Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Policy Subcommittee Meeting
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
A meeting of the Policy Subcommittee was held on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 5:00 pm in the 2
nd
Floor Conference Room at the NAGE Building. Present were Mr. Noel DiBona, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley,
Ms. Barbara Isola, Mr. Dave McCarthy, and Mr. Paul Bregoli, Chair. Also attending were
Superintendent DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Michael Connor, Ms. Beth
Hallett, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri; Ms. Allison Cox, President of the
Quincy Education Association, and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Mr. Bregoli called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm and reviewed the current School Committee Policy
on Interscholastic Eligibility dates from 1990 and requires passing grades in 20 periods of prepared
work. Mr. Bregoli feels that this is a minimum standard and is asking the School Committee to
consider making the standard stronger. In reviewing the guidelines for other cities and towns, there
are a variety of approaches above the MIAA minimum requirement: Andover requires passing 2 of 4
core courses; Milton and Hanover requires 25 points; Weymouth requires 4 major courses; WhitmanHanson requires that students must maintain C average.
Of 440 Fall Athletics participants, 70% of students maintained a C average or above and 30% had one
or more D or F's on their transcript.
Mr. McCarthy supports the idea of transitioning to a higher standard over time; Mr. Connor and Mr.
Taglieri suggested passing three of four core subjects and five subjects in total (25 points). Both
agree that a student that is failing two courses should not represent either high school as an athlete.
Ms. Isola asked for clarification of the number of classes each student takes (6 at North, 7 at
Quincy) Each major course is worth five points, so students accumulate a different number of points
at each school. Ms. Isola likes Hanover's guideline: 25 credits and not more than one failing grade.
Mr. DiBona agreed that allowing two failing grades is setting the bar too low. This is an opportunity
for coaches to become more involved in student academic success. Mr. Bregoli cited that WhitmanHanson has the option of placing students on academic probation based on mid-semester progress
reports; weekly progress reports submitted to coaches to determine eligibility from week to week.
Mr. Bregoli suggested making this part of the Quincy Public Schools Policy. Dr. DeCristofaro said that
this is a guideline, Policy should be at a higher level. The information from other towns was found in
their Athletic Handbooks, not their School Committee Policy Books.
Ms. Isola would like a specific Policy to make clear what the School Committee what the expectations
are. Then it is up to each high school site to implement the Policy, which indicates what the School
Committee value. Mr. Bregoli would like to see the Athletic Directors have some regular progress
report monitoring. Ms. Isola said that the Policy should set an expectation and then the Athletics
department would decide how to implement. Dr. DeCristofaro said that guidelines from the high
schools can be shared with School Committee. Mr. McCarthy said that having the two teacherathletic directors has already made a difference in strengthening the relationship between academics
and athletics.
Ms. Isola made a motion to move revised language for School Committee Policy 9.8.5 to the full
School Committee. The revised policy will read:
During the last ranking period preceding the contest, a student must secure at least 25 credits and
may not receive more than one failing grade. To be eligible for fall sports, a student must secure at
least 25 credits and not have more than one failing grade on the previous academic year final report
card. All grade 9 students are eligible for fall sports. The academic eligibility of all students shall be
considered as official and determining only on the date when the report cards for that ranking period
have been issued.
On the motion, Mr. Bregoli questioned whether we want to look back to middle school for Grade 9
eligibility, but other school districts do not. On the motion, Mrs. Hubley asked about specifying
passing grades in three core classes, but Mr. Taglieri said the new policy wording would ensure that.
Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Ms. Isola made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 pm. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and
on a voice vote, the ayes have it.