Minutes
School Policy Subcommittee Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012
A meeting of the School Policy Subcommittee was held on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 4:30
pm in the Superintendent’s Conference Room on the 3rd floor of the NAGE Building. Present
were Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. David
McCarthy, and Mr. Paul Bregoli, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent DeCristofaro, Mrs.
Colleen Roberts, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs. Jane Kisielius, Mr. Jim Rendle, and Ms. Laura Owens,
Clerk.
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm by Mr. Bregoli.
Dr. DeCristofaro requested that the agenda be taken out of order and that the third item, Concussion
Policy, be discussed first. Mrs. Kisielius opened the discussion by noting that the parent letter (Appendix
D) was revised per Mrs. Lebo’s suggestion to say that it is recommended that students be retested after
head injury. Dr. DeCristofaro reminded everyone that the Appendix (forms and guidelines) would not be
contained in the School Committee Policy Book.
The state’s regulations (and QPS policy) cover athletics and marching bands, but not cheerleading. The
cheerleaders received baseline ImPACT testing, and Mrs. Lebo suggested adding them to the QPS policy.
On page 2, the sentence would be amended to include “advisors” after “coaches”.
Mrs. Kisielius clarified that the school nurses are responsible for providing annual educational materials
for teachers and staff on this issue. Mrs. Lebo suggested adding “and ongoing” to focus on the issue of
how educational accommodations may need to be made. Individual Healthcare Plans can be put in
place more rapidly than a 504 plan, which requires 6 months of symptoms. IHPs are part of SST
discussions and distributed to all teachers (nurse is responsible for distribution, not guidance
counselors). Mrs. Mahoney asked how long does a student have to be out before they are eligible for
tutoring? Mrs. Papile clarified that tutoring requires doctor’s note, and is administered by SPED
department. Mrs. Kisielius suggested the creation of a QPS Academic Recovery and Accommodations
Plan that parents would have doctors fill out so there is a specific plan for physical recovery and
education accommodation. Mrs. Lebo feels that the head injury policy is comprehensive and we need
to be careful that the guidelines support the policy.
Mrs. Hubley suggested that record retention should be extended to be “for three years or until the
student graduates.” (Pages 2 and 9 will be revised to reflect this.) On page 2, change “school physician”
is “student’s primary care physician or the QPS school physician advisor.”
Discussion ensued about requiring baseline ImPACT testing. Although we received a grant this year, we
may have to pay for it in subsequent years. The cost of testing is very low ($1 per student). Mrs. Isola
feels that we should be cautious and require students to take the baseline ImPACT testing and state
what the consequences are for non-reporting of previous injuries. Mr. Rendle was concerned that
school systems may be requiring the baseline, but not the secondary post-concussion test because of
the cost. Mrs. Kisielius noted that most health insurance policies are covering the post-injury testing
cost. Mrs. Lebo wondered about potential liability for not interpreting the baseline tests? What about
students who had head injuries previous to the baseline testing? Mrs. Kisielius noted that doctors do
not see baseline tests unless there is a second injury.
Mrs. Mahoney inquired about why a parent would refuse the baseline test? Mr. Rendle cited a student
who refused had a previous head injury that had been misdiagnosed and parent felt they had their own
neurology and physician support.
Mr. Bregoli asked about adding accident & head injury form to nurse’s file as well? Mrs. Kisielius noted
that copies are sent to the nurse automatically. In a change to page 6, add “QPS accident forms”. On
page 7: Clarify training on an annual basis to deal with the issue of staff turnover. Mrs. Roberts
suggested adding to start of school materials for staff members that principals distribute and that the
information would be a good addition for new teacher orientation as well.
There was some discussion about the form notifying parents about head injuries. Mrs. Kisielius will
research CDC information and present other options. Mr. McCarthy asked for clarification that the
policy will require baseline ImPACT testing. For next steps, Mrs. Kisielius will revise the policy for further
review by the School Committee and a vote at the February 8, 2012 School Committee meeting.
The Subcommittee then reviewed the draft of School Committee meeting dates for 2012-2013. Mrs.
Isola asked for clarification as to whether it is stated in School Committee Policy Book that School
Committee meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month and how exceptions are to be
handled.
The Subcommittee then discussed the School Year 2012-2013 Calendar. All received information about
the current list of schools used as polling places; Bernazzani may be eliminated, but the City Council has
not yet passed the change. The Superintendent also shared an email from a local rabbi asking for
consideration of the Jewish High Holidays as school holidays. Milton, Canton, Sharon, and Randolph all
observe these holidays; Boston and other South Shore communities do not. This has not been an issue
previously.
State Primary Election and Presidential Election – Schools would be closed on 9/6 and 11/6. It is
currently proposed that teachers will report on 9/6 for a Professional Development day for Common
Core Standards. There was some discussion about how this might affect other staff (secretaries, food
services, custodial) and this needs to be reviewed further with Kevin Mulvey. There was also a
discussion about making the last day before the winter break a half day, but all agreed not to do this.
The current version of the calendar will be distributed to principals, administrators, QEA, Citywide, and
QPAC for review. Both calendars will be up for vote on the February 8 School Committee meeting. It
would then be approved as of March 7 School Committee meeting.
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to adjourn the Subcommittee meeting at 5:50. Mrs. Hubley seconded the
motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.