Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Budget & Finance Subcommittee Meeting
Monday, May 11, 2016
A meeting of the Budget & Finance Subcommittee was held on Monday, May 11, 2016 at 5:00 pm in
the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, and
Mrs. Emily Lebo, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent
Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Beth Hallett, Mr. James Mullaney, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs.
Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mrs. Ruth Witmer; Citywide Parent Council CoPresident Scott Alessandro; Quincy Education Association Vice-President Michael Ellis; and Ms. Laura
Owens, Clerk.
Mrs. Lebo called the Budget & Finance Subcommittee meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Dr. DeCristofaro
and Director of Business James Mullaney reviewed the process for budget development. The process
begins with Superintendent’s Leadership and Principal Team members identifying areas of
consideration with students at the center of the process. For each of the budget areas, key questions
are asked to determine if the budget allocation allow for maintaining current services. During the
budget development process, the teams collaborate with School Committee to ensure that priorities
are met, especially enrollment and class size guidelines.
Over the past five years of Quincy Public Schools budgets, increased funding has allowed for both
restoration of programs and positions altered under previous budgets and incremental growth to
address the needs of all students. Increased budget funding has provided for the high school Health
Interventionists, middle school Technology Engineering and French Foreign Language at Grade 8.
Additional positions for Special Education, English Language Learners, Literacy, Instrumental and
Choral Music, nurses, attendance officers, Guidance, Psychology, and full-time Kindergarten aides.
Additional funding for extracurricular activities, including Athletics provide our students with a range
of opportunities beyond the bell. Increased and special investments in technology, security,
professional development, transportation, and curriculum materials have made a tremendous
difference to staff and students. Dr. DeCristofaro is looking forward to building this year’s budget,
the appropriation ensures incredible class sizes and improvement to many programs.
Mr. Mullaney reviewed that the proposed Quincy Public Schools FY2017 Budget is $102,598,022: the
Mayor’s appropriation of $98,748,022 plus projected Circuit Breaker Funding of $3,850,00. The
Mayor’s appropriation is a 3.3% increase over FY2016. This proposed budget allows for Quincy Public
Schools to meet all contractual obligations for the 2016-2017 School Year, including all percentage
raises and step and level increases. After level-service funding of all current programs, there is
$342,000 available to address class size, academic programs, academic support, non-academic
support, academic expenses, and non-academic expenses.
For Academic Classroom Teachers, there are two additional positions, one at the elementary school
level to address class size and one at the high school level to increase Foreign Language instruction.
For Academic Programs, there are increases of 0.5 positions for English Language Learners and
Literacy programs, plus a new position at North Quincy High School split between broadcasting and
graphic arts. For Special Education, an additional 2.8 positions will include a teacher for hearingimpaired students, a Transitional Kindergarten class for Lincoln Hancock, and a 0.8 to address student
support at Merrymount and Quincy High School
For Academic Support, shifts will be made to reclassify positions between line items. 14 Kindergarten
Aide positions are moving back to being grant funded. No changes for Non-Academic Support.
For Academic Expenses, suggested increases include Special Education tuition by $178,000
(anticipated increase in Circuit Breaker funding), $30,000 for CTE supplies, $37,000 to the teacher’s
discretionary account (contractual increase in rate), increased funding for educational software,
decreasing technology acquisition slightly to offset other increased expenses. Anticipating
technology acquisition expenditures to be funded under the Mayor’s Capital Plan. For Non-Academic
Expenses, cuts were made to electricity and gasoline to offset anticipated expenses elsewhere
Dr. DeCristofaro said that other budget enhancements will be funded through grant opportunities.
The additional CTE position for NQHS will be split between broadcasting and graphic arts to expand
Chapter 74 options for students at NQHS. If there is growth in interest, each area could possibly
become a full-time position in next year’s budget.
Ms. Isola said she is thankful that School Committee is not in a position where budget cuts are
needed. Ms. Isola asked about Atherton Hough Grade 4; Dr. DeCristofaro confirmed that the second
classroom position is fully funded. He will meet with Principal Moreira and parents next week.
Mrs. Lebo asked about the Curriculum Director line item in Academic Support, why is there 1.9
positions rather than 2.0. Mr. Mullaney said that 0.1 of the Elementary Curriculum Director is paid
under Title I grant.
Mrs. Lebo asked if we have realized fuel savings since Bernazzani has been converted to natural gas.
Mr. Mullaney said that the budget is conservative and assumes the fuel costs will be similar.
Mr. Bregoli asked about increased electricity needs for technology. Mr. Mullaney said these continue
to increase but feels the budget can cover the current level.
Mrs. Lebo noted that while the overall Quincy Public Schools budget has increased by 3.3%, the
professional staff salary increase will be 2% for 2016-2017.
Ms. Isola made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 pm. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and
on a voice vote, the ayes have it.