Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - May 8, 2013
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
May 8, 2013 at the City Council Chambers in City Hall. Present were
Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mayor Thomas Koch, Mrs. Emily Lebo,
Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. David McCarthy, and Ms. Barbara Isola, Vice Chair.
Vice-Chair
Presiding
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The Superintendent called the roll and all were present. Also present were: Dr.
Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk; Ms. Christine Barrett,
Mr. Ricardo Cordero, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Mrs. Mary Fredrickson, Ms. Beth
Hallett, Ms. Edie Kabakoff-Boynton, Ms. Alicia Kane, Ms. Maureen MacNeil,
Mr. James Mullaney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Maura Papile, Assistant
Superintendent Colleen Roberts, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Ms. Aliza
Schneller, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri, Ms. Judy Todd; Quincy High School Student
Representative to the School Committee Lindsay Schrier; Ms. Allison Cox,
President, Quincy Education Association, Mrs. Tracey Christello, Citywide
Parents Council Representative, and Ms. Jill Gichuhi, President, Quincy Parent
Advisory Council to Special Education.
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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
4/3/2013
Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, to approve the Regular
Meeting minutes for April 3, 2013. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Open Forum
Mrs. Tracey Christello spoke about the continuing effort to collect signatures to
demonstrate parent interest in the restoration of Media Specialists to the
elementary and middle schools. The petition now has 2,000 signatures and Mrs.
Christello distributed copies to each member of the School Committee.
Mrs. Paula Reynolds, parent of two elementary school students also spoke on
behalf of restoring the media program, citing the link between school performance
and media programs.
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Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent DeCristofaro opened his report by introducing a video of highlights
from recent school and system events, including the North Quincy and Quincy High
School Spring Concerts, the recent HYPER Robotics competition, the Central
Middle School Science Fair, the Credit for Life Fair, the Community Service
Learning Breakfast, the School-Community Partnership Breakfast, and a Lincoln
Hancock Pride event.
Curriculum Coordinator Ms. Beth Hallett introduced the students and teachers who
participated in this year’s Foreign Language Poster and Essay Contest: Languages
in Quincy: Creating Global Links. Central Middle School Spanish Teacher Mr.
Ricardo Cordero, representing the Middle School Foreign Language Teachers
explained the goal of the Grade 8 Spanish program and introduced the winners of
the Poster contest for each school: Broad Meadows: Stephanie Stalder and Riley
McLaughlin; Central: Magdalena Wierzbowski and Casey Kelliher;
Sterling: Nicole Salvatore, Hillary Valenzuela and Kyla Ware;
Atlantic: Samantha Marshall and Shayla Le; Point Webster: Judy Luu.
North Quincy High School Department Chair Ms. Aliza Schneller spoke on behalf
of the Foreign Language departments at both schools. She introduced the winning
Public Service Announcement created by three North Quincy High School
students Kelly Kung, Enea Milo, Cynthia Vu and then introduced the winners of
the high school essay contest: Nisreen Abo-Sido from North Quincy High School
and Lindsay Schrier from Quincy High School. Dr. DeCristofaro thanked all of
the student, teachers, and department chairs.
Dr. DeCristofaro continued his report by noting that this is Teacher Appreciation
Week and hopes that all teachers and professional staff know how much their
dedication is noticed and appreciated by administrators, students, and families.
Cleaner Greener was held on Saturday, May 4 and was a successful volunteer
effort at a number of school, park, and open space locations. Department of Public
Works Beautification Grants were awarded to Atherton Hough, Beechwood Knoll,
Bernazzani, Clifford Marshall, Montclair, Parker, and Point Webster. The
Department of Public Works banners created by Grade 5 students from each
elementary school are on display on Hancock Street near City Hall.
Quincy High School has been selected as a 2013 Green Ribbon School by the US
Department of Environmental Affairs, one of 78 schools nationwide, one of four in
Massachusetts. The application a collaborative effort of Quincy High School
Principal Mr. Santoro and the staff and the Planning Department, led by Director
Dennis Harrington.
Boston Scientific invited 25 Electrical Technology students to attend the recent
opening of their Solar Power array at their facility in Squantum. Boston Scientific
will be recognized at the next School Committee meeting for their SchoolCommunity Partnership activities, along with Granite City Electric. Dr.
DeCristofaro thanked the School Committee for attending the recent School
Community Partnership Breakfast and Community Service Learning Breakfast.
He invited them to the upcoming Student Athlete Summit, where sixty Juniors
from both high schools will participate in a workshop focused on leadership,
character building, concussion prevention and awareness, wellness, and nutrition.
The Superintendent also spoke of the Principal Induction, where current Principals
and sixteen retired Principals, along with the Leadership Team, celebrated the
newest Principals, Robin Moreira from Atherton Hough and Robert Shaw from
North Quincy High School.
Upcoming events include the Kids Walk for Juvenile Diabetes Research that will
be held Saturday, May 11 beginning at 10:00 am at the Beechwood Knoll
Elementary School and the Presidents Cup Robotics Competition on May 18 at
Quincy High School. A revised schedule of Concerts and Drama events and
Family Nights at different schools was shared with the School Committee. Other
recent events included the Project Lead, Engineering Capstone Project
Presentation that was held at Quincy High School and the Squantum Elementary
School Multicultural Fair where students in all grades completed projects
exploring countries around the world and their cultures. Technical representatives
from the Massachusetts School Building Authority visited North Quincy High
School and the Wollaston and Merrymount Elementary Schools to review the
requests for funding to replace the windows in these three schools. Grade 2
student Riley Smith from Atherton Hough won the Quincy Historic Society
brochure contest.
Dr. DeCristofaro concluded his report by thanking the students and staff for their
hard work on this week and next week’s Math and Science MCAS tests and noting
the examples of Home School Connections shared with the School Committee:
monthly newsletters from the Atherton Hough, Bernazzani, and Wollaston
Elementary Schools.
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New Business
Alternative Program Update
Ms. Isola requested the School Committee’s permission to take the agenda out of
order and introduced Director of Student Support Services Maura Papile and
Special Education Director Judy Todd. Ms. Todd presented the teachers and
Coordinators for PASS, GOALS, Quincy Evening High School, and Quincy Teen
Mothers, the alternative programs that provide different pathways to high school
graduation. Gail Jacoby and Jason Healy from PASS presented on their work with
Grades 9-12 students in the core curriculum areas. PASS is a citywide
substantially separate program located at North Quincy High School for students
with various psychiatric and mood disorders. Students attend school in a small
group setting and a safe learning environment; students transition into the
mainstream whenever possible. The program offers credit recovery, coordination
of educational services, individual and group counseling, transition planning,
coordination of services with outside providers. In addition, this year students
created a video game/anime club and participated in community service, giving the
students opportunities to develop peer relationships. The program has grown over
the five years, with an enrollment of 29 students; the program continues to evolve
to meet the needs of the population. All graduates of the PASS program have
pursued post-graduate employment or education.
Quincy High School Dean and Evening High School Coordinator Mr. Steve
Johnston presented on the Quincy Evening High School program. The Evening
High School is a grant-funded program, with funding provided by the Workforce
Investment Board. Quincy Evening High School offers an alternative path to
achievement for students that are having difficulty meeting graduation
requirements during the traditional school day due to family responsibilities for
child or elder care, employment, or medical issues. Guidance, career development,
and academic course work are structured to provide for college and career
readiness. Students attend academic classes where instruction is aligned to the
Common Core State Standards, participate in career development sessions,
participate in leadership training and guidance sessions, and pass MCAS in order
to qualify for graduation. Structure is required for their daytime hours, including
volunteer work and/or employment. Since the program’s inception, over 400
students have graduated from both high schools with the support of the Evening
High School program. Graduates transition to work or career training and higher
education, including 4-year colleges.
Mr. Raymond Papile, Coordinator of the GOALS program, presented on behalf of
the GOALS staff members in attendance. The GOALS program components are
core subjects plus life skills and counseling. GOALS provides credit recovery,
coordination of educational services, individual and group counseling, transition
planning, collaboration and coordination of services with outside providers,
participate in team building activities, and opportunities for community service.
GOALS has graduated over 20 students in the last five years and former students
return for additional support and guidance for years thereafter. Graduates go on to
work or training and higher education.
Ms. Noreen O’Connell, Coordinator of the Teen Mothers Program, presented on
the program now in its 35th year. The program’s mission is to give young mothers
and pregnant teens the opportunity to experience academic accomplishment while
completing their education in a supportive environment, The program offers
individualized academic and career education curriculum, full-time child care
services for children under age three, counseling and service referrals, parenting
instruction, and contemporary issue involvement, including Community Service.
Support from multiple community partners is invaluable, including support for
families, nutrition, education, water safety at the YMCA, and health issues. Eight
students will graduate this year with their high schools and two have earned GEDs.
Students will attend community colleges, attend further vocational training, and
enter the work force.
Mrs. Papile summarized that the Alternate Education programs offered in the
Quincy Public Schools provide pathways towards graduation while mitigating
barriers to learning. Students in these programs fall under the same requirements
put forth by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the
Massachusetts Frameworks for all subject areas. These programs prepare our
students for the world of work or higher education, and benefit the greater
community in many ways.
Mrs. Lebo requested enrollment trends for the Quincy Team Mothers Program and
GOALS. Mrs. Papile said that for QTMP, the enrollment has been consistently in
the mid-teens for the last few years. Ms. Todd said that GOALS has a maximum
enrollment of 40 students; currently there are twenty-five students currently
enrolled.
Mr. McCarthy thanked the program coordinators for the presentation and
underscored the importance of these programs in ensuring equitable access for all
students to achieve academic success. Mr. McCarthy asked for the cumulative
number of students who have graduated over the 35 years of the Quincy Teen
Mothers Program; Mrs. Papile said that there have been around 400 graduates.
Mrs. Lebo asked for the number of different students who have attended the PASS
program since its inception. Ms. Todd will follow up with this information.
Mrs. Mahoney thanked everyone for their presentations and the unique programs
that provide support to individual students and allow them to succeed. Ms. Isola
thanked the presenters for showing how we are addressing the needs of so many
students. Quincy has a relatively low dropout rate, thanks in part to these
programs and the surround care of Quincy Public Schools.
Dr. DeCristofaro closed this part of the agenda, by recognizing the uniqueness of
each of the program staff members and for how their actions extends into the
students’ homes and affects entire families. He commended them for their habits
of the heart and the many unsung actions that these staff members perform every
day.
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FY2014 Budget
The next item on the agenda was a presentation on the development of the
FY2014 budget. Dr. DeCristofaro and Mr. Mullaney reviewed the Quincy Public
Schools process for budget development. Dr. DeCristofaro thanked the Mayor for
the level service plus budget which will allow for continued restoration and
improvement of the educational offerings. Quincy Public Schools operates on the
concept of shared, contributory decision making among the Leadership Team and
Principals and School Committee; everyone’s participation and input are key to
successful budget building. The proposed budget will reflect Common Core
obligations for new text purchases, additional positions for academic support
programs, funding for extracurricular activities, step and level increases, and
hiring elementary school support teachers to restore teacher planning time and
assist with library and technology needs.
The first step in the process is to identify areas of consideration at the site and
system level, meet with Principals and Program Directors, review and organize
options, prioritize recommendations, and review the proposed allocations with
School Committee. After the School Committee’s initial review, options are
reworked and discussed and prioritizations finalized. The budget is then presented
at the Public Hearing and reviewed at the June School Committee meeting before a
final approval. The final budget is shared with the City Council in June. Students
are the center of the budget matrix, with Academic Classroom Teachers and
Academic Programs first priority, followed by Academic and Non-Academic
Support, Subsidized Programs (Revolving Accounts), Academic and NonAcademic Expenses.
Key questions are asked about maintaining or increasing staffing for academic
classroom teachers and academic programs, considering staff retirements, leaves of
absence, and Kindergarten registration. Population shifts in school buildings,
School Committee class size guidelines, and strategies such as skills support are all
kept in mind. For Academic Programs, the total array of services offered is
reviewed and maintenance, growth, or reduction is considered for each. For
Academic Support, Non-Academic Support, Academic Expenses, and NonAcademic Expenses, there is the same process of reviewing programs and
changing needs for services. Subsidized services (Food Services, Transportation,
Athletics, Building Rentals) are reviewed and fees and costs analyzed.
Mayor Koch reviewed that he had presented the FY2014 budget to City Council on
Monday, May 6. The city is in a more stable position than in earlier years, this is a
budget that shows growth. Many departments interrelate with the Quincy Public
Schools, cooperation and collaboration between department heads is key. Traffic
supervisors are in the Police budget, Public Buildings maintains and improves
schools, the Department of Public Works performs snow removal and addresses
safety issues, and the Parks Department maintains school grounds. Additional
staff for Public Buildings will assist with managing energy and systems for all
buildings. The Mayor is looking forward to additional projects funded by the
MSBA for a new Sterling and new windows and to discussing the Quincy Public
Schools appropriations with School Committee members. The City budget is now
posted online and available at the Thomas Crane Library, or from the Mayor’s
Office.
Mr. McCarthy asked for an update on the Athletic Director position. Dr.
DeCristofaro said that there are currently eight or nine candidates and the deadline
for applications is Friday, May 10, with interviews to follow.
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School Choice
Mayor Koch made a motion that the Quincy School Committee withdraws from
the obligation to enroll non-resident students in the Quincy Public Schools for the
2012-2014 academic year for the following reasons: (1) Continued projected
enrollment conditions at the elementary and middle schools based on current and
projected enrollments; (2) Policy of the Quincy School Committee to adhere to class
size guidelines. Mrs. Mahoney seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the
ayes have it 7-0.
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Gift: Plasma Cutter
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the gift of a plasma cutter and 105 pieces of
20-foot steel for the Metal Fabrication Program from the Boston Globe, valued at
$5,800.00. Mr. McCarthy seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Out of State Travel
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to approve the out of state travel of Montclair Elementary
School Grade 5 students to Canobie Lake Park, Windham, NH on June 24, 2013.
Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the out of state travel of Wollaston Elementary
School Grade 5 students to Canobie Lake Park, Windham, NH on June 20, 2013.
Mr. McCarthy seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Additional Business
Mr. McCarthy asked for clarification whether the new School Resource Officer is
part of the FY2014, so will begin next fall when school reopens. Dr. DeCristofaro
said that the Resource Officer began working with the other School Resource
officers in early April and her focus will be on the Middle Schools.
Mrs. Lebo requested that the School Resource Officers present at an upcoming
School Committee, noted the value of their services to all of our schools.
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Communications
Mrs. Hubley shared information recently received from the Department of Public
Health, noting that the implementation of the state’s competitive food standards
has been deferred for a year while Federal guidelines are finalized. In this time,
there will be opportunity to resolve the issue of flavored milk being for sale for
students who bring their own lunch.
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Reports of Subcommittees
Budget and Finance Subcommittee
Ms. Isola reviewed the Budget and Finance Subcommittee meetings that were
held on Monday, April 8, 2013 and Tuesday, May 7, 2013. She noted that the
information shared in the earlier FY2014 Budget presentation was substantially
the content of the May 7 Subcommittee meeting as well. The April 8 Budget
and Finance Subcommittee was focused on the Quarterly Budget Review for the
third quarter of FY2013. Mr. Mullaney reviewed the salary budget for Academic
Classroom Teachers, Academic Programs, Academic Support, and Non-Academic
Support. All line items are within expected ranges for this point in the year; all step
and level increases were implemented in February, as well as increases from
contract agreements, most of which are completed. For Academic Expenses, a
surplus is expected in the Special Education line, which will offset a deficit in
Transportation. For Non-Academic Expenses, a surplus in the Natural Gas line will
be offset by a deficit in the electricity line. In summary, Mr. Mullaney is anticipating
a surplus of $250,000 which could be utilized to offset textbook purchase expenses for
the 2013-2014 school year, as there is a demand for new materials to align to the
Common Core State Standards.
Ms. Isola announced that Budget and Finance Subcommittee meetings would be
held on May 13, 2013; May 21, 2013; and May 29, 2013. All meetings will be
held at 5:00 pm in the 2nd floor Conference Room of the NAGE Building. There
will also be a Public Hearing on the FY2014 Budget on Wednesday, June 5 at 6:00
pm in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the minutes of the Budget and Finance
Subcommitee meetings from April 8, 2013. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and
on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the minutes of the Budget and Finance
Subcommitee meetings from May 7, 2013. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and
on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Policy Subcommittee
Mr. Bregoli reviewed the Policy Subcommittee meetings that were held on
April 8, 2013 and May 6, 2013 Policy Subcommittee meetings. At the April 8,
2013 meeting, Mr. Mulvey reviewed Massachusetts General Law 71, Section 3 on
the issue of exempting student athletes from physical education classes and
submitted a letter to the School Committee outlining why this is not permitted.
Also on the agenda was a review of the existing Conflict of Interest Policy. Mrs.
Mahoney made a motion that the School Committee policy be updated to reflect
the wording of the state’s conflict of interest law and the motion was seconded and
approved.
At the May 6, 2013 Policy Subcommittee meeting, the first item on the agenda,
was a discussion of Extracurricular Eligibility. After discussion, Ms. Isola asked
for a draft revision to the current policy for the Subcommittee to review. Dr.
DeCristofaro will work with Mr. Bregoli to create this. The next item on the
agenda was a review of the high school minimum grading requirement. The
proposal is to adjust the current mimimum passing grade of 63 to 60 to be on the
same level as surrounding school districts. After discussion, Ms. Isola proposed
that the Policy Subcommittee take no action on this item and the members of the
Subcommittee agreed.
The last item on the agenda was a presentation of the proposed revised Acceptable
Use Policy. The revised Acceptable Use policy is for staff, students, and guests
and includes a new section for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). A glossary of
terms used was added; user responsibilities are clearly defined and prohibited
actions outlined. With the changing technology available to staff, including the
Guest Networks which will be installed in all Quincy Public Schools buildings by
September, the BYOD policy will allow staff and students to utilize a wide range
of technology options.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to approve the minutes of the Policy Subcommittee
meetings from April 8, 2013. Mrs. Mahoney seconded the motion and on a voice
vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to approve the minutes of the Policy Subcommittee
meetings from May 6, 2013. Mrs. Mahoney seconded the motion and on a voice
vote, the ayes have it.
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to approve the revised Acceptable Use Policy. Mayor
Koch seconded the motion but on the motion, Mr. McCarthy noted that the Policy
change should sit on the table for a meeting and the vote will take place at the May
22 meeting.
Mr. Bregoli requested that Conflict of Interest, Exempting Student Athletes from
Physical Education, and High School Grading all be removed from the Policy
Subcommittee Agenda.
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Central Building Committee
Mrs. Mahoney reviewed the Central Building Committee meeting held on
April 22, 2013. Installation of rooftop and storm drainage has been completed.
Masonry work should be completed by mid-June; window installation is
underway. Exterior finishes should be completed by the end of June; interim
security plans are in place and fencing will begin to be removed in June. The
contractor stated that the school construction is essentially on schedule, with the
possibility that the gymnasium and auditorium may not be fully completed for the
opening of school. The next Central Building Committee meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, May 14 at 4:15 pm in the 2nd floor conference room at the NAGE
building.
Mr. McCarthy asked the Mayor for an update on the expansion plans for the
Presidents City Inn. Mayor Koch will inquire with the Public Buildings about
status.
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Facilities and Security Subcommittee
Mr. McCarthy reviewed the Facilities and Security Subcommittee meeting held on
April 30, 2013. Park and Forestry Director Mr. Chris Cassani presented an overview of the grounds work done to date. He has communicated with school principals
about upcoming events and testing quiet times and a first pass of landscaping has
been completed at each school. A contractor will be assisting with the complex
landscaping at Quincy High School. Upgrades for playground safety fiber at
multiple locations are planned, along with addressing the goose problem at the
Faxon Field Track.
The next item on the agenda was a discussion of outstanding issues relating to the
Quincy High School facility. There was lengthy discussion of the HVAC issues
and Mr. Cunniff spoke to the plan to hire a system technician in the FY2014
budget to address this complex system. Mr. Cunniff, Mr. Murphy, and Mr. Kevin
Segalla will update the master issues list for items that have been completed,
research other issues, and schedule completion as necessary. Some of the
classroom items will be addressed during the summer break. Besides the HVAC
system, the compressor vibrations in the building’s C wing continues to be an
issue, along with the warping of the gym floor where there was a water fountain
leak. A further updated list will be shared with the School Committee in a couple
of weeks.
Mr. Murphy then presented an updated list of the SIP/Lighting Audit items in the
Maintenance department; many have been completed, others are scheduled for
completion over the next couple of months, and during the summer.
Mayor Koch clarified that Public Buildings will be adding two positions: an
Energy Manager and a Systems Technician.
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 30, 2013
Facilities and Security Subcommittee. Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a
voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley asked if the revised list would be available May 10 as was proposed
in the meeting. Dr. DeCristofaro said that the list had been updated and would be
shared no later than Wednesday, May 15.
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Executive Session
On a motion by Mayor Koch, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the School Committee
went into Executive Session at 9:30 p.m. for Collective Bargaining. On a roll call
vote, the ayes have it 7-0. The School Committee will return to the Regular
Meeting at the close of Executive Session.
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The School Committee returned from Executive Session at 9:45 p.m.
Approval of MOA Between Quincy School Committee and the QPS Food Service
Employees Association
Mrs. Mahoney made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the
Quincy School Committee and the Quincy Food Service Employees Association
SEIU Local 888. Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes
have it 7-0.
Approval of MOA Between Quincy School Committee and the QPS Paraprofessional
Unit
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the
Quincy School Committee and the Quincy Public Schools Paraprofessional Unit
SEIU Local 888. Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes
have it 7-0.
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Adjournment
Mayor Koch made a motion to adjourn at 9:50 p.m. The motion was seconded
by Mr. Bregoli and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.