May 1, 2019 School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 6:30 pm
Coddington Building

I. Approval of Minutes:

A. Regular Meeting Minutes for April 10, 2019

II. 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.

III. Superintendent’s Report:

A. Inspire Quincy

B. Arts Events:

  • Mama Mia!, NQHS, May 3-5

  • QHS Fashion Show, May 9

  • Middle School Choral Festival, May 16

  • Spring Concerts (Attachment)

C. South~West Middle School Transition Planning Meetings

  • Junior Building Committee Meeting, May 14

D. Quincy School~Community Partnership Events

  • Community Service Learning Celebration, May 30

  • Student Athletic Summit, June 7

E. Recent QPS Events

  • Women in the Trades Summit

  • Nobel Laureate Visit

  • Healthy Choices Event

  • Citywide Parent Council MAP Presentation

F. DESE Promising Practices Review

G. Massachusetts School Nurse of the Year

H. Graduations:

  • North Quincy High School, June 10

  • Quincy High School, June 11

I. QPS School Nutrition Grant

J. High School Robotics

K. QPAC Sensory Night, May 17

L. Parent Academies:

  • Greg Tang, May 7

  • Welcome to Kindergarten, May 21

IV. Old Business: Proposed Revision to Policy Book 9.11.6 Graduation Exercises (Vote) - Mr. Bregoli

V. New Business:

A. Public Buildings Update Commissioner Hines

B. Opportunities & Challenges - Dr. DeCristofaro

C. QPS Website Update - Mr. Andronico
For referral to Policy Subcommittee

D. School Choice (Vote) - Dr. DeCristofaro
Superintendent DeCristofaro recommends that the Quincy School Committee withdraw from enrolling non-resident students in the Quincy Public Schools for the 2019-2020 academic year for the following reasons:

  • Continued concerns at the elementary, middle, and high schools based on current and projected enrollments.
  • Policy of the Quincy School Committee to adhere to class size guidelines.

E. South Shore Educational Collaboration Representative (Vote) - Dr. DeCristofaro

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

A. Upcoming School Committee Meetings (6:30 pm): May 15, 2019 at Central Middle School and June 12, 2019 at the Coddington Building;.

B. Upcoming Subcommittee Meetings (at the Coddington Building):

  • FY2020 Budget Subcommittee Meetings: May 8, 2019; May 22, 2019; and May 29, 2019 (Public Hearing).

  • Special Education Subcommittee Meeting, May 22 at 6:30 pm

  • Athletics & Wellness Subcommittee Meeting, May 29 at 6:05 pm

  • Facilities, Transportation & Security Subcommittee Meeting, May 29 at 6:45 pm

VIII. Reports of Subcommittees:

A. Quarterly Budget & Finance: Mrs. Hubley to report on the April 30, 2019 meeting.

B. Teaching & Learning Subcommittee: Mrs. Lebo to report on the April 30, 2019 meeting.

IX. Executive Session: None

X. Adjournment:


Subcommittees of the School Committee

Athletics & Wellness
Gutro/Andronico/Lebo

  1. Before School Exercise Programs Referred at the September 10, 2014 Special Organizational Meeting. Monitoring the implementation of these programs across QPS.

  2. Substance Use Education & Prevention Referred at the September 6, 2017 Special Organizational Meeting. Monitoring of the system-wide initiatives for students and families and the collaboration with outside agencies.

  3. Wellness Programs Referred at the September 6, 2017 Special Organizational Meeting. Monitoring of the school-based and system-wide initiatives related to student and staff wellness.

  4. Evaluation of Coaches Referred at the September 6, 2017 Special Organizational Meeting. Requesting further discussion of process of formal review of coaches by the Athletic Directors.

  5. Bishop Field Update Referred at the May 2, 2018 School Committee meeting and amended at the May 16, 2018 School Committee meeting; request for information on planned upgrades and a regular Park Board Meeting update (Mr. Bregoli, School Committee representative to the Park Board).

  6. Potential MIAA Athletic League Change for NQHS Referred at the September 10, 2018 Special Organizational Meeting for further discussion.

  7. Share Tables Referred at the October 24, 2018 School Committee meeting for discussion of amending Wellness Policy 1.7 to include guidelines. (Also referred to Policy Subcommittee.)

  8. Health Curriculum Referred at the October 24, 2018 School Committee meeting for review and discussion.

  9. School Nurses Referred at the February 6, 2019 School Committee meeting for further review and discussion.

  10. Elimination of Styrofoam from School Nutrition Service Referred at the March 20, 2019 School Committee meeting for further review and discussion.

Budget & Finance
Hubley/Andronico/Bregoli/DeAmicis/Gutro/Koch/Lebo

  1. Chapter 70 Funding Referred at the March 6, 2019 School Committee meeting for discussion and creation of a position statement.

Facilities, Security, and Transportation
DeAmicis/Bregoli/Gutro

  1. School Playgrounds Referred at the September 14, 2016 Special Organizational Meeting. Requesting an update from the Park Department on recent equipment and safety fiber upgrades and projects in planning.

  2. New Middle School project Referred at the September 14, 2016 Special Organizational Meeting. Schedule updates to be provided as the planning phase moves into construction.

  3. Water Testing Results & Repair Referred at the December 7, 2016 School Committee meeting to monitor the schedule for fixture repair or replacement.

  4. Solar Panels on School Buildings Referred at the September 10, 2018 Special Organizational Meeting for update on Solar City, energy consumption, and related cost savings.

  5. QPS Vehicle Storage Facility Relocation Referred at the September 10, 2018 Special Organizational Meeting as a requested update.

  6. ALICE Protocol Referred at the September 10, 2018 Special Organizational Meeting for further review and discussion.

  7. Direct Emergency Contact from School Offices to Quincy Police Department (Panic Button) Referred at the September 10, 2018 Special Organizational Meeting for review and discussion.

  8. School Improvement Plan Facilities Needs Referred at the November 14, 2018 School Committee meeting for further review towards progress of addressing these issues.

Policy
Bregoli/Andronico/Hubley

  1. Middle School Grading System Referred at the December 10, 2014 School Committee meeting for review and discussion.

  2. School Committee Policy Book Referred at the January 13, 2016 School Committee meeting for review and updating as needed.

  3. NQHS Mascot Referred at the November 9, 2016 School Committee meeting.

  4. Extended School Day/Recess Scheduling Referred at the December 6, 2017 School Committee Meeting.

  5. School Year Calendar 2020-21: Referred at the September 10, 2018 Special Organizational Meeting for review of starting school before Labor Day, September 7, 2020.

  6. Veterans Memorial Stadium: Referred at the October 10, 2018 School Committee meeting by Mayor Koch; consideration of a resolution and revision to the associated School Committee Policy 11.6 Community Use of School Facilities.

  7. Potential Revision of Wellness Policy 1.7 to Incorporate “Share Tables” Referred at the October 24, 2018 School Committee meeting for consideration. (Also referred to Athletics & Wellness Subcommittee.)

  8. School Committee Policy 9.11.1 Homework Referred at the December 12, 2018 School Committee Meeting for review.

  9. School Committee Policy 11.8 Public Solicitations in Schools Referred at the December 12, 2018 School Committee Meeting for review.

  10. 2019-20 School Year Calendar Referred at the December 12, 2018 School Committee Meeting for review.

  11. 2019-20 School Committee Meeting Calendar Referred at the December 12, 2018 School Committee Meeting for review.

  12. School Committee Policy 9.11.16 Graduation Exercises Referred at the March 6, 2019 School Committee Meeting for review.

  13. School Committee Policy 10.18 QPS Anti-Bullying Policy Referred at the April 10, 2019 School Committee Meeting for update to reflect the 2013 regulations.

Rules, Post, Audit & Oversight
Hubley/Bregoli/DeAmicis

Special Education
Andronico/DeAmicis/Lebo

  1. High School Inclusion Classes Referred at the September 10, 2018 Special Organizational Meeting for a requested update of the status for the 2018-2019 school year.

Teaching and Learning
Lebo/Gutro/Hubley

  1. Advanced Program Pathways Referred at the May 20, 2015 School Committee Meeting to review opportunities to challenge above-level students at all grades.

  2. Enrollment Data/Class Size: Referred at the October 14, 2015 School Committee meeting for further review and discussion.

  3. Superintendent Evaluation Referred at the September 7, 2016 School Committee meeting for preparation and procedure review.

  4. High School Mid-Term Examinations Referred at the June 14, 2017 School Committee meeting for further review and discussion.

  5. NQHS Mascot Referred at the May 2, 2018 School Committee meeting for review and discussion.

  6. Graduation Follow Up Survey Referred at the September 10, 2018 Special School Committee meeting.

  7. District Goal for Science Referred at the October 10, 2018 School Committee meeting for further discussion.

  8. MCAS Growth Percentile Referred at the October 10, 2018 School Committee meeting for further discussion.

  9. School Improvement Plan Goal Development Referred at the November 14, 2018 School Committee meeting for further discussion.

  10. Foreign Language Program Referred at the January 9, 2019 School Committee meeting for review.

Ad Hoc Committees

New Middle School Building Committee
Bregoli/Hubley

School District Maps

 Created at the September 10, 2014 Special School Committee meeting to review issues related to school district maps.

Minutes

Quincy, Massachusetts – May 1, 2019 
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular Meeting

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at the Coddington Building at 6:30 p.m. Superintendent DeCristofaro called the roll and present were School Committee Chair Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. James DeAmicis, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Vice Chair.

Vice-Chair Presiding

Also present were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk; Mr. Michael Draicchio, Dr. Beth Hallett, Mr. James Mullaney, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins; Quincy Education Association President Allison Cox; and Citywide Parent Council Co-Presidents Scott Alessandro and Courtney Perdios. School Committee Member Mr. Douglas Gutro was absent.

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There was a moment of silence in memory of Mrs. Barbara Kelly, teacher at the Myles Standish and Montclair Elementary Schools for 27 years, who passed away recently.

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Regular Meeting Minutes Approved 4.10.2019

Mr. DeAmicis made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hubley to approve the Regular Meeting minutes for April 10, 2019 as presented. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Open Forum

Mr. Daniel Molloy thanked Quincy Public Schools for educating his students both benefited from the School Committee Open Enrollment Policy and the Arts education programs. Mr. Molloy encouraged School Committee to consider having a full-time choral teacher at each high school and invited School Committee to attend the All-City Middle & High School Choral Festival on May 16.

Citywide Parent Council Co-President Scott Alessandro thanked Ms. Perkins, Ms. Vaughan, and Ms. Roy for presenting on the MAP Assessments at the most recent Citywide Parent Council Meeting. Mr. Alessandro encouraged consideration of adding a Data position to the administrative staff and opportunities for Professional Development and instruction for High School Health and Sexual Education.

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Superintendent's Report

Dr. DeCristofaro opened the Superintendent’s Report with the Inspire Quincy video featuring the state Department of Conservation & Recreation tree planting at North Quincy High School, the Women in the Trades Summit at Quincy High School, the Elementary School Traveling Salad Bars, the Improbable Players presentation for middle school parents, Healthy Choices Night, and the NQHS/QHS Color Guard.

Upcoming Arts Events: Mamma Mia at North Quincy High School, May 3-5; the Quincy High School Fashion Show on May 9 at 7:00 pm; and the Middle School Choral Festival on May 16 at Central Middle School at 7:00 pm.

South~West Middle School will open for staff and students on Monday, June 3 and an open house will be held for families on June 5. There will be a formal dedication ceremony in the fall once demolition of the existing building is complete and the site is landscaped. Sterling/South~West staff will begin packing and training on the school’s technology and security features in the next few weeks. The Junior Building Committee (students currently in 9th grade) will be meeting on May 14 to tour the new building.

The Homework Initiative team is meeting on Friday, May 3 to plan how the surveys will be rolled out to students, parents, and staff the week of May 28.

Two new initiatives to collaborate with School Committee were proposed at Teaching & Learning Subcommittee on April 30, 2019 by Mrs. Lebo. The first is to ensure consistent integration of Native American representation into the History & Social Sciences Curriculum. The second is to explore high school Health curriculum and opportunities for human sexuality education. In addition, Mr. Andronico is interested in pursuing an initiative to update the Quincy Public Schools website. Mr. Andronico would like to put together a group to explore what would best meet the needs of the staff, students, and families of Quincy Public Schools.

Dr. DeCristofaro announced that School Nutrition Director Sara Dufour has secured a grant to purchase equipment for the Summer Lunch program through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Massachusetts School Nurse of the Year is North Quincy High School’s Kristin Houlihan, who will be recognized at the May 15, 2019 School Committee Meeting.

On Friday, April 26, Nobel Laureate Dr. Richard Roberts visited and met with 60 NQHS and QHS Physics students. Dr. Richards received the Nobel Prize in 1993.

Thanks to members of the Superintendent’s Leadership Team for presenting at the Citywide Parent Council meeting (Ms. Perkins, Ms. Roy, Ms. Vaughan) and organizing the Healthy Choices Family Night (Ms. Bailey and Ms. Papile).

Upcoming Parent Academy events are Greg Tang on May 7 (Elementary School Mathematics) and Welcome to Kindergarten on June 4.

The system-wide Professional Development Tuesday afternoon that was cancelled in February due to snow was rescheduled as a voluntary event, with over 140 teachers signing up to participate on May 7, thanks to the leadership of QEA President Allison Cox.

Upcoming Quincy Public Schools events include the Community Service Learning Breakfast on May 30 and the Student Athlete Leadership Summit on June 7. The 2nd SADD Summit will be held on May 9 with students from Quincy, North Quincy, and Braintree High Schools participating. Family events include Girl Rising on May 29 and the QPAC Sensory Night on May 17, both at Quincy High School.

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Old Business

School Committee Policy 9.11.6 Graduation Exercises (Vote)

Mr. Andronico made a motion to approve the School Committee Policy 9.11.6 Graduation Exercises revisions as presented. Mr. DeAmicis seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 6-0. Mr. Gutro was absent.

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New Business

Public Buildings Department Update

Public Buildings Commissioner Paul Hines presented an update on the maintenance and improvements at school buildings throughout the city. Approximately 2,000 work orders for regular maintenance have been completed between September 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019. MSBA projects are continuing at North Quincy High School roof and Beechwood Knoll with added out of scope items to complete the re-installation of the air conditioning units.

Larger scale projects planned for Summer 2019 include replacing boilers at Clifford Marshall and Quincy High School and replacing the cooling tower at Point Webster. Heating. HVAC controls are being retrofitted at Clifford Marshall and Point Webster, along with pipe insulation installed at Clifford Marshall to address long-standing issues with humidity. The NQHS chillers are on order and will be installed in Summer 2019. In Fall 2019, the Capital Improvement Plan will be revised and presented to City Council. The current CIP has eighty items, seventy are school-related and many are still in process.

Mr. Hines said that the facilities information in the School Improvement Plans and input from the building principals and custodians is key to keeping ahead of building needs.

Mrs. Lebo thanked Mr. Hines for his oversight of the school buildings. Asked for consideration of new lockers at Point Webster. Mr. Hines agreed and noted that Wollaston will also be considered for new lockers.

Mayor Koch thanked Mr. Hines for his oversight of all city buildings and thanked City Council for their support in the maintenance and improvements of the buildings. Will be looking to secure additional funding for Capital Improvement Plan, the city is committed to providing safe and inviting learning environments.

Mr. Hines concluded his report reviewing that the new South~West Middle School project has gone so smoothly, thanks to the project team: Owner’s Project Manager PCA 360, Ai3 Architects, Bond Construction and the collaboration with Quincy Public Schools.

Dr. DeCristofaro thanked Mayor Koch and Commissioner Hines, principals know they can count on Public Buildings staff to address issues.

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New Business

Opportunities & Challenges Enrollment Presentation

Dr. DeCristofaro reviewed the Challenges & Opportunities presentation, an overview of Quincy Public Schools enrollment over the last 10 years based on February 1 data. Over the last 10 years, the population of Quincy Public Schools has grown by over 500 students. Detail of enrollment by site, breaking out general and special education programming was shared. Schools are coded as red, yellow, and green depending on whether schools have room to accept Open Enrollment students. The presentation will be posted on the QPS website.

Pre-Kindergarten programs at Snug Harbor, Point Webster, and Della Chiesa Early Childhood Center have over 400 students total in integrated and CARES classes. In reviewing elementary class size, 80% of elementary school have 20 or fewer students. Beechwood Knoll, Bernazzani, Lincoln Hancock, Merrymount, and Montclair are designated as red as their neighborhood enrollment is consistent to fill the available classroom space. Lincoln Hancock and Montclair may each be adding a Kindergarten section for 2019-20. Atherton Hough, Clifford Marshall, Snug Harbor, and Squantum are yellow, as there is available space in some grades. Parker and Wollaston are green, as there is available space in all grades. For middle schools, Central is red, Atlantic is yellow, and Broad Meadows, Point Webster, and Sterling are all green. For all middle schools, 95% of classes have 24 or fewer students. For the high schools, both are green, open enrollment is available at all grades. High school class sizes show 86% have 25 or fewer students. Alternative programs include Quincy Evening High School and GOALS, which provide customized supports for students working towards graduation. As in previous years, 90% of school-age children living in Quincy attend Quincy Public Schools.

Dr. DeCristofaro concluded the presentation by noting that this is a large volume of information, looks forward to further discussion in School Committee.

Mr. Andronico asked of the percentage of students attending QPS is higher or lower than neighboring community. Ms. Owens will follow up with the information from the DESE website.

Mrs. Lebo asked about transfers during the school year for social-emotional concerns; there are very few overall, almost none at elementary and middle school.

Mr. Bregoli is concerned about enrollment continuing to grow at Montclair and Atlantic, at some point School Committee may need to look at district boundaries.

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New Business

QPS Website Update

Since Dr. DeCristofaro and Mr. Andronico reported on the new QPS Website Initiative during the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Andronico tabled this item.

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New Business

School Choice (Vote)

Mayor Koch made a motion that Quincy Public Schools withdraw from enrolling non-resident students in the 2019-2020 school year. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 6-0. Mr. Gutro was absent.

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New Business

SSEC Representative (Vote)

Mr. DeAmicis made a motion for Dr. DeCristofaro to continue as the School Committee representative to the South Shore Educational Collaborative Board for the 2019-2020 school year. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on roll call vote, the ayes have it, 6-0. Mr. Gutro was absent.

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Additional Business

Mr. Bregoli removed items 6 (Veterans Memorial Stadium), 10 (2019-20 School Year Calendar), 11 (2019-20 School Committee Meeting Calendar), and 12 (Policy 9.11.16 Graduation Exercises) from Policy Subcommittee as these items are completed.

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Communications

Upcoming meetings include School Committee Meetings on May 15, 2019 (at Central Middle School); and June 12, 2019. Upcoming Subcommittee meetings include FY2020 Budget meetings on May 13, 2019 and May 22, 2019 both at 6:00 pm; Special Education at 6:15 pm on May 22, 2019. On May 29, 2019, the FY2020 Budget Public Hearing will be followed by Athletics & Wellness at 6:15 pm and Facilities, Transportation & Security at 7:00 pm.

Mayor Koch noted that he will be presenting the proposed FY2020 Budget for the City of Quincy at City Council on Monday, May 6 at 7:30 pm.

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Reports of Subcommittees

All School Committee and Subcommittee meeting minutes are posted online at www.quincypublicschools.com/schoolcomm/2018-2019.

Mrs. Hubley reviewed the Quarterly Budget & Finance Subcommittee meeting held on April 30, 2019 which reviewed the FY2019 budget through March 31, 2019. All contractual and scheduled expenses can be accommodated with the funding remaining for this fiscal year. At the June 12, 2019 School Committee meeting, there will be requests for transfers to balance line item surpluses and deficits.

The report of the April 30, 2019 Teaching & Learning Subcommittee was deferred to the May 15, 2019 meeting agenda.

The minutes of the April 30, 2019 Quarterly Budget & Finance Subcommittee meeting were approved as presented.

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Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

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Adjournment

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn for the evening at 8:15 p.m.