Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - February 6, 2008
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
February 6, 2008 at the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were
Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, Mrs. Elaine
Dwyer, Mayor Tom Koch and Mr. Dave McCarthy, Vice Chairman.
Vice Chairman Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and all members were present. Also
present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, Mrs. Tefta Burrelli
Clerk. Dr. Pattavina, Messrs. O’Brien, Walsh, McPhee, Mullaney, Keith Segalla,
Ms. Powell, Todd, Hughes, and Roberts. Ms. Roseann Russell, represented
Citywide, and Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA President, were present.
The Committee observed a moment of silence for Principal Ann Pegg’s mother
who just passed away.
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Regular Mtg. Mins. Approved 1/23/2008
On a motion by Mr. Mulvey, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the Committee approved
the Regular Session minutes for January 23, 2008. The ayes have it.
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Retirements
The Superintendent announced that Mr. Don Houghton, Principal of the
Squantum Elementary School, and Dr. Allan Osborne, Principal of the Snug
Harbor Community School, will both retire at the end of this school year.
They will appear at a School Committee meeting in June.
Supts. Report
The Annual Partnership Breakfast will be held on Thursday, April 3 in the
Tirrell Room. Evening at the Pops is scheduled for Thursday, May 8. Along
with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra, our Middle School Jazz Band will play.
Proceeds go directly to the Music Department.
The Committee received the Quarterly Attendance by Term Report from
Assistant Superintendent, Richard O’Brien.
Saturday morning programs include Literacy Matters, which services 125
students, Winter Institute, serves over 100 students, Marshall Academy on
Saturdays has 45 students. There are 700 students involved in middle and
high school athletics. Among those students, Rebecca Gorham, a senior at
North Quincy High, reached 1,000 baskets, Doug Scott reached 1,000 points
last week, Emily Malone, Girls Soccer, signed a four year scholarship with
Mercer University.
The Committee also received monthly curriculum newsletters which are sent
out on a regular basis by the schools.
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Open Forum
As no one wished to be heard at the Open Forum, the Committee went on
with the business at hand.
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Building Update
The Superintendent reported that the roof leaks in the Sterling auditorium
were repaired, and Mr. Ryan found no leaks on the entire third floor of the
building. Maintenance repaired an air compressor pump which seized at
Atlantic Middle School. The public address system should be working
within 10-14 days. The elevator at Parker School has been broken.
Parts needed are coming from Canada and should be in this week.
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Joint Convention
The Superintendent announced the Joint Convention with the City Council
and School Committee to choose the new school Committee member
to replaced Jim Timmins, will be held Monday, February 11 at 5:00 p.m.
in the City Council Chambers, City Hall.
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New Quincy High School
Mrs. Dwyer reported that the Quincy High School Building Committee
met on January 29. They welcomed in two new members -- Jim Timmins
and Jim Fatseas. Mr. Gary Cunniff will also be on the Building Committee.
They discussed the cleanup of the contamination spill. Wheatstone explain
Surfactant. The Committee gave Wheatstone the authority to start that
process, which should take two weeks.
Regarding bid alternatives, the Committee voted to accept #1-#7 and they
did not accept #8. They will continue to look for ways to find other
means and come up with the difference in the money. Eugene Caruso
stated that the City needs to release the trade subcontractors and
award the bids to the selected companies. The City Purchasing Department
will work on this. The Committee gave Gilbane permission to go back
to the winning bidders and get started.
There is a meeting, Monday night at 6:30 p.m. for the City Council
Education Committee where they will give a presentation to the
City Council.
Bldg.Nds.Subcommittee name changed
Mrs. Dwyer thought there was some confusion with the name of the
Building Needs Subcommittee and the Building Committees for Quincy
High School and Central. She made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bragg
to change the name of the Building Needs Subcommittee to the School
Facilities Management Subcommittee. The ayes have it.
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Central Middle School
There is a meeting scheduled with the MSBA to discuss Central Middle
School on March 12.
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CASASTART Presentation
Mrs. Janet Powell, Deb Parrish, and Nancy Salerno gave a presentation
on Casastart. Quincy received a grant which provides services to
identified families with children between the ages of 8 and 13. This
grant with the Governor Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities
Act, offers a program committed to strengthening the home and school
partnership. This creates a safe and supportive environment at home
and at school. CASASTART counselors work with parents to
identify the family strengths and areas of need. Two counselors,
Deb Parrish and Nancy Salerno, are assigned to the Snug Harbor
Elementary and Broad Meadows Middle School. They work with
students and their families in collaboration with building administrators,
teachers, and guidance staff.
Sixty-one children have been serviced and 35 families. Attendance rates
and after school activity participation has risen dramatically through
this program. Parents are encouraged and do attend multiple school events.
Quincy was awarded a two-year grant for $300,000. Funding has been
extended for four more years at $120,000 per year. This program has
become a national model. There is a growing state commitment.
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Grant Booklet
The Committee received the 2007-2008 Grant Booklet. Mr. Mullaney
introduced Janice Erler, Keith Segalla, Edie Hughes, Judy Todd, and
Janet Powell who explained the different grants that they had written
and received funding. The total for this year’s grants is $7,596,178.
The School Committee thanked the writers of the grants. Mrs. Bragg
asked Mr. Mullaney to prepare a 5-year spread sheet compiling the
financial matters.
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Robotic Team to Florida
On a motion by Mr. Mulvery, seconded by Mrs. McCarthy, the Committee
approved the out of state travel trip to Orlando, Florida for the Robotics
Team from March 12 to March 16, 2008. The ayes have it.
Sterling to NY
On a motion by Mrs. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved the out of state travel request to New York City for Sterling Middle
School from June 3 to June 4, 2008. The ayes have it.
QHS ROTC to NH
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved the trip request for the Quincy High School ROTC students to
travel to Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire on March 6,
2008. The ayes have it. Mrs. Bragg asked the Superintendent to find out
how the ROTC students are chosen for this. What is the process.
QHS to France/Spain
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved the out of country trip request for Quincy High School students
to go to France and Spain from February 16, 2008 to February 24, 2008.
The ayes have it.
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Voting booths to Policy Subcommittee
Under Additional Business, Mrs. Dwyer made a motion, seconded by Mrs.
Bragg, to put into the Policy Subcommittee moving voting locations
out of the schools between now and next fall. The ayes have it. Mayor
Koch said he was concerned with the safety of people in the school buildings.
It will not be easy to find different locations for voting. He wants to look at
a scheduling issue. It is his feeling that perhaps voting day is not a school day.
Mrs. Dwyer asked that Contract Negotiations for other unions be on
the next agenda under executive session. She wants to discuss how to
move forward. Mayor Koch answered just this past Monday he appointed
department heads. He was sure he would have some direction by the
next meeting.
Joint Convention
Mayor Koch announced the Joint Convention of the City Council and
School Committee to choose a School Committee person to replace
Jim Timmins next Monday, February 11 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council
Chambers.
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Policy Subcommittee
Mrs. Bragg reported that the Policy Subcommittee met last Thursday,
January 31, to discuss Student Records and Residency issues. They
reviewed what school records must be sent to a new school. If Quincy
Public Schools staff do not receive the information, they will follow up
to locate the records. The subcommittee asked if the medical records
are shared with coaches before a student can participate in a sport.
Mrs. Powell will check on this. The student handbook has been
updated to include any changes in the law. The newest law allows the
non-custodial parent access to their child’s records unless the custodial
parent can prove via a court order such as a restraining or abuse order
not to release records.
They reviewed the registration process and student support services that
are offered to new families. The school system monitors student residences
and has procedures to verify residency which may include visitation of the
home by the student attendance officers. They discussed the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Education Assistant Act which states the rights of homeless children.
The subcommittee suggested those forms be notarized including a statement
that Quincy City Hall provides free notary service if needed.
Also on the agenda were the Harassment Policy and a soon to be created
new Anti-Bullying Policy. Everyone felt the Harassment Policy needed to
be updated since it was created in 1995. The Superintendent has set up an
Anti-Bullying Task Force. They have gathered models from other communities.
There have been two meetings with all principals to receive their input on what
needs to be in the policy. The Task Force hopes to have a draft within the next
month.
Student Records and Residency did address the previous School Committee
questions.
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Budget Subcommittee
Mr. Mulvey reported that the Budget Subcommittee met on February 5 to
review the Quarterly Budget report. Some issues of concerns were: The
expected breakage was less than anticipated. However, savings from the
longevity will help to balance this out. The cost of overtime for Maintenance
and Custodial was high due to custodians having to be in their buildings
when Honeywell was working there and moving offices and classrooms due
to the building of the new Quincy High School. Utilities cost increases
in heating oil. Schools have been transferred to natural gas. The budget is
in good shape right now. There will be a separate subcommittee meeting on
issues of acquiring new buses.
Quarterly Budget Approved
On a motion by Mr. Mulvey, seconded by
Mrs. Bragg, the Committee approved the Quarterly Budget Report. The
ayes have it.
Vending Machines off Subcommittee
The Subcommittee removed vending machines from the Budget
Subcommittee.
Retirements
The Committee noted the following retirements:
Principals: Donald Houghton, Dr. Allan Osborne
Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Teacher: Shawn Flaherty
Electrical Instructor: Stephe Salvatore
Utility Food Worker: Elizabeth Couzinis
Appointments
The Committee noted the following appointments:
Teachers: Douglas Bumpus, Noel Hess, Ryan Herlihy
Electrical Instructor: Matthew Hughes
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Mulvey, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee
voted to adjourn for the evening at 8:50 p.m. There was no executive
Session. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 6-0.