Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - November 17, 2010
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Mtg.
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, Regular Mtg.
November 17, 2010 in the Lloyd Hill Auditorium, Quincy High School. Present
were: Mr. Dave McCarthy, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Jo-Ann Bragg,
Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Mayor Thomas P. Koch, and 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, Draicchio, Mulvey, Murphy and Keith Segalla; Ms. Roberts, Tenaglia,
Todd, and Hughes. Ms. Allison Cox, QEA President and Ms. Tracey Christello,
Citywide. Associate Members Donna Niosi (QHS) and Winifred Akoury (NQHS).
The members observed a moment of silence for Mr. David Ezickson a long time
Quincy teacher who passed away last week.
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Reg. Meeting Mins. Approved
10/27/2010
On a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the Committee approved
the regular session minutes for October 27, 2010. The ayes have it.
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Welcome by Mr. Santoro
Principal Frank Santoro welcomed everyone to the new Quincy High School.
He thanked everyone who was involved in getting the new high school built.
The meeting will be the first live production by Career and Technical Ed. students
who were busy taping the meeting. The members were invited to the dedication
of the new Munroe-MacLean Gymnasium. The audience listened to the combined
high school choirs under the direction of Tim Carew.
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American Ed. Week
Ms. Colleen Roberts presented the winners of the American Education Week
Essay Contests. The first place winners read their essay and all winners
received a Certificate and a gift card to Borders Bookstore. They all shook
hands with the School Committee, the Superintendent, and Mayor Koch. During
a recess, the children with their families and the School Committee members
took photos.
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Open Forum
Ms. Tracey Christello, Citywide, expressed parents concerns with safety and
security of students during an election day. They had a lengthy discussion
about this and we sent it back to our PTOs to get response to the individual
schools that are polling locations. Citywide is asking the Committee to weigh
the needs of the students during an election day.
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Bldg. Update
The Maintenance Department has completed renovations at the back of Squantum
school, completed work orders, installed white boards and bulletin boards at
Atherton Hough, Broad Meadows, Merrymount, Quincy High School and North
Quincy, repaired the shed at Central, partitioned walls at the bathroom at
Merrymount, replaced ceiling tiles at GOALS, ECC, North Quincy and Broad
Meadows. They fixed doors at Squantum, Parker, and Point Webster, Sterling
Merrymount, Atherton Hough, and Wollaston. They did wiring for a new
computer lab at Atlantic, working with Mike Draicchio installing new security
cameras at several schools, the plumbers fixed a roof drain at Squantum which
caused ceiling damage to the teachers lounge. Maintenance staff continues to work
on daily work orders.
Mrs. Bragg forwarded to Mrs. Dwyer the maintenance requests from the School
Improvement Plans. These issues were in last year’s Plans as well. She highlighted
a few of the requests: at Wollaston – remove carpet in classrooms 1,2,3, & 8.
Merrymount – repointing on Perkins side, windows need recaulking. Rug in
kitchen should be removed.
Snug Harbor – Land needs to be leveled at Tot lot. Work with Park Department.
Montclair: Major roofing problems. Ceiling leaks in rooms 19, 20 & 21.
Flashing on Squantum side. Water comes through the walls. Has been going on
for a couple of years.
Mr. McCarthy asked about a leak in the Sterling auditorium and in the teacher’s
room on the third floor. The wall there is buckling because of leaks.
He asked that at North Quincy High School the flag and banners be put up on
the walls. Mr. Murphy said the banner should be put up by the custodian.
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New QHS Mrs. Dwyer reports
The Quincy High School Building Committee met on October 29. Their
meetings are starting to wind down. Most of the meetings now involve the
punch list items. Carpentry Department materials are on back order. They
purchased bronze leaves and they have been cemented out on the granite walls
near the rotunda doors. These are anti skating boarding devises. Mr. Timmins
offered to speak with the Police Chief and the City Council with regard to an
ordinance against skateboarding. Seven security cameras are needed to be added
on the outside of the building.
With regard to the HVAC system, it is new and complicated. The custodians
felt that nobody could handle this equipment. The Building Committee
authorized a six-month contract with PJ Kennedy to get through this heating
season. The money came out of the high school building project. This eventually
will be a city-side position. The City will hire someone to work on all city
buildings. The next meeting will be on December 3.
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Central Middle School
Superintendent DeCristofaro attending an MSBA meeting this morning and
represented the Central Building Committee. They voted approval to have
Lynnfield be the model school and that Central also will be a model school
based on Lynnfield.
Mayor Koch said the site is being handled by the City Solicitor. He will be
going to the City Council for their votes.
Mrs. Bragg asked the Mayor if he had made a decision with regard to taking
the hotel situated on the property. The Mayor answered that he is looking
at $3 million in roof repairs, $1 million for Coddington Hall. There are a lot
of needs in the City. He didn’t think he could recommend at this time taking
the hotel. Quincy has to stay within its budget.
Mrs. Mahoney inquired if any land surveys had been done to check for contamination? The Mayor replied that that will part of Tishman’s job.
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Policy Subcommittee Mrs. Bragg reports
The Policy Subcommittee met on October 28. After several meetings, they
merged the new law with the previous Anti Bullying Policy. They felt that
by sticking to the law, there would be less confusion. They are going to revamp
the Harassment Policy and our Social Network/Internet Policy and cross reference
all of these policies. On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer, the
Committee moved approved of the Anti Bullying Policy 10.18. The ayes have it.
Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Dwyer to move approval of the
revised Naming School Facilities File 6.4 policy. The ayes have it.
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Atlantic to New Hampshire
On a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Ms. Isola, the Committee approved
a request by Atlantic Middle School to go to Mt. Monadnock, New Hampshire on
December 10, 2010. The ayes have it.
SH to Canobie Lake
On a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee approved
a request by Snug Harbor School to go to Canobie Lake Park on June 6, 2011. The ayes have it.
BM to Camp Wing
On a motion by MayorKoch, seconded by Ms. Isola, the Committee approved a
request by Broad Meadows to go to CampWing from June 8 to June 10, 2010.
The ayes have it.
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NQ Auditorium named after Peter J. Chrisom approved
Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Mayor Koch, to name the North
Quincy High School Auditorium after Peter J. Chrisom. Mr. Chrisom was
principal of North Quincy High School for 26 years. On a roll call vote,
the motion passed unanimously 7-0.
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Additional Business
Holidays to Subcommittee
Under additional business, Ms. Isola put into the Policy Subcommittee the
treatment of Jewish holidays and whether or not school should be in session
or no testing on that day, etc. She moved it into Policy Subcommittee for
discussion whether or not to create a policy and what that policy would be.
Mrs. Dwyer asked that any gas line work in the vacinity of a school not begin
until after 3:00 p.m. She would like to see that kind of work limited to when
the schools are not in session. Mayor Koch said he will look into it. However,
there are regulations they have to abide with.
Polling Places
With regard to Citywide’s request about polling places in schools, Mrs. Dwyer
said the Committee tried to get these changed three years ago. Mayor Koch
stated that he also tried to change them. They didn’t get much further than Joe Shea.
He put this into Policy Subcommittee and will send a letter to Mr. Shea to
reconsider other voting places. The Mayor said that Mr. Shea wanted to
cooperate before, but it is not easy to find other facilities.
Mr. McCarthy commended Reay E. Sterling Middle School who had a Veterans
Day celebration. They did a tremendous job and it was a great day.
Mr. McCarthy asked Mr. Draicchio what happens when the Resource Officers
aren’t available. Mr. Draicchio said they may be called away. He puts in calls
each day to the Police Station. However, the majority of the time, they are there.
Wellness Policy Report
Ms. Isola's inquired about the Wellness Policy. She asked what policies are in
place for each of the schools. After the first of the year, she would like a report.
The Superintendent complimented the North Quincy ROTC. He was there for a
program review.
December 23 is a full day for all grades. The calendar had this marked down
as an early release day. Tis the Season…. is scheduled for December 7.
Mrs. Mahoney thanked Courtney Smith who invited here to Broad Meadows to
participation in “Operations Days Work” and meet Mr. Adams. This group raises
money for third world countries.
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Policy Subcommittee Mrs. Bragg reports
The Policy Subcommittee met on October 28, November 3 and November 10.
Mrs. Bragg made a motion, seconded by Ms. Isola, to approve the School
Improvement Plans for: Quincy High School, North Quincy High School, all
of the middle schools and Beechwood Knoll, Wollaston, Merrymount, Snug
Harbor, Montclair. The ayes have it.
At the October 28 Policy Subcommittee meeting, Mrs. Morrissey forwarded
the requested information on free and reduced lunches and the law and a three
year comparison. The Anti Bullying Policy was finalized and the Superintendent’s
team is meeting on the Harassment Policy. We are still working on the social
networking policy. This is still in subcommittee. The Policy Subcommittee
approved the revised Naming of School Facilities Policy File 6.4.
A plan will be submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education and a public comment period at the December 8 School Committee
meeting. This will be on our website.
Moved to Policy Subcommittee
Mayor asked that they work with Superintendent on enrollment stats. He
wants to look at the Open Enrollment Policy.
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Budget Subcommittee Mrs. Mahoney reports
The Budget Subcommittee met tonight at 6:00 p.m. to begin discussion on Full
Day Kindergarten. This will be ongoing discussion to create options and timelines.
Mrs. Mahoney asked the Mayor for any projections in the budget. Mayor Koch
said they have some more work to do before July 1. In the spring, he will present
the tax rate. The budget is going to be tight again.
Another Budget Subcommittee meeting will be scheduled before the Christmas
holiday to discuss the options for full day Kindergarten.
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Mayor Koch wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Adjourn to Exec. Session
At 8:55 p.m. Mayor Koch made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bragg to go into
Executive Session to discuss the Superintendent’s contract and a collective
bargaining issue with the QEA. On a roll call vote, the motion passed
unanimously 7-0. The Committee did not return to Open Session.