Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Policy Subcommittee Meeting
A meeting of the Policy Subcommittee was held on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 6:00 pm in the
Coddington Building. Present were Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mrs. Kathryn
Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mr. Paul Bregoli, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent
Richard DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy,
Mr. Keith Segalla; Ms. Allison Cox, Quincy Education Association President; and Ms. Laura Owens,
Clerk.
Mr. Bregoli opened the meeting with a discussion of Section 2, which was previously reviewed,
but referred back to Policy Subcommittee for further considerations.
For Section 2.3.2 School Committee~Superintendent Relationship, Mrs. Lebo asked about being
more specific about when communication is needed in a more timely way. Mrs. Lebo said many
current School Committee Policies suggest communication “if appropriate” so some definition is
needed, while at the same time acknowledging that anything related to safety and security must
be addressed before notification of School Committee.
Dr. DeCristofaro said that social media has changed how information is shared, this informal
communication means that School Committee sometimes hears about something before the
Superintendent or Leadership Team members. At other times, investigations are in process and
rumors/misinformation are spreading before the facts are known. Dr. DeCristofaro said that
there are always areas for improvement and communication is a 2-way street, he is always
available for questions or discussions should School Committee have concerns.
Mrs. Lebo agreed that this is difficult to control, parents sometimes contact School Committee
members with incorrect information. School Committee’s ethics preclude sharing confidential
information but they need to know enough information to answer questions. Mrs. Lebo would
like to define when notifications should happen, for example, when the police are involved.
Mr. Bregoli said School Committee sometimes doesn’t know what is going on. Maybe the Vice
Chair could be the point person and be responsible for communicating to the rest of the School
Committee.
Mrs. Hubley said that may be a violation of the Open Meeting Law and Mr. Andronico agreed,
saying adding the Vice Chair is an unnecessary layer, communication should be direct from
School Committee.
Mayor Koch said that School Committee should not be disseminating information on social
media, it is not School Committee’s role to speak on behalf of the school system.
Mrs. Lebo said School Committee can answer questions, and would like to work with Mr. Mulvey
to create language for the School Committee Policy book that defines roles and expectations.
For Section 2.4.11 Public Participation at School Committee Meetings, Mr. Bregoli revisited the
language for Open Forum and the definition of “community.” (The definition is also in Section
2.4.5 Agenda Format.) Mr. Bregoli would like to limit this to residents of Quincy and worked with
Deputy Superintendent Mulvey on proposed new language limiting who can speak at Open
Forum:
Open Forum: An opportunity for community input regarding the Quincy Public
Schools. Community in this context is defined as a resident of the City of Quincy, a
parent of a student who attends the Quincy Public Schools, or an employee of the
Quincy Public Schools. Non-community persons not permitted to speak at Open Forum
may submit written statements to the School Committee. After giving his or her name
and address, each speaker may make a presentation of no more than four minutes to
the School Committee. An individual may not exchange their time or yield to others.
Mrs. Hubley is in favor of the revised Open Forum definition as it aligns with the School
Committee Operational Goals in section 2.1.
Mayor Koch said that School Committee is elected by City of Quincy residents, and is comfortable
with the new language proposed since it covers non-custodial parents and employees who reside
outside of Quincy.
Mrs. Lebo reminded School Committee that it is very rare that a non-resident appears to speak at
Open Forum and is concerned about limiting the opportunity for new ideas to come to School
Committee’s attention.
Mr. Andronico asked if non-Quincy residents can present at School Committee, and they can if
they are on the agenda.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to accept the revised Open Forum definition for School Committee
Policy Book Sections 2.4.5. and 2.4.11. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion and on a voice vote,
the ayes have it.
For additional changes for Section 2, Mrs. Lebo asked for a further review of Section 2.2.1 School
Committee Powers and Duties, specifically the second paragraph which refers to School
Committee appointment of Program Advisory Committees for Chapter 74 programs to ensure
compliance with the statute.
Through Mr. Bregoli, Mr. Gutro requested that Sections 2.2.1 School Committee Powers and
Duties, 2.2.2 School Committee Member Authority, 2.4.3 School Committee Meeting Procedures,
2.4.4 Notification of School Committee Meetings, 2.4.5 Agenda Format, and 2.4.6 Agenda
Preparation be held for further discussion.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to hold Sections 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.4.3, 2.4.4, 2.4.5, and 2.4.6 for further
discussion. The motion was seconded by Mr. Andronico and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Section 2.4.11, containing the revised Open Forum language will move from Policy Subcommittee
to full School Committee. Section 2.4.11 will appear on the April 11, 2018 School Committee
meeting agenda for discussion and the May 2, 2018 School Committee meeting agenda as eligible
for voting.
For Section 5, there is outdated and redundant language that needs to be updated throughout.
School Committee members can review and send changes to Ms. Owens for compilation.
Mrs. Lebo asked if there are Student Rights & Responsibilities and Athletics Handbook policies
that are not referenced in the School Committee Policy Book.
Mr. Bregoli said that the Athletic Handbook signoff online is not effective, would like parents to
receive a printed copy and sign that they have reviewed.
Mrs. Hubley asked about the seasonal Athletics parent meetings, these are supposed to be
mandatory. Mr. Bregoli said that parents don’t always attend those meetings.
Mr. Andronico said that parents may sign a paper without reading as well, so there is no
guarantee
Mayor Koch asked if there is a code of conduct for coaches that is reviewed and signed, Dr.
DeCristofaro will follow up.
Mayor Koch left the meeting at 6:30 pm.
Mrs. Lebo asked if Student Handbook contents should be incorporated into the Policy Book. Mr.
Mulvey said that historically, School Committee has adopted applicable Massachusetts statutes
as Policy. The Superintendent, Leadership Team, and Principals set guidelines based on the
statutes.
Mrs. Lebo asked how often the statutes are reviewed, Mr. Mulvey said that as we become aware
of updated or new statutes, these are brought to Policy Subcommittee. Mr. Mulvey cited the AntiBullying, Sexual Harassment, Service Animals as Policies that have recently been added in the
last few years.
Mrs. Lebo asked if there are other policies that are not covered by statutes. Mr. Mulvey said
there are hundreds of policies and all would need to be reviewed against current statutes.
Mrs. Lebo asked if everything in the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook is in the Policy
Book and Mr. Mulvey confirmed that there are school-based policies that are not School
Committee Policies.
Mr. Bregoli suggested that the School Resource Officer role be defined and noted that the School
Committee Policy Book was last comprehensively revised in 2004.
Dr. DeCristofaro said that in the past, School Committee members reviewed the sections and
send comments to the Clerk (formerly Ms. Barelli) to compile for further discussion.
Mrs. Hubley asked if the Quincy Police Department School Resource Officer job description can
be shared for reference when reviewing section 5.
Mr. Bregoli would like to update the crisis response section to include active shooter situations.
Mr. Mulvey asked whether this would be a Policy about communication because the response
specifics would not be public information.
Mrs. Lebo said in Section 5.5.5 Bus Driver Examination and Training, she would like to add
reference to checking driving records on an ongoing basis. Mrs. Lebo asked about school bus
drivers who develop medical conditions after being hired. Mr. Mulvey said federal regulation of
CDL licenses require regular (annual) medical checkups and up to date certifications be
submitted to Human Resources.
Mr. Bregoli asked about adding specifics about required certifications and grounds for
termination. Some of this may be in Section 7 Personnel or Section 8 Negotiations, so crossreferences should be reviewed and added where needed.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 pm. Mr. Andronico seconded the
motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.