January 22, 2025 School Committee Meetings

January 22, 2025 School Committee Meetings
Posted on 01/16/2025

Quincy School Committee Policy Subcommittee

Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 6:10 pm
Coddington Building, School Committee Room

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

 

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, January 24, 2025 on the QPS YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@QuincyPS.

AGENDA

1. Draft School Committee Policy Review Mr. Gutro

5.5.7 Motor Vehicle Idling on School Grounds

 

QUINCY SCHOOL COMMITTEE

POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING

A meeting of the Policy Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 6:10 pm in the Coddington Building.  Present were Subcommittee members Mrs. Tina Cahill, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mr. Doug Gutro, Policy Subcommittee Chair.  Also present were Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Erin Perkins, Ms. Julie Graham, Mr. Michael Marani, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Mr. Gutro reviewed the proposed new School Committee Policy Section 5.5.7 Motor Vehicle Idling on School Grounds, which is the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) recommended policy.

Mrs. Cahill made a motion to approve the proposed creation of School Committee Policy Section 5.5.7 Motor Vehicle Idling on School Grounds.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Lebo and on a roll call vote of the Subcommittee, the ayes have it, 3-0.

This item will appear on the agenda for the March 12, 2025 School Committee meeting for discussion and be eligible for vote at the March 26, 2025 meeting.

Mrs. Cahill made a motion to adjourn at 6:15 pm, seconded by Mrs. Lebo.  On a voice vote, the ayes have it.

 


 

Quincy School Committee

Budget and Finance Subcommittee
Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Chair

Coddington Building
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
6:15 p.m.


Agenda

1. Quarterly Budget Status Report Mr. Mullaney

QUINCY SCHOOL COMMITTEE

QUARTERLY BUDGET & FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING

 

A meeting of the Quarterly Budget & Finance Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 6:15 pm in the School Committee Room in the Coddington Building.  Present were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, School Committee Chair; Mr. Doug Gutro, 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; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Director of Business James Mullaney presented the Quarterly Budget review through the FY2025 second quarter ending December 31, 2024.  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 salary lines can be used to balance the anticipated deficits on the expense side. 

Anticipated deficits on the expense side are related to Special Education tuitions, Special Education transportation, and vended transportation due to open staff driver positions at the start of the school year.  Seven new staff members have joined the Transportation staff since the contract was settled.  There are additional funds from the Circuit Breaker reimbursement that will also assist in covering the deficit.

Mr. Gutro asked if Special Education tuitions will decline in the coming years. Mr. Mullaney said there has been savings on students who remained in Quincy rather than being outplaced.  The cost of outplacement continues to increase.  Mayor Koch noted that the DeCristofaro Learning Center savings will be realized over time; older students are who are already outplaced are less likely to return, but younger students will remain in the district rather than be outplaced

Mr. Gutro asked for a breakdown of expiring grants, Mr. Mullaney said that ESSER funding is completely expended and the last million dollars covered the past year’s summer programs.

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 pm.  Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.

 

 

Quincy School Committee

January 22, 2025 at 6:30 pm

I. Call to Order

  • Roll Call
  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • In Memoriam

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 non-resident parent of a student who attends the Quincy Public Schools, or a non-resident employee of the Quincy Public Schools. After providing their name and address, each speaker may present for no more than three minutes. Time may not be exchanged or yielded to others.

Residents or non-community persons may submit written statements (up to 300 words) to the School Committee at [email protected] by 4:00 pm on the day prior to the meeting. Written statements will be posted on the Quincy Public Schools website by noon on the day of the meeting.

III. Superintendent’s Report

  • Student Recognitions:  DECA Awards
  • Staff Recognition:  NQHS Boys Basketball Coach Kevin Barrett
  • Kindergarten Registration
  • A Matter of Heart
  • Upcoming Quincy Public Schools & City of Quincy Events:
    • Cultural Fairs:  Point Webster, January 24 and Snug Harbor, February 13
    • Project 351 Day of Service, January 25
    • State of the City Address, January 27
    • High School STEM Fairs, February 4 and 6
    • Early College High School Symposium, February 7

IV. Old Business

  • Proposed Revision to School Committee Policy Book Section 9.2 School Year/School Calendar - Mr. Gutro
  • Draft 2025-2026 School Year Calendar - Mr. Gutro
  • Draft 2025-2026 School Committee Meeting Calendar - Mr. Gutro

Items under Old Business are for discussion; all are eligible for vote at the February 12, 2025 Regular Meeting.

V. New Business

  • QPS Graduation Requirements/Competency Determination - Dr. Perkins, Mr. Marani
  • MCAS Assessment Update - Mr. Marani

VI. Consent Agenda (ROLL CALL VOTE)

  • Meeting Minutes: January 8, 2025 Regular and Executive Session

VII. Additional Business

VIII. Communications

  • Upcoming School Committee Meetings (6:30 pm at the Coddington Building:
    • Regular Meetings on February 12; March 12 & 26; April 9, 2025.
  • Upcoming Subcommittee Meetings (6:00 pm at the Coddington Building):
    • February 5, 2025: Athletics & Wellness, Teaching & Learning

IX. Reports of Subcommittees

  • Mrs. Lebo to review the December 16, 2024 Joint Teaching & Learning and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee Meeting
  • Mr. Gutro to review the January 8, 2025 Policy Subcommittee Meeting
  • Mrs. Perdios to review the January 15, 2025 Special Education Subcommittee Meeting

X. Executive Session

  • Contract Negotiations

XI. Adjournment

Quincy, MASSACHUSETTS – January 22, 2025

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Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

 

A meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 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. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Courtney Perdios, and School Committee Vice Chair Mrs. Tina Cahill.

 

Also present were: Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Erin Perkins, Ms. Kim Connolly, Mr. Daniel Cosgrove, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Julie Graham, Mr. Michael Marani, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile; NQHS Student Representative Anthony DiBella and QHS Student Representative Anabella Chin; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

 

School Committee Members Mr. Paul Bregoli and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley were absent.

 

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.

§

 

Regular Meeting

 

Vice-Chair Presiding

Andy Pham, all spoke in support of Quincy Public Schools adding Lunar New Year as an observed holiday.

 

Letters were submitted online for Open Forum from Jill Sabin and Shivpreet Singh, both in support of Quincy Public Schools adding Lunar New Year as an observed holiday.

 

§

 

Open Forum

Superintendent Mulvey opened his report with recognition of the recent DECA District Competition, 40 students from North Quincy and Quincy High Schools’ Business programs received Grand Awards for Team Writing Projects, Role Play, Exams, and Team Decision Making in the areas including Marketing, Principles of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Accounting Applications, which qualified them to progress to the State Development Conference competition on February 27. DECA is a nation-wide career and technical education student organization whose focus is preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

 

Congratulations to Quincy Public Schools elementary Physical Education teacher and North Quincy High School Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Kevin Barrett, who coached his 200th win on January 3, moving into 1st place on the all-time wins list for the program.

 

Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year is underway, with the online link for families to pre-register posted on the Quincy Public Schools website and social media. Pre-registered families will be contacted by school secretaries and Central Registration beginning on February 3 to schedule registration appointments. Over 230 families have already pre-registered their students as we begin the process of welcoming the QPS Class of 2038!

 

Next week, all Grade 8 students will learn about the basics of CPR in their Health classes through the Matter of Heart initiative. On Saturday, February 1, Grade 8 students are invited to attend a free American Heart Association CPR-AED certification course. Thanks to Health Services Coordinator Andrea Huwar, Director of Academic Programs Larry Taglieri, our middle school Health educators, and partner Brewster EMS for their support of this initiative.

 

Upcoming Quincy Public Schools & City of Quincy Events include: Cultural Fairs will be held at Point Webster Middle School on January 24 and at Snug Harbor on February 13. On Saturday, January 25, the Grade 8 Ambassadors from our middle schools will participate in the Project 351 Day of Service with Grade 8 students from all over Massachusetts. This is the 15th year our students have participated in this program and volunteered at programs like Cradles to Crayons and Project Bread.Mayor Koch will be giving the annual State of the City address on Monday, January 27 at 10:30 am in the Great Hall in historic City Hall.

 

The Quincy High School STEM Fair will be held on Tuesday, February 4 and North Quincy High School will host theirs on Thursday, February 6, both starting at 5:30 pm. Members of the community are invited to volunteer as a judge for either or both of the STEM Fair events. Links to sign up are found on the QPS website and social media. Broad Meadows Middle School’s Drama Club is presenting Something Rotten on February 6 & 7 at 7:00 pm and February 8 at 2:00 pm all in the Broad Meadows Middle School Auditorium. Quincy's Early College High School Pathway Symposium will be held on Friday, February 7, 9:00 a.m. at the Boston Marriott Quincy. ECHS Pathway Students, High School and Quincy College Faculty, members of the Superintendent’s Leadership Team, and staff from the State Street Foundation and RTI International will participate in the morning’s activities, along with Mayor Koch and the Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutweiler.

 

§

 

Superintendent’s

Report

 

Mr. Gutro reviewed that there were three Policy items for discussion on the agenda, all were advanced to the full School Committee at the January 8, 2025 Policy Subcommittee Meeting. These items are eligible for vote on February 12, 2025.

 

For the proposed revision to School Committee Policy 9.2 School Year/School Calendar Mrs. Perdios requested clarification on the 185 days requirement for the calendar; language will be added to clarify that the calendar should indicate up to five days of cancellations for weather or other issues.

 

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to amend the proposed revision to School Committee Policy 9.2 School Year/School Calendar to include the information about the 185 days on the calendar. Mrs. Perdios seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 5-0. Mr. Bregoli and Mrs. Hubley were absent.

 

For the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar, Mrs. Perdios noted that Lunar New Year is not listed as a holiday.

 

For the 2025-2026 School Committee Meeting Calendar, there was no discussion.

 

Mayor Koch left the meeting at 6:55 pm.

 

§

 

Old Business

 

 

 

 

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Erin Perkins and Curriculum Director Michael Marani reviewed the proposed required Quincy Public Schools Graduation Requirements and Competency Determinations, including suggested language to revise School Committee Policy 9.11.5 High School Promotion and Graduation Requirements. Students are required to demonstrate mastery of the Grade 10 Massachusetts standards for English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. Previous to the November ballot question, passing the Grade 10 MCAS assessment in these three subject areas with a defined score was a state-level graduation requirement. Under the revised regulation, students will show mastery of the standards by the satisfactory completion of school-district determined coursework that meets the state standards.

 

Any student in Grade 11 or 12 who passed the Grade 10 MCAS prior to December 5, 2024 has met the competency determination and are qualified to graduate. There are considerations for students who are currently seniors but did not pass MCAS; current Grade 11 students who did not pass MCAS; Grades 9 & 10 students who can no longer earn their competency determination through MCAS; and students who have not yet entered high school.

 

The courses required for competency determination are: English 9 and 10; Algebra 1 or 2 and Geometry; Biology, Conceptual Biology, or Physics. Students can pass these courses through Summer School, credit recovery, GOALS, Quincy Evening High School, or other coursework as long as it meets the same MA Curriculum Framework Standards. Students in Special Education programs (in-district or out of district) will have a status review of their competency determination and IDEA provisions, with their Special Education team.

 

For students currently in Grades 11 & 12, 468 students (out of approximately 1400) do not meet CD in at least one subject area via MCAS. 241 students are on an EPP to meet their CD with coursework; 78 students will meet CD with the new regulation; 149 have not met CD by either passing MCAS or coursework (105 are in Grade 11 and 44 are in Grade 12). The first concern is to address the needs of the Grade 12 students to make sure they are on track to complete CD through coursework. In addition, the Fall 2024 retest data is just available and has not yet been analyzed.

 

For students who graduated in 2024 or years prior, students who received a certificate of attainment are eligible to be reviewed to see if they meet Competency Determination. Around 40 students completed high school with a Certificate of Attainment between 2018 and 2024. These students’ transcripts are being reviewed and they will be notified if they qualify to receive a high school diploma.

 

Mr. Marani emphasized that the Grade 10 MCAS administration is still required and participation is critical as this is part of school and district accountability. MCAS data will still be used to determine John & Abigail Adams Scholarships; the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award; and the State Seal of Biliteracy. There are still opportunities for MCAS retests in the spring, but the schedule moving forward is still to be determined.

 

Superintendent Mulvey suggested that School Committee consider waiving the normal Policy process and vote on the revised Policy on February 12 for immediate implementation.

 

Mrs. Perdios asked if the Policy Subcommittee can be a meeting of the Whole so the discussion can take place there.

 

Mrs. Perdios asked about the Graduation Requirements, Dr. Perkins clarified that there are both Competency Determination and local graduation requirements (4 years of English, Social Studies; 3 years of Science, Mathematics; 2 years of World Languages; and 4 years of Physical Education, in addition to Community Service.

 

Mrs. Perdios asked if the high school Department Chairs were involved in the discussion, Dr. Perkins said not yet, but they will be reviewing the proposed policy revision.

 

Mrs. Perdios asked about the MCAS retest opportunity in the spring, students may not use this for Competency Determination.

 

Mr. Gutro asked for clarification, the state requires districts to have both competency determination and graduation requirements. The majority of students who received certificates of attainment were students in the LEAP program, so the individual students’ completed coursework will need to be reviewed to see if it meets the criteria.

 

Mr. Gutro asked for clarification, each district is setting their own competency determinations. Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents statewide are sharing information through the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane also shared an advisory.

 

Mrs. Lebo asked about the World Languages requirement for English Learner students, Dr. Perkins said there can be a waiver for these students. Mrs. Lebo suggested that language be added to the Policy as it can apply to any student.

 

Mrs. Cahill asked if there is approval beyond the local level, Dr. Perkins confirmed that DESE will not review the local determination.

 

Mrs. Cahill asked if newcomer EL students will be able to pass English 9 or 10. Dr. Perkins said that there are equivalent courses in the EL track, such as EL 3 Intermediate and EL 4 Advanced.

 

Mrs. Cahill reiterated that School Committee approving a revised Policy on February 12 will allow for the immediate implementation of this for the class of 2025.

 

Mr. Gutro asked about the continued administration of the Grade 10 MCAS, Dr. Perkins said both schools are concerned about participation rates, student performance, and the effect on accountability.

 

§

 

New Business

 

Graduation

Requirements &

Competency

Determination

 

Curriculum Director Michael Marani presented an update on MCAS Administration for Spring 2025, noting that there has been a change in the MCAS platform to a new portal. The new portal is similar to the previous platform and IT has completed the technology readiness survey, there have been training sessions for administrators for rostering. Student tutorials will be released later this month along with practice tests on the new platform; the functionality is almost identical to the previous version, this is meant to be an enhancement, especially for administrators. Mr. Marani thanked the IT team for their efforts in making the transition seamless for students and staff.

 

Effective this year, there will be a bilingual accommodation for Mathematics and Science for Spanish-speaking students who have been in the United States less than three years and have beginner or intermediate fluency.

 

Mr. Marani reviewed the window for MCAS for Grades 3-8 and 10 for each curriculum area. The IT department works with schools to schedule their administration dates, coordinating so there is on-site support for each school.

 

Mrs. Perdios asked how the practice tests and tutorials will be integrated at schools. Mr. Marani said both the Media blocks and curriculum area classes will utilize these opportunities.

 

§

 

New Business

 

Spring 2025 MCAS

Administration

 

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the item listed under the Consent Agenda: Approval of the January 8, 2025 Regular Meeting and Executive Session minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gutro and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it 4-0. Mayor Koch, Mr. Bregoli, and Mrs. Hubley were absent.

 

§

 

Consent Agenda

 

 

There was no Additional Business.

 

§

 

Additional Business

Mrs. Cahill noted that upcoming School Committee meetings will be held on February 12; March 12 & 26; April 9, 2025 all at 6:30 pm at the Coddington Building. There will be a Teaching & Learning Subcommittee meeting on February 5, 2025 at 6:00 pm, followed by a Policy Subcommittee meeting.

§

 

Communications

Mrs. Lebo reported on the December 16, 2024 Joint Meeting of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and Teaching & Learning Subcommittees, where the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging; Mathematics; and Literacy Program Improvement Plans were presented.

 

Mr. Gutro reported on the January 8, 2025 Policy Subcommittee meeting where proposed revision to School Committee Policy Book Sections 9.2 School Year/School Calendar; the draft 2025-2026 School Year Calendar; and the draft 2025-2026 School Committee Meeting Calendar were all approved and moved to the full School Committee for review.

 

Mrs. Perdios reviewed the January 15, 2025 Special Education Subcommittee where the annual Special Education Rights & Responsibilities presentation was shared and the Quincy Special Education Parent Advisory Council reported on last years goals.

 

As there were no changes proposed, the meeting minutes of the December 16, 2024 Joint Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and Teaching & Learning Subcommitees; the January 8, 2025 Policy Subcommittee; and the January 15, 2025 Special Education Subcommittee were accepted as presented.

 

§

 

Reports of

Subcommittees

 

 

 

Mrs. Lebo made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of Contract Negotiations at 8:10 pm. Mrs. Perdios seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 4-0. Mayor Koch, Mr. Bregoli, and Mrs. Hubley were absent. School Committee will not return from Executive Session.

 

§

 

Executive Session

Since School Committee did not return from Executive Session, the Regular Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm.

Adjournment

 

Quincy School Committee Open Forum Letters/January 22, 2025 Meeting

Hello, 

I am writing to you as a concerned member of our community, as well as a passionate advocate for the inclusion and recognition of diverse cultural traditions within our school calendar. I urge the School Committee to formally recognize the Lunar New Year as an official school holiday in the upcoming school calendar.

As you are aware, our student population is wonderfully diverse, with approximately 40% of our students identifying as Asian. The Lunar New Year is one of the most significant cultural holidays for many Asian communities, including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and more. It is a time for families to gather, celebrate, and honor their heritage and traditions. For many students, it is an important occasion that holds deep cultural and personal significance.

Recognizing Lunar New Year as an official school holiday would not only acknowledge the cultural heritage of a substantial portion of our student body but also promote a more inclusive and respectful school environment. It would send a powerful message of acceptance and appreciation for cultural diversity, fostering a sense of belonging and pride among our students. Furthermore, it would allow students who celebrate the Lunar New Year to fully participate in their cultural traditions without the added stress of missing schoolwork or falling behind in their studies.

In recent years, we have seen a growing recognition of the importance of cultural holidays in educational settings across the country. Many school districts have already taken steps to include Lunar New Year in their school calendars, understanding the positive impact it has on student engagement, well-being, and cultural awareness. I believe that our district can be a leader in this movement, setting an example for other communities to follow.

In conclusion, I respectfully request that the School Committee consider adding Lunar New Year as an official holiday in the upcoming school calendar. I am confident that this decision will be met with widespread support from students, parents, and educators alike. Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and I look forward to your positive response.

Sincerely,
Jill Sabin


***************************************************************

Dear Members of the School Committee,

Yesterday, we commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a time to honor the father of the civil rights movement in the United States. His words resonate as powerfully today as they did decades ago. Dr. King once said:

“I am convinced that men hate each other because they fear each other. They fear each other because they don’t know each other, and they don’t know each other because they don’t communicate with each other, and they don’t communicate with each other because they are separated from each other.”

These prophetic words underscore the importance of fostering understanding and unity within our community. When we choose not to honor the most significant cultural celebration for 40% of our school families, we risk perpetuating division rather than promoting inclusivity. Is this the legacy we wish to leave for future generations?

By officially recognizing Lunar New Year as a holiday in the QPS calendar, we have an opportunity to bring our diverse community closer together. This decision would reflect a commitment to valuing every student and family within our schools, fostering an environment where all feel seen, respected, and celebrated.

Such an omission contributes to a divided world not supportive of our children’s growth. As leaders, you have the power to model unity and understanding, setting an example that will resonate far beyond the walls of our schools.

Let us honor Dr. King’s vision and make his words a reality in our community. Together, we can choose love over division, creating a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

In closing, I leave you with another of Dr. King’s timeless quotes:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration.
Shivpreet Singh