May 2, 2007 School Committee Minutes

Minutes

Quincy, Massachusetts - May 2, 2007
Regular Meeting of the Quincy School Committee

Regular Meeting

A regular meeting of the Quincy School Committee was held on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Mr. Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Dave McCarthy, Ms. Linda Stice, Mr. Jim Timmins, Mayor Phelan and Ms. 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, Walsh, McPhee, Keith Segalla, and Mullaney; Ms. Powell, Lebo, Hughes, and Roberts. Associate Member, Paige Newman.

Reg. Session. Mins. Approved 4/11/2007

On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee approved the regular session minutes for April 11, 2007. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.

Open Forum/QEA Members Speak to Negotiations & Health Care Benefits

There was a large contingency of teachers who assembled in the Chambers. Mrs. Dwyer reminded them that this was a business meeting. She did not want any noise makers or disruptions and that it is the School Committee’s policy not to respond during Open Forum. Speakers had a four-minutes limit.

Some speakers went over the four minute time limit, however, other QEA members yielded their four minutes allowing members to finish their speeches. The following teachers spoke at the Open Forum:

Jessica Davis-Myers, Elizabeth Angell, Brian Angell, Dr. Nancy SheehanMelzack, Beverly Quilty, Wendy Hanlon, Ellen Power, Paul Phillips, QEA President, Mark Connerty, Bill Pavao, Amy Mulcahy, Tiffany Riley, Brian Casey, Linda Monaco, Amy Litchfield, Allison Cox, Kim Quinn, Deborah Barrett, Carolyn Treacy, Vin McGuire, Paul Conti, Peggy Walker, Cristopher Natalizia, Paulette D’Oyley, Debbie Brown, Connie Graham, Ron Pettinelli, Jeff Braetch, Kevin Bell, William Doyle, Sheri Eldridge, Fred Harris, Donna Willoughby, Janet Little, Janice Sullivan, Roberta DiTullio Martin, Jane Lundquist, Lorraine Kusi, Sean Greene, Jane Southwick, Eric Clark, Stacy Reed, and Janet Bargar.

The teachers spoke to the QEA negotiations. The spoke to the change in health care benefits which the City has proposed. They consider this proposal a pay cut. Most teachers stated they take jobs in the Quincy Public Schools not necessarily because of salaries, but due to the great benefits. Teachers also spoke to a letter mailed to Quincy residents by the Mayor which asked who else has such a generous deal. The current health care contributions help offset salaries that are lower than those in area communities. QEA President, Paul Phillips, spoke about past negotiations whereby teachers and city officials came together and worked out solutions to help bring down health care costs. Mr. Philips reiterated what teachers said about lower salaries but the benefits were excellent. Teachers feel that they are being asked to do the same job next year they did this year with less money. If the city wants them to pay more in health benefits, it is only fair that they increase salaries by that amount. The teachers listed all the other activities they do for students without compensation. The QEA has set June 8 as the “drop dead date” for a new contract. The teachers asked for a fair contract that reflects the importance of their jobs.

Mrs. Mahoney leaves at 10:25 p.m.

NQAFROTC to Pease Air Force Base in NH

On a motion by Mr. Timmins, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee approved the Out of State Travel Request by the North Quincy ROTC to go to Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire on May 14, 2007. The ayes have it.

Report Cards Grades 1-5 Approved

On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mr. Mulvey, the Committee approved the revised report card for grades 1-5. The ayes have it.

Bullying into SubCommittee

On a motion by Ms. Stice, seconded by Mayor Phelan, the Committee put “bullying” into the Policy Subcommittee. The ayes have it.

School Choice

On a motion by Mr. Mulvey, seconded by Ms. Stice, the Committee approved the Superintendent recommended that the Quincy School Committee withdraw from the obligation to enroll non-resident students in the Quincy Public Schools for the 2007-2008 academic year for the following reasons:

  1. Continued projected enrollment conditions at the elementary and middle schools based on current and projected enrollments
  2. Policy of the Quincy School Committee to adhere to class size guidelines.

The ayes have it.

Gift-Accepted

On a motion by Mr. McCarthy, seconded by Mr. Timmins, the Committee accepted a gift of $464.00 from Boston Financial to be used in the Snug Harbor Community School library. The ayes have it.

Mr. Timmins commended QPAC and especially Linda Perry for putting together an outstanding program at Quincy High School. They had a speaker who spoke on “fluency in the reading brain” He commended them for hosting that program.

Retirements

The Committee noted the following retirements:

Café Mgr. Jeanne Silva

Resignations

The Committee noted the following resignations:

Teacher: Anne Schnarr

Paraprofessional: Nora Flynn

Lunch Attendant: Nicole Fransoso

Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Mulvey, seconded by Ms. Stice, the Committee adjourned for the evening at 10:53 p.m. for the evening. There was no Executive Session. On a roll call vote, the motion to adjourn passed unanimously 6-0. Mrs. Mahoney was absent.