Feb. 7, 2024 School Committee Meetings

Feb. 7, 2024 School Committee Meetings
Posted on 02/05/2024
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Agenda

Quincy School Committee Budget and Finance Subcommittee

Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Chair
Coddington Building
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 6:00 p.m.

  1. Quarterly Budget Status Report - Mr. Mullaney

Members of the public can access the meeting in person or live on QATV Channel 22 or at qatv.org. The meeting will also be recorded for rebroadcast and posted on Friday, February 9, 2024 on the QPS YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@QuincyPS.

 

Minutes

Quincy School Committee Quarterly Budget & Finance Subcommittee Meeting

A meeting of the Quarterly Budget & Finance Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 6:00 pm in the School Committee Room in the Coddington Building. Present were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, School Committee Chair; Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Courtney Perdios, and Mrs. Tina Cahill, Vice Chair. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Kim Connolly, Ms. Julie Graham, Mr. Michael Marani, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri; NQHS Student Representative Amy Tan; former School Committee Member Mr. Frank Santoro; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Director of Business James Mullaney presented the Quarterly Budget review through the FY2024 second quarter ending December 31, 2023. Quincy Public Schools has expended approximately 31% of the salary budget year to date, in line with historical expenditure levels. Mr. Mullaney reviewed the detail for 26-week, 40-week, and 52-week employees, with each account being at the appropriate level for this time of year. All salary accounts are sufficiently funded to meet contract obligations and step and level raises. Surplus funds in the bus driver and bus monitors funds can be used to balance the outside transportation cost deficit.

Mr. Gutro asked for clarification on the Longevity lines, the expenditure to date was to make whole the contractual increases in this line.

On the expense side, Mr. Mullaney is anticipating a deficit for Special Education tuitions and associated transportation, which will be offset by a surplus on the salary side. There is also anticipated deficit in the Natural Gas line item.

Mrs. Lebo asked when Circuit Breaker funds are paid by the state. Mr. Mullaney said there are typically four payments annually, one has been received and a second one is due (usually paid by the end of January).

Mrs. Perdios asked for breakdown of outside transportation costs by Special Education outside placements vs. inside QPS transportation by outside vendors due to the QPS driver shortage. Mr. Mullaney said there are 10 fewer regular drivers than there were prior to COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Gutro asked about the Governor’s recent budget cuts which impacted some school programs, Mr. Mullaney said none would affect current Quincy Public Schools operations.

Mayor Koch requested an update on Athletics fees, how many students are paying full fees and how many waivers.

Mrs. Hubley agreed and asked for data for middle school Athletics as well; she is concerned that paying fees may be a barrier to participation.

Mrs. Lebo agreed that Athletics fees are an equity issue for students.

Ms. Tan asked about the balance in the Uniforms account, this is for Custodial, Nursing, and Food Services staff.

Mrs. Cahill made a motion to approve the Quarterly Budget report as presented. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it.

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 pm. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.


Agenda

Quincy School Committee Policy Subcommittee

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 6:05 pm
Coddington Building, School Committee Room

Mr. Doug Gutro, Chair
Mrs. Tina Cahill & Mrs. Emily Lebo, Subcommittee Members

  1. Proposed School Committee Meeting Calendar for 2024-2025 - Mr. Gutro

  2. Draft 2024-2025 School Year Calendar Survey - Mayor Koch

  3. Proposed Revision to Policy 2.4.5 Agenda Format - Mrs. Lebo

Members of the public can access the meeting in person or live on QATV Channel 22 or at qatv.org. The meeting will also be recorded for rebroadcast and posted on Friday, February 9, 2024 on the QPS YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@QuincyPS.

Minutes

Quincy School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting

A meeting of the Policy Subcommittee was held on February 7, 2024 at 6:15 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Subcommittee members Mrs. Tina Cahill and Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mr. Doug Gutro, Subcommittee Chair. Also present were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, School Committee Chair; School Committee Members Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, and Mrs. Courtney Perdios. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Kim Connolly, Ms. Julie Graham, Mr. Michael Marani, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri; NQHS Student Representative Amy Tan; former School Committee Member Mr. Frank Santoro; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

After reviewing the draft submitted, Mrs. Lebo made a motion to move the QPS School Committee Meeting Calendar for 2024-2025 to the School Committee. Mrs. Cahill seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

The Policy Subcommittee then reviewed the draft of the QPS School Year Calendar Survey, Mayor Koch reviewed the discussion from last year’s calendar development process ended with a plan to survey staff and parents about adding additional holidays and other changes to the school year calendar.

Mrs. Lebo would like to include removing Good Friday as a holiday as an option on the survey.

Ms. Tan suggested adding the dates to the proposed holidays and noting that the March vacation would be one week.

Mrs. Cahill is concerned that changing vacation weeks could affect staff who live in a different town, their students may have a different schedule.

Mayor Koch noted that some of the options would require contractual negotiations.

Ms. Tan requested that students be surveyed as well.

Ms. Owens will make the changes and share the survey by the end of the week.

School Committee then reviewed proposed revisions to School Committee Policy Book Section 2.4.5 Agenda Format. The suggested change is to add a “Consent Agenda” section for routine business (accepting gifts, donations, grants; approving meeting minutes; approving Student Travel requests) that can be accepted by a single motion.

Mrs. Lebo said this is to streamline the School Committee meeting, replacing the need to make motions and have a roll call vote for a number of items.

Mrs. Hubley said the Massachusetts Association of School Committees recommends this agenda update.

Mrs. Perdios asked for clarification, the items will be individually listed under the consent agenda and items can be removed by any School Committee member and put on a subsequent agenda for discussion.

Mrs. Cahill made a motion to move the revision of Policy Book Section 2.4.5 Agenda Format to the School Committee. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

The items moved to School Committee will appear on the agenda of the March 6, 2024 School Committee meeting under Old Business for discussion by the full School Committee. They will be eligible for vote at the March 20, 2024 meeting.

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to adjourn at 6:30 pm, seconded by Mrs. Cahill. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.


Agenda

Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 6:30 pm
Coddington Building, School Committee Room

I. Approval of Minutes (VOICE VOTE): Regular Meeting Minutes for January 24, 2024

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. Interested parties may also submit written statements to: [email protected].

III. Superintendent’s Report

A. Student Recognitions: Project 351 Ambassadors

B. Student~Athlete Recognition: Ava Bryan

C. QHS Women’s Athletic Hall of Fame Induction

D. MMEA Eastern District Festivals

E. 2024-2025 QPS Registration

IV. Old Business: Update of School Committee Policy Section 2.5.7 School Committee-Staff Communications (DISCUSSION/VOTE) - Mr. Bregoli

V. New Business:

A. Chronic Absenteeism - Superintendent Mulvey, Ms. Perkins, Ms. Papile, Mr. Marani

B. Early Literacy Screening - Ms. Perkins, Ms. Graham, Ms. Vaughan

C. New Individualized Education Program - Mrs. Perdios
for referral to the Special Education Subcommittee

D. Student Travel Costs - Mrs. Perdios
for referral to Budget & Finance Subcommittee

E. Student Travel (In State/Overnight): March 7-9, 2024 North Quincy High School Business Students to the DECA Competition at the Copley Marriott Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts (VOICE VOTE) - Superintendent Mulvey

F. Student Travel (In State/Overnight): March 7-9, 2024 Quincy High School Business Students to the DECA Competition at the Copley Marriott Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts (VOICE VOTE) - Superintendent Mulvey

VI. Additional Business:

VII. Communications:

A. Upcoming School Committee Meetings: Regular Meetings on March 6 and March 20 and April 10, 2024 at 6:30 pm at the Coddington Building.

B. Upcoming Subcommittee Meetings: February 28, 2024: Joint Special Education & Teaching & Learning at 6:00 pm

VIII. Reports of Subcommittees: Teaching & Learning: January 24, 2024 meeting - Mrs. Lebo

IX. Executive Session: Contract Negotiations (ROLL CALL VOTE)

X. Adjournment:

Minutes

Quincy, MASSACHUSETTS – February 7, 2024
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Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular Meeting

Vice-Chair Presiding

A meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 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, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Courtney Perdios, and School Committee Vice Chair Mrs. Tina Cahill.

Also present were: Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Mr. Nick Ahearn, Ms. Christine Barrett, Ms. Kim Connolly, Mr. Rick DeCristofaro, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms. Kathleen Mahoney, Mr. Michael Marani, Ms. Courtney Mitchell, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Mr. Keith Segalla, Ms. Aliza Schneller, Mr. Lawrence Taglieri, Ms. Bridget Vaughan; NQHS Student Representative Amy Tan; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

School Committee observed a moment of silence for the following Quincy Public Schools retiree who passed away recently: Harold Crowley, 32 years as an elementary and middle school teacher at the Quincy Elementary School, Snug Harbor Community School, and Broad Meadows Middle School.

Mrs. Cahill 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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Approval of Minutes

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting for January 24, 2024. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Open Forum

Ms. Owens read a letter from the Snug Harbor PTO with concerns about accessibility for SAFIS fingerprinting impeding the recruitment of volunteers.

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Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Mulvey opened the Superintendent’s Report by recognizing the Quincy Public Schools Project 351 Ambassadors for 2024: Broad Meadows: Gianna Beck; Central: Naraya Dasilva; Point Webster: Dafny Rodrigues Campos; South~West: Rorie Routhier; Atlantic: Nathan Wang. The students each shared about their experiences on the Day of Service on Saturday, January 13.

Superintendent Mulvey also recognized a Student~Athlete, North Quincy senior Basketball captain Ava Bryan who scored her 1,000th career point last week. Ava is the 11th Basketball player in North Quincy High School history to reach this milestone.

On Friday, March 22, the Quincy High School Women’s Athletic Hall of Fame will host the Induction Ceremony for this year’s class at the Tirrell Room at 7:00 pm. Please contact Point Webster Middle School Principal Christine Barrett for more information about this event.

Congratulations to High School Concert Choir students William Caberoy, Matthew Hollatz, Devereux Fuller, and Michael Romeo, and Band students Anders Eshelman, Alvin Nikola, Owen Veith, Fanny Yang, and Justin Zhao for their participation in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Eastern District Senior Festival. After undergoing a competitive audition process in November, these students were selected to perform with other top-ranking high school musicians from over 30 school districts in Eastern Massachusetts. The Senior District Festival took place at Milton High School on January 5 and 6 and ended with a concert that featured performances from the Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Mixed Chorus. Matthew Hollatz and Owen Veith were selected to perform at the upcoming MMEA All-State Music Festival at Symphony Hall in March.

Superintendent Mulvey completed his report by noting that registration for the 2024-2025 School Year is underway for all grade levels. The online links for families to pre-register are posted on the Quincy Public Schools website. Pre-registered families will be contacted by school secretaries and Central Registration to schedule registration appointments before and after the February break.

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Old Business

School Committee Policy 2.5.7

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to amend the proposed revision to School Committee Policy 2.5.7 School Committee-Staff Communications by adding “official” between “All” and “communication” in the first sentence of the second paragraph. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gutro.

On the motion, Mrs. Hubley said that School Committee’s legal counsel approved the change.

On a roll call vote, the ayes have it 7-0.

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the revised School Committee Policy 2.5.7 School Committee-Staff Communications as amended. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion.

On the motion, Mrs. Perdios said that she agrees with the amendment, but will vote against the Policy revision.

Mrs. Lebo reminded School Committee that this policy revision has been adopted by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and was recommended by legal counsel.

On a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 6-1. Mr. Bregoli, Mrs. Cahill, Mr. Gutro, Mrs. Hubley, Mrs. Lebo, and Mayor Koch voted YES. Mrs. Perdios voted NO

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New Business

Chronic Absenteeism

Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Senior Director of Student Support Services, and Curriculum Director Michael Marani presented an update on the Quincy Public Schools initiatives to reduce Chronic Absenteeism for students who are missing at least 10% of the days enrolled, regardless of the reason for absence. Although students may be excused from absences for medical and other reasons within Quincy Public Schools, the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) does not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences.

DESE provides annual targets for reducing Chronic Absenteeism; in the Superintendent’s Goal, Quincy Public Schools is aiming at a higher rate: reducing absenteeism by 2% (from a base of 14.9%) in Grades K-8 and 3% (from a base of 26.2%) in Grades 9-12. Action steps include positive school-wide campaigns to promote attendance awareness; early interventions for students who are beginning to show signs of chronic absenteeism; specific individual interventions for students having the most trouble getting to school every day; and targeted interventions for identified subgroups of students struggling with attendance.

In comparing data from the 2021-2022 and 2022-23 school years, the rate of Chronic Absenteeism decreased by 2.1% with improvement for most subgroups for students in Grades 1-8. At the high school level, there was a 4.7% decrease in Chronic Absenteeism, but several subgroups have very high rates even with improvement in the last school year. Preliminary data for the current school year (through January 4) was shared. In analyzing this data, students who may benefit from interventions and recovery initiatives are being identified and may avoid being labeled Chronically Absent.

District and school-wide initiatives include the partnership with the Boston Celtics All-Star program (supported by Arbella Insurance) at all five middle schools that encourages perfect attendance and on-time school arrival. Some elementary schools also have a LEAP (Learner, Engagement, and Attendance Partnership) Team focused on providing positive/pleasant interactions with families to help them understand the impact of school absences; creating attendance incentives; recognizing students with perfect attendance; building relationships with students and families, positive reinforcement. Schools are tracking attendance and interventions/interactions with students and families.

The Supervisors of Attendance collaborate with the school sites once they have identified students at risk of being Chronically Absent. At the school sites, they attend Attendance Hearings with families to determine the barriers to school attendance and provide supportive assistance. Next steps include Family Assistance Conferences (collaborative to prevent truancy, involves DCF, Juvenile Probation, and therapeutic supports). Filing a Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) Petition is the next step when family assistance interventions are not successful and Home Visits are offered (sometimes resulting in a referral to crisis intervention). If a student leaves school (with or without parent permission), there are multiple attempts to re-engage, re-enroll, and assist with credit recovery and enrolling in alternate programs like Evening High School, PASS, or GOALS.

When students have missed a significant amount of school days, there are paths to re-engaging students in the learning process that count towards attendance recovery. For example, one on one or small group tutoring, Acceleration Academy programs, and online credit recovery courses are all options. Attendance recovery takes place outside of the school year and must be a minimum of four hours of instruction in a day. These individualized recovery modules will be standalone content, offered on Saturdays, early release days, and April vacation.

Mr. Bregoli asked about the Attendance Staff, there are three full-time staff members (one is on leave this year) and an additional part-time person doing initial residency verification.

Mr. Bregoli asked if the recovery program will be offered to middle school, Mr. Marani said it will be offered for elementary, middle, and high school.

Mr. Bregoli asked about funding, Ms. Perkins said that the funds are available from the summer programming budget line. Mr. Marani is applying for grant funding as well.

Mr. Bregoli asked about students who have missed so much school that they cannot move on to the next grade level. Ms. Perkins said that these students may need extra services in addition to curriculum supports.

Mr. Bregoli suggested that partnering with the New England Revolution might be an incentive for students interested in soccer.

Mrs. Lebo asked for and received confirmation that all middle schools are participating in the Celtics All-Star program and how the recovery will be credited.

Mrs. Lebo asked about the module development, the Curriculum Team is collaborating with teachers.

Mrs. Hubley asked about the absenteeism for subgroups. Ms. Papile said that at the high school level, students might prefer or need to work during the day, so the Quincy Evening High School program is an option. Ms. Perkins said the older high school newcomer EL population does not always feel connected to the school. We are looking at options around providing interpretation support for hands-on CVTE programs.

Mrs. Hubley asked if the attendance incentives are causing students to come to school when they are ill. Ms. Perkins said Health Services Coordinator Ms. Huwar said we should be encouraging students who are borderline to come to school and be evaluated by the nurse.

Mr. Gutro asked how many students were chronically absent in the last school year; approximately 1,800 students (26% of approximately 3000 high school students and 15% of approximately 6000 Grades 1-8 students).

Mr. Gutro suggested addressing the absenteeism issue from the district level to the start of the school year.

Mrs. Perdios asked if some schools have no Chronic Absenteeism, Ms. Perkins said every school has an issue, some have a higher level than others.

Mrs. Perdios asked about absenteeism and high school class grades, Ms. Perkins said there is often an overlap between absenteeism and students not doing their work. Students who fail classes are not doing so solely because of attendance.

Mrs. Perdios asked for information on how the recovery materials will be tailored to student needs. Mr. Marani said the modules will be focused on foundational skills that students need to be successful for subsequent years of education.

Mrs. Perdios is concerned about students not having the programs at their home schools, traveling to other locations might be an impediment to student participation.

Mrs. Perdios asked about high school specifics, Mr. Marani said the online Acellus program would be available for students to use at school while supervised.

Mrs. Cahill said this is a complicated and layered issue, the school system cannot solve all of the issues a family may face. The vast majority of students come to school every day and are successful.

Mrs. Lebo suggested a letter from the Health Services department emphasizing that they are partners to families with health issues might be helpful.

Mrs. Lebo asked for clarification, students are not held out of CVTE programs due to a language barrier, but that can be a barrier to student success. Mrs. Lebo said a potential detriment is for the students entering Quincy High School after Grade 9, they miss the overview program.

Mrs. Lebo would like to revisit the Attendance Policy around absenteeism and grading. (This is in the Policy Subcommittee for review.)

Mrs. Cahill asked if siblings have similar absenteeism issues. Ms. Papile said that can be true, but not all of the siblings are impacted by this in the same way. Some can miss school, but still get their work done and have good grades.

Ms. Tan said that some students feel stressed and if a student starts to fall behind, the prospect of the work that needs to be done to catch up becomes overwhelming.

Ms. Tan asked about the connection between absenteeism and leaving school, Ms. Papile said that students who don’t attend regularly are more likely to drop out.

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New Business

Early Literacy Screening

Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Special Education Director Julie Graham, and Coordinator of ELA Bridget Vaughan presented an overview of the Early Literacy Screening regulations for Kindergarten through Grade 3 students. The new regulation took effect in January 2019 with the goal of identifying neurological learning disabilities, including dyslexia. The guidelines provide a set of screening guidelines for all students, a framework of intervention for students at risk, and a comprehensive resource of evidence-based practices to support students at risk. Beginning with this school year, all Kindergarten through Grade 3 students are required to be administered the Early Literacy Screener mCLASS to prevent reading difficulties through instructional pacing, intensity, differentiations, and targeted intervention. Outreach to parents was through a Parent Academy and the Citywide Parent Council meeting. Parents also receive the screening results and customized suggestions of how to help the student at home. DESE’s recommendation is to screen students twice per year, but Quincy Public Schools screens at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. Following the assessment, the data is reviewed at Integrated Learning Team meetings and interventions are customized for student needs.

Mrs. Perdios asked how it is determined that an EL student may have learning struggles, Ms. Perkins said Central Registration assists with a social screening and parent interview. There are also options to assess students in their native language.

Ms. Tan asked if there are options to rescreen if a student is having a bad day. Ms. Vaughan said there are opportunities for rescreening if it seems like a score does not make sense.

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New Business

Referral of New IEP Format to the Special Education Subcommittee

Mrs. Perdios made a motion to move New Individualized Education Program format to the Special Education Subcommittee. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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New Business

Referral of Student Travel to Budget & Finance Subcommittee

Mrs. Perdios made a motion to move Student Travel Costs to the Budget & Finance Subcommittee. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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New Business

Overnight/In State Travel (VOTE)

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the Overnight Travel/In State of Quincy High School Business Students to the DECA Competion, Massachusetts from March 28-April 1, 2024. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Overnight Travel/In State of North Quincy High School Business Students to the DECA Competion, Massachusetts from March 28-April 1, 2024. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Lebo and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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Additional Business

Mr. Gutro asked for Chronic Absenteeism and SAFIS (fingerprinting) issue to be referred to the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee, so these will appear on the next Regular Meeting Agenda for referral.

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Communications

Mrs. Cahill noted upcoming School Committee Regular Meetings on March 6 and March 20, and April 10, 2024 at 6:30 pm at the Coddington Building.

Upcoming Subcommittee Meetings on February 28, 2024 at 6:00 pm: Joint Special Education and Teaching & Learning.

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Reports of Subcommittees

Mrs. Cahill noted that Subcommittee minutes are posted on the Quincy Public Schools website in the School Committee section.

Mrs. Lebo reviewed the Teaching & Learning Subcommittee meeting held on January 31, 2024 where the ST Math program, an overview of Assessments, and the differences between the MCAS and MAP was reviewed

As there were no corrections to the minutes of the January 31, 2024 Teaching & Learning Subcommittees, the minutes were approved.

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Executive Session

There was no Executive Session.

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Adjournment

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bregoli and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

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