Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - January 20, 2010
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
Dwyer, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg, Mr. Dave McCarthy, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Ms. Barbara
Isola, Mayor Thomas P. Koch and Mrs. Anne Mahoney, 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; Messrs.
Mullaney, O’Brien, Draicchio, Keith Segalla, Ms. Roberts, Tenaglia, Todd, and
Hughes. Ms. Tracey Christello, Citywide and Paul Phillips, QEA. Donna Niosi
and Lawrence Liuzzo, high school Student Representatives.
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Organizational Min. Approved 1/4/2010
On a motion by Mrs. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, the Committee approved
the Organizational Meeting minutes for January 4, 2010. The ayes have it.
Reg. & Exec. Session Mins. Approved 1/6/2010
On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, the Committee approved
the Regular and Executive Session minutes for January 6, 2010 with a change
on page 6. The ayes have it.
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Supts. Report
Winter Institute begins January 30 for grades K-5. Parents can contact the
Office of Extension & Continuing Education for further information. All
programs are listed on Channel 22.
Student Recognition
Congratulations to Tracey O’Sullivan and those students who participated
in the Eastern District Music Festival held at Boston Latin High School. Those
chosen from Quincy High School are Zach Dwyer, Gerald McCarthy, Steven
Chung; from North Quincy High--Andy Pham, William Lunny, Samantha
Tan, and Briana Miller.
H1N1
All middle school and high school students and staff who wished to be vaccinated
have been vaccinated for the Seasonal flu and the H1N1. A total of 1,300
seasonal flu shots and 1,000 H1N1 shots were given. Eighteen nurses worked
with the Drew Sheele and the Health Department staff to give out flu shots. All
students that were vaccinated filled out consent forms.
Assessments
Mrs. Roberts spoke to the mid winter assessments now going on in the schools.
Grade tests are given to grades two and three; a mid year test for grade one,
and math testing in grade 3. We will be assessing the Title I schools, and at
middle schools in February we have Q Math 6 and Q Math 8. High schools
have their mid term exams the end of January. MCAS retest is scheduled
for February.
Partnership with BU
We have begun a partnership with Boston University. Dr. Dan Davis, Social
Studies Chair at Boston University, has been very pleased with the experience
BU students have had in Quincy. We have formed a partnership for practicum.
On January 29, 29 college juniors will start in our classrooms. They will arrive
by bus and be dropped off at their locations. North Quincy, Atlantic, Central
Middle School and Quincy High School will host these students from January 22,
through May. Nine math teachers, 16 Social Studies, and 5 English. It is our
hope that these students will return as student teachers.
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Open Forum
Mrs. Debonis speaks
At the Open Form, Ms. Eileen Lawlor Debonis, spoke to the RTTT grant money
that Massachusetts applied for. Quincy could receive up to $1 million.
However, Quincy is not eligible to receive any of the RTTT money because the
President of the QEA refused to sign the MOU. Two-thirds of the districts in
Massachusetts have signed it. Other funding will be forfeited as well. The QEA’s
fear of change was put before our children’s opportunities. She urged the Quincy
teachers, parents, citizens and Quincy officials not to let this opportunity pass.
Mr. Roos speaks
Mr. Karl Roos said he was surprised when Quincy did not sign on to the RTTT.
There are parents that would like to know why that $1 million was not taken.
Mr. Phillips Responds
Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA President, said he was instructed by the Executive Board
of the QEA not to sign. It was an overwhelming vote after great discussion. We
received an advisory from the MTA speaking of a trusting relationship with the
local authority. We had a long discussion abut an untrusting relationship with
the DESE and the Federal Department of Education. The reason for the teachers
not liking DESE goes back a long time, having to do with licensure, having
to do with constantly changing the way we try to operate and of course for
their tendency to blame teachers to the problems of schools, the political future
of the city, state and federal government. It is possible there could be a new
governor next fall. Signing onto a four year deal is a problem. The grant required
teachers to have discussion and negotiations on various topics. The tying of test
scores to teacher evaluation, licensure, teacher pay, promotional opportunities,
and additional requirements to testing. The final bill took away collective
bargaining in the toughest schools that teachers work in.
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Quincy Police Dept. Chief Keenan Presents
Mike Draicchio introduced Quincy Police Chief, Paul Keenan and his staff.
Chief Keenan spoke to the many services provided by the Quincy Police for
the staff and students in the Quincy Public Schools.
In 2005 at a meeting with Mr. Ken McPhee, he saw that the School Department
has a very comprehensive and outstanding safety plan, but the Police didn’t.
So, they put together a plan with a collaborative effort between the Fire
Department, EMS, and the Police Department for a school response team.
It consists of a 60-member officer unit. They have had extensive training in
shooter response, hostage negotiations, police dogs, they got maps of each
school and did a physical check. They took photos of every school and made
evacuation plans. We have educational resource offices and a police presence
in each high school. They now have a vehicle outfitted with communications
equipment so they can talk to anyone in the Commonwealth. If there is an
incident, the Quincy Police are very capable of handling it.
The Police re-evaluated traffic around the schools and added one officer at
Marshall and one at North Quincy. They have monthly truancy checks, and
lockdown drills ongoing throughout the school year.
There are now 50 crossing guards and they added one at Atlantic and one at
North Quincy High School. Community officers assist with the traffic
in the first week of school in September. The Police follow school buses
around to make sure everyone is following the rules.
The Police Department provides many educational programs for students.
Officer Grazioso and Officer John Sauter run the DARE Program, Stranger/Danger,
Water/Hike Safety and Halloween Safety. They sponsor a two-week summer
camp at Pageant Field which employs 16 senior high school students. They
work as Peer leaders for 5th graders. Dan Minton does an Internet Safety
Program for the fourth and fifth grade students. That program will be overseen
by Police officers volunteering their time for comp time to continue that
program. There is an Anti-bullying Program for the sixth graders.
At Broad Meadows, Central and Atlantic, there is early bird basketball before
school from February – June, the Police Academy for high school students,
Ride Along on Friday nights, and RAD Program for seniors. The Quincy
Police Department is very active.
Mrs. Lebo inquired about the student early bird basketball for Sterling and Point
Webster. Chief Keenan said he would like to see it in all of our middle schools.
Mr. Murphy asked for a copy of the Emergency Response Plan. He would like
to match it up with the School Improvement Plans.
All the members expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Chief for
all the services the Police provide. The police show compassion for the children
of Quincy. They thanked the Chief for the crossing guards and for the
resource officers in the schools. Ms. Isola said their services are invaluable,
and you can’t underestimate the presence of police officers in the schools.
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Guidance Counselors Health Educators
Maura Tenaglia, Director of Student Support Services, and Paula McGeady,
Helena Skinner, Ryan Herlihy, and Mike Lorenzano gave a presentation on
the role of the high school guidance counselor and health educator.
Ms. Tanaglia Reports
The high school guidance counselors are trained professionals prepared to
deal with a wide range of issues that high school students face. Their role
is to help students succeed academically, socially and emotionally. They
create a positive interpersonal climate with opportunities for relationships
to develop between students and staff, provide help for serious personal
problems, intervene early with students academic and behavior problems.
Guidance counselors build relationships with students and families to ensure
student s success. They participate in group interventions and individual
interventions.
The Committee added two new positions (High School Health Educators) to
the budget. They provide school-wide interventions that compliment
the work of the guidance staff. They provide classroom lessons for all students
on topics such as substance abuse prevention, healthy choices, positive peer
relationships and leadership opportunities. The goal of the Health Educator at
the high school level is to improve students’ well being.
The Committee was very pleased with the work of the Guidance staff and
especially with the new Health Educators role.
The Committee asked to see a copy of the six-year plan given to grade 10
students.
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Bldg. & Grounds
Maintenance is working on heating issues at various schools, tile work at Parker
and Atherton Hough. A new water heater was installed at the GOALS building,
and new storage for Broad Meadows and Wollaston.
Mrs. Isola said parents have told her that their students have issues with the
bathroom facilities. She asked Mr. Murphy for a survey of the all the
bathrooms in each of our schools to get a picture on what we offer our students.
Mr. Murphy replied that they took action along with parents at Lincoln Hancock
Community School. The other school bathrooms are being evaluated.
At 8:30 p.m. Mayor Koch leaves.
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QHS Bldg. Committee Mrs. Dwyer Reports
The Quincy High School Building Committee will meet next Friday. The
school is progressing. There was a great article in the Patriot Ledger about
the new high school. She is still working to get rid of the old fire extinguishers.
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Central Bldg. Committee Mrs. Bragg Reports
The Central Building Committee met on January 14. City Councilor Doug Gutro
was present and he will be submitting a resolution to the City Council requesting
two neighborhood meetings. He asked the Building Committee to let him hold
his neighborhood meetings before any action is taken on what to do with the
existing Central Middle School site. One meeting will be held in February to
listen to concerns and ideas from those who live close to the existing Central
site and another after the architect is hired with the abutters of the new Central
Middle School site. He also asked for a letter to the Zoning Board which the
City Solicitor will draft to state we have no initial problem with a resident who
owns a home behind the site on Newton for personal family use.
The Superintendent shared his report requested by the MSBA on past, present, and
future enrollment of Quincy Public Schools. The report states the need for a
600 pupil school, School Committee class size policy, the impact of full day
Kindergarten, increase din the populations of the feeder schools and enrollment
trends.
On February 12 the City receives RFS responses and Tishman will review the
applications, verify qualifications and check references. On February 25
the Central Building Committee will review the applications and prioritize the
list. In late February and early March, we will follow up on the reviews and
begin scheduling site visits. On March l9, Tishman submits the qualified
applications to the state’s Design and Selection Panel. In April, Design and
Selection Panel will review and rank applications. On April 20 they will vote
the top three ranked firms.
Two subcommittees have been set up. The City Selection Subcommittee will
consist of the Superintendent, Principal Jen Fay-Beers and City Solicitor, Jim
Timmins. They will be voting members on the MSBA Design and Selection
Panel. The other is the Community Outreach Subcommittee, consisting of Anne
Mahoney, Chris Walker, Terry Scuzzerella and Jo-Ann Bragg.
The City has also put out requests for appraisals on the real estate. The
businesses/buildings/property that the school will be built on are: The
Egg and I, The Winfield House and the Car Wash.
Mrs. Dwyer stressed the importance of visiting other newly built schools. Mrs.
Bragg invited anyone who wants to come.
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Health, Safety & Security Subcommittee
Mr. McCarthy reported that the Health, Safety and Security Subcommittee
met and discussed the status of cafeteria tables in four elementary schools
that are wall mounted. They discussed new mechanism and how to keep
the tables from falling. They decided to reinforce with a stronger chain
and locks. Replacement tables are needed for four schools -- Beechwood
Knoll, Squantum, the Early Childhood Ctr. and Wollaston. They are in poor
condition. We will spend $20,000 to start purchasing the new tables. Safety
was the first priority.
Mr. McCarthy would like to change the name of the Subcommittee to
Health, Safety, Security and Transportation Subcommittee.
Mrs. Bragg said if we are taking money that has been allotted for other line
items, it needs to go through the Budget Subcommittee. As for changing
the name of the subcommittee, that authority belongs to the Vice Chairman
Mr. McCarthy needs to work with Mrs. Mahoney, it is her prerogative.
Mr. McCarthy said he will discuss money before tables are purchased. He
will speak to Mrs. Mahoney about the title of the committee to plug trans-
portation into that subcommittee.
On a motion by Mrs. Isola, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee
accepted the Health Safety and Security Subcommittee minutes. The
ayes have it.
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Special Ed. Subcommittee Mrs. Lebo Reports
Mrs. Lebo reported that the Special Education Subcommittee met on January
13, 2010. There are two major issues – communications and transportation.
QPAC requested that all Special Education parents be notified of events and
meetings. It was agreed that information from various sources to inform parents
could be added to the Special Education Alert List by sending in a name and phone
number to Ms. Todd. Mr. McCarthy stated that the issues at the beginning of
the year seemed to be resolved and that the rotation of drivers on SPED routes
was still happening. Parents asked for a written notice or a phone call when a
change is made. Ms. Todd will consider this. Parent were reminded to call
Ms. Todd with any concerns about transportation and that Mr. McCarthy would
be happy to take calls also.
Appointments
Ms. Sue Gropp, Admin. Asst.
Mr. Mike Draiichio Director of Security & Transportation
Dr DeCristofaro reported on the change in the Transportation Office and
that Ms. Sue Gropp was the newly appointed Administrative Assistant with
Mr. Draicchio assuming Director. QPAC asked that Mr. Draicchio and Ms.
Gropp attend the next meeting. The Opportunities and Challenges initiative
has been halted because there are two other issues that will impact any
discussion and these need to be resolved first --the first is the Central
issue and the work being done with the MSBA on enrollment, etc. The second
is the status of the old Quincy High School and Coddington Hall. The Mayor’s
office is reviewing this. Dr. DeCristofaro also reported that he is continuing
his directive to close Open Enrollment to North Quincy only.
The next Special Education Subcommittee meeting will be on March 10, 2010.
On a motion by Mrs. Lebo, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
accepted the Special Education Subcommittee minutes. The ayes have it.
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Facilitiies Subcommittee Scheduled
Mrs. Dryer reported that she has called School Facilities Subcommittee
Meeting for Tuesday, February 26 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss the Snug Harbor
Garden Plan, the Community use of Buildings, the ADA Report, QPS Security
Checklist and any other items in subcommittee.
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Budget Subcommittee Mrs. Mahoney reports
Mrs. Mahoney reported that the Budget Subcommittee met at 6:30 p.m. this
evening just prior to the regular meeting. Mr. Jim Mullaney presented the
Quarterly Budget Report and reviewed it for the Committee. The only area
of real concern is Special Ed Tuition line. There are three issues --out-placement
of special ed. students. We had a cut in Circuit Breaker money. We were expecting
75%. In recent years, close to $1 million was transferred. This deficit money has
to be addressed in this year’s budget.
Non Academic expenses: We should have a surplus in the Natural Gas line unless
it becomes very cold. Rentals/Transportation: This line is down because we have
added additional routes. The Employee Costs line is for unemployment. This
line will be closely monitored because we could go into deficit $300,000 if this
continues. Acquisition of Plant Equipment. We were looking at cafeteria tables.
It would cost $40,000 to update tables in all of the schools. We are working on
a plan to use $10,000 and buy approximately half of the tables to go forward.
Mrs. Bragg said that this line is marked for desks. There were principals
that expressed a need for desks. She suggested taking the money from Food
Services. Mr. Mullaney answered that he took $96,000 out of the Food Services
budget for custodians, and Mrs. Morrissey has a serious need for computers in
the middle schools cafeterias. Mr. Mullaney has not received any requests for
furniture. Mrs. Bragg said that the Parker Elementary School and Atlantic Middle
School expressed a need for desks in their School Improvement Plan.
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Appointments
The Committee noted the following appointments:
Instructor: Lester Borden
Retirements
The Committee noted the following retirements:
Transportation Coordinator: Lois Constantino
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Adjournment
On a motion by Mrs. Lebo, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
adjourned for the evening at 9:12 p.m. There was no executive session.
On a roll call vote, the motion passed 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent.