Minutes
Quincy, MASSACHUSETTS – March 20, 2024
--------
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
Vice-Chair Presiding
A meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, March 20, 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 (arrived at 7:30 pm), 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. Matt Cavanaugh, Ms. Kim Connolly, Mr. Michael DeMarco, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Mr. Michael Marani, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Mr. Keith Segalla; NQHS Student Representative Arli Dyjla; QHS Student Representative Mina Al-Tikriti; former School Committee member Frank Santoro, and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
School Committee observed a moment of silence for the following Quincy Public Schools retirees who passed away recently: Ralph Frazier, Physical Education Teacher and Football Coach at North Quincy High School for twelve years
Linda Jablonski, school bus driver for 40 years.
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.
§
Approval of Minutes
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting for March 6, 2024. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
Open Forum
Mr. Frank Santoro, Ms. Shivpreet Singh, and Dr. Jana Mulkern spoke in support of adding Lunar New Year to the QPS School Year Calendar.
Ms. Amy Tan spoke about ending her term as NQHS Student Representative.
Ms. Owens read letters in support of adding Lunar New Year to the QPS School Year Calendar from Mr. Bartholemew Jae, Ms. Lori Earl, the Citywide Parent Council EDI Subcommittee, and students from South~West Middle School.
§
Superintendent’s
Report
Superintendent Mulvey opened his report by introducing Quincy Public Schools Band Teacher Matthew Cavanaugh who reviewed the Quincy~North Quincy Jazz Ensemble and the growth of Jazz music education in the Quincy Public Schools through participating in the Essential Ellington Program. Mr. Cavanaugh will have the opportunity for professional development, access to online resources, and musical arrangements. The QNQ Jazz Ensemble has grown over the last five years, earning bronze (2022), silver (2023 & 2024), and a Gold Medal Finals Placement with an invitation to play at the Hatch Memorial Shell on May 5 for the Gold Medal Showcase. Thanks to the collaboration with King Phillip Regional High School Band Director Michael Keough, the QNQ Jazz Ensemble will have the opportunity to work with Marcus Printup on April 1 at 9:00 am at North Quincy High School.
Mrs. Lebo thanked all the music educators involved, the growth in the program over the years has been incredible.
Mr. Cavanaugh thanked Mr. DeMarco for his leadership and mentorship and the Mayor, School Committee, Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent for their support of the music program.
Mr. Bregoli thanked Mr. Cavanaugh and Mr. DeMarco, there has been a great growth of the arts in Quincy Public Schools.
Mayor Koch thanked Mr. Cavanaugh, the Marching Band is the pride of the city and a reflection of the hard work of the staff.
Superintendent Mulvey continued his report by noting that the Quincy High School History Bowl Team recently competed in the New England Championships, with the JV team finishing in 2nd place and qualifying for the National History Bowl Championship. Congratulations to Grade 10 students Ramona Bentzel, Konrad Brown, and Eddie Giza. Eddie Giza also earned individual honors by winning the JV History Bee for the 2nd year in a row and qualifying for the National History Bee Championship. Both championship events are held the same week in April in Washington, D.C.
Spring Drama Productions continue with the second weekend of Beauty and the Beast, a joint production of the North Quincy & Quincy High School Drama Clubs on Friday, March 22nd at 7:30 pm and Saturday, March 23rd at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm.
The annual Bob McGillicuddy Memorial Middle School Citywide Swim Meet is this Saturday, March 23 at 9:00 am at the Lincoln Hancock Pool.
North Quincy High School’s High School Quiz Show team makes their season debut on Saturday, March 23 at 6:00 pm vs. Lexington High School.
The Credit for Life Fair will be held next Thursday, March 28 beginning at 9:00 am at the Tirrell Room. Thanks to our Quincy School~Community Business Partners for putting together this important annual event for 200 high school students.
Upcoming Parent Academy events include: Showcasing Illustrative Mathematics for elementary school parents and guardians on Tuesday, April 2 and the Special Education Department presentation of the new IEP Format on Thursday, April 4, both at 6:00 pm.
Upcoming arts events include Atlantic Middle School’s presentation of Moana Friday, April 5 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm; the combined High School Choral spring concert on Tuesday, April 9 and the combined High School Concert Band on Thursday, April 11, both at 7:00 pm.
§
Agenda Out of Order
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to take the agenda out of order and proceed to New Business, seconded by Mrs. Lebo.
On the motion, Mrs. Perdios explained that Mr. Gutro is chair of the Policy Subcommittee and will be arriving to the meeting later for the Old Business section.
On a voice vote, the ayes have it. School Committee moved to New Business, Item A.
§
New Business
Artificial Intelligence
Curriculum Director Michael Marani presented an overview of Quincy Public Schools exploration of Artificial Intelligence which is the intelligence of a machine or computer that enables it to imitate or mimic human capabilities, and the potential impact on education. Generative AI refers to deep learning models, computer files that data scientists have trained to perform tasks using an algorithm or a predefined set of steps and/or rules, that can generate high quality text, images, and other content based on the data they were trained on. Mr. Marani reviewed the data on growth of usage of platforms such as Chat GBT and demonstrated generating a short story problem with possible usage in the classroom.
Quincy Public Schools staff members were surveyed about their experiences and comfort level with using AI: 39.2% of the 100 staff members who responded said they were comfortable or very comfortable and 60.8% said they were uncomfortable or very uncomfortable with using AI. 59.1% of educators felt Neutral to Positive that AI is having a big impact on their profession.
In understanding AI, students and staff need to know that AI can provide incorrect or inaccurate answers, discriminatory and bias results, makes plagiarism/cheating easier, puts the credibility of homework in question, and creates information-based privacy issues. Opportunities around AI include the potential to serve as homework support or generate ideas to outline or organize writing. AI can help educators with lesson plan creation, assessment question design, differentiate reading selections and other lesson plan components.
The AI Planning Team consists of seven high school educators, the two assistant principals, an IT representative, and the Curriculum team. The team’s goals are to (1) develop and draft guidance and/or policy language to propose to district leadership (identify priorities, research existing policies); (2) offer Professional Development on AI for QPS Educators (identify needs, research opportunities and resources; schedule for November 5, 2024).
Mr. Marani reviewed the timeline which has the target of having a draft policy in early May for review, rolling into development of goals for the next school year and securing professional development.
Mrs. Lebo asked if AI is always free to use, Mr. Marani said most platforms have free and premium paid levels. Mrs. Lebo said there is a whole range of knowledge and understanding about AI. She shares the educators’ concerns.
Mrs. Perdios shares these concerns, it will be complex to help educators feel comfortable with the concepts first before assisting them in using the technology appropriately.
Mrs. Hubley asked about referring this to Policy Subcommittee, Mr. Marani suggested waiting until a draft is available.
Mr. Gutro asked if DESE has provided any guidance on this issue. Mr. Marani said there is a very in-depth document from the federal DOE.
§
New Business
SOA Plan Update
Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins presented the final Student Opportunity Act plan, reviewing that the plan is due to be submitted by April 1 and so needs to be voted on tonight by School Committee. In summary, the targeted groups for accelerated improvement are students with disabilities, English Learners, Hispanic/Latino, and African American subgroups through enhanced support for Social-Emotional Learning and Mental Health (to address disparities in chronic absenteeism, suspension and dropout rates); implementing an inclusive curriculum adoption process (for English Learners and middle school mathematics); supporting curriculum implementation and high-leverage practices for students with disabilities through professional development.
Detail about analyzed disparity data was reviewed, parent/guardian and staff survey results, and the outreach efforts during the plan development process were shared. The Three-Year Targets for the SOA are: Quincy Public Schools will use DESE’s three-year target for increasing performance for the Lowest Performing Students group in ELA and Mathematics. In addition, Quincy Public Schools over the course of the next three years will meet or exceed the state targets in the following areas: decreases in suspension rates for students with disabilities and African American subgroups; decreases in absenteeism for the Hispanic/Latino subgroup; decreases in the dropout rate for the Hispanic/Latino subgroup; increases in English Language learners meeting or exceeding their proficiency targets; and increases in English Language learners and students with disabilities meeting or exceeding MCAS scores in both ELA and Mathematics. Action steps over the next three years and associated costs were also shared.
Mrs. Lebo noted that this is important work, but once again, another unfunded mandate from the state.
Mrs. Perdios thanked Ms. Perkins for QPS being proactive and having so many of these programs in place already. Mrs. Perdios asked for details about the new mentoring program with Big Brother Big Sister program. Ms. Perkins said there will be a full-time staff member in the building and oversees the pairing of the adult community-based mentors with the students with disengagement issues.
Mrs. Perdios asked about the age of the current EL curriculum for Grades K-8, the current program is over 10 years old and out of print.
Mrs. Perdios asked about the budget for Professional Development, estimated at $30,000 per year for three years in the QPS Budget. In addition, there are Title IV and Title III grant funds also available for professional development. There are also grant opportunities from DESE that we will pursue.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to accept the Student Opportunity Act Plan as presented, seconded by Mrs. Hubley, roll call vote, the ayes have it 6-1. Mr. Bregoli, Mrs. Cahill, Mr. Gutro, Mrs. Hubley, Mrs. Lebo, and Mrs. Perdios voted YES; Mayor Koch voted NO.
§
New Business
Grant for Atlantic Middle
School (VOTE)
Mayor Koch made a motion to accept the Grant from the Boston Celtics & Boston Scientific to create a Fitness Room at Atlantic Middle School, valued at $50,000.00. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
§
New Business
Donations for
Partnership (VOTE)
Mayor Koch made a motion to accept the Donations from Local Businesses and Individuals for the Quincy School~Community Partnership totalling $39,014.00.
On the motion, Mrs. Lebo asked how the funding not designated for the Credit for Life Fair is being utilized. Mr. Segalla said that the funding is used for other student-centered events such as the Grade 5 and High School Leadership Summits.
Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
§
New Business
Student Travel: Out of
State/One Day
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel/One Day for Broad Meadows Middle School Grade 8 to Canobie Lake Park, Salem, New Hampshire on June 13, 2024. Mayor Koch seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§
New Business
Student Travel: Out of
State/Overnight
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel/Overnight for North Quincy High School AFJROTC Grades 10 & 12 to the Stellar Explorers Space Design National Challenge Finals in Denver, Colorado, April 17-21, 2024. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Perdios made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel/ Overnight for Quincy High School History Bowl Team to the National Championship in Washington, D.C., April 25-28, 2024. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Perdios made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel/ Overnight for North Quincy High School Grade 10 to the International Science Fair, Los Angeles, California, May 11-17, 2024. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
School Committee resumed the order of the agenda.??? Motion by Mayor Koch
§
Resumed the Order of
the Agenda
Mayor Koch made a motion to return to the order of the agenda and proceed to Old Business, seconded by Mrs. Lebo. On a voice vote, the ayes have it. School Committee moved to Old Business, Item A.
§
Old Business
Mr. Gutro reviewed that the School Committee Meeting Calendar for 2024-2025 and the School Committee Policy Book 2.4.5 Agenda Format Revision were approved at the February 7, 2024 Policy Subcommittee and are eligible for vote tonight.
School Committee
Meeting Calendar
2024-25 (VOTE)
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 School Committee Meeting Calendar. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
School Committee
Policy Book Section
2.4.5 (VOTE)
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the revision of School Committee Policy Book 2.4.5 Agenda Format. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
2024-2025 QPS School
Year Calendar
Mr. Gutro reviewed that the draft 2024-2025 QPS School Year Calendar was approved at Policy Subcommittee on March 13, 2024 and is open for discussion tonight. This item is eligible for vote at the April 10, 2024 School Committee Meeting.
Mrs. Perdios said that she supports adding Lunar New Year as an observed holiday on the 2024-2025 QPS School Year Calendar.
Mayor Koch acknowledges the need to add the Lunar New Year calendar, will not support the calendar as currently drafted
Mrs. Hubley thanked Ms. Owens for revising the language around school cancellations on the draft calendar.
Mr. Gutro asked Mayor Koch if there is any support for observing this as a City holiday. Mayor Koch said that there is cost for adding a holiday for city employees, there are vacation and personal days for staff to use who wish to observe a religious or cultural holiday.
Mayor Koch is concerned about any perception that the city is not welcoming to newer families and cultures, especially the Quincy Public Schools.
Mrs. Lebo is concerned about recognizing one culture through creating a holiday is elevating one group over another. Mrs. Lebo would like to remove Good Friday from the school calendar
Mrs. Perdios said that growth of other cultural groups may need to be addressed in the future.
Mayor Koch said that all current holidays are reflected in the union contracts and any changes would need to be negotiated. Mayor Koch would not support removing Good Friday from the calendar.
Mr. Gutro asked for and received confirmation that amendments to the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar can be proposed and voted on at the April 10 meeting.
§
Communications
Mrs. Cahill noted upcoming School Committee Regular Meetings on April 10, 2024; May 8 & 22, 2024; and June 12, 2024 at 6:30 pm at the Coddington Building. Upcoming Subcommittee Meetings (at the Coddington Building): on March 27, 2024: Teaching & Learning at 6:00 pm; Policy at 7:00 pm; on April 24, 2024: Quarterly Budget & Finance at 6:00 pm; Teaching & Learning at 6:15 pm; Policy at 7:00 pm.
Mrs. Lebo said that the Haverhill School Committee Chair reached out to School Committee about supporting resolution on Chapter 70 funding, would like to discuss further at a future School Committee meeting.
§
Reports of
Subcommittees
Mrs. Cahill noted that Subcommittee minutes are posted on the Quincy Public Schools website in the School Committee section.
Mrs. Perdios reviewed the March 13, 2024 meeting of the Special Education Subcommittee where the new Individual Education Plan (IEP) format was presented.
Mr. Gutro reviewed the Policy Subcommittee meeting from March 13, 2024 where the QPS School Year Calendar survey results were reviewed and a draft calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year was approved.
Mr. Gutro made a motion to remove items #6 School Committee Policy 2.4.5 Agenda Format and #17 2024-2025 School Committee Meeting Calendar from Policy Subcommittee. Motion, voice vote
As there were no corrections to the minutes of the March 13, 2024 Special Education and Policy Subcommittees, the minutes were approved as presented.
§
Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
§
Adjournment
Mayor Koch made a motion to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bregoli and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
§