state to be paid on certain dates. This money has already been
appropriated.
Mr. Mullaney said that we submitted what we paid in FY07 to the
Department of Education. They are reimbursing at a 72% rate with
a 3% hold back that will be paid after auditors finish up. The total
amount we have been assured is $2,425,097. We have received our
first quarterly payment and will receive three more. That is the way
the law is written. Mr. Mullaney had copies of the law.
Mr. McCarthy restated his motion to take $2,425,097 from the tuition
line and transfer $492,988 to reserved negotiation for increases line for the
1% and $1,198,109 go to the line of acquisitions of instructional equipment
with a caveat that it is for technology and that we look at the elementary
libraries to make sure that we take care of their needs. Also, the Superintendent
and his team put together a complete technology plan in the first quarter of
2008. We will take a look at the outline and make sure the money stays there
and doesn’t go anywhere until we approve the technology plan from the closet
out, not in the closet, in the first quarter 2008. The ayes have it.
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Track Letter
Mrs. Dwyer received a letter from Mr. Christopher J. Meyers who asked
that it be read into the record:
Dear School Committee Chairperson Dwyer:
I would like to request that you introduce the following letter into
the record of the Quincy school Committee:
I am contacting you to request your assistance with regards to the
construction of the approved track facility at Pageant Field. As you
know, this approved track facility has received all required approvals
from both the Park and Recreation Board and the City Council. The
City has been without a regulation track for too long!
The has had the following impact to the track programs:
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The combined Quincy/North Quincy High School Track
Teams must hold all meets away this season. The increased
fuel costs for transportation needs to be considered at this time
of record fuel prices.
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The middle school track program has been relocated to
Cavanaugh Field which lacks sufficient parking, bleachers,
and space for this program.
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The Quincy Track Club must utilize Cavanaugh Field which
lacks sufficient parking, bleachers, and space for this
program.
Please urge the Mayor’s Office and/or the Mayor-Elect to take all necessary
steps required to begin construction of the approved track facility at Pageant
Field as soon as possible.
Your support will allow the track athletes in the City to have the same
type of new sports facilities as other sports already have.
Sincerely,
Christopher J. Meyers.
Mayor Phelan said it was his belief that the track should go on Pageant
Field. It is designed and ready to go, however, it would be irresponsible to
move forward. Mr. Timmins said it is his understanding that the Mayor-elect
will be looking at the track. He commended Mayor Phelan for putting
the breaks on.
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Policy Subcommittee/Agenda Books
Ms. Stice reported that the Policy Subcommittee met on December 5. They
discussed agenda books. After considerable discussion, Mrs. Mahoney moved
that the cost of agenda books for grades 4-8 be offered as part of the text and
learning line for each school beginning in the 08-09 school year; that no school
will have their text and learning line reduced because of this addition and that
the grades in which agenda books shall be used is a decision for each elementary
school principal to make for his or her school. Mr. Mulvey seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously. It was noted that this does not required principals
who do not use agenda books at the fourth grade level to do so. Agenda books
will continue to be used as principals see fit with PTOs funding the books for
grades younger than fourth grade, should they wish to do so.
Student Fees
The members discussed fees charged at the elementary and middle schools and
the concern that some children are unable to participate in activities due to an
inability to pay. The Superintendent will address this issue with the principals
of the middle school. His goal is to plan trips that will allow 100% participation
for those children who wish to go. Ms. Stice made a motion, seconded by Mr.
Mulvey, that at the elementary level, a statement noting that “parents should
contact their principal if they have difficulty paying a fee” will appear on every
notice sent to parents that involves a fee of any kind; and that such a statement
should be created by the elementary school principals.
Ms. Stice noted that there are four other issues on the Policy Subcommittee agenda:
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Policy Manual - Ms. Stice noted that she has kept all of the notes
from meetings regarding the policy manual and will keep them in
case they may be of use to future members of the committee.
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Vending machines in schools: as explained in the minutes of the
October 17, 2007 subcommittee meeting, the contract that Brockton
has with Coca-Cola is in Mr. Mullaney’s hands for review.
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Safe Schools policy (i.e. “bullying” policy) the initial draft is being
reviewed by principals and will be brought back to the subcommittee
with their input.
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Student records/transfers: Mrs. Powell is prepared to make a report
to the Policy Subcommittee to answer questions.
Mr. Mulvey wanted elementary principals to be explicit with their statement
regarding fees. He asked that they tie the assistance into the free and reduced
lunches. Mayor Phelan agreed and also the Quincy Partnership could be
approached for some sort of fund for purposes of funding those students.
The Committee asked that the Superintendent look into that (tying it into
the free and reduced lunches). The motion remains on the table.
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mayor Phelan, the Committee
approved the December 5, 2007 minutes of the Policy Subcommittee.
The ayes have it.
Ms. Stice reminded the members that there are three items they wished
the Superintendent to address:
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Status of gifted and talented
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A way to look at in-house programs for SPED program that go outside.
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Grade configuration.
Ms. Dwyer suggested an ad hoc subcommittee to talk about and come up
with a collaborative effort to look at these three issues.
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SC Recognition
At this time, the Superintendent, thanked Ms. Stice and Mayor Phelan for
all their work on the committee. Mrs. Dwyer, Mr. Mulvey, Mrs. Mahoney
Mr. McCarthy thanked them for all their work on the Committee.
Mrs. Bragg and former Superintendent, Mr. Eugene Creedon, thanked them.
Mr. Timmins thanked them for the great service to the City and the Mayor
for his funding.
Mayor Phelan and Ms. Stice thanked everyone for their kind words.
The members received gifts from the Superintendent and his team.
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Retirements
The Committee noted the following retirements:
Dept. Chair-Science: Mary Young
Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Teacher: Rena Tobias
Lunch Attendants: Loredana Flynn, Maureen Ford, Mary Joyce, Jean Keough
Appointments
The Committee noted the following appointments:
Teachers: Shawn Flaherty, Lauren Pritchard, Casey Tate
Lunch Attendants: Andersone Jeumain, Maureen Meade, Pannuan Satasook, Kathleen Will
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Adjournment
On a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned for
the evening at 9:58 p.m. On a roll call vote, the motion passed
unanimously 7-0. There was no executive session.