Minutes
Quincy, MASSACHUSETTS – September 16, 2020
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Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Special Meeting
Vice-Chair Presiding
A meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 6:00 p.m at the Coddington Building. Superintendent Kevin Mulvey called the roll and present were Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mr. Frank Santoro, and Mr. Anthony Andronico, Vice Chair.
Also present were: Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Acting Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Allison Cox, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla; Health Department Commissioner Ruth Jones; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
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Approval of Minutes
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting Minutes for August 4, 2020; August 5, 2020; August 11, 2020; August 13, 2020; August 14, 2020; August 26, 2020; the Executive Session Minutes for August 5, 2020 and August 26, 2020; and the Policy Subcommittee Meeting Minutes for August 5, 2020 and August 26, 2020. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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Open Forum
Mr. Steve Sikora is concerned about the HVAC/Ventilation testing report, other towns have more comprehensive information by school. Parents should be able to see the measurements for their specific schools and a timeline for completion of additional mitigation measures.
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Motion to Executive
Session
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to take the agenda out of order and move to Executive Session for the purpose of Contract Negotiations at 6:35 pm. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0. School Committee will return to the regular meeting at the conclusion of Executive Session.
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Superintendent’s
Report
School Committee returned to the Regular Meeting at 7:10 pm and resumed the regular order of the agenda.
Superintendent Mulvey opened his report with preliminary enrollment information, on the first day of school September 16, 9,636 students are enrolled in Quincy Public Schools Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, with 200 students in process in at Central Registration and at school sites. Attendance and engagement for this week will be analyzed and reported on at the next School Committee.
1,263 Chromebooks have been distributed to students to date from the 1350 on hand; 1,131 students have requested Chromebooks. The next delivery of 2,500 Chromebooks is scheduled to arrive by the end of September. Live IT support is available September 16-18, including translation support by QARI.Computer labs at the middle and high schools will be available for students who do not have access to a device. Learning Packets are available for Grades K-3 students at the school lunch sites.
Thanks to School Nutrition Director Sara Dufour, meal distribution continued through the summer, with 63,472 meals served to Quincy families. Beginning September 9, all school locations are distributing “grab and go” meals from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and meals are being served to students attending school beginning September 16.
The Grades 4-12 Instructional Choice Survey was sent out to families via Aspen and posted on the Quincy Public Schools website and social media; to date there is a 30% response rate with 23% selecting hybrid.
Mr. Mulvey noted the list of Public Buildings summer projects completed in Quincy Public Schools buildings that was shared with School Committee; Public Buildings Commissioner Paul Hines will appear at an upcoming meeting with more detailed information.
Mr. Gutro asked about Chromebooks, once the outstanding requests are filled, the school Chromebook carts will be replenished.
Mr. Gutro asked about measuring engagement in addition to attendance and Learning Packet distribution data.
Mrs. Hubley asked for clarification on the availability of Chromebooks. Currently, the projected delivery date is September 24 to our vendor for programming and the vendor will program 500 per day so the first Chromebooks may be available on September 28.
Mrs. Hubley asked about the lockers at Point Webster, Mr. Mulvey confirmed that these are completed.
Mr. Gutro noted that Quincy Public Schools is still having issues with reaching out to certain email domains.
Mr. Santoro noted that the City of Quincy’s Public Budget carries the cost of these school improvements, many were identified in School Improvement Plans by principals. Thanks to Mayor Koch for the continuing support for Quincy Public Schools facilities.
Mr. Andronico noted that the Chromebooks shipping delay is part of a nation-wide shortage due to global demand. The order for 7,000 Chromebooks was placed in May and QPS was notified in late July of the delay. Governor Baker and DESE Commissioner Riley assisted with getting 2,500 earlier than the November delivery date originally scheduled.
Mrs. Lebo said that parents are being mindful of the limited availability of Chromebooks and may be holding back from requesting to borrow, so there will be more requests once the shipment arrives.
Mr. Bregoli asked about technology for the Quincy Public Schools professional staff, all received new Dell laptops in August.
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New Business
Chairman’s Report
Mayor Koch reported that he met with Congressman Lynch about the next round of COVID funding that may be available to cities and towns. Mayor Koch is concerned about local aid going forward for the FY2022 budget.
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New Business
Re-Opening Metrics &
Timeline
Health Commissioner Ruth Jones reviewed the data for the last two weeks, including statistics on students, staff, and families. Data averages keep Quincy in the green. Commissioner Jones said the next two weeks of data will be very important as students will actually be in school buildings.
Mr. Andronico asked for the report to be published on the Quincy Public Schools website and Ms. Owens will create a page.
Mr. Gutro thanked Commissioner Jones for the data, asked clarifying questions about the data and the movement between colors.
Mrs. Lebo asked about averaging all columns and Commissioner Jones agreed.
Mr. Bregoli asked to discuss students going back in person full time at some point. Commissioner Jones said green is the gold standard per the Governor, but there are many considerations before discussing full-time in-person as there are no standards yet from the state.
Mr. Bregoli asked if wearing masks will reduce the number of flu cases, Commissioner Jones said it can’t hurt and will hopefully help.
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New Business
Appointment of
Assistant
Superintendent
Superintendent Mulvey recommended that School Committee appoint Erin Perkins as the Assistant Superintendent of Quincy Public Schools and reviewed her 20-year career from beginning as a teacher and Special Education chair to Special Education Team Administrator, Early Childhood Coordinator, and Director of Special Education.
Mr. Gutro made a motion to appoint Erin Perkins as the Quincy Public Schools Superintendent. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley.
On the motion, Mayor Koch congratulated Ms. Perkins, her dedication is evident.
Mrs. Lebo said that Ms. Perkins has the ability to put herself in the parents shoes, a very valuable skill.
Mrs. Hubley agreed with Mrs, Lebo, Ms. Perkins is known in the community as very responsive.
Mr. Bregoli said that Ms. Perkins, along with the whole Superintendent’s Leadership Team, has stepped up in the last six months. Ms. Perkins is always professional with School Committee, staff, and parents.
Mr. Santoro said that it is an honor to appoint Ms. Perkins to this position, her father former Superintendent Creedon gave him the opportunity to teach in the Quincy Public Schools.
Mr. Gutro appreciates Ms. Perkins for her connection with students and families, she has the ability to balance all the responsibilities.
Mr. Andronico said Ms. Perkins consistently goes above and beyond for families, staff, and School Committee members.
On a roll call vote, the ayes have it 7-0.
Ms. Perkins thanked School Committee and said the relationships with families and staff are what make Quincy Public Schools a special place.
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Process for
Appointing the New
Special Education
Director
Mr. Andronico reviewed that the Superintendent typically conducts a search and there is an interview committee with a School Committee member included. School Committee would take a confirming vote of the candidate put forth by the interview committee.
Mrs. Lebo asked about parent involvement, Superintendent Mulvey confirmed that parents are members of the interview committee. Superintendent Mulvey said the position will be posted internally and on SchoolSpring for 30 days.
Mr. Andonico asked that information about the new Quincy Public Schools administrative structure be shared at the next School Committee meeting.
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New Business
School Nurse
Appointment
Mayor Koch made a motion to appoint Ms. Michelle Sheerin as a School Nurse. Mrs. Lebo seconded the motion.
On the motion, Mr. Bregoli asked about her assignment. Superintendent Mulvey said most likely an elementary school, but final assignments still being determined as there are 1.5 positions open for nurses currently.
On a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
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New Business
Update of School
Committee Policies
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to adopt revised School Committee Policy Section 10.2 Equal Educational Opportunities. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Hubley and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
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New Business
Gift
Superintendent Mulvey said North Quincy High School alumni Lori Ferris donated $5,000 for curriculum focusing on new novels by contemporary authors of color in support of the group NQHS in Solidarity with POC.
Mr. Gutro made a motion to accept the gift of $5,000 from Lori Ferris for curriculum purchases. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
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Communications
Mr. Andronico announced that upcoming School Committee Meetings will be held on September 23, 2020 (Special Meeting at 6:00 pm); regular meetings on September 30, 2020 (at a location to be announced); October 14 and October 28, 2020 all at 6:30 pm.
Subcommittee Meetings are scheduled for September 23 (Facilities, Security & Transportation) and September 30, 2020 (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion), both at 5:30 pm.
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Executive Session
Executive Session was moved earlier in the meeting when the agenda was taken out of order.
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Adjournment
Mr. Bregoli made a motion to adjourn the Regular School Committee meeting at 8:15 pm. Mrs. Hubley seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
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