Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts – May 3, 2017
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday,
May 3, 2017 at the Coddington Building at 6:30 p.m. The Superintendent called
the roll and present were School Committee Chairman Mayor Thomas Koch,
Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Anne Mahoney
and Mr. Paul Bregoli, Vice Chair. Mr. James DeAmicis arrived at 7:25 pm.
Vice Chair Presiding
Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens,
Clerk; Mr. Michael Draicchio, Dr. John Franceschini, Ms. Beth Hallett, Ms. Elise
Higgins-Steele, Ms. Rebecca McInnis, Ms. Courtney Mitchell, Mr. James
Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs. Erin
Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Quincy Education Association
President Allison Cox.
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There was a moment of silence in memory of Mr. Arthur Gillis, Director of Library Services and
Librarian for over 30 years.
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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved
4.12.2017
Mrs. Hubley made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Lebo to approve the Regular
Meeting minutes for April 12, 2017. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Open Forum
As no one wished to speak at Open Forum, School Committee went on to the next
item on the agenda.
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Superintendent's
Report
Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report by recognizing Quincy High
School students who participated in the recent Massachusetts Music Educators
Festival Events: Marcus Johnson, Emily Crosta All-State Festival Chorus; Emily
Barker, Leanne Gough, District Festival Chorus; and Daniel Hagborg, District
Festival Band.
The Inspire Quincy video featured the April Vacation week Elementary School
Chorus Camp at Quincy High School and Montclair; the Learn to Swim Program at
the South Shore YMCA, Healthy Choices Family Night, the Picnic in the Park at the
Adams Historic Site, Math Mania at Clifford Marshall, and the Grade 5 All-City
Band & Chorus Concert.
Dr. DeCristofaro noted that May 8-12 is Teacher Appreciation Week and May 10 is
Nurses Appreciation Day. Quincy Public Schools recognizes all of its educators
during this week and Dr. DeCristofaro recognized Allison Cox as an outstanding
educator in addition to her work with the Quincy Education Association.
Upcoming Quincy Public Schools events include Cleaner Greener on Saturday, May
6 and the final Parent Academy of the year will be the Welcome to Kindergarten
event on May 23 at 6:30 pm at Central Middle School. Thanks to all the teachers
and administrators who made these Parent Academies so successful this year.
Quincy Public Schools Nurses and Brewster Ambulance will provide CPR & AED
re-certification for over 40 students at both high schools on May 11. The North
Quincy High School Senior Art & Photo Showcase will be held on May 11. North
Quincy High School Drama Presents Back to the 80s on May 5-7. The Quincy High
School Fashion Show will be held on May 12 and the Women in the Trades Summit
on May 24. The ELC Open House will be held on May 31 at Point Webster Middle
School. The Grades 5-8 Robotics Challenge will be held on May 20 and on May 25,
the All-City Middle School Chorus Festival Concert will be held at Central Middle
School. Dr. DeCristofaro reminded School Committee that the high school
graduations will be held on June 12 (North Quincy) and June 13 (Quincy) at 6:00
p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium, weather permitting or indoors at the
respective high school.
Recent Quincy Public Schools events include the Family Healthy Choices Night,
over 200 students participated in athletic events at Veterans Memorial Stadium. A
Drug Story Theater presentation was held for middle school parents at Central
Middle School. The All-City Band & Chorus Concert was held on May 2, featuring
100 students in Band, 20 students in Percussion ensemble, over 50 students in
Chorus. Thanks to both the Band and Choral Booster parent groups for support of
programs. The April vacation Choral Camp included 60 students in Grades 3-5
Picnic in the Park, a collaboration of the National Park Service/Adams Historic
Site, the Planning Department, and Quincy Public Schools saw over 300 students
and family members on April 27.
Looking forward to this summer, the construction plans for the new Sterling
Middle School will be reviewed with staff on May 9. Summer Reading lists and
Summer Program information is being finalized and will be shared at later School
Committee meetings.
Quincy High School’s Think Work Share and Atherton Hough Elementary School’s
Monthly Newsletters were shared with School Committee.
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Old Business
There was no Old Business.
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New Business
City of Quincy
FY2018 Budget
Overview
Mayor Koch gave an overview of the FY2018 City Budget, presented on May 1 to
City Council just under $300 million total. The Budget reflects the values of the
city, City Council may approve or cut, but may not add to any department budget.
For the School Committee, City Council may not make any line item cuts.
Increases in Fire Department will allow for full-time staffing of all apparatus,
including Rescue 1. The Quincy Public Schools budget is up $2.9 million to cover
scheduled raises and step level increases as well as the opportunity for some
program enhancements. This is a conservative budget, Mayor Koch is hoping to
have a smaller property tax increase in the fall, and to try to balance the needs for
services and the costs for those services. On the debt service side, 5.25% of the
city budget is allocated for this category, Quincy is one of the top three cities in
Massachusetts for bond rating and excess levy capacity.
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New Business
Career & Technical
Education Program
Advisory Team
Executive Director of Career & Technical Education Keith Segalla, Quincy High
School Career & Technical Education Department Chair Rebecca McInnis, and Mr.
Steve Wessling, CEO & President of Wessling Architects (QHS Class of 1965)
presented the annual update on the Career & Technical Education Program
Advisory Team. All 19 Career & Technical Education programs have active
advisory teams, consisting of students, parents, members of the community, and
representatives from organized labor, business, and industry and/or postsecondary institutions. The program advisory teams provide opportunities for
CTE instructors and team members to review and discuss program direction,
safety, curriculum updates, improvements, and feedback on student
competencies. The team members provide paid and unpaid work-based learning
experiences, expand opportunities for industry partners, and provide donated
equipment, and instructional materials.
The ongoing CTE Advisory Team goals include the compilation of the Advisory
Team reports, reviewing classroom safety and equipment, program of studies,
student enrollment, curriculum and instructional materials, and establishing
program goals. The second goal is for each CTE program to have a relevant lesson
or visitation at the workplace of a CTE team member.
CVE Department Chair Rebecca McInnis spoke about the Perkins Grant
recommendations focused on safety, curriculum, educational software,
professional development, and equipment. Financial support was provided for
vouchers for students to complete OSHA General or Construction safety
credentials and Career Safety Awareness credentials. New curriculum materials
were purchased for Business Technology, NQHS Early Education and Care, Health
Care Technology, Information Technology, and Metal Fabrication. Educational
software was purchased for Business Technology, Health Care, Legal and
Protective Services, and Information Technology. Equipment was purchased for
Automotive Technology, Carpentry, Electrical, Engineering, and Metal Fabrication.
Technology was purchased for Broadcasting, Business, Information Technology,
and Early Education and Care. Professional Development Opportunities included
OSHA Construction Certification and Re-Certification.
Mrs. Lebo thanked all of the participants on the CTE Advisory Committees and
complimented the impressive list of materials and equipment from the limited
Perkins funding. Very pleased to see the CTE programs receiving competitive
grants as well.
Ms. Isola echoed Mrs. Lebo, so many of the CTE Advisors are part of the Quincy
School~Community Partnership, we are very lucky in Quincy to have these
businesses who contribute in so many ways.
Mrs. Mahoney said that it was great to hear Mr. Wessling speak of his experiences,
overcame some obstacles and shared this inspiration with students. Thanked Mr.
Segalla for the thorough presentation, these notebooks represent the work of the
volunteers who provide enormous opportunities for our students.
Mayor Koch added his words of gratitude to those of the School Committee. Mr.
Wessling is such a committed member of the community, supporting the schools
and many city-based cultural, social services, and charitable causes.
Mr. Bregoli thanked Mayor Koch for the budgetary support for expansion of CTE
programs at North Quincy High School and suggested Fashion Technology and
Legal & Protective Services as areas for future expansion.
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New Business
Girl Rising Project
Update
Senior Curriculum Director Madeline Roy and Sterling Middle School Teacher
Elise Higgins-Steele gave an update on the Girl Rising project. Quincy Public
Schools has received a grant to expand the program to other middle schools as
well as to connect to schools across the country and around the world. Atlantic
and Central will be piloting the project in Grade 8 ELA classes. There will be a
Community Screening of the Girl Rising film on May 19 for Grade 8 families. For
the last eight weeks of school, the Grade 8 students will begin with a pre-project
survey, read the Girl Rising book in sections, online blog for student writing,
sources for research, planning for projects to be completed by the end of May. The
three schools will Skype to connect classrooms, use Google docs to organize
projects, and use social media to create awareness and create a positive digital
footprint. The project teaches students about empathy, awareness, and action.
Ms. Isola said that Ms. Higgins-Steele’s enthusiasm is contagious, students are so
lucky to have access to this project, brings the focus on how lucky we are in our
communities and how can we make an impact in the world. Looks forward to
hearing the fall update.
Mrs. Hubley said the Girl Rising documentary is impactful and urged everyone to
see it.
Mr. DeAmicis thanked the presenters, noting that the project is a good opportunity
to help students understand their role in this world in expanding equality. Speaks
volumes that Quincy is leading the way, thanks for the commitment and passion in
leading the next generation.
Mrs. Lebo said that teachers are really leaders in the Quincy Public Schools and
the administration has done a good job recognizing and supporting these
initiatives.
Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Dr. Franceschini and Ms. Mitchell for their support of the
project. He is looking forward to seeing it expand to other schools.
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New Business
School Choice (Vote)
Dr. DeCristofaro recommended that School Committee withdraw from enrolling
non-resident students in the Quincy Public Schools for the 2017-2018 (School
Choice) due to concerns about building capacity and maintaining class size
guidelines in our the elementary, middle, and high schools. The Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education requires that School Committees vote on
this annually.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to withdraw from enrolling non-resident students in the
Quincy Public Schools for the 2017-2018 school year. The motion was seconded
by Mrs. Hubley and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
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New Business
SSEC Board
Representative (Vote)
Ms. Isola made a motion to confirm Dr. Richard DeCristofaro as the Quincy Public
Schools representative on the South Shore Educational Collaborative Board for the
2017-2018 school year. The motion was seconded by Mr. DeAmicis and on a roll
call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
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Additional Business
There was no Additional Business.
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Communications
Upcoming meetings were announced: School Committee on May 17 and June 14,
2017 at 6:30 pm; the May 17, 2017 meeting will be held at Central Middle School.
Upcoming Subcommittee meetings were announced: Facilities & Security will
meet on May 8, 2017 at 5:00 pm, followed by Athletics at 5:30 pm. The FY2018
Budget & Finance Subcommittee meetings will be held on May 10, May 16, and
May 22, 2017 at 5:00 pm. Special Education will meet on May 24, 2017 at 6:00
pm. The FY2018 Public Hearing is May 31, 2017 at 6:00 pm.
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Reports of
Subcommittees
Mr. Bregoli noted that all School Committee and Subcommittee meeting minutes
are posted online at www.quincypublicschools.com.
Teaching & Learning
Ms. Isola reported on the April 3, 2017 Teaching & Learning Subcommittee which
featured a presentation on General & Choral Music Programs by Ms. Hallett and an
overview of summer programs for students and teachers presented by Mrs.
Perkins and Ms. Roy.
As there were no corrections, the minutes for the April 3, 2017 Teaching &
Learning Subcommittee meeting, the minutes were approved as presented.
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Mr. Bregoli removed 2017-18 School Year Calendar and 2017-18 School
Committee Calendar from the Policy Subcommittee.
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Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
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Adjournment
Mayor Koch made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 7:55 p.m. The motion
was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.