Minutes
Quincy, Massachusetts - January 3, 2007
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee
Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Present were Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Dave McCarthy, Ms. Linda Stice, Mr. Jim Timmins, Mayor Phelan and Mrs. Elaine Dwyer, Vice Chairman.
Vice Chairman Presiding
The Superintendent called the roll and all members were present. Also present
were: Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, Secretary, and Mrs. Tefta Burrelli, Clerk; Drs.
Mariano and Pattavina. Messrs. O’Brien, Ryan, Canavan, Walsh, McPhee, Keith
and Kevin Segalla, and Mr. Mullaney; Ms. Powell, Todd, Lebo, and Hughes.
Mr. Paul Phillips, QEA President, Mr. Henry Brawley represented Citywide,
There were no associate members present.
Staff Recognition
The Committee observed a moment of silence for Mr. Robert Troup, a Social
Studies teacher at North Quincy High School who passed away suddenly.
Reg. Mins. Approved 12/13/06
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
approved the regular session minutes for December 13, 2006. The ayes
have it.
Staff Return
Elementary principals, Susan Troy and Jennifer Fay-Beers, have returned
to work. The Superintendent thanked Renee Lalumiere and Steve Sylvia
for serving as acting principals in their absence.
Ms. Stice has called a Policy Subcommittee meeting for Monday, January 8,
2007 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the District Improvement Plan.
Supts. Report
The Committee received brochures for the Winter Institute, Saturday morning
programs for students in Grade K-5, and Literacy Matters, a six week
Saturday morning program to remediate targeted students for reading. This
program is funded by Mayor Phelan’s annual golf tournament. Elementary
band students will begin their city-wide program on January 20th.
EQA Report
The members received the final report from the EQA along with the summary.
It reflects the findings of a six-member team from the Massachusetts Office
of Educational Quality and Accountability who visited the school system.
The report includes an MCAS proficiency index and a Management quality
index. The MCAS index was marked as a moderate and the Management
Quality index was defined to be strong. Also received was a letter from
Joseph Raffa informing us that the MEQA council met to compose a
management letter. They see Quincy as a potential lighthouse system for
the state.
Quincy needs to address a few issues. We are focusing on EQA
indicators that need improvement by drafting an action plan to see growth
in that area. The teams will come back in a Policy Subcommittee to
summarize areas of strength, areas of improvements, and ratings of
performance indicators that fell below and to offer a response that shows
facts and details. We would like to share with you again which teams
will take responsibility for examining these unsatisfactory ratings and
then predict some action steps to remediate and strengthen any areas we
need to. The Superintendent said that 70% of this report is very good,
but we will work towards getting 100%.
Mayor Phelan thought the report was very encouraging. One of the remarks
was that Quincy’s benefits remain very attractive and one of the highest of
any school districts in the state.
Mr. Timmins agreed with the Superintendent. The issues that relate mostly
to performance, curriculum, and instruction were very good. Assessment
and program evaluation was very well. Access participation and student
academic support which focuses on students were all at 92% or higher. The
only issue is with evaluations of administration and teaching staff. We do
have to improve on how we evaluate. He found the whole thing very
encouraging.
The Superintendent wished every one a happy New Year and said as we face
serious issues like negotiations in 2007 let’s try to remember for the past five to
six years, this School Committee and this Mayor and former members have
worked diligently and proudly on the most important element in our school
system, our students. Our budgets have reflected the esteem and value that
the School Committee and Mayor place on our children as well as our
professional staff. An ambitious capital plan has been developed, staff
salaries have increased over 17% making us very a very competitive community.
Our City is so fortunate to have this Committee and Mayor who have always
shown a deep respect and appreciation of our professional staff. Our full-day
kindergarten is an example of their visionary leadership. The collaborative
work of our School Committee, Mayor and City Council has culminated in
the reality of a new Quincy High School. As they work with the MSBA,
their vision and leadership are evident as they work on the building needs of
Sterling and Central. The Mayor and School Committee continually recognize
the invaluable contributions of our educators. They have acknowledged publicly
the deep respect they have for every professional staff in the Quincy Public Schools.
As professionals we should appreciation the support that has been reflected
in our increased school budget that keeps our class size low and our increased
salaries. These increases are a result of the respect this Mayor and School
Committee holds for our teachers. This School Committee and Mayor, through
their public and private actions, have always shown a genuine and sincere love
for our kids.
The Superintendent asked that this respect be acknowledged and taken into
serious consideration prior to creating situations that may involve the families
of the Mayor and the School Committee.
Open Forum
As no one wished to be heard at the open forum, the Committee went on with
the business at hand.
Bldg. Update
Mr. Canavan reported that over the holiday break the Maintenance Department
painted the kindergarten area and several bathrooms at the Early Childhood
Center, installed new floor tiles at North Quincy High School and at Snug
Harbor, ceiling repairs and painting at Central Middle School, installed new
classroom doorway in the GOALS building and the boiler/Burner service company
cleaned the boilers at Quincy High. The Maintenance Department continues to
replaced drain pipes at the Lincoln Hancock pool’s mechanical room. A new
intercom system for Snug Harbor has been ordered. Work will be done in-house.
The Mayor inquired about the boys’ locker room at North Quincy. After dropping
in there, he noticed that the ceiling tiles were still missing. He reported this
a year ago. Also, he asked if this was something for the Maintenance Department.
Mr. Canavan said there was very extensive damage in the locker room. The
ceiling grid and speakers were damaged. He was planning to do this work
during the break. The Mayor asked if he could just put in ceiling tiles, which
would be an immediate improvement.
The Mayor also discussed the cleanliness of the locker room. He understood
that it takes a lot of use, but he would like to see custodians and maintenance
staff concentrate on it--paint the floors.
Mr. Timmins inquired about the intercom systems at Merrymount, Parker,
and Bernazzani. Mr. Canavan answered that those intercom systems are
functioning.
New QHS
Mrs. Dwyer reported that over the break the Building Committee voted
and accepted the schematic designs drawings for the new Quincy High.
The members of the Building Committee, Tishman, and SMMA met with
MSBA to review the design drawings and received positive feedback.
Tishman, SMMA and school administrators have been meeting to develop
a plan to accommodate classrooms that are scheduled to be displaced during
Phase 1. SMMA will provide a classroom layout in the next 10 days.
The Inspector General has approved our application to use the Construction
Management at Risk alternative delivery method.
Mrs. Mahoney inquired about the Statement of Interest forms for Sterling
and Center. When checking the MSBA website she found they were not
listed as received. She called and they said they had not received it. Mrs.
Dwyer will check on that.
All-Day Kindergarten Presentation
At this time, Colleen Roberts, Edie Hughes, and Diane O’Keefe gave
a presentation on the Full Day Kindergarten. This program began in 2006.
Mayor Phelan appropriated $1.8 million to fund the full day kindergarten
program. Mrs. Roberts spoke to the implementation of the program. Furniture,
curriculum and learning materials were purchased. Renovations were done at
six elementary schools. There are now 37 kindergarten teachers and 37 paraprofessionals. Eleven of the new teachers all have either a Master’s degree,
previous teaching experience, or both. Mrs. Hughes spoke to the instructional
design of the program. There is a minimum of a 90 minute block for literacy.
Math is hands-on activities through the use of manipulative. There are
social/emotional developmental activities and play/rest time, lunch and
music, physical education and media. The Harcourt Trophies kindergarten
reading program aligns with Grade 1 by assuring all needed skills and strategies
will be covered. There is also early reading intervention. Student support
services are available. Kindergarten students are assessed. There are
fifteen professional development sessions for teachers. Ms. O’Keefe gave
a principal’s perspective. She said the principals were very happy that there
is a paraprofessional in all classes. Last year’s full day kindergarten class
produced first graders who are much more advanced. She cited amazing creativity
from the teachers. After the presentation, the Committee saw a series
of pictures of Kindergarteners and their thoughts caught on camera
by Brian Smith.
Ms. Stice thanked Brian and commented that Brian is a genius. He does
such a great job on this and so many other videos. The School Committee
has now accomplished what they put on the agenda five years ago. Thanks
went to Mrs. Bragg and prior members who worked on this.
Gifts to QHS
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee
accepted the following gifts:
- A fully loaded 1992 Dodge Ram Conversion Van donated by Ms.
Filardi and Ms. Rubin valued at $5,700.
- A 1999 Dodge Stratus automobile donated by Mr. McCauley valued
at $2,970.
- A 1996 Ford Windstar Minivan donated by Jerry Bennett valued at
$1,500.
The ayes have it.
Mr. Timmins asked how the cars will be used. Ms. Lebo answered that
the Ford Wind Star will be used as a teaching station in the school. The
Dodge Stratus will be given away to a Quincy High student for perfect
attendance. The Conversion van will be put on eBay and the money will
go toward the Student Activity Account.
Additional Business
Mr. Mulvey inquired with regard to the issue of health care benefits for
individuals the School Committee makes decision for. What is the progress
in moving the Quincy Public Schools employees from the City insurance
program to the state insurance program.
Health Insurance
Mrs. Dwyer said she spoke to Senator Morrissey and asked his office to give
us an update where it is in the legislation. With the new governor, they will
take this issue up very quickly in the legislature.
The Mayor said the new governor is in favor of it. There are some limitations.
It is a local option. There has to be a vote of the legislative body as well as all
the collective bargaining units to go into it. When you look at the cost of employee
benefits since he’s been in office it was $18 million in 07 we are up to $40 million.
There seems to be a misconception out there. People are not being given accurate
information. The report that was provided by the state today is consistent with
what the Mayor has been saying. The benefits that the City of Quincy employees
enjoy are better than or as good as any other city. The fringe benefits remain the
highest in the region. There is a misconception out there regarding what other
public employees receive as compared to what QPS receive. Because the City pays
such a high percentage of the benefits, there is less incentive for the bargaining
units to opt into the state plan. The reason why the legislation is being enacted
is to help the cities and towns. We have the least chance of taking advantage
of the law because the employees have less to gain by changing. We are in a
situation where we provide the most generous employee benefits and as a result
could be penalized because of that.
NQHS Traffic
With regard to the traffic/drop off at North Quincy High School, Mrs. Mahoney
thanked the Mayor and Steve O’Donnell because all the initiatives have been
accomplished. We were also able to communicate to parents and letters went home.
It was posted on the website and the educational channel. The most critical
thing we want to remember is that it is a work in progress.
Policy Change Motion to Evaluate Superintendent
Ms. Stice made a motion, seconded by Mr. Timmins, that the Superintendent
be evaluated annually between March and June and that the evaluation consist
of a review of the development and implementation of the District Improvement
Plan as well as other factors suggested by the MASC. The Vice Chairman will
appoint an ad-hoc committee to evaluate the Superintendent annually. As is
School Committee policy, this item was tabled. Ms. Stice made a motion,
seconded by Mr. McCarthy, to take the motion off the table. The ayes have it.
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Timmins. The ayes have it.
Retirements
The Committee noted the following retirements:
Teacher:Corinne Mitchell
Resignations
The Committee noted the following resignations:
Teachers: Kathleen Cibotti, Eric Ventura
Literacy Specialist: Catherine Jordan
Speech/Language Pathologist: Sarah Ryan
Adjourn to Executive Session
On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, the Committee
moved to go into executive session at 8:20 p.m. for the purpose of negotiations.
The Committee did not return to open session. On a roll call vote, the motion
passed unanimously 7-0.