Quincy Public Schools

A meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room at the Coddington Building.  Superintendent Kevin Mulvey called the roll and present were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, School Committee Chair, and School Committee Members Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Tina Cahill, Mr. Douglas Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mr. Frank Santoro, Vice Chair.   

Also present were:  Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Kim Connolly, Ms. Allison Cox, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms. Andrea Huwar, Mr. Michael Marani, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri; NQHS Student Representative Amy Tan; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

A moment of silence was observed for Quincy Public Schools retirees who passed away over the summer: Dr. Elizabeth “Betty” Bostrum, 31 years with Quincy Public Schools, principal of Wollaston Elementary School and also served as the Assistant Principal of Central Junior High School and a teacher at Daniel Webster Elementary School and Point Junior High School; Constance Boudreau, cafeteria staff member at Merrymount Elementary School and Atlantic Middle School for 34 years; David Brown, teacher for 2 years at the Adams Elementary School; Peggy Joyce, cafeteria manager at the Daniel Webster School for 9 years; Ed Miller, 21 years with Quincy Public Schools, first as a Physical Education teacher and then as Athletic Director; Mary O’Connor, was a teacher for 21 years at the Gridley Bryant, Parker, and Snug Harbor Elementary Schools; Annie O’Leary, paraprofessional for 8 years at Merrymount Elementary School; Paul Picarski, teacher for 2 years at Central  and Broad Meadows Junior High Schools; George Yezukevich, 37 years service, retired as Quincy High School Assistant Principal and after being a Spanish teacher there for many years.

Ms. Owens read the following statement into the record:  Pursuant to the Open Meeting Law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium.  Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unperceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible.

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Regular Meeting

Vice-Chair Presiding

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the minute of the Regular Meeting for June 14, 2023.  Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Mr. Gutro made a motion to approve the minutes of the Executive Session for June 14, 2023.  Mrs. Cahill seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the minutes of the Special Organizational Meeting for September 6, 2023.  Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Approval of Minutes

Ms. Courtney Perdios expressed concern over the scheduling of Middle School Open Houses all on the same evening, September 14.  Some families may have students in two middle schools and have to choose between the schools.  In addition, there is a potential conflict with the Squantum Elementary School project community meeting which is also scheduled for September 14.

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Open Forum

Mayor Koch presented the Chairman’s Report, noting that the Squantum Elementary School community meeting is a preliminary gathering of issues and an introduction to the project team.  There will be additional meetings scheduled in the coming months.  Mayor Koch noted that the Tower to Tower Exhibit, 9/11 memorial is scheduled to be in Quincy September 20-23.  For the DeCristofaro Learning Center, on October 22, 1:00 pm, there will be a dedication ceremony followed by an Open House.

Superintendent Mulvey opened his report by noting that in the last week, Quincy Public Schools has welcomed over 1,200 new students at all grades, including our youngest students in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten.  Preliminary district enrollment is 9,910 with an additional 85 students in process at school sites and Central Registration.   October 1 enrollment data and class sizes will be shared at the October 11 School Committee meeting.  Thanks to all Quincy Public Schools administrators and staff who worked diligently to prepare for the start of the school year.

On Thursday, September 14, Governor Healey and Speaker Mariano will visit the Snug Harbor Community School at 11:00 am.  The visit is in recognition of the Universal Free School Meals bill recently passed by the Massachusetts Legislature.  The Quincy delegation along with sponsoring members of the House and Senate will be attending, accompanied by Mayor Koch and School Committee members. The Governor and Speaker will visit Snug Harbor students and staff in the lunchroom and classrooms, as well as hold a press conference.  Quincy Public Schools is honored to host this event recognizing the importance of this legislation to our families.

The calendar of Fall Open House events was shared with School Committee in their packets.  These events are a great opportunity for families to meet classroom teachers, learn about curriculum and academic expectations, and how to become more involved in the school community.

As Mayor Koch mentioned, the first Squantum Elementary School Project Community Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 14 at 6:30 pm.  A letter of invitation was sent out to Squantum residents from Mayor Koch and Ward 6 City Councillor Bill Harris.  The project team will be introduced at the meeting and the community will have their first opportunity for input at this very preliminary stage of the process.  Additional community meetings will be scheduled as the project progresses.

This summer, the Quincy Public Schools QNQ Marching Band program had four current students and four alumni go on tour with a Spartans drum and bugle corps from Nashua, New Hampshire. The students spent the entire summer rehearsing, touring, and performing in football stadiums all over the country; 30 shows in 25 states in ten weeks.  The tour concluded at the Drum Corp International World Championships in Indianapolis, where they won an open class world championship.  Congratulations to Quincy High School students Aaron Earnest and Nathan Aronoff, North Quincy High School students Anders Eshleman and Anthony Magnarelli, and alumni Liana Gao, Ethan Earnest, Gio Mackenzie, and Rebekah Dang.

The Quincy Art Association is currently hosting an art show “Celebrate Quincy” at the QArts Gallery on Hancock Street that features student artwork representing all elementary, middle, and high schools in Quincy Public Schools.  This is the first in a three-year art project leading to the Quincy 400 events in 2025.  A reception will be held on Saturday, September 23 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and all are invited to attend. 

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Superintendent’s

Report

With the scheduling of the Massachusetts Presidential Primary on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 an adjustment to the calendar is needed.  This day will become a no school day and an additional day will be added to the end of the school year.  The last day of school for students (if there are no snow days) will be Tuesday, June 18.  The last day for staff will be Thursday, June 20.  These dates could be further adjusted for snow days that may occur during the winter.

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the revised 2023-2024 Quincy Public Schools as presented.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.

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Old Business

2023-2024 QPS School

Year Calendar

Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Curriculum Director Michael Marani, and Executive Director of Instructional Technology & CVTE Programs Keith Segalla presented a reflection on the Quincy Public Schools Summer Programs.  Thanks to Superintendent’s Leadership Team members Julie Graham, Kimberley Quinn, Christopher Tierney, and Bridget Vaughan for their leadership in planning the programs beginning in Winter 2023 and program facilitators Justine Sullivan, Donna Niosi, Meghan Healey, Laurel Hendrickson, Tracy Phelan, Danielle Parry, Marisa Smith, Patrick Lane, Michelle Cunniff, Nancy Ceriani, Thao Nguyen Ippolito, Diane Babcock, Christopher Benson, Joanna Compitiello, Tom Doucette, Christopher Boel, and Natalie Valente.

1742 students, 159 teachers, 97 paraprofessionals participated in 20 programs:  Bridge to Reading & Math, Quest for Learning, and Snug Summer (540 elementary school students total); Summer Boost, Hands-On Math, Summer Theater Arts Program, and STEM Academy (250 middle school students total); Summer Pathways to Success Credit Recovery, Ladders 2 Success, YouthWorks, and Early College High School (439 high school students total).  For students in the CARES and Learning Center programs, summer programs at Della Chiesa Early Childhood Center, Clifford Marshall Elementary School, and South~West Middle School served 335 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12.  English Learner students participated in Camp Can Do and SWELL Academy, 165 students total from Grades 1-8.

Superintendent Mulvey thanked Quincy Police Department Chief Kennedy and Officer Ryan Donnelly and Officer Gregg Hartnett, 50 middle school students participated in the Quincy Police Youth Summer Academy.  Thanks also to Mayor Koch for providing the funding.

Mr. Gutro asked about the growth of the Quincy Public Schools summer programs, Ms. Perkins said there has been exponential growth since COVID, with expansion of existing programs and new programming each year.  In addition to specific curriculum supports, there are additional enrichment programs open to a wider range of student interests.  Planning begins in January, the team has made significant improvements in the hiring process, and the signup process for students.

Mr. Gutro asked if there are funding gaps for Summer 2024, Mr. Mullaney confirmed that ESSER funds are available through September 2024.

Mayor Koch asked if there are program capacity limits, Ms. Perkins said that there is a deadline for registration but everyone who met the deadline was placed in a program.

Mrs. Hubley asked if there was any survey of parents or staff for input for planning for future programming.  Ms. Perkins said staff had the opportunity to share their feedback and parents can also be surveyed.

Mrs. Hubley asked for clarification, the DARE program is a separate program that also had a summer camp in addition to the Quincy Police Department camp.

Mrs. Lebo noted that the Quincy Recreation Department also had an expanded set of offerings this summer, including golf at the Furnace Brook course.

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New Business

QPS Summer Program

Reflection

Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins and Curriculum Director Michael Marani presented an overview of the School & Program Improvement Plan (SIP) Development process.  Spring 2023 MCAS data is currently embargoed but will be released by the end of September.  Ms. Perkins reviewed the School Improvement Plan components required by the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education and where these are found in the Quincy Public Schools SIPs.  Mr. Marani reviewed sample goals, opportunities for individualization (curriculum area vs. curriculum standard, metrics, targeted grades).  In general, the overall SIP could be adjusted through format or component changes.

Program Improvement Plans are currently more differentiated due to the varied needs of the programs, developed within a common framework.  School Improvement Plans are presented in the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee and are less formal with opportunity for School Committee to ask questions.  Program Improvement Plans have been presented at full School Committee meetings.

Mrs. Lebo is not concerned about the formats for the SIPs, but would like to see the different student support needs of the schools more defined.  Mrs. Lebo said that discipline, attendance, or other metrics can be included.  Mrs. Lebo would like to de-emphasize the MCAS.  Mr. Bregoli agreed, would like to see more emphasis on MAP.  Mrs. Lebo does not want the SIP and PIP presentations to be redundant of the SIPs and PIPs submitted.

Mrs. Hubley would like the principals to brag more about their individual events and celebrations; extracurricular activities should reflect the whole year.

Mrs. Cahill asked if goals would be repeated from previous years, Ms. Perkins said this is more common in PIPs.  SIP goals could be similar to previous years, it may take several years to make improvements in a certain area. 

Mrs. Cahill asked about including Specialist/Support staff caseloads in the SIPs and asked about consistency in incidence reporting.

Mr. Gutro said this is a very helpful discussion to have at the beginning of the school year.  Mr. Gutro requested that parental input be solicited prior to the submission to School Committee.  Mr. Gutro requested the Building Needs section include what has been completed.

North Quincy High School Representative Ms. Tan said that in her experience, students are not always able to be at the academic level they prefer due to class sizes.  Ms. Tan said that the security concerns around restrooms have caused schools to close facilities and this causes students inconvenience.

Mr. Santoro said that the amount of time for the SIP and PIP presentations limits the amount of time available for Subcommittee work and having read the plans, would rather focus on asking questions.

Mr. Gutro said that it is important to televise the SIP and PIP presentations so that parents can access information.

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New Business

School & Program

Improvement Plan

Development Process

Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins and Curriculum Director Michael Marani presented on DESEs new MCAS requirements:  Grade 8 Civics pilot (electronic, two sessions, one performance task with multiple constructive-response and selective-response questions and one end of course assessment, 36-38 test questions).  A percentage of students will participate in the field test.  Additional information will be forthcoming at the end of October. 

There will also be a pilot for an expanded Grade 5 and 8 STE MCAS assessment in 2025, more information to come in the next few weeks.  This will not affect the MCAS-ALT.  There will be two sessions, one will resemble the traditional assessment and be used for accountability data.  Session two will be more “in-depth and engaging”. 

Mr. Bregoli asked for clarification, the performance task will focus on one of seven topics, each school will be assigned a topic.

Mrs. Cahill asked if a percentage of students are required, how is it determined which students will be included.  Ms. Perkins said those parameters have not been defined, there is a DESE webinar on Friday.

Mrs. Lebo said this sounds like a robust assessment based on performance tasks, but wonders how it will function on a computer.

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New Business

DESE Student

Assessment Update

Mr. Bregoli made a motion to appoint Kelly Ann Coleman as a School Nurse.   Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0. 

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to appoint Robert Salvucci as a School Nurse.   Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0. 

Superintendent Mulvey noted that there is a third nurse to be appointed who is awaiting DESE licensure, but should be ready for the September 27, 2023 meeting.

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New Business

Appointment of

School Nurses

Superintendent Mulvey reviewed that 3,330 backpacks and school supplies were recently delivered across the city to students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 on Thursday, September 7, 2023.  Special thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Cradles to Crayons, Granite Telecommunications, MASS BAY Credit Union, and Quincy Credit Union for once again supporting the Backpack and School Supply initiative.  The donation is valued at approximately $50,000.00

Mrs. Cahill made a motion to accept the donation of 3,330 backpacks and school supplies, valued at $50,000.00.  Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.

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New Business

Donation: Backpacks &

School Supplies (VOTE)

Superintendent Mulvey shared that an additional $167,868.00 in funding has been granted by the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education to support the Early College High School program.  This brings the total to $584,868.00 for this school year, including the summer program.

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to accept the Grant of $167.868.00 for the Early College High School program from the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education.

On the motion, Mayor Koch thanked Katherine Craven for her advocacy of the Early College High School program.

 The motion was seconded by Mayor Koch and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.

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New Business

DESE Grant for

ECHS (VOTE)

Mayor Koch made a motion to accept the Donation of $2,500.00 from Walgreens for South~West Middle School.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Bregoli and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.

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New Business

Donation from

Walgreens (VOTE)

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to refer School Building Temperatures to the Facilities, Security & Transportation Subcommittee.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Lebo and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

On the motion, Mrs. Hubley and Mrs. Lebo noted that they received many parent communications during the last few weeks about temperatures in schools without air conditioning.

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New Business

Referral to Facilities,

Security &

Transportation

Subcommittee

Mayor Koch made a motion to take the Agenda out of order and return to New Business, Items I following Executive Session.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Bregoli and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Agenda Out of Order

There was no Additional Business.

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Additional Business

Mr. Santoro noted that upcoming School Committee meetings will be held on September 27, 2023; October 11 & 25, 2023; November 15, 2023; and December 13, 2023, all at 6:30 pm at the Coddington Building.

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Communications

There were no Reports of Subcommittees.

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Reports of

Subcommittees

Mayor Koch made a motion to move to Executive Session for the Purpose of Contract Negotiations at 8:15 pm.  Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.  School Committee will return to Regular Session.

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Executive Session

School Committee returned to regular session at 8:25 pm and returned to New Business, Item I.

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Regular Session

Resumed

Mayor Koch made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Quincy School Committee and the SEIU Local 888 Quincy Educational Employees Union.  Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.

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MOA Approval:

SEIU Local 888 Quincy

Educational Employees

Union (VOTE)

Mayor Koch made a motion to adjourn at 8:30 pm.  Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0. 

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Adjournment