Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - March 12, 2008
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
March 12, 2008 at the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were
Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Nick Puleo, Mayor Tom Koch
Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, and Mr. Dave McCarthy, Vice Chairman. This meeting
began at 6:30 p.m.
Vice Chairman Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and Mrs. Dwyer was absent. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk. Messrs.
O’Brien, Walsh, Mullaney, Keith Segella, Dr. Pattavina, Ms. Powell, Todd,
Hughes, and Roberts. Ms. Tracey Christello represented Citywide, and Mr.
Paul Phillips, QEA President, was present. The Committee observed a moment
of silence for Paul Grady, a long time coach, who recently passed away.
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Regular Mtg. Mins. Approved 2/27/2008
On a motion by Mr. Mulvey, seconded by Mr. Puleo, the Committee approved
the Regular Session minutes for February 27, 2008. On a roll call vote, the
motion passed 5-0. Mrs. Bragg ABSTAINED and Mrs. Dwyer was absent.
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Student Recognition
Basketball Coaches Kevin O’Connell and Mike Jorgenson were present
to introduce Douglas Scott, Boys’ Quincy High Basketball, and Rebecca Goreham,
North Quincy High Girls’ Basketball Team. Both athletes have scored over
1,000 points. The Committee presented them with certificates for their
outstanding diligence, teamwork, and determination in the pursuit of academic
and athletic excellence. The Committee also recognized their parents and
grandparents who were in the audience.
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After a short recess, the Committee went on with the business at hand.
Mrs. Dwyer arrived at 6:45 p.m.
Partnership Recognition
Ms. Janet Powell and Keith Segella introduced representatives of the Big Brother,
Big Sister Organization. This is a school based mentoring program at
Montclair and Lincoln Hancock. Volunteers visit the schools each week.
They talk, play games, etc. with students to help them gain self confidence.
At Atlantic Middle School, they provide critical support. Volunteers come
from State St., Aviva, ENC. City St., Quincy College, and City Bank.
Representatives Meg McPhearson and Brian Head were present. The
volunteers are very happy with the way the staff have welcomed them
into the schools. They received plaques from the School Committee in
appreciation for all their work with students.
The Robotics team left this morning for Orlando Florida. Thirty-four teams
participating. Mrs. Mahoney said there is a live feed which we can
post on our website. When the students arrived, there was a competition
for T-shirts, and Quincy received first place and got the T-shirt award.
On March 28 they will attend the Boston Region at BU.
Both high schools held their Science Fairs and about 400 students participated.
Last week, students, staff and guests participated in Read Across America.
The Superintendent thanked everyone who read to the students. He also
thanked the teachers for their planning.
Members received the Spring Sports scheduled from Mr. Rendell.
Thanks went to the Kiwanis for the Junior Hero recognition awards held
last Saturday.
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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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Bldgs. & Grounds
Mr. Mike Ryan reported that Maintenance is working on the PA systems
at Atherton Hough, Montclair, Lincoln Hancock and North Quincy High
School. The PA system at North was installed by Signet and we are waiting
for a representative of Signet to come and determine what’s wrong with it.
Ceiling work at the Broad Meadows lobby was removed to install piping by
an outside contractor. The ceiling openings were patched and the floor
area was being washed and auto scrubbed. The question was asked if there
was any asbestos in the ceiling. Honeywell’s subcontractor notified the
Department of Environmental Protection. Tests were done and the results
came back well below the clearance guidelines. The City of Quincy Dept.
of Health was notified of the test results. All the testing came back within
safe guidelines. Once Mr. Ryan receives the lab report he will forward it to
Dr. DeCristofaro. Principal Tagliere sent notices home to parents informing
them. Mrs. Mahoney asked if we do a comprehensive study in all our schools
of the PA systems. Last year three systems were upgraded. Mr. Ryan gets
notices from Mr. McPhee or the principal if they are not working. Most of
the PA equipment in the schools is outdated.
Mrs. Mahoney inquired about Honeywell. She feels we seem to be
disconnected. What has been done and what hasn’t. She asked for
a report the Committee used to get.
Mr. Puleo inquired about the North Quincy gym. Mr. Ryan is meeting
with Mr. Rendle regarding this.
Mrs. Bragg inquired about a Critical Needs Report done a few
years ago. This report included the PA systems. She asked Mr. Ryan
to come back with a report telling the Committee where the greatest
maintenance needs were. He will check in on that.
A subcommittee meeting will be called to answer these questions.
Mr. McCarthy asked what Gary Cunninff’s role is regarding Honeywell.
Mayor Koch will have a full report from Garry for the next meeting.
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New QHS
Mrs. Dwyer reported that the Quincy High School Building Committee
had two meetings. The QHS Building Committee will meet the last Friday
of every month. They went over colors, around the tops of the building.
Letters went out to the community. We have received no complaints
to date. It will take six months to clean up the soil from the oil leak.
At that last meeting, the Superintendent stressed that communications
is very important. He would like to see communications improved.
He would like to see the minutes of those meetings done quickly so that
they can be shared with everyone. There will be a “Topping Out”
ceremony on March 18th. beginning at 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. when
they raise the beam. The Mayor will speak, the City Council will be
there also. Students, QHS staff members, Mr. Santoro will be present.
Mayor Koch said that a letter did go out to the neighbors indicating that
the council confirmed what was in the letter. It described the work was done.
It indicated we wouldn’t used heavy equipment and not use lights that
are too offensive. Yesterday we learned that a savings of $150,000 was
realized in the plumbing area we can shave out of that bid. He has asked
Jay Duca and Tom Purpura to take a look at the plans before we sign the
contract to make sure it is truly needed.
Mrs. Bragg asked where we stood trying to get in touch with Lincoln
Properties about the oil that had migrated under the parking lot. Mrs.
Dwyer thought it was in the City Solicitor’s office. Mrs. Bragg asked the
Superintendent to check into it.
Mrs. Mahoney wants to know if we are cutting anything out, is the building
still considered a green building? The Mayor assured her it was.
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Central Middle School/Meeting with MSBA
The Superintendent and Chris Walker met today with the MSBA.
They met with directors of capital planning and construction management
and our field coordinator, Chris White, who will get to know us. We will
talk with him as much as we can. They reviewed Central’s Needs Survey
information and discussed the Statement of Interest Form. Prior to beginning
our feasibility study, a series of forms will be needed. The MSBA wants to
know where the enrollment is, the last thing is to detail the composition of
our building committee. The Superintendent will talk with the Mayor about
who he wants on it. The Superintendent will meet with the Mayor to talk
about the composition of a building committee for Central.
This meeting was based upon the MSBA sharing the task and timelines
that we will be engaging in with them, ensuring there is authorization from
the School Committee and City Council with regards to the feasibility study,
talking about reimbursements, the way the architect will be chosen. The
actually feasibility study will consist on focusing on alternatives -- no build,
build, and renovating. These are things the building committee will discuss.
A site search if you are going to build on a different location and then the
approval process. They want to make sure we bring them information and
they work with us to discern whether it will be built. There is a lot more
collaborating.
Mrs. Bragg asked choosing the architect is different then in the past.
Does the Mayor choose the architect? The Superintendent said we will
work with a design team made up with people whomever we choose. The
The architects are rated. The MSBA strongly suggests that we choose
the #1 candidate that that team comes up with. The final decision rests
with the Design Team. It’s different from before. The process for
choosing the Project Manager hasn’t changed. The whole process from
planning to beginning construction will be between 12 and 14 months.
Mayor Koch said he will move quickly to put the building committee
together. He is looking at a new building, new site, and looking at some
private sites.
Mrs. Dwyer thought when they talk about build, no build, or renovation,
no build means if we have an empty building and you decided to move
that school into an existing empty building.
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Coordinated Program Review (CPR)
Mr. Rich O’Brien, Janet Powell, Judith Todd and Keith Segalla will begin
meetings next week on the CPR by the Department of Education. They will
be here from March 18 to March 28. They will be investigating, special ed. the
McKinny-Vento Act, Drug Free Schools, ELL, Budget Review. All documentation
has been submitted to them on all these projects. They will visit 13 schools and
interview over 250 staff members. It is a huge undertaking. They will be housed
at Point Webster, Room 28.
Mr. Puleo asked if teachers will be taken out of their rooms. Mr. O’Brien
answered that principals have been working on coverage for those teachers.
Regarding the Safe and Drug Free Schools, Mrs. Mahoney asked if the
parents will need to sign permission slips?
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School Calendar Tabled
The School Calendar was tabled by Mrs. Bragg.
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School Committee Tabled
The School Committee calendar was also tabled. Mrs. Dwyer asked
that the June 3 meeting be moved to June 10 so as to allow the members
to attend graduation.
Also, Mrs. Bragg said she could not attend the April 15 meeting and to
schedule it from April 1 or April 8. Mr. McCarthy said he will get in
contact with the Superintendent and go over the calendar with him.
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Gift to Auto Shop
On a motion by Mr. Koch, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
accepted a gift of a 1995 Isuzu Rodeo LS Sport Utility 4D from Mr. John
Graham. The vehicle will be used as a teaching tool for students in the
Auto Mechanics/Auto Body Shops. The auto is valued at $1,400. The
ayes have it.
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Open Forum
At this time, Mr. Phillips asked to be heard as he was not present during
Open Forum. He said there are issues in the schools as some do not have
appropriate intercoms between the office and the classrooms. This is part
of the QEA contract. He knows that efforts are being made. He suggested a
complete survey of every building, every room, everywhere.
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Teacher Resource Libraries
Mrs. Bragg reminded everyone about the new law for Mass Health.
Mrs. Bragg reported that during her campaign, she learned about the need
for more teacher resources. With assistance from Superintendent DeCristofaro,
Director of Curriculum, Colleen Roberts, the Teacher Mentor Planning Team,
the Professional Development Team, Principals, and teachers, the following resolve
submitted this evening brings us one step closer to fulfilling that need by establishing
Teacher Resources Libraries in every Quincy Public School building. Included
with the resolve is a list of suggested books, periodicals, and a budget to begin
the project. This is an important first step to support new teachers and all teachers.
Once they are established, teachers can be creative and share best practices and
build on each others strengths.”
Mrs. Bragg submitted the following resolve to the Budget and Finance
Subcommittee for School Committee’s consideration with the hopes that
Teacher Resource Libraries will be incorporated in next year’s school budget.
“Whereas Quincy has hired 300 new teachers in the past three years,
has a growing Special Education and English Limited Learners population
and has an established teacher mentor program;
Whereas, the National education Association has reported more then two million
new teachers will be needed in the next decade due to school enrollment increasing
and veteran teachers retiring;
In an effort to assist new teachers and all teachers succeed, we the Quincy School
Committee need to provide our teachers with additional support, the educational tools,
classroom management techniques and the resources to be effective in their jobs;
We, the Quincy School Committee establish Teacher Resource Libraries within
each Quincy Public School building that is comprised of computer supplies,
books, periodicals, MA curriculum Frameworks for each content area, Quincy
Public School’s Design for Learning standards and benchmarks, suggested websites
for teacher resources, hands on activities, Student Support Service materials, extra
teacher additions of textbooks, best practices ideas and methods that can be utilized
by teachers to assist them in helping their students reach their full potential.
Teacher Resource Libraries will be updated at a minimum of once a year. Teachers
are encouraged to expand the resources available and build on each other’s strengths.
Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mulvey to put the resolve To Budget Subcommittee
into the Budget Subcommittee to evaluate the actual needs and compare the
need for this with the available funding. On a roll call vote, the motion
passed unanimously 7-0.
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Additional Business
Mr. Puleo congratulated the Quincy High School drama students who put
on a successful production of The Boy Friend last weekend.
The Superintendent thanked the Mayor for reading to elementary students
this past week.
Movies to Subcommittee
Mr. McCarthy put into the Policy Subcommittee “movies in schools.” He
would like to make sure the movies line up with the curriculum and the
subject being taught.
Teacher Evaluations to Subcommittee
Also, he put into the Policy Subcommittee “teacher evaluations.” He is
asking for a review of the process on how we evaluate our teachers.
Mrs. Mahoney has asked that the state delegates be invited to the Committee
meeting on April 9 to give us an update on a budget review. There are a lot
of changes in the state level. We received here tobacco grants.
Mrs. Bragg recognized the Graduate Follow-Up Study, Class of 2006.
That class had the highest percentage of graduates, 83%, continue their
education.
Mr. Thomas Walsh, Director of Personnel, will retire at the end of this
year. He will be missed by everyone.
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Retirements
The Committee noted the following retirements:
Teachers: Judith Hickey, Ruth Lutts, Mark McGuiness
Custodian: Robert Shaheen
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Mahoney, the Committee
voted to adjourn at 8:14 p.m. There was no executive session. On a roll
call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.