Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Facilities, Security & Transportation Subcommittee Meeting - March 13, 2019
A meeting of the Facilities, Security & Transportation Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at 7:10 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Mr. Doug Gutro, Acting Chair. Also attending were Superintendent Richard DeCristofaro, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy; Quincy Education Association President Allison Cox; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Dr. DeCristofaro updated on MSBA projects underway in the Quincy Public Schools.
The new South~West Middle School will open Monday, June 3; the timeline for packing and moving is being reviewed with staff. Following the completion of MCAS, the moving process will begin. A Building Committee Meeting will be held onsite at 4:00 pm on Thursday, March 14. An Open House for the parents and community members will be held on Sunday, June 2, details are being finalized.
The Squantum Core Program SOI has been filed; the next step would be a Senior Study, a prelude to an invitation to a Feasibility Study. MSBA requests that each city designate a priority project; until South~West Middle School opens, that is considered the city’s priority project.
The Broad Meadows SOI will be filed well before April 12, 2019 deadline. This SOI is for reimbursement of the emergency flooding damage costs, not sure of total reimbursement yet.
The MSBA visited Central Middle School on March 8 under the Post-Occupancy Pilot program. Public Buildings and Custodial staff, school administration, met with MSBA staff and representatives from an outside consulting firm to review the building envelope and mechanicals. Walter Macdonald reviewed “lessons learned” from each of the major construction projects. The MSBA will share a written review of the Central facility later this spring.
Dr. DeCristofaro updated on the use of Carbon Dioxide monitors, currently the Public Buildings department will assist in monitoring these levels at school buildings. The Wollaston Elementary School lower level rooms were recently tested and improved air quality through the installation of new ventilation unit was documented. The State report on the air quality issues tested in December has not been received. Mr. Gutro asked that the most recent results be shared. Mrs. Hubley asked for clarification and all areas tested showed improvement over the previous testing.
The Safety & Security presentation was recently reviewed with all school professional staff members at their mid-year Assessment Day meetings. The presentation is also reviewed at the beginning and end of each school year, to present updated information and amend as necessary as protocols are updated. Custodial, administrative staff, and paraprofessionals will be integrated into review process as well.
Emergency Call Buttons have been installed at all school buildings. Mr. Gutro asked for specifics; each building has at least three buttons, the location is specific to those schools.
Mr. Andronico said that in his experience, these are under a desk or similarly not visible.
Security Camera funding provided by Mayor Koch will support needed upgrades. Mr. Andronico said Safer Schools & Community Technology grant was just released this week. Dr. DeCristofaro said QPS will collaborate with the Mayor’s Office and the Quincy Police Department to submit this grant.
Dr. DeCristofaro said that in the future, these costs will be carried as City of Quincy budget item, not in the QPS budget. Dr. DeCristofaro said that this type of planning and budgeting will allow for installation that meets the unique needs of our older buildings and include replacing existing cameras, repairs/maintenance, and additional cameras.
Dr. DeCristofaro said that Public Building Commissioner Paul Hines will appear at School Committee on May 1 or May 15
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to adjourn the Facilities, Security & Transportation Subcommittee at 7:35 pm.