Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - June 4, 2008
Public Hearing 6:00 p.m.
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee 7:00 p.m.
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
June 4, 2008 at City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were Mr. Kevin
Mulvey, Mr. Nick Puleo, Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, Mrs. Anne
Mahoney, Mr. Dave McCarthy and Mayor Tom Koch, Chairman. `
Chairman
Presiding
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Public Hearing
Consistent with the provisions of Chapter 71, section 38N of the General Laws,
the Quincy School Committee will hold a public hearing on its FY09 proposed
budget on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers,
City Hall. All interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard.
Mr. Haley speaks to proposed school budget
Mr. Bob Haley, 75 Elmwood Park, spoke against any proposed cuts in the
FY09 school budget. He has reviewed the Mayor’s Budget. The proposed
City Council cut was $3.5 million and now it is $1.5 million. Everyone
involved seems to think that is reasonable. The School Committee should
commit to credible answers before approving the School Committee budget.
He urged the members to find out the answers as to why that school budget
is being cut.
As no one else wished to be heard, the Public Hearing was closed at 6:15 p.m.
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Reg. Meeting
At 7:00 p.m. the Superintendent called the roll and all members were present.
Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, Mrs. Tefta Burrelli,
Clerk. Messrs. O’Brien, Mullaney, Ms. Powell, Todd, Hughes, and Roberts.
Ms. Tracey Christello represented Citywide, and Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA President,
was present.
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Reg.&Exec Session Mins. Approved 5/21/2008
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Puleo, the Committee
approved the regular and executive session minutes for May 21, 2008.
The ayes have it.
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Appointments
Superintendent DeCristofaro announced the following appointments:
Principals:
Maureen MacNeil, Principal to Atlantic Middle School
Stephen Sylvia, Principal for Squantum Elementary School
Daniel Gilbert, Principal to Snug Harbor
James Hennessey, Assistant Principal to Snug Harbor
Chairs:
Aliza Schneller, Foreign Language Chair @ North Quincy High
Michael Connor, Social Studies Chair @ North Quincy High
Those appointees that were present along with family and coworkers
were recognized.
After a brief recess the Committee went on with the business at hand.
Mayor Koch recognized the Boy Scout Troup 42 that were present. They
are working on their Citizens Badges.
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Open Forum
At the Open Forum, Mr. Bob Haley addressed the Committee and spoke
to the FY09 Budget. He told the members that the numbers in the Mayor’s
budget do not add up and it was time that the Mayor defend personally
his budget instead of using his spokesmen to offer up explanations.
Mayor Bill Phelan also spoke to the FY09 Budget. He told the members
that people are hurting. They can’t afford the high oil, gas, and food prices.
With the surplus and the rainy day fund that was left from his administration
the last thing that should be contemplated is raising taxes. He
told Mayor Koch that he presented an unbalanced budget, and what he
is proposing is the highest tax increase in the City’s history. In his last
year, Mayor Phelan we raised $149 million in taxes. Mayor Koch is
proposing to raise $172 million in taxes.
Mrs. Bragg raised a point of order stating that she was hearing City
issues, not school issues.
Mayor Phelan stated that the City’s budget directly impacts the schools.
Over 70% in educational pay is going to fire fighters for education, not
the schools. As a parent he believes that the strength of the City lies in
the strength of its school System. The Quincy Public School budget is
increasing far less then every single department in the City.
Mr. Puleo noted the four minutes was up. Mr. James Phelan conceded
his four minutes to Mayor Bill Phelan.
As a former member of the School Committee, and in his opinion, Mayor
Phelan said the way the Mayor and the City Council has treated the
School Committee is nothing short of disrespectful. He asked Mayor
Koch to look at other places to cut.
Mr. Jim Timmins, City Solicitor, addressed the Committee to state that
the display tonight is inappropriate. Mayor Phelan should have picked up
the phone called Mayor Koch and come over to chat about the numbers.
Mr. McCarthy called a point of order. This Committee wants to talk
about the Quincy Public Schools. The Mayor let Mr. Timmins continue.
Mr. Timmins continued. If there are concerns, they should have been brought
forward not in a political manner but in a manner that is substantive and helpful.
Mayor Koch level funded the school budget. The issue before them is the
money presented. This should be about school matters only.
Mr. Bob Evans, 38 Thornton St., commended Mayor Phelan on the
quality of education he provided. He warned that if taxes are raised, it is
going to be harmful to taxpayers and children as well.
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Bldg. & Grounds/New QHS
Mr. Gary Cunninff reported that the new Quincy High School is progressing
and is close to being on schedule. The Project Team is very confident on
that the target date to have the school move in is the Monday following
February school vacation 2009. Wheatstone is demobilizing, they have finished
most of their remediation, capping off wells, marking 15 wells that will remain
as permanent areas to be monitored over the next year. They will be capped
and flush to the floor. There were some added costs for insurance.
There is still a small amount of underground utility work for Huntley and
Coddington. All the major trades are on site. In July we will do a test pile
for the C&B wings. It will be along Coddington St. Before that, they will
send out notification to neighbors, YMCA, and the Professional Building on
Coddington St. Pile driving causes vibrations. The contractor will enter people’s
homes to document the conditions to protect the City. They expect some
protests by the unions after school is out. Gilbane has a program documented
and a chain of commend ready for that.
Superintendent said he is working with Mrs. Dwyer to see where we
go next year as far as some of the projects we have in mind. Mr. Ryan will
be leaving in July. That position needs to be posted.
Mrs. Bragg asked for an update on the track – borings? Mayor Koch said
it would be Gale Associates whom they have engaged.
Mr. Mulvey asked about the Wheatstone oil contamination process and if
all the oil spread has been identified. Mr. Cunniff answered that they
determined the extent. The can’t get permission from the owner of the
parking garage property to test there. Mr. Cunniff added that as of right
now they are well within the budget for clean up.
Mr. Mulvey expressed concern with Gilbane’s CORI check procedures
for out-of-state employees. A worker could be from some other state and
have a record. He wants Gilbane to do greater due diligence to make sure
they don’t use anyone with criminal records. People can say they’re from
a state where they don’t have a record. Mr. Cunniff said that the City Solicitor
is working closing with Gilbane. Mr. McCarthy formally requested that
Gilbane come back with another letter that talks about those people that
come from another state.
Mr. Puelo inquired about the intercom system at North Quincy High
School and if the process is underway. Mr. Cunniff said Signet has
begun work. The Superintendent will check if they’ve started the work.
At the present time, staff communicates with their own cell phones.
Mrs. Mahoney asked when they anticipate being off of Faxon Field?
Mr. Cunniff stated that some of that material will be removed shortly.
A lot of it will remain until the summer of 2010. Part of Gilbane’s contract
is to restore that field and reset the baseball diamonds.
Mrs. Mahoney asked if we are going forward with the borings for the track.
The Mayor said he has engaged Gale Engineering and they have begun the
process of getting more information. When asked where the money was
coming from, Mayor Koch said he is using money that was already in place.
There is SMMA money left in that contract. Mrs. Mahoney asked if they
have access to the boring reports and Mayor Koch said he believed they
have those. The lead persons for the track are Jim Conso, Christa Powers
and Jim Timmins.
Mr. McCarthy asked Mr. Cunniff about the graffiti at the Marshall school.
The North Quincy gym floor needs to be replaced. He asked if there is any
money to fix the floor. Mr. Cunniff said he was not aware of the whole
history but he will look into it.
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QHS Bldg. Committee Report
Mrs. Dwyer reported that the Quincy High School Building Committee met
on May 30 to check over the 20’x40’ space behind Quincy High School and
decide what should be done with it. There is another Quincy High School Building
Committee meeting on June 20 at 9:00 a.m. Regarding Wheatstone, after they
finish their project there is a warranty period and an insurance policy that
covers Quincy from any future soil problems in that area. It has to be
determined how many years we want the policy for. The problem is the
premium is $11,000 per year. She is looking at a five year policy. She is
concerned where the $55,000 is coming from. This could affect the bottom
line of the project.
The Committee is still working on the FF&E budget. There will be another
meeting in the summer.
The CTE has to be vacated before February vacation of next year. Mr. Santoro
is concerned that the teachers will be gone in two weeks. Since Mr. Cunniff
said he has too much on his plate, we need a project director to oversee the
move to empty the CTE. We need answers as to who is going to fill this
position, how is going to be paid, where the money is coming from. We
don’t think it should come out of the high school project.
Honeywell will be responsible for all public buildings in the City with the
exception of the high school and the Mayor has awarded that to PJ Kennedy.
Mr. Timmins said since that meeting on Friday, they were informed that Gilbane
is going with Honeywell. Honeywell said it that would file a bid protest and
then there would be a delay. While there would be considerable savings, it
wasn’t worth it. It will be Honeywell as far as the material going into the building.
The entire City will be on one monitoring system because it will be all Honeywell
Mrs. Bragg suggested doing the move in-house. However, the Superintendent said
there is a lot of large equipment and machines that need to be moved. Experienced
movers are needed. The Mayor thought where it was a school issue, it should be
the School Maintenance Department. The Superintendent said that this is more
involved than an elementary school.
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Reading First Grant Update
Ms. Edie Hughes and Ms. Colleen Dufresne reported on the success of the
Reading First Grant. which is up this year. This is a federally funded grant.
Lincoln Hancock received a grant award in 2003/2004. This grant was continued
to this year. This grant enables us to increase reading outcomes for our students.
A state funded extension of the Reading First Grant, Bay State/John Silbert Early
Reading Initiative, was awarded in 2005 for the Snug Harbor School. The grant
is continued based on compliance until 2008. Due to the success at Lincoln Hancock,
the School Committee approved implementation of a Read First Roll Out Plan.
This plan included a three tier Model, Trophies Materials, Interventions, and
Assessments for district wide use. Three schools were added in 2005. The remaining
six schools were added in 2006. The Three Tier Model is used district-wide to
identify and appropriately place students into instructional levels (tiers) identify
struggling readers and provide intervention before they fail. This has become a
standard practice. The School Committee thought this it a tremendous literary
program and shows the importance of this program. These are the programs that
elevate our students. Quincy received $750,000 over five years. They will do
their best to maintain the program. The Superintendent added that the leadership
is key. They make sure everyone is involved.
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Central Bldg. Committee
The Central Building Committee will meet on Friday, June 6 at 8:30 a.m.
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Budget Subcommittee Report
Mr. Mulvey reported that the Budget Subcommittee met on May 29 to review
the FY09 budget cuts. They discussed subsidized services. In Food Services,
there is a concern with the lunch tables at five schools. The tables are over
35 years old and in dire need of replacement. There is a need to put a computerized
sales system in the elementary schools. The cost is around $100,000. The
committee looked at increasing the cost of school lunches. The Custodial
and Transportation will stay in Subcommittee.
The Committee then reviewed the FY09 preliminary Budget Report. Under
Academic Classrooms, there will be an increase of 7 positions to address class
size. An increase of 1 ELL teacher, .7 Art Teacher, 1 High School Health Teacher,
.5 Elementary Technology Teacher, and 1 Intensive SPED teacher. A reduction
of: a shift of .5 media position to .5 guidance position. 1 Occupational Education
Teacher (due to attrition)
The Committee choose those areas where they could cut the $1.5 million:
They increased: 1 Database Technician position, .5 Coordinator of
Student Support Services, .6 Coordinator of Health Services, 1 Coordinator
of Safety and Security, 1 Coordinator of Transportation and a shift of .5
guidance position from .5 media position. They decreased the Director of
Information Technology, 1 Director of Security/Transportation, and 1 IT
clerical staff.
They decreased: 1 Transportation Clerical Position, 1 Driver/Dispatcher,
and $10,000 for additional funds for Part-time Dispatcher Hourly Pay, 4
custodial positions to be determined by Kevin Segalla and 4 secretarial and
clerical positions -- one from the Assistant Superintendent’s office, one from
the Business office, one from the Print Shop, .5 from the Curriculum office
and .5 from the Special Ed office
The Subcommittee decreased SPED Tuitions by $350,000, System textbook
line cut by 50%, and each school’s textbook allotment was cut by 25%.
The computer equipment line was cut by $147,882.
There was an increase of $150,000 to the Transportation line for a proposed
purchase of seven buses. A decrease in the Utilities line of $110,000, $18,000
in the South Shore Mental Health line.
Dir. of Safety & Security Position Separated
At this time, Mr. Mulvey made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, to separate
the Director of Security and Transportation position into two separate positions –
a Coordinator of Safety and Security and a Coordinator of Transportation. On
a roll call vote, the motion passed 6-1. Mayor Koch voted NO.
On a motion by Mr. Mulvey, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
approved the Budget Subcommittee minutes for May 29, 2008. The ayes
have it.
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Marshfield approved for So.Sh.Collaborative
On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mr. Puleo, the Committee
approved a request by the Town of Marshfield to become a member
of the South Shore Collaborative. On a roll call vote, the motion passed
unanimously 7-0.
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Gift to Atlantic Middle
On a motion by Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee accepted
a gift of $1,000 for the purchase of media center books for Atlantic Middle
School from Mrs. Carol McCarthy in memory of her husband Walter McCarthy.
The ayes have it.
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Parker School Trip to Canobie Lake
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Puleo, the Committee approved
a trip for Parker School students to go to Canobie Lake on June 11, 2008. The ayes have it.
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Additional Business
Mrs. Mahoney asked Mr. Puleo if the barrels had been put up at North
Quincy High School and the status on the Traffic Engineer. Mr. Puleo
said he spoke to the Traffic Engineer two weeks ago, but he had not
seen any barrels there. The Mayor will follow up with Mr. Gillan.
A thank you went to Mr. Bennett, a North Quincy parent, for getting
the fence taken care of at the MBTA.
Mr. McPhee reported that the school department was notified after the
fact about the situation at Atherton Hough. The Police were in the throes
of apprehending the perpetrators. There were in Milton when the school
was let out. It was a safe situation and we were notified. The school
did a “lock in”. The students were never in danger.
The Superintendent thanked all of the staff for making both the high
school graduations a success. A total of 681 students were graduated. He
thanked everyone for help with proms, security staff, senior night out, and
the parents who take responsibility to help kids. The Superintendent
thanked District Attorney Keating’s office. They support Quincy students
every year.
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Mayor Koch speaks to the FY09 Budget
As a personal privilege, Mayor Koch reviewed open forum statements. When
he took office, his staff found a debt service of $1.7 million by the previous
administration under funded, $1.2 million to Honeywell payments due, $1.7
negotiated raises not funded, $2.0 million taken out of stabilization to offset
the tax rate last year. We needed that because of the spike we are going to see
to pay for the previous school renovations/new schools. Under the previous
Mayor’s leadership, Quincy didn’t get the 90%. The Mayor said he needs
$425,000 to have the streets paved which were done last year. The state
notified the City auditor we had a problem with the numbers.
He made a maintenance budget, and the City Council voted to cut $5 million.
We came up with a compromise of $1.5 million. We eliminated a number of
positions on the City side. Times are not good right now. The state keeps telling
us not to look for any increased for next year. He invited the former Mayor to
sit down with him and move forward.
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SPED Subcommittee Report
Mrs. Mahoney reported that the SPED subcommittee met on May 28. They
went over quite a few items. The Apple conference was very successful –How
to Develop a Rapport Between the Sped Parents and Teachers of the Quincy Public
Schools. In the Fall we will have a presentation. A Parents Right Training
will be held on June 10. There were questions about the Instant Alert. They
agreed on meeting dates for next year: 10/22/08, 1/28/09, and 3/25/09 and
5/13/09. There was an update from Carol Dumas on the Drug Task Force.
There were many questions from parents. On a motion by Mrs. Mahoney
seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee approved the May 28, 2008
Special Ed Subcommittee minutes.
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Mr. Mulvey reported that the Budget Subcommittee will continue to work on
the FY09 Budget.
Communications
Mr. McCarthy said that as a School Committee member and a parent,
he is questioning if there is or is not a surplus. He is still concerned about
the $1.5 million in cuts. He asked where is the $400,000 Comcast money
and why it’s not in this budget. He asked the Mayor to look at that number.
Before cutting these positions, he has to know if that money comes in to
make sure that money comes to the schools and is not being held back
from us for not agreeing with some initiative the Mayor has. Mr.
McCarthy asked why they haven’t heard from the President of the QEA
during all this.
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Facilities Mgt. Subcommittee Report
Mrs. Dwyer reported that the School Facilities Management Subcommittee
met on May 13. They addressed the Mayor’s proposal to merge the 19
maintenance workers to the City side including their salary expense and
reporting authority. The Maintenance workers were present and are not in
favor of this move.
In 2004 the School Committee did meet and agreed to move all Maintenance
expense except for salaries to the City side. The Maintenance workers would
continue to report to the Superintendent and after 4:00 p.m., schools would
remain their priority however; they would be paid overtime for City work.
The work order tracking system is in place, however, the workers are not
given much work. The structure is in place, the problem is on the City side.
The school side is working and the School Committee does not want to
relinquish our ability to control the state of our buildings. The members
found no cost savings to move one budget line to another.
Motion to keep Maintenance Tabled
Mrs. Dwyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, that the School
Maintenance workers remain in the school budget and continue to report to the
Superintendent or his designee.
Mr. Puleo tabled the motion until the resolution of the FY09 budget.
Mrs. Dwyer announced a School Facilities Management Subcommittee
meeting for June 12 at 4:30 p.m. The school system has been working to
compile a list of school projects they believe have not been addressed
over the last five months.
Mrs. Bragg has called a Policy Subcommittee meeting for June 17 to
discuss teacher evaluations, movies in the schools and begin section
10 of the Policy Manual.
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The Committee noted the following retirements:
Special Ed Team Administrator: Len Currerie
Teacher: Sara DiZinno
Dir. of Security &
Dir. of Security & Transportation: Kenneth McPhee
Dir. of Human Resources: Thomas Walsh
Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Teachers: Noel Hess, Matthew Marani, Karen Yannacio
Leaves of Absence
The Committee noted the following leaves of absence:
Teachers: Patricia Hannon, Laura Hardee, Lisa Howie, Karen Kelliher, Daniel Reynolds
Appointments
The Committee noted the following appointments:
Elena Boyd-O’Brien
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Exec. Session
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Puleo, the Committee voted
to go into Executive Session at 9:30 p.m. for the purpose of negotiations.
They will return to open session. On a roll call vote, the motion passed
unanimously 7-0.
Return to Open Session
The Committee returned to Open Session at 9:45 p.m. On a motion by
Mr. Puleo, seconded by Mrs. Bragg, the Committee approved the contract
for the Paraprofessionals. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously
7-0.
Adjournment
On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
voted to adjourn for the evening at 9:46 p.m. The ayes have it.